Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Portofino caravan

An all-new special edition model with four berths, a luxurious king-sized island bed and comfortable, light-filled lounge

 Words: Sophie Bromley-Rice  Photography: Daniel Attwood

The Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Portofino

This all-new Portofino is part of the Bristol-based manufacturer’s Pegasus Grande GT75 range of special edition, lightweight, 8ft-wide models, which have been released to mark Bailey’s seventy-fifth anniversary. 

The extra width has been put to great use and provides significantly more room, allowing Bailey to create a much more comfortable and spacious interior than one would find in a standard-width caravan.

The layout of the Portofino is similar to Bailey’s current Messina tourer, with a rear island bed and a front lounge with twin facing sofas. However, the Messina is on a twin axle while the Portofino is on a single axle, making it that bit easier to manoeuvre around the campsite and that bit lighter (almost 100kg less). 

The layout

The Portofino has four berths, with the rear bedroom featuring the reason-to-buy large fixed island bed that can be pushed in towards the rear wall to create a day bed and provide more space to walk around it. It can then be pulled back out to its full king-size length for sleeping. 

There are wardrobes either side of the bed, which not only provide useful storage but also double up as bedside tables. The bed has USB ports on either side for charging phones and tablets, as well as reading lights that sit above the bed on each side. There is a TV point, creating an area not only for watching TV on a lazy morning in bed, but for creating a second lounging area during the day.

The washroom sits in between the bedroom and the kitchen and can be separated from either side, to create an en suite, or so it can be used as a washroom for all. The toilet and sink are in an area on  one side, while opposite is the large separate shower cubicle. The WC room can also be shut off separately from the rest of the caravan.

Being 8ft wide means the Portofino feels very spacious and this is most apparent in the space between the toilet and generous-sized shower cubicle where the extra width means there is plenty of space for drying and dressing. 

The kitchen

Moving forwards through the caravan, the fully equipped kitchen has plenty of space and work surface to create your favourite dishes. It comes equipped with a Thetford oven/grill, a three-burner hob with an electric plate, plus a 700W microwave oven with a non-moving ceramic plate.

The hob has a cover, which creates more worktop space when pulled down and it doubles as a splashback when lifted. 

Thoughtfully there are also two 230V sockets, so there is no need to choose between using the kettle or a coffee machine, as both can be used at the same time if you have hook-up.

There is plenty of space for pots and pans using the drawers and cupboards, which are lockable, and there is even a designated cutlery drawer. 

There is also a large (153-litre) fridge/freezer opposite, which can be opened from both sides.

Beside the fridge/freezer you will find even more counter space and Bailey’s fantastic media station, which includes a wireless charger, USB ports, a TV point and a portable Sonos speaker.

The lounge

In the lounge the extra berths can be created from the twin parallel sofas to produce two single beds or another generous double bed. 

To do this, the base simply slides out from the central cabinet and then the backrests are used to create the bed. A mattress topper would be a great idea to provide extra comfort if you plan to use this bed regularly.

As well as providing useful storage, the central cabinet below the front windows also has a pull-out table, which is ideal for a meal for two, or just for drinks or playing games on.

If you need extra dining space, there is a larger table, which can be brought out from its designated storage space under the fixed rear bed and locked into place to provide more tabletop room.

The sofas shown here come with Bailey’s optional Amersham Aquaclean material, which is great if you plan to travel with children or pets, as they are easily wiped clean.

Even if you opt for the standard Hatton fabric upholstery, you get co-ordinating scatter cushions and curtains so you’re guaranteed an exquisite interior.

The features

There are reading lights on either side and, if you would like more privacy when night comes or less light during the day, there are fitted blackout blinds, too.

Throughout, this new GT75 Portofino has a bright, airy and modern feel, which is helped by the large triple windows at the front and the overhead skylight. There are also multiple LED lights fitted through the caravan for when the nights draw in.

There is plenty of storage space with overhead lockers, wardrobes, drawers and a large double-access garage, which is perfect for storing all your touring kit that can be easily accessed from inside by lifting the fixed double bed.

Other neat features include the habitation door, which can be opened in two sections. This comes in particularly handy when you want extra fresh air but need to keep the door closed, for example if you have dogs that need to be kept inside. The door also has a high-security lock, flyscreen and bin.

Actually, Bailey has gone to town with additional extras, all of which it provides as standard on this special edition model. 

For example, buyers get a Truma 100W solar panel, an external BBQ point for al fresco cooking and Truma’s Combi blown-air heating system, which means the caravan can be used all year round.

<p>The Portofino is a great caravan for either a touring couple, a group of friends or a family of four and is packed full of neat features. The signature triple front windows provide loads of light as well as allowing views of wherever you are staying to be enjoyed from the comfort of the lounge.</p>
<p>The fully equipped kitchen, superb bedroom, as well as the excellent washroom, all enhance the interior, which feels spacious yet cosy. This new GT75 makes this a great addition to Bailey&rsquo;s Pegasus Grande line-up.</p>