Full review

Although this is a brand new motorhome layout for 2015 from Bailey, getting behind the wheel of this new 730 felt very familiar

Just the previous day, I was returning MMM magazine's long-term test motorhome, the Autograph 765, from its final outing.
The Peugeot cab is broadly similar, even in its new facelifted form, and the general feel of both the interior and exterior is still definitely Bailey.

TWO’S COMPANY
This Autograph 730 sits atop the longest low-slung Al-Ko chassis available without going to twin rear axles, which makes this the largest Bailey motorhome ever built – at 7.61m long. It also has the (equal) heaviest gross weight of 3,850kg, although Bailey has confirmed that it will also be made available in down-plated 3.5-tonne form.

In stark contrast to the previously mentioned 765, which is designed for six, the 730 has both in storage and space in abundance. If you are of the pack-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink type of traveller you won’t be disappointed here.
It must be said that this is also a very keenly priced motorhome – starting at just £46,965 – so we should probably forgive a few niggles and acknowledge that Bailey has packed in a hell of a lot for that much money.

BACK IN BLACK
From the outside it is all much the same. The black and white graphics blend well into the black of the Boxer cab, giving the impression from a side view that the cab is almost breaking out of the ’van.
The single exterior locker is just cavernous, taking up the entire under-bed area.
The gas locker is large enough to house two 7kg canisters at a height that shouldn’t give anyone much trouble lifting them in and out and the TV aerial/satellite dish connection point fitted as standard is a useful addition.


SIDEWAYS SLEEPING
The wider rear body favoured by Bailey has offered the opportunity to fit a transverse island bed that is neither cut short, nor requires sliding out of the way to a ‘daytime’ position. At 1.92m by 1.37m (6ft 3½in by 4ft 6in) it is as near in size to your double bed at home as you’re likely to get.

Like most other island beds, the foot is curved, but the mattress is quite firm and very comfortable. It can also be raised very easily, assisted by gas struts, to access the huge storage area underneath.

At the very rear of the bedroom are two small lower cabinets, one bedside with a 230V socket above, and one at the foot of the bed, which is accompanied by 230V, 12V and TV aerial sockets.

The lounge seats also convert to a transverse double bed, making the 730 a potential four-berth. While it may be redundant for most – as the ’van only has two travel seats – it could be useful for those accommodating the occasional grandchild or other part-time traveller. Making the forward bed is simplicity itself.


THE WHOLE PACKAGE
I may have been slightly negative with some observations about this motorhome, but on the whole I was very impressed. This review is an extract from the full test that appeared in the November 2014 issue of Which Motorhome magazine.

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