Full review

After several years of exciting rumours, in late summer 2011 Bristol-based Bailey launched its first ever, three-model range of Approach SE motorhomes, complementing its well-established touring caravans.

The rear lounge SE 625 tested here that has gone on to win its class in our Motorhome Awards 2013. Its category was Non-Fixed Bed Coachbuilts, a field dominated by rear lounge layouts and with some strong contenders, such as Auto-Sleepers’ new Broadway EL Duo which took runner-up spot.

The rear U-shaped lounge layout still has a strong following in the UK – it’s comfortable, relaxing and practical, suiting both Britain’s climate and our style of motorhome holiday.

BETTER BY DESIGN
So how is Bailey’s design better than its rivals?

Externally, the Approach is very distinctive, with a low, wide stance and squared-off, boxy styling, emphasised in this lowprofile model by a shallow, rather angular overcab.

Blue and silver graphics with a silver nose and front bumper look neat, slightly conservative, and totally inoffensive.

Closer-up, it features tough, GRP body panels with distinctive rounded capped edges, which form part of Bailey’s Alu-Tech construction system.

This comprises an interlocking aluminium framework, which greatly reduces the number of external joints where water might penetrate.

The structural skeleton is of composite plastic and the high-density polystyrene wall and roof panels are coated on both sides with GRP – even the wooden floor’s underside.

The result is Grade III insulation, encouraging year-round use of the motorhome, and a six-year (extendable to 10) bodyshell integrity warranty.

CHASSIS
The Approach’s low-slung, almost crouching, stance, results from Bailey’s use of Al-Ko’s chassis.

Much lower, and rather wider, than Peugeot’s own chassis, it’s also lighter (permitting a higher payload) and the long wheelbase and relatively short rear overhang aid stability and handling.

The extra width gives an enormously spacious interior – once on site, it’s a real boon.

The low body means Bailey can dispense with an external step and the Hartal door (part of the central locking system) opens onto an internal step just 24cm (9½in) above the ground.

There’s a small step onto the extended cab platform where swivelling cab seats make a comfortable second lounging area (no dangling legs!).

IN THE CAB
Cab windows and windscreen have Remis blinds, and twin airbags, cruise control and cab air-conditioning are all included – as standard fittings - well done, Bailey!

Both cab seats are fully adjustable, and both have twin armrests. The big door mirrors, on extended arms, give rear vision.

The Boxer cab also has convenient steering wheelmounted radio controls and the Approach has additional audio speakers in the lounge.

Power comes from a 2.2-litre 130bhp engine, stirred by a six-speed manual gearbox with dashboard-mounted gearstick.

ON THE ROAD
On the road, the Approach lives up to expectations, holding the road as if on rails, with light, precise steering.

The gruff 130bhp engine is quite powerful enough for all normal requirements – fortunately, as the 148 and 177bhp engines aren’t offered as Bailey options.

Travelling isn’t all good news, though – the suspension is firm to the point of harshness, and there are some internal rattles.

Most came from the Baumatic microwave and the oven/ grill (‘rattle-free’ in theory, but alas, not in practice!).

LOUNGE
On site, especially in winter, the lounge is the most important place in the motorhome, as you spend so much time there.

This one is very comfortable, though the transverse rear section forms a perch, rather than a proper seat, being only 34cm (13½ inches) deep, compared to the ample side settees, at 57cm (22½ inches) front-to-back.

It might be worth considering the optional chest of drawers to replace this seat – at £299, it’ll especially suit caravanners used to this format.

The free-standing table, with its own cupboard behind the driver’s seat, would accommodate four diners.

Overall, especially when winter touring, the lounge in the Approach makes one realise why this layout remains perennially popular, and this is a particularly good example of the type.

BEDS
Another advantage of rear lounges is the ease of bed-making.

The Approach has settees 1.83m (6ft) long, so making twin single beds just involves re-locating the backrests to the cab.

The transverse double bed is also simple to make.

Simply pull the board forward from below the rear seat and it’s followed by a string of slats which form the central bed base.

Unusually, for such designs, these don’t jam when retracted in the morning.

It was very comfortable and supportive, and we slept well.

KITCHEN
Being used to the requirements of British customers, Bailey doesn’t stint on kitchen facilities and the Approach SE 625 has all the features you’d expect.

The rectangular Thetford stainless-steel sink is very large, with an equally big chopping board to fit over it (use this turned sideways to retain access to the tap).

There’s a removable, plastic draining board instead of an integral drainer. Alongside is the Thetford Midi Prima cooker with a four-gas-burner, auto-ignition hob under a glass lid, and separate grill and oven.

Above, at a reasonable height (1.55m, 5ft 1in) is the microwave and below the sink is the generous three-way, manual selection, 115-litre Dometic fridge (the freezer compartment removes, taking it to 122 litres).

There’s good storage, with unshelved overhead lockers either side of the microwave and a shallow shelf above it.

WASHROOM
The washroom has a shower cubicle, washbasin and a swivel toilet between them.

It’s a comprehensively equipped room, with towel ring, two double robe hooks, toilet-roll holder, toothbrush mug, and large mirror behind the basin.

The odd-shaped shower cubicle, with overhead skylight, is plastic-lined for ease of cleaning, and has a bi-fold door.

PAYLOAD AND STORAGE
With its maximum weight of 3,500kg, the Approach SE 625 is suitable for all licence-holders to drive, and its payload is a healthy 561kg.

For storage use the under-settee lockers for heavier items; the main seat bases lift easily and there’s reasonable room below, with drop-down flaps also allowing front access.

However, storage could be improved by tidier positioning of the fusebox (under the nearside settee), the water pump (under the offside) and blown-air pipework.

VALUE FOR MONEY
Bailey has equipped the Approach well, given the very affordable selling price – and not just in the cab.

The 100- litre capacity fresh and waste water tanks may be underslung, but the fresh water tank is insulated, and has a heater, so is available for winter use.

The gas locker accommodates two cylinders – one large, with a smaller back-up – and you can safely run the heater whilst travelling.

The over-riding impression of the Approach SE 625 is of value-for-money. A figure of £42,325 is less than most panel van conversions, as well as most rival coachbuilts.

Read the full version of this review in the digital April 2013 issue of Which Motorhome