To follow our story yesterday on the public launch of the new Bailey Approach SE 740, we brought you Gentleman Jack’s video review and showgoers’ first impressions of it here at the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show.
Today we’ll do the same with the family-orientated Approach SE 760. This takes pride of place on the manufacturer’s stand, alongside a very interesting ‘cut-away’ version of the same motorhome.
The cut-away model gives an excellent insight into the development work and construction methods involved in building the ’vans. It shows how the caravan body’s floor is supported to its full width by chassis outriggers; how a T-bolt clamps the wall panels, roof and aluminium extrusion together in the revolutionary Alu-Tech build technique; and how the passenger seats are reinforced with anti-submarining bars and bulkhead supports. Fascinating stuff.
Hundreds have also stepped aboard the production model; here, five couples give their first impressions, along with our Gentleman Jack’s full video review.
[tl:gallery index=1]Robert and Elga Yeo, from Pontyclun, nr Cardiff
(Own a Compass Avantgarde 180)
“We came into the show and came straight to Bailey’s stand. We really like the construction and the fact that it’s very unlikely that damp will get in between the walls and the roof. It’s nice inside too, but we felt parts seemed unfinished – once you’ve made up the rear bed, you can see exposed screwheads. We’d prefer the basin to be separate from the shower cubicle too. We’re hoping they’ll go on to build a smaller rear-lounge model, without the dining area, and then we might be tempted.”
[tl:gallery index=2 size=200×150]Ian and Margaret Chappell, from north Nottinghamshire
(Own a Bailey Unicorn Valencia caravan)
“We bought our caravan this year, and are very happy with it and with Bailey. We’ve caravanned for many years, but yes, a motorhome does appeal to us very much. We really like the idea of touring Europe in a motorhome, and we’d feel very reassured by the fact it’s built with the Alu-Tech method. We may have grandchildren in the future too, so it just might suit us. Inside it’s very spacious, like a Unicorn interior, and we particularly like the size and layout of the shower area.”
[tl:gallery index=3 size=200×150]Chrissie and Den Murphy, from Gillingham
(Own an Autocruise Colt on Iveco)
“We’ve been camping, caravanning and, now that we’re retired, motorcaravanning for 40 years in total. We came straight to the Bailey stand on entering the show. Bailey always do a lovely job – we loved the Bailey Pegasus tourer we had before buying our Autocruise a few years ago. We’d like to see external lockers for chairs, ramps and the like, though. Also, we like our creature comforts, such as an auto-transmission and the gas-assisted cabin seats, neither of which Bailey is offering.”
[tl:gallery index=4 size=200×150]Mr & Mrs Humpleby, from Cornwall
(Own a Tribute T720)
“We’ve been caravanners since 1972, and two years ago bought our first motorhome. Now we’re in our 60s we find it much easier to deal with than manhandling a caravan. We own a Tribute T720 but are thinking of changing. We like the Approach SE 760 very much, particularly its wide body. Its like walking into a touring caravan – we think they’re often more homely than motorhome layouts. We may opt for a four berth overcab model from Bailey if one comes along, and we’re impressed with the pricing.”
(Since speaking to them, the Humplebys tell us they’ve ordered a Bailey motorhome here at the show)
[tl:gallery index=5 size=200×150]Alan and Janice Bowering, from Lanchashire
(Own an Adria Coral 660SL)
“We’ve owned our Adria for more than two years now, but we’re thinking of changing. We’re impressed with the Bailey build technique, and are pretty impressed with the interior too: we thought it might look and feel cheaper onboard than it does, but they don’t seem to have cut corners. Our only problem is the width – it might just be too wide to fit on our driveway at home. But first impressions: very good!”
And here’s our Gentleman Jack’s full video review:
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