A trio of launches

Bailey has launched two new concepts in caravanning – a new version of the lightweight Bailey Orion and a caravan specifically designed for seasonal siting. The manufacturer’s third new addition is a twin-bed model, which brings this current-trend layout into the Unicorn range for the first time.

Environmental issues

The new Orion Evo 4 is an eco-friendly concept version of the standard Orion. Initially, one model is being produced, the Evo 4 430-4. It costs £12,495 and its MTPLM is 1147kg.

It is the result of a study carried out by a research graduate who is working with both Bailey and the University of Bath. Molly Buckingham, who has a master’s degree in product design engineering, joined Bailey to take the environmental design research conducted at both the university and Bailey to commercial use in caravan manufacture.

Simon Howard, marketing manager at Bailey, explained: “Molly did a lifecycle assessment on a typical caravan in terms of environmental impact. She found that 66% of environmental impact was concerned with the caravan’s use. Of that, 98% is about towing.”

So the target was to make a caravan that’s more sympathetic to the environment by reducing fuel consumption. That’s about weight reduction; the first model, a version of the Orion 430-4, is 100kg lighter than the standard model.



Simon continues: “Molly tied the fuel efficiency study in with a usage study. That meant looking at the caravan’s power source.” Results of her questionnaire to Bailey owners showed that, of the 2680 caravanners who responded, only 8.5% regularly used their tourer powered solely by 12 volts, without electric hook-up.

As a result, the Orion Evo 4 has a simplified power system that saves weight. There is no battery; Evo 4s are designed to be used on pitches with mains hook-ups. The cooker hob has an electric hotplate alongside two gas burners. A lighter combination microwave grill replaces the oven in the standard Orion.

Molly explained: “There’s no functionality loss in the Evo 4 compared with the standard Orion 430-4. We didn’t want to make a lighter caravan with simply less equipment; we wanted to save weight without losing functionality.”

The extra space created by the absence of a full oven has enabled the Orion’s gas cylinder compartment to be moved to the offside, behind the microwave-grill. In turn, moving the gas compartment away from the nearside creates space for a cabinet, with three shelf spaces and room for the freestanding table.

The heating system in the Evo 4 also contributes to the 100kg saving on weight. It is a Whale electric-powered fan unit, mounted under the foot of the fixed bed. Its central position in the layout enables it to distribute warm air throughout the caravan. During our test, with an exterior temperature of around seven degrees, the Evo 4 was warmed to a comfortable habitation temperature in less than five minutes.

So far, only one Evo 4 has been produced. Reaction will the gauged from the ExCeL show feedback and the range may be extended.

The Evo 4 is distinguished from all other caravans not only by its power system. Its exterior is in two shades of grey – pale grey for the sides and the one-piece roof, front and rear panels, and a darker, metallic grey on the prominent, deep faring that runs across both the front and the rear.

For seasonal siting

The second launch from Bailey is the Retreat – a caravan specifically designed to be seasonally sited. There will be two layouts. Prices have not yet been announced; Bailey tells us they will be similar to those of the Unicorn Barcelona and Pamplona, which are both £21,595.



The first of two models to be produced, the four-berth Retreat Willow, has an island bed. A six-berth Retreat, called the Sycamore, which will have a rear family bedroom with bunk beds, will be produced later in 2012.
At just under nine metres in overall length, Retreats are not designed to be towed by their owners; they exceed the maximum length legally towable by a vehicle weighing less than 3500kg.

They will be sold through a selected network of Bailey retailers who have the facilities to deliver them to a site and place them on a pitch, and who can also arrange for mobile servicing to be carried out on the buyer’s chosen site.

More twin beds

Bailey is this month also launching an addition to its top-spec range. The Cadiz brings the twin-bed layout of the Pegasus Rimini to the Unicorn range for the first time. Specification includes Alde heating and Tracker alarm system.



For more information, keep an eye on our reviews pages and visit bailey-caravans.co.uk

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