Bailey. Live-in test,

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1 Live-in test, Bailey Unicorn II Valencia Fresh thinking makes the new Unicorn II Valencia an appealing prospect for caravanners seeking refinement. But with lots of competition on the market, can it stay at the top? The skylight and deep front shelf are the two stand-out innovations in the lounge BAILEY S PREMIUM UNICORN range has been a runaway success for the Bristol-based brand, accounting for around 30% of its current caravan sales. Now that it s two years old, though, the Unicorn line-up is due for a refresh. So in comes some fresh thinking: GRP sidewalls and roof, new front and rear panels, bolder graphics and a skylight. The view from inside the Unicorn will be radically different for the new season, as Bailey has now jumped on the skylight bandwagon. Coming to the party late has its advantages as it takes a couple of seasons for new ideas to bed in. In 2010, Swift led the way with a central skylight, but the following season Coachman unveiled a horizontal treatment both manufacturers enjoyed sales uplifts as a result. For Unicorn Series II, Bailey has its own twist: extending the front middle window right up to the roof. As there s no front ledge across the front of the caravan, the view from the lounge is unimpeded. What s more, you can actually open the window, making Bailey s caravan skylight unique. Elsewhere, there are improvements across the range. Weights have been reduced by up to 100kg, there are new kitchens, washrooms and soft furnishings. This month, we re looking at the end-washroom, rear fixed-bed Valencia. In its 2012 guise, it was the best-selling model in Bailey s best-selling range. But with competition hotting up for the new season, how will the latest model fare in 2013? We towed the van to the Brook Lodge Farm campsite near Bristol to find out. Pitching and setting up As Bailey has reduced weights across the Unicorn II range, the new single-axle vans are all built on 1500kg Al-Ko chassis with button-assisted handbrakes. The corner steadies are heavy-duty; the front ones are easy to locate, on the side of the van; the rear ones are low down and tight to the rear panel skirts. Another innovation is the relocated gas locker; it s now on the offside, near the axle. This is to accommodate the new front chest arrangement (see Lounging and dining, below). With no A-frame fairing to negotiate, the new gas locker is easily accessed and can accommodate two 13kg gas cylinders. This may not appeal to less ablebodied caravanners, who could find it hard to manipulate the heavy cylinders at waist height (the gas locker is 0.55m from the ground) but this may be preferable PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM ANDREW A hatch on the nearside allows items to be fed into the fixed bed s storage cavity RIGHT The midships gas locker takes two full-size 13kg cylinders 76 OCTOBER

2 Where tested Brook Lodge Farm Camping and Caravan Park, Bristol When tested July 2012 Berths MiRO Payload Awning size 19, kg 154kg 1497kg 1045cm Making up the front double bed is a cinch thanks to these new sliding slats. They pull out on a frame from under the offside seat bench Heavy-duty corner steadies are fitted to the rear of the Valencia. The bolts are located tight to the plastic skirt, though, so you ll need to crouch to having to stoop low to lean into a conventional front locker. Access to the caravan is via a two-piece door, and a redesigned integrated control panel is located on the left-hand side as you enter. This controls the van s lighting and water pump systems, and the Alde wet central and water heating, from one place. The mains consumer unit is under the nearside seat bench. Lounging and dining Viewed from outside, the Unicorn II s skylight divides opinion at first glance, it looks a bit odd but spend a few minutes in the lounge and you ll soon fall in love with it. Essentially a supersized front window, the skylight offers uninterrupted views so if you re pitched up on a site with pleasant vistas, you won t need to turn the TV on. A walnut surround frames the window from the inside and continues upwards to run around the rooflight. Three LED spotlights and an LED strip are built into this surround to provide ambient lighting for evenings. Another change is the revamped arrangement along the front of the caravan. The centre chest has been pushed forward into the space vacated by the gas locker, so that it doesn t butt into the lounge. This creates a deep shelf running across the front wall, which would be ideal for a TV or for somewhere to put homely knick-knacks. The centre chest features a slide-out tabletop and three drawers for storing everyday items. To prepare the caravan for mealtimes, use the folding leaf table, which stows under the fixed bed s mattress. Kitchen Unicorn II kitchens have had a significant makeover from the original version. The main change sees the introduction of a splitlevel worktop and circular sink, two features designed to fit around the offside gas locker cavity. Aesthetically, the sink is a step up from the one fitted to the firstgeneration Valencia, which was shaped like a baking tray. In use, the new one is deep enough to cope with washing-up for two people, although catering for up to four will test drying-up space. Caravan cooks will appreciate the practical and well-equipped kitchen. There s a dual-fuel hob for maximum flexibility, which sits atop a separate oven and grill. The dual-fuel fridge has a 103-litre capacity and has a detachable freezer compartment to increase refrigerator space. An 800W microwave oven sits at head height, above the TV station on the nearside. We would have preferred to see this at chest height, to make removing hot foods safer. Another upmarket feature is provided by a mirrored drinks cabinet, which is above the sink and has a see-through door. Sleeping Rear fixed beds are the holy grail for those who don t want the hassle of making up a bed every night, and the dimensions of the Valencia s will certainly please taller caravanners. It measures 1.9m x 1.32m and thanks to a deep pocket-sprung mattress, is very comfortable. The tapering of the bed s offside edge, to facilitate access to the washroom, will force the taller occupant to sleep on the nearside, though. There OCTOBER

