Advertisement
Bailey Olympus 546

Key Features

Model Year 2011
Class Single Axle
Price From (£) 15,380
Internal Length (m) 5.53
Shipping Length (m) 7.10
MRO (kg) 1222
MTPLM (kg) 1,457
Max Width (m) 2.19
External Height (m) 2.63
See full details
Advertisement

Full review

OF all the triple-bunk caravans you can choose, this one stands out from the crowd for two reasons – and they’re things you notice within seconds of stepping through the door.

The first is that the rear family area has a clearer division from the rest of the caravan, both by day and night. The second is that the lounge is U-shaped. The effect of both of those features is to make a more obvious distinction between children’s area (confined, well separated from the rest of the living space) and lounge (large, open plan, spacious).

The feature that forms such a distinctive barrier for the kids’ zone in daytime mode is a wooden wall, to the right of the door.

Parallel to this wall is a wooden section that slides across the caravan to form a complete, solid partition.

This is the Olympus 546’s main defining feature. It keeps out the light and, to a certain extent, muffles noise, too.

And there’s more to mark out the Olympus from its competitors. No other caravans at this price level have the ATC trailer stability system – or an inboard water tank.

The lounge is amazingly spacious; this is no twin-axle monster, remember. It’s only five and a half metres long and is slightly narrower than most, at 2.19m.

Storage space in this forward area is phenomenal. That’s because of the shape of the lockers. They’re deep; three of them have shelves and the front two are cavernous because of the steep shape of the front of Bailey’s Alu-Tech (aluminium frame) caravans.

It was while scrutinising this storage advantage, though, that we discovered a minor foible. The two substantial spring hinges at the top of each locker are so strong that the lids flip up at quite a pace when you release them.

That’s fine for the front two – they stop before they reach the ceiling. But the side lockers collide with the plastic surround of the rooflight. The same happens in the rear area, too.

bailey olympus 546 interior bailey olympus 546 caravan interior rear
bailey olympus 546 caravan kitchen bailey olympus 546 caravan family area

There’s only one mains socket in the family area and it’s on the outside of the rear-facing settee. Had it been on the inside, under the table, trailing wires would have been avoided.

There’s a 12v socket and TV aerial high up alongside the nearside locker unit but wires would have to stretch from here to the table – a bit untidy, we’d say. These would have been more conveniently sited under the table.

The 546’s triple bunk stack isn’t quite as versatile as many in terms of doubling as a storage area. Only the rear bunk folds away – and only for two thirds of its width; the slatted base folds upwards and anchors with a strap.

Access to this as a storage area is compromised by the (substantial) fixed ladder. You’d just about get your water containers in here but little else.

And there’s no exterior hatch. On the credit side, we have to say few caravans offer such a deep and long barrier to prevent the occupant of the top bunk rolling out.

The middle bunk, too, has a wooden barrier; these are so important, as young members of our test team have discovered.

Our verdict
:

The solid wooden sliding door that sections off the kids’ zone takes the 546 up to the top of its sector for us.

This one single feature is so important in creating a delightful, cosy, cohesive area that the children can call their own. And if it gets untidy, just close the door – that looks far nicer than something flimsy and pleated!

Well-designed kitchen that’s practical, big lounge, lots of storage space and coat hooks...

Only the clingy shower curtain arrangement and the lack of towel-hooks come in for some stick from us; otherwise, this is a really fantastic family caravan. Add in the safety feature of the ATC trailer stability system and you have great value for money here.
Content continues after advertisements
Advertisement
Advertisement

Expert Caravan advice to your door!

Caravan Magazine

Caravan magazine has been inspiring caravanners for more than 80 years! We have grown to become a leading authority on caravans, the caravan industry, caravan lifestyle, campsites and caravan travel destinations. We know what our readers want – and that's to make the most of their caravans and their holidays!

Want to know more about Caravan magazine?

About Caravan magazine  

Sign up to our free newsletter

Join our community and get emails packed with advice and tips from our experts – and a FREE digital issue!

Sign up now!

Caravan – expert advice for over 80 years

Access the latest issue and a decade of previous editions – all fully searchable!

Discover more

More dedicated caravan content

Advertisement
Advertisement