Bailey Unicorn S2 Valencia

WE LIKED:
>> Innovative design
>> Ease of towing
>> New range of 'Aussie' features

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Inadequate front stone protection
>> Limited ground clearance
>> Built-in dining table on the small side

Owners of traditional caravans have always been suspicious of ‘new age’ RVs from Europe, usually questioning their ability to deal long-term with typical Australian touring conditions.

But if the reaction to our test Bailey Unicorn Series 2 Valencia is any guide, those attitudes are fading. Certainly the latest Bailey models to arrive in Australia from Britain’s big selling caravan maker are striking a chord with a new generation of travellers, who want a hamburger with the works at a basic cheeseburger price and aren’t prepared to change their family wheels to a large and thirsty 4WD to pull all life’s little luxuries.

TICKS THE BOXES

The new Valencia single-axle entry model to the updated and improved Unicorn Series 2 range that has just gone on sale in Australia ticks all those important boxes.

Seen amongst conventional caravans, the Valencia with its space-age styling, soaring panoramic front windows and plush and inviting interior, makes a statement like few other caravans.

For $57,289 (delivered in Victoria), you get an 18ft 8in internal length, fully featured caravan with a separate double bedroom/ rear ensuite, fully-equipped kitchen, large front lounge, central heating, reverse cycle air conditioning – even a heated towel rail!

But its ‘BBQ stopper’ is its light weight. Weighing in at just 1560kg empty and well under two tonnes laden, it can be towed by just about any medium sized vehicle.

It’s also so light on its two wheels that you can push it around like a box trailer!

And with its standard mechanical Al-Ko ATC Trailer Control System, which delivers the same anti-sway control as the company’s ESC Electronic Stability Control just launched in Australia, the fear that many people have of losing control of a large and heavy caravan is overcome.

As with all Baileys, the light weight comes from their patented Alu-Tech construction, in which the 32mm thick composite walls and roof and the 44mm floor interlock into an aluminium frame, attached to a large diameter fabricated and galvanised steel chassis.

This hybrid monocoque construction creates a very rigid structure that reassuringly carries a full six year bodyshell warranty.

Like all Baileys, liberal use is made of the latest European Al-Ko products, which apart from the chassis, includes independent suspension with telescopic shock absorbers, brakes and the aforementioned ATC Trailer Control System.

As these components are all designed and tested to work together and are used on thousands of caravans across the world, that’s another confidence booster.

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

What works in Britain and Europe doesn’t necessarily work in Australia though, as many importers of caravans built overseas have discovered in the past, but Bailey is working hard to change that perception.

The Bristol-based manufacturer is well aware of the changing demographics of today’s caravanners and it’s got its ear firmly to the ground Down Under.

In the 18 months or so that Bailey Australia has been selling caravans here, local distributor Bailer Australia has listened to comments from more than 250 owners and passed the feedback on to the factory.

Even more impressive Bailey, whose annual production of 9000 RVs is similar to Jayco’s, has translated many of these criticisms and suggestions into improvements in the latest Series 2 Unicorn models.

One of the issues we had with the larger tandem axle Bailey Unicorn Pamplona we reviewed nearly 12 months ago was its tiny 65-litre main water tank, which was inadequate for a full ensuite luxury van that might be used for free camping several nights a week by many owners touring Australia. Tick - it’s now a respectable 100 litres.

Ground-clearance was another issue on the previous 14-inch wheels, but this has been addressed by fitting larger 15-inch wheels and tyres and by re-locating the spare wheel carrier between the chassis rails, rather than below them.

The downside on the test Valencia was that the larger plastic water tank now sat lower than both the chassis and the spare wheel, and had no stone shielding. However Bailey Australia is well aware of this and the profile of the tank is currently being changed at the UK factory to ensure it sits higher.

Other improvements made on the S2 models to improve them for Australian conditions include more impact resistant and even better insulated side and roof body panels and uprated axles.

An external grab rail for safer entry and exit is also fitted; the central kitchen features a more ergonomic design, with a two-stage bench height; there are more 240v and 12v power outlets; the wardrobe hanging rails no longer jump out when travelling and improved flyscreens and window blinds have been fitted as standard to deal with Aussie insects and to repel our harsh sunlight.