3 The circular sink s location lets you access the fridge while someone else does the washing-up are LED reading lights at each corner of the headboard, where you ll also find a small shelf, and a large rooflight above the bed. In the lounge, a new sliding seat frame will make assembling the double bed a cinch. The offside seat frame pulls across the gangway to bridge the gap between the bed boxes. Arranging the seat cushions to fit is just as straightforward. The result is a bed measuring a respectable 2m x 1.4m and the firm cushions create a very supportive sleeping surface. Thanks to LED spotlights at either end of both seat benches, there are reading lights available wherever they re required. At 1.4m long, the lounge seats can be used as single beds for children, including younger teenagers. Washroom End washrooms offer significant convenience, but at this price level, it s reasonable to expect a good standard of refinement, too. For Unicorn Series II, Bailey has made various improvements to the washrooms. They were by no means unsatisfactory in the original version, but they lacked the sparkle added here. For example, the shower area has had a makeover: there s a circular frosted entrance door and the shower head attaches to a smart grey plastic unit with built-in storage for shampoo bottles. There s no moulded shower cubicle, now that the caravan walls are clad in GRP and can be in contact with water without risk of corrosion. Instead, water runs off the walls into the moulded tray below, which has two drain points for maximum efficiency, or for situations when the caravan may not be completely level. The Belfast basin featured in the original Valencia has gone, too, replaced with a circular one housed in a rectangular moulding. The Belfast sinks were certainly in tune with contemporary domestic tastes, but swallowed a lot of water. The new basin will easily hold enough water for shaving, but there s nowhere to prop a mirror above it. The vanity unit underneath offers two deep shelves to house toiletries. Above the sink there s a clear window at head height. It s a shame that it s not frosted, but a flyscreen can be pulled down to obscure the view from outside. The folding leaf lounge table stows securely inside the fixed bed s frame A cupboard and shelves in the offside corner sit above the Thetford swivel toilet. A welcome touch is the four hooks for bathrobes on the washroom wall, above an Alde heated towel rail. Other comfort buttons are pushed with the inclusion of a small laundry basket, to the right of the sink. Storage The Valencia s rear bed lifts easily on gas struts, so essential items can be top-loaded in the van, or fed in from outside via a nearside hatch. The bed box has generous headroom so it will accommodate plenty, from containers and boxes to suitcases and folding chairs. The storage picture at the front of the caravan is good, too, as the nearside seat bench is unimpeded by any equipment so will easily accept bedding. Up above, there are two lockers on each side of the lounge. These have a smart new look, with chrome handles and cream-coloured edging along the bottom of the doors. The overhead lockers in the kitchen have part-frosted doors and racking for crockery, and all are tall enough to hold cereal 78 OCTOBER

4 Control panels for heating and power system are neatly combined The fixed bed, seen with standard Mozart fabrics, measures 1.9m x 1.32m and has a pocket-sprung mattress A new circular shower door and moulded plastic shower unit (inset) add a touch of class to the Valencia s improved washroom. The sink is new, too boxes. There s more storage space under the sink, in a smart circular unit that contains three shelves (the top one has a plastic tray for cutlery). The dresser opposite the kitchen has three drawers underneath its work top and there s another locker above the microwave. Four overhead lockers look down on the fixed bed two on the end wall and two on the nearside wall. They offer good storage for folded clothes. Items that need to be hung have plenty of space in the wardrobe opposite. Our verdict The original Unicorn Valencia was a runaway success for Bailey, quickly becoming the most popular model in the brand s bestselling range. It s not surprising: the fixed-bed, end-washroom floor plan is the most supplied layout to the volume UK market, and Bailey s Unicorn interpretation of it was well built, well equipped and excellent value for money. But upmarket caravans offer juicy margins for manufacturers, and with improved offerings from other brands, competition in this sector is going to be fierce in Bailey will therefore be hoping that Unicorn Series II will appeal to buyers seeking comfort, refinement and affordability. We think the new Unicorn Valencia hits the right notes. The skylight is clearly the talking point, and will draw a lot of comment from the caravan-buying public at the October NEC show. From the front, it doesn t make for the bestlooking caravan (children will love the fact it does have eyebrows, a nose and a mouth, though) but it s impossible to dislike when you step inside and see the view from the lounge. Elsewhere in the Valencia, the kitchen and washroom are both improved from the original van, and there are plenty of detail refinements to keep the tourer looking sharp for the next couple of seasons, both inside and out. One of the changes we like most of all is the 4.34% drop in the to 1497kg, which makes it a suitable match for a wider variety of family cars. The Unicorn Series II Valencia will be an appealing upgrade for both existing Bailey owners and buyers from the wider market. Its skylight, weight reduction, design tweaks and equipment bumps will ensure that it runs its rivals hard in As a package, it s hard to come up with reasons not to buy one: Bailey has taken weight out, raised the spec and upped the wow factor all for a whisker under 20,000. It doesn t look like the Unicorn Valencia is going to lose its top spot anytime soon. Specifications and comparisons for this model on page 80 OCTOBER

