Full review

The Bailey Discovery D4-3 is a three-berth tourer with versatile seating areas, an MTPLM of 1,082 kg — and an optional wrap-around awning.

Bailey’s ultra-lightweight Discovery range is characterised by rounded rear body lines, an eye-catching exterior colour scheme involving four shades of grey — and one single central front window that arches high into the roofline.

This new, three models range is specifically designed to attract new people into caravanning. And we believe they will succeed. They look like no other caravan. They’re ultralight in weight. Plus, you can buy an air awning which wraps around the rear as well as along the side of the caravan.

Like all Bailey’s ranges, they built the Discovery range using the Alu-Tech system. This construction system involves an interlocking aluminium framework and a composite plastic internal skeleton, so no wood is used in side panels.

There’s a two-berth, a three-berth and a four-berth. The heating and hot water system is provided by Truma Combi.

All three models have extended drawbars so that a double bike rack (£349) can be fitted. It’s designed for a Thule model, available from Prima Leisure, a division of Bailey.

Prima also supplies a specially designed awning (£1,199), which wraps around the rear of the Discovery range; you can get a sleeping compartment for the portion of the awning that sits behind the caravan.

This is an air awning which has six inflation/deflation points. It’s in smart grey and black, to match the Discovery colours. It’s not only the awning rail that runs around the rear of the caravan; there’s a channel for the awning’s draught skirt, too.

The Discovery range differs from all other caravans in that they have only one front window. The D4-3 has a small window on the offside but no nearside window, yet the front area is light and bright, thanks to the height of the front window.

The D4-3 model has two seating areas. It’s a three-berth, with the double bed making up from the four-seater lounge-dining area at the rear. The front seating area makes up a wide single bed.

Showering

The shower and toilet share a compartment. A curtain wraps around a square shower area and the toilet sits on a raised area of floor so that water will confine itself largely to the shower area.

A three-shelf wall cabinet, curved shelves and two small areas under the washbasin for shampoos take care of the washing paraphernalia. There’s a towel hook on the wall and another beside the washbasin.

Dining

With two dining areas, the D4-3 provides excellent versatility. There’s a hinged snack table by the front seating. That, combined with the windowsill, creates ample room for breakfast.

If there are just two of you, the D4-3’s dining arrangement creates the option to leave the rear section in bedroom mode and eat and lounge at the front. That’s brilliant flexibility. And there’s more.

The table at the rear is wedge-shaped, to create plenty of space to move in and out of the seating on the offside. This table gives ample space for three to dine. There’s a free-standing table, too, so you can remove the wedge-shaped table from its mounting on the wall and replace it by the free-standing, four-person table. Or you could use that one outside or in an awning.

Lounging

For such a compact caravan the amount of lounge seating is phenomenal. Nice touches are the USB ports set into the bases of the spotlights with fabric pockets beneath them to place your phones.

Upholstery fabrics are plain grey, edged with pale mustard piping. Two cushions come as standard; one side is bright mustard and the other is plain grey. Top lockers are white and handleless.

Kitchen

Cooking equipment is a three-burner hob and combined oven-grill. The fridge is Dometic’s 103-litre capacity model. A surface extension hinges up over the rear seating area.

Verdict

We thought that twin-lounge/dining area caravans had disappeared into the mists of tourer evolution time. Yet this caravan brings back the once-popular layout — with twists that create a caravan with sure-fire newcomer appeal.

If you’ve never before considered caravanning, this model, of all the ones in the Discovery range is one to tempt you.

That’s because its layout is so versatile. It’s also chic, unconventional, super-light in weight and simple in styling — yet with comfortable seating. And the optional awning? That’s awesome!