Velcro has also been added under the 6ft 9in x 4ft 8in double bed mattress because we complained that on the Pamplona it kept sliding forward off its base when travelling, blocking access to the bedroom.

Finally, all Baileys are now pre-wired for solar power and satellite television and if you’re worried about the stylish Mozart cloth upholstery fading or getting grubby, there’s a new leatherette trim option.

HEY, GOOD LOOKING!

Viewed from the front, the latest Unicorn S2 presents a striking and appealing face, with the centre of the three opening front double-glazed windows extending up in to the roof.

First impression is that the flexible front GRP panelling is very exposed to stone damage and the tall window also might let a lot of unwanted heat in. However Bailey has an answer to both.

For a start, there’s a new, thicker padded and more encompassing bra available as a $935 travelling option. And if there’s too much light, then the combination block-out/fly screen blind incorporated in the window frame can be pulled down to reduce the centre window size to that of its two neighbours.

In any case, with all the windows surrounding the front lounge open in conjunction with the large 45-degree opening and fly meshed Polyplastic double-glazed skylight, there’s magnificent air flow throughout the van.

There’s no front boot, but in its place there are three very capacious side lockers – two at the front which are almost as tall as they are deep and another towards the rear on the kerb side, which is wide and deep enough to hold things like folding chairs and tables.

The other side locker on the passenger’s side holds the van’s deep cycle battery, while on the driver’s side, there’s one for the toilette cassette and a second locker for the twin gas bottles.

IMPRESSIVE PANORAMA

Stepping inside through the two-part door – sadly there’s no fly mesh secondary door – and the first view of the spacious lounge room surrounded by its panoramic glasshouse is impressive.

There’s comfortable sitting room here for six, and the curved overhead cupboard furniture and profusion of LED lights create a special ambiance, particularly at night, but inexplicably the table that pulls out from the central chest of drawers is only good for drinks for two.

However to dine there, as you would surely want to, you need to open the side-hinged double bed on its telescopic struts, remove the folding indoor/outdoor table from its cradle above the large storage area and then unfold it in between the lounge seats.

On the plus side, both couches convert into another double bed if you want to sleep four.

The kitchen is not particularly large, but there’s good bench and cupboard space, below, above and adjacent to the protruding circular sink with its large mixer tap and combination cook top, oven and grill.

Even better, the sink area bench is at the correct ergonomic height. Ample LED lighting makes this a bright and cheery place.

The large Dometic 190 litre fridge/freezer opposite holds all your travelling supplies, but the microwave above is awkwardly placed for short users.

The fridge forms one side of an entrance into the master bedroom, which can be screened off from the rest of the Valencia via a concertina blind.

The layout sees a double bed against one wall, with a rounded corner on one side of the mattress to give you access to the other side and the wardrobe on the opposing wall.

It works well, and the picture windows and similar double-glazed hatch to the one up front are there to provide heaps of airflow on hot nights. 

Beyond and next to the bed, is the door to the full rear ensuite that contains a separate swivelling cassette toilet, washbasin and shower cubicle with curved sliding screen.

The heated towel rail is made possible by the Valencia’s built-in Alde Central heating system that’s designed to allow sub-zero living in European snowfields.

VERDICT

The latest ‘Australianised’ Unicorn Series caravans offer an even greater ‘wow’ factor than their predecessors in terms of styling and features, yet have not lost any of their light weight attraction.

Most importantly they incorporate a raft of changes and improvements as a direct result of Bailey listening to comments from Aussie buyers...

BAILY UNICORN S2 VALENCIA

Overall length (inc hitch): 7.34m (24ft 1in)
External body length: 6.22m (20ft 5in)
External body width: 2.28m  (7ft 6in)
Interior body length: 5.68m  (18ft 8in)
Travel height: 2.61m (9ft 4in)
Interior height: 1.96m  (6ft 5in)
Nameplate Tare: 1560kg
Nameplate ATM: 1860kg
Ball weight: 100kg
Frame: Aluminium interlocking
Body: 32mm composite with inter-locking walls and ceiling
Chassis: Al-Ko galvanised steel
Suspension: Al-Ko single axle independent
Brakes: 10-inch electric
Wheels/tyres: Alloy, 185/15 Michelin
Fridge: 190 litre Dometic
Freshwater: 100 litres
Lighting: LED
Price: $57,289 (tow-away Vic)
More info: Bailey Australia