5 Vital stats Bailey Unicorn II Valencia Price 19,995 Berths 4 MiRO 1343kg Payload 154kg 1497kg Awning size 1045cm Contact Bailey Address South Liberty Lane, Bristol BS3 2SS Tel Web Dealers 75 ILLUSTRATION: ALAN ELDRIDGE Plan Useful info 7.34m How do the rivals compare? Price MiRO Payload Verdict 2012 Coachman VIP 560/4 21, kg 155kg 1645kg It s heavy and more expensive than the Bailey, but the 2013 version (details TBC) could close gap slightly on weight 2012 Lunar Clubman SE 20, kg 155kg 1475kg Last year s SE is virtually identical weight-wise. Styling changes for 2013 will make Clubman more competitive How the Bailey Unicorn II Valencia stacks up 1800kg 1400kg 17,000 A Bailey Unicorn II Valencia B Perfect partner Gas locker height 0.55m Locker headroom 1.96m Shipping length 7.34m Tyres 185 R14 100R Door height 1.73m Interior height 1.96m Overall height 2.59m 2013 Sterling Elite Amber 20,000 C D A Front double bed 2.05 x 1.42m B Interior length 5.68m C Door width 0.56m D Interior width 2.21m E Body length 6.42m F Rear fixed bed 1.9m x 1.32m G Toilet legroom 0.4m I Overall width 2.28m For an 85% match you need a towcar with a kerbweight of 2012 Lunar Clubman SE E 2012 Coachman VIP 560/4 1761kg 23,000 F G H Insurance quote 280 * Web Freephone Sterling Elite Amber 21, kg 154kg 1670kg It has put on the pounds, in both senses, for the new season but good looks both inside and out will keep attracting buyers The facts behind the figures With some price and weight data still to come in, this isn t a perfect comparison. The new Valencia will fight its rivals hard, though, as Bailey is a master at making vans you want at a price you ll pay. This gives the Valencia the edge, but the 2013 Lunar Clubman SE, with low weight and added good looks, provides some competition. Standard equipment Construction Sidewalls Alu-Tech bodyshell housed in interlocking aluminium framework Roof Bonded GRP sandwich Front panel Bonded GRP sandwich with ABS mouldings Rear panel GRP panel with ABS mouldings External equipment Al-Ko chassis with buttonoperated handbrake. Al-Ko stabiliser. Al-Ko ATC. Alloy wheels. Heavy-duty rear steadies. Spare wheel and carrier. External gas/ mains output. Heating Alde combined wet central and water heating Lounge Flyscreens and blinds to all windows. Drop-in carpets. Directional TV aerial. Flat-screen TV. Radio/CD/MP3 player with ipod connectivity Kitchen Dometic 103-litre fridge with separate freezer. Three-burner gas hob with electric hotplate. Combined grill and oven. Recessed sink. Removable drainer. Microwave oven Washroom Electric flush Thetford C-260 swivel cassette toilet. Separate shower cubicle. Washbasin with chrome mixer tap. Heating system radiator Security CRiS identity number. Concealed security data chip. Al-Ko Secure wheel lock. Tracker system and alarm Warranty 3 years parts. 6 years water ingress Dealer-fit options Rossini fabrics change ( 199). Bespoke bed linen set ( 203). Wheel-arch cover ( 41). Fouryear extension to standard sixyear bodyshell integrity warranty ( 189). Three-year extension to standard parts warranty ( 399) *INSURANCE QUOTE DETAILS, PAGE OCTOBER