Full review

THE Carolina for 2008 promises to be something quite unusual because it’s designed for families with kids, while also being part of Bailey’s uppermost range; Senator caravans coming above, in running order, Discovery (most basic), Ranger, then Pageant.

It’s much more usual for family caravans to be budget models, so it’s nice to see a manufacturer acknowledge that some families have the cash for a few extras.

From the outside, it’s immediately apparent that there’s something interesting in this caravan’s layout – there are three horizontal windows in a row towards the back. Hmm. What’s that all about then?

The answer’s in the children’s area. Go through the sliding door to the end of the caravan and you’re confronted with a triple bunk to your left.

Yep, that’s three mattresses, one above the other, on sprung, slatted bases, and each with its own, fully openable window.

The top two bunks are fixed, with a metal ladder, and the third bunk is placed ingeniously at floor level. Each of these three beds is long enough to take a slim adult, with, somehow, just about enough height to sit up in.

The bottom bunk, it’s true, feels a little cramped, and shoehorned in. I can imagine it being used for visiting friends. When it’s not in use, you fold the frame up out of the way, leaving a fixed two-bunk bed with useful storage underneath.

Opposite the bunks there’s a dinette with a table that folds down to form the caravan’s sixth bed.

Again, this is a bed I would want to reserve for occasional visitors, because folding the table up and away from the wall is a bit of a fiddle.

The bunk and dinette arrangement gives this end of the Carolina a very spacious feel though and there are four overhead lockers.

Light (if you’re lucky with the weather) streams in through the sunroof and there is a night light for each bunk, with halogen lamps at the dinette.

With the kids happily festering in a heap of toys and odd socks, you can shut the door to their area, along with its made-up beds, and enjoy an adult space which is effectively a self-contained two berth after lights out.

Yours is the washroom, kitchen, wardrobe and main lounge area at the front of the caravan.

The left-hinged caravan door leads you into a kitchen area on your left, and a twin sofa and table dinette at the end, with slats that pull out to make a double bed, in the usual way.

There are nine, generous-sized overhead lockers in the main compartment.

The kitchen has a good-sized sink. There’s a new 115-litre Dometic fridge and a microwave above the four-ring gas hob. There’s a decent-sized oven, with separate grill.

You’ll also find a good-sized work area over the fridge, a step down from the level of the main worktop. It’s next to the front TV point and you lose the use of it when the TV’s in this family area.

An eco-friendly element you will find in the Senator range is the LED lighting. Hidden in strips under the pelmets, this gives a subtle light and uses a lot less juice than halogens.

There are ample halogen spots as well, including one for each corner of the pull out double bed.

The side washroom, though it can’t hold a candle to the end washroom of the Senator Arizona, is still of ample size.

There’s a semicircular shower compartment with clear vinyl door to the left. Water is controlled by a swivel tap – stylish but without marks or fixed levers to allow you to easily repeat your favourite temperature setting.

There’s a central washbasin, and a toilet to the right, with diagonally set seat to give you enough knee room in such a narrow space. There are nice touches, like the tall mirror with halogen lamps overhead and the stylish one-touch chrome mixer tap belonging to the sink.

Remember it’s a top of manufacturer’s range caravan, so you’ll find a fair few luxury appliances and fittings throughout. Back in the children’s bedroom, there’s a 17-inch flat screen TV.

A radio/CD/DVD player is wired through the caravan so that you access it once the TV’s plugged in – even though it’s secreted away in a locker at the front of the caravan (you can turn the DVD off from the front of the caravan, but not the TV).

Then there’s the AL-KO anti-snake ATC system. Bailey’s Senator range was the first in the UK to get this system, and it remains as standard on the Series 6 Senators for 2008.

Externally, the twin-axle caravan gets 14-inch alloy wheels and low profile tyres – new to Senator this spring. There’s a Tracker Monitor as standard as well – which will inform you if the caravan is moved without your knowledge.



Our verdict:

Senator is Bailey’s flagship range, but it’s really about middle market quality rather than out and out opulence – you won’t find silk curtains or crafted oak cabinetry, but you will find a decent range of interior fabrics that are easy to live with, and a fair smattering of thoughtful technology – ATC as standard, for example, and that subtle, cheap to run, LED lighting.


FACT FILE:

Price: £16,800
Berths: 6
Length: 21ft
Width: 7ft 6in
MRO: 1496kg
MTPLM: 1759

  E

•    A full version of this review appeared in the November 2007 issue of Which Caravan. To order a road test reprint contact Tina Beaumont on 01778 391187.

To subscribe to the magazine, click here.