Bailey Ranger 540/6
Image
Key Features
Model Year
2009
Product Class
Single Axle
Price from (£)
£11595
Berths
6
Full Review
THE Ranger Series 5 has remained relatively unchanged since its launch in early 2005, aside from some small tweaks; the most noticeable of these are the alloy wheels and thicker gauge aluminium sidewalls.
It’s no secret that there’s a revamp due in the autumn but I’m not expecting anything too radical in the way of changes.
The exterior of the Ranger is best described as chunky, with the recent thicker aluminium sides and new alloy wheels discreetly added. Build is solid, with a bonded roof, large front exterior locker and panoramic window. It couldn’t really be described as a stunner, but it’s the interior, particularly the layout, that is the real draw.
The Ranger 540/6 offers much in the way of storage, value and sleeping arrangements. It’s a lightweight tourer that your average family car can tow and when you arrive on-site you’ll find it well suited to family holidays.
The layout consists of a front dinette, side kitchen with washroom and wardrobe opposite and a rear room with a side dinette and triple bunks. It’s like the Carolina from Bailey’s more expensive Senator Series 6 range, but 9cm narrower and on a single axle.
Rangers are a value range and the design has stood the test of time. The front dinette has good seating space for six people, although the cushions aren’t overly supportive and don’t seem as though they’d stand up to years of heavy use.
Scatter cushions give the dinette a cosier look. Roof locker storage in this area is practical and shelves provide storage for smaller items. Two spots and wall lights are fitted (none of them mains) and there are a further four spots around the Heki roof vent.
The front double bed is a breeze to make up and is comfortable in use. We tried both the singles and double and managed a good night’s rest in them.
The side kitchen has a full oven and four-burner hob as well as a Dometic fridge/freezer. Ample worktop is complemented by a fold-down flap, although this is to the detriment of the rear dinette – you lose the seating space on one side. Roof locker and cupboard storage is good. All-in-all the kitchen area is quite impressive for a budget tourer.
At night, you notice there’s only one strip lamp beneath the kitchen lockers; it’s dark and a ceiling light opposite would be a welcome addition.
The good people at Bailey have taken note of comments and in further production models there’s an extra light fitted. The small roof vent above the kitchen could do with being replaced with a larger one for more light and ventilation – perhaps they’ll take note of that too…
The side washroom has a corner washbasin with cupboard below, a shower and a swivel loo. It’s basic but practical. There’s no window in here, but the roof vent provides the necessary light and ventilation. The wardrobe isn’t the largest I’ve seen; it’d be a squeeze for six. The Truma heater is at the base, with one heating outlet in the lounge and one in the washroom.
We took the caravan out in cool weather and found the rear was a chilly spot in the evening. The rear triple bunks sit along the side and have a window and wall light each. The bunks are strong and comfortable for supporting adults and have a good head height. This rear area is a great arrangement for kids.
The side dinette easily accommodates three people for seating and makes up into a single bed. There are roof lockers here and a 12-volt ceiling light - spotlights in this area would be a welcome addition.
The Rangers are beginning to look tired and the imminent revamp won’t come a moment too soon. The 540/6 fills a gap in the market as a budget, family model – there’s little in the way of competition.
Tweaks in the direction of Bailey’s newer Pageants and Senators would be very welcome. The current upholstery is falling behind the competition but build quality is uncompromised. For now, it’s a good buy and the kids will love the bunks.
It’s no secret that there’s a revamp due in the autumn but I’m not expecting anything too radical in the way of changes.
The exterior of the Ranger is best described as chunky, with the recent thicker aluminium sides and new alloy wheels discreetly added. Build is solid, with a bonded roof, large front exterior locker and panoramic window. It couldn’t really be described as a stunner, but it’s the interior, particularly the layout, that is the real draw.
The Ranger 540/6 offers much in the way of storage, value and sleeping arrangements. It’s a lightweight tourer that your average family car can tow and when you arrive on-site you’ll find it well suited to family holidays.
The layout consists of a front dinette, side kitchen with washroom and wardrobe opposite and a rear room with a side dinette and triple bunks. It’s like the Carolina from Bailey’s more expensive Senator Series 6 range, but 9cm narrower and on a single axle.
Rangers are a value range and the design has stood the test of time. The front dinette has good seating space for six people, although the cushions aren’t overly supportive and don’t seem as though they’d stand up to years of heavy use.
Scatter cushions give the dinette a cosier look. Roof locker storage in this area is practical and shelves provide storage for smaller items. Two spots and wall lights are fitted (none of them mains) and there are a further four spots around the Heki roof vent. The front double bed is a breeze to make up and is comfortable in use. We tried both the singles and double and managed a good night’s rest in them.
The side kitchen has a full oven and four-burner hob as well as a Dometic fridge/freezer. Ample worktop is complemented by a fold-down flap, although this is to the detriment of the rear dinette – you lose the seating space on one side. Roof locker and cupboard storage is good. All-in-all the kitchen area is quite impressive for a budget tourer.
At night, you notice there’s only one strip lamp beneath the kitchen lockers; it’s dark and a ceiling light opposite would be a welcome addition.
The good people at Bailey have taken note of comments and in further production models there’s an extra light fitted. The small roof vent above the kitchen could do with being replaced with a larger one for more light and ventilation – perhaps they’ll take note of that too…
The side washroom has a corner washbasin with cupboard below, a shower and a swivel loo. It’s basic but practical. There’s no window in here, but the roof vent provides the necessary light and ventilation. The wardrobe isn’t the largest I’ve seen; it’d be a squeeze for six. The Truma heater is at the base, with one heating outlet in the lounge and one in the washroom.
We took the caravan out in cool weather and found the rear was a chilly spot in the evening. The rear triple bunks sit along the side and have a window and wall light each. The bunks are strong and comfortable for supporting adults and have a good head height. This rear area is a great arrangement for kids.
The side dinette easily accommodates three people for seating and makes up into a single bed. There are roof lockers here and a 12-volt ceiling light - spotlights in this area would be a welcome addition.
The Rangers are beginning to look tired and the imminent revamp won’t come a moment too soon. The 540/6 fills a gap in the market as a budget, family model – there’s little in the way of competition.
Tweaks in the direction of Bailey’s newer Pageants and Senators would be very welcome. The current upholstery is falling behind the competition but build quality is uncompromised. For now, it’s a good buy and the kids will love the bunks.
