Verdict
An incredible amount of caravan for your money, but the interior would benefit from a more crafted finish – 10/10.
Pros
AL-KO ATC as standard, low MTPLM, large fridge
Superb standard specification
Layout works well in the lounge and the two sleeping options are virtually faultless
Great value.
Cons
Location of kitchen 240V plug
Poor access to and from shower
Some fixtures and fittings feel like they are built to a price
Pitching & Setting-up
The Limousin has an AL-KO chassis but is the only caravan in this class with ATC fitted as standard. You also get alloy wheels, 13-pin electrics, a buttonless handbrake, 240V awning socket and shock absorbers. Underneath is a centrally located spare wheel, waste outlets behind the offside rear axle and unobtrusive single struts for the gas locker.
However, there are no guidance channels for the steady winder and, despite being big twin-axle vans, the steadies are of the lighter-weight variety. In Bailey’s favour, its MTPLM is roughly 100kg less than main rivals such as the Swift Carisma 620.
When powering up, the Limousin’s old-style switches have little to go wrong and take no time to get used to.
Living
The Limousin boasts two 1.75m-long comfortable, sprung sofas that easily seat four and have two bolster cushions at either end. The area is lit by two halogen spotlights and two corner lights, but supplements them with LED strip lighting underneath the lockers.
To entertain you, there’s a stereo with two speakers located between the lockers, in the front corners, which is not ideal if you’re elsewhere in the van. There’s also a TV point opposite the kitchen, which is great for watching from bed or the lounge, but no alternative point. Disappointingly, the central chest flips over rather than sliding out.
There are drop-in carpets (you can upgrade to a deeper pile but the light colour will be quick to mark) and wallboards behind the sofas.
Kitchen
The kitchen is well equipped, but there are more practical versions in other rivals. There’s a separate oven and grill, a large 115-litre fridge, a microwave oven and an extractor fan, but Bailey splits the kitchen worktop either side of the sink, leaving a slither by the lounge. There’s space for a kettle here, but with the 240V socket facing into the lounge, it would be easy to catch the kettle flex and drag hot water into your lap.
For storage, there are two wire trays and a cutlery drawer as well as overhead lockers. Lighting is poor, with only LED strip lighting above the work surface. The cupboard door can catch on the side of the fridge, too, putting strain on the hinge.
Washroom
You do get your home comforts in this area, with a carpeted floor and large separate shower. You’ll find a domestic-style door and large mirror. There are also toilet roll and toothbrush holders, and a rooflight over the shower.
Storage is similarly impressive – there’s a big cupboard under the sink and a wall cupboard. However, the Bailey has its sink set away from the shower, so that there’s enough room to step into the shower tray. This arrangement impinges on room around the Thetford, and, when you get out of the shower, you risk bumping your head on the overhead shelves. The two-piece shower door design is fiddly, too.
Beds
The fixed bed has spacer boards to allow condensation to dissipate and a smart headboard, and, although the offside corner of the comfy, sprung mattress is cut off, there’s plenty of space to walk between the bed and wardrobe. A mini Heki rooflight provides natural light, and there are two halogen reading lights. You can see the TV clearly when lying in bed, too.
There’s plenty of storage for clothes, with sectioned lockers above the beds, and two shelves in the nearside corner. The shelf below the offside window is handy for nick-nacks. The assembled front double bed has just one spotlight at the front on either side.
Storage
The fixed rear bed mattress lifts on gas struts to reveal a huge rear storage area that has an exterior access door and a tray for storing wet items. The front sofa bases have strong, curved slats, which lift on powerful springs providing vertical access to the storage space beneath, but there are no front access panels like many rivals.
The fuse box takes up a little room, but that apart there’s plenty of space. The offside wardrobe is plenty big enough for two people’s clothes, and there are four shelves for useful sectioned storage. The clothes rail is set high enough to hang up shirts and skirts.
Technical Specifications
Berth | 4 |
MiRO | 1378 kg |
Payload | 211 kg |
MTPLM | 1589 kg |
Shipping Length | 7.83 m |
Width | 2.28 m |