Bailey Olympus 530-4

Ideal for couples seeking fixed-bed, end washroom layout without a high weight or price

Exterior

The triple front locker arrangement, an access hatch for the under-bed storage area and AL-KO Secure wheel lock receivers will catch your eye first. Those triple front lockers are, of course, peculiar to Bailey’s Olympus, Pegasus and Unicorn ranges.

These models have a central front area for the gas bottles, plus two separate side-access lockers for the loo chemicals and other necessities. The ‘filing system’ works well, as we have proved over many months of Alu-Tech model testing; the smaller items don’t fall over on tow because they fit the smaller areas provided for them. We think this storage compartmentalisation is a great asset in many ways.

Interior

The 530-4’s fixed-bed, endwashroom layout roots it firmly in the most competitive sector of the caravan market. It’s lower in price and weight than many caravans of this layout – yet this is no budget-looking caravan. And there’s something special. The lounge is U-shaped, which creates increased seating area – and when you turn this area into a bedroom, the double bed is enormous.

Caravanners who would prefer a chest of drawers can have one for £286. Olympus woodwork is a pale walnut shade. Overhead cabinet doors have strong spring-close hinges which work well. Under-settee storage in the lounge is just a shade ‘budget’ in so far as there’s no front access but this helps keep weight down to 1275kg.

Kitchen

The kitchen’s overhead lockers (two double cabinets and a single in the centre) give you tableware racking in two, and a dividing shelf in the smaller central locker. You have about 30cm width of work surface between the (four-burner) hob and the large, rectangular sink. But we are beginning to hate the fact that Bailey’s steel sinks scratch if you tow with the washing up bowl in them.

All three test Olympuses we got on one day had scratched sinks. One answer’s a stronger steel, the other’s to take the bowl out when you tow or place a towel underneath when on the move. Lower kitchen storage is confined to one cabinet. It’s about 20cm wide and has a metal pull-out shelf – a second shelf would have been nice.

The microwave sits opposite the kitchen, in a triangular dresser that houses the Truma heater and marks the line between bedroom and kitchen/ diner/lounge. A plastic Venetian blind (matching the woodwork) and a pleated fabric blind take care of privacy arrangements.

Eight shelf areas make the wardrobe utterly brilliant; it’s slightly tapered to create bedside corridor space but it’s capacious. Just to its rear is the vanity area – a long mirror, shelf, light above – and a socket for hairdryers is mounted in the bed base within easy reach.

Showering

A square shower, wide Belfast-style basin and enough shelving and cabinet space for your shampooing needs creates a lovely washroom. The bed lifts up easily, and high, on gas struts, making for some very practical storage.

With a mid-range price tag, cabinetry and soft furnishings that look and feel high quality, and a 10-year body warranty too, this model makes the grade as a value-for-money family caravan or a luxurious space for two