Bailey Approach Autograph 765
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Description
Prices from: £47,450 Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle Berths: 6 Travel Seats:6
Key Features
Model Year
2014
Product Class
Low Profile Drop Down Bed
Product Model Base
Peugeot Boxer
Price from (£)
£47450
Length (m)
7.45
Berths
6
Belted seats
6
Main Layout
Rear Lounge
Full Review
Bailey's may have racked up 1,000 sales from a standing start a full year ahead of forecasts, picked up an MMM award in the Non-fixed bed coachbuilt category in 2013 and converted many caravan owners to motorhomes, but they aren't resting on their laurels.
The 765 is not just Bailey's first drop-down bed model, but the first such low-profile to be announced by any UK manufacturer (some eight years after the Bürstner MegaVan).The Drop Down - a UK first
The drop-down bed, unique in a British 'van runs lengthways over a pullman dinette in a wholly British two-lounge layout that also boasts a massive U-shaped rear seating area. This is unique, innovative and instantly makes so many other big six-berth 'vans seem so yesteryear.
When you step into the Autograph, you're barely aware of the drop-down bed, and the operation switch is high up over the entrance, operated by a key, well out of the way of little fingers.
Keen to do things properly, Bailey is working with the NCC on an industry-wide standard for drop-down beds and will be submitting the 765 for more crash tests at the Millbrook Proving Ground.
Black is always the new Black
The first readily acknowledges that the Approach SE's styling - along with some features inherited from its caravans - is its Achilles' heel and has set about a wholesale re-design of the range for 2014, doing away with the SE suffix and adding Autograph. It won't be hard to tell them apart either, with the cab colour also changing from silver to black.
The boxiness of the overcab section has been greatly reduced by the way it now curves and narrows toward the front. More importantly perhaps, it now also features a Polyplastic opening overcab sunroof.
Further back, you'll spot a new glazed Dometic habitation door with an exceptionally low entrance step, whilst the Bailey bodywork has been changed from magnolia to crisp white.
The Kitchen
The new-look Bailey kitchen comes with contrasting hessian-style cupboard doors, high-gloss worktop, polished chrome handles and a Thetford Caprice cooker, which adds a mains hotplate to the spec.
There's also a stainless-steel sink with inset plastic bowl and a new Baumatic microwave, hidden away in its own eye-level locker.
It's a smart, modern-looking kitchen that is well-equipped, though the 8-series Dometic fridge has an archaic push-button gas ignition.
The Washroom
The washroom lies opposite the kitchen area, boasting a separate wet area incorporating the basin and shower.
All the usual tooth mug, towel hooks, soap dish and toilet roll holder fittings are supplied, and a benefit of the Alde heating system is the bathroom's dedicated radiator.
There's plenty of space to shower, or to use the swivel cassette loo, while the two large shower tray drains are a definite plus on the practicality front.
Read the full review in the August 2013 digital issue of MMM
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Our Verdict
Britain’s first drop-down bed low-profile motorhome is a true family model, with six berths and six travel seats. It’s better looking and better equipped than the previous Approach SE, with a number of criticisms of that vehicle now addressed.
Advantages
Proper six-berth layout
High-spec cab
Great handling of ultra-low Al-Ko chassis
Room for second leisure battery
Comfy drop-down bed on Froli springs
Crash-tested rear seating
Disadvantages
Very wide body on country lanes
Fiddly Whale water filler
Caravan-style pull-out bed slats
