Bailey Alora 69-4S - Practical Motorhome

The Bailey Alora 69-4S is a four-berth with a clever layout that is designed to provide high levels of comfort, says Peter Baber.

Verdict

This is a motorhome that goes some way to belying its compact design. There’s oodles of storage space. The frequent steps are a bit irritating, and kitchen space is really only adequate. But it is a ’van that should do well for two, and not too badly for four, either.

Pros

Ideal for couples
Plenty of storage space

Cons

Lots of steps
Kitchen space could be better

The 69-4S is the transverse-bed model in Bailey’s new compact Alora range, based on a Ford Transit. That layout means it is also the only one of the three models in the line-up not to have the toilet on the nearside, so the access hatch won’t be inside any awning you might fit.

You notice this on the Alora models in particular because these Bailey motorhomes have windows and hatches a black frame, to match the black 16-inch alloys and contrast with the mostly grey sides. They definitely stand out, creating a smart look, as you would expect from one of the best motorhome manufacturers.

The Alora cab comes with a 12-inch touchscreen to control the DAB radio, sat nav and rear-view camera.

Cab in Bailey Alora 69-4S — A 12-inch touchscreen controls DAB radio, sat nav and rear-view camera

Transverse-bed layouts give designers extra room to play with. You can see this in the larger front lounge, which you have to step down to from the cab.

Unlike the Bailey Alora 69-4T, you could easily seat four people in here, even without the cab seats being swivelled. But like the 69-4T, the settees can be converted into two comfortable travel seats with excellent leg room and pleasing views. Again unlike the 69-4T, there is also room for some storage space behind them.

Lounge in Alora 69-4S — Transverse bed layout allows for more space in the lounge, although you do have to step down to it from the cab

There is good ambient light and a large Heki here, but the only spotlights are in the cab. They come with USBs.

A TV bracket and sockets are handily located on the front wall of the offside washroom. From here, one of the best motorhome TVs could be viewed by most people in the lounge.

Having stepped down from the cab, you do have to step back up to the kitchen, which could prove irritating.

Once you are there, however, you’ll find a good amount of worktop on the main unit, even without the use of the substantial extension (which partially blocks the door when fully opened).

Kitchen in Alora 69-4S — Well-planned kitchen places a four-burner dual-fuel hob above a combined oven and grill

There’s a four-burner dual-fuel hob with a glass cover above a combined oven and grill. The large round sink to the left has a cover that doubles up as a chopping board. Two useful mains sockets are placed sideways in the corner, where with a bit of juggling, there should be room for a kettle.

Even in a compact motorhome, Bailey manages to include a 138-litre slimline fridge, which is impressive. A microwave is an optional extra.

The washroom opposite includes a circular toilet and a handbasin with a neat mirror that slides to the left to provide space for the shower (the basin tap doubles up as the shower head).

There are four hooks here and plenty of shelves, although you might find the shower curtain getting in the way of some of them.

There are two drainage holes, and a shower tray infill that levels with the outside floor, so with the tambour door rolled back, you can have extra internal space if the washroom is not in use. That’s handy in a washroom located right next to the kitchen.

You can pull out some steps to get to the comfortable transverse bed, which can be closed off with a curtain for additional privacy. There’s a large Heki above, with plenty of ambient light and two spotlights, although these don’t come with USB ports.

Rear transverse bed — Comfortable transverse bed at the rear can be closed off with a curtain for more privacy

Production models will also feature a double bed that can be made up from the table and the settees.

You’re not deprived of hanging space in this compact ‘van: a half-height wardrobe slides out from under the bed, with a drawer above the steps. This and more cubbyholes can be accessed by raising the bed.

For more storage, there are three overhead lockers in the lounge, to add to the pelmet shelves above the cab, the cubbyholes in the front corners and the space behind the travel seats. There are three lockers above the bed and two shelves to its left.

Storage space beneath travel seat — Additional storage space behind travel seat

The kitchen has one large overhead locker, two big cupboards and another drawer. There is some well-lit shelving by the door. The washroom has shelves behind the mirror and above the towel hooks. Not forgetting the rear garage – it’s a bit of a hike up, but it is lit, and has holds for bikes and extra drawers.

Alternatives to consider

The Pilote Atlas A656D is a sporty ‘van that is ideal for those with more adventurous tastes, coming on the Ford Trail Transit base vehicle. Another option to think about is the Rapido C03 is a three-berth ‘van which has plenty of space and comfort for motorhomers, with a transverse bed which is wider than usual.

Technical spec of the Bailey Alora 69-4S

Price: £75,499
Sleeps: 4
Belts: 4
Base vehicle: Ford Transit
Engine: 2.0-litre, 130bhp
Length/width/height: 6.99/2.12/2.85m (22’9”/6’10”/9’4”)
MTPLM: 3500kg
MiRO: 2950kg
Payload: 550kg
Water (fresh/waste): 115/100 litres
Leisure battery: 92Ah
Gas: 1 x 6kg

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