Verdict
If you’re in the market for an 8ft-wide van, this is a promising addition to the models available. The Rimini has a good spec and that clever design in the lounge has great appeal. Add competitive pricing and some discounting, and the Pegasus offers good value.
Pros
Great spec, with solar panel and alarm
Spacious
Cons
No window in washroom
No front gas locker
Pegasus has been around for nearly 10 years now, launching back in 2010. It pioneered Bailey’s Alu-Tech construction and since then, has gone through several reincarnations, although the basic shell design remains pretty much the same.
The GRP interior walls are still unchanged, but the Pegasus now also has GRP exterior sides. And with the range soon due for an update, Bailey clearly decided this was an opportunity to start building it as an 8ft-wide line-up.
Bailey did this last September and the range will run into 2020, unaltered. So here, we are taking a look at the four-berth Rimini, a popular layout for the manufacturer. All models in the revamped range are 8ft wide, but they have kept the profile of the Bailey family – in fact, the Pegasus looks quite a lot like the Phoenix.
The Rimini's additional width is especially noticeable in the rear washroom - Bailey has made excellent use of the space
Pitching & Setting-up
Built on an Al-Ko single-axle chassis, the Rimini has normal front corner steadies and rear heavy-duty ones. AKS hitch and ATC are fitted and it also comes with a spare wheel.
The spec includes a 100W solar panel, plus a gas barbecue point and exterior mains socket. You also get a Status TV aerial.
As mentioned above, exterior panels are GRP, with bold and stylish new graphics, and Bailey’s signature vertical central sunroof.
As with all Bailey caravans, there is no front gas locker – the gas cylinders are stored near the axle-line on the offside.
Bailey doesn’t fit a side battery locker, either. Instead, this is set into the floor of the caravan, with a socket for the mains lead placed on the nearside.
There’s another side locker, which eats into the front lounge underseat storage. Other offside access lockers are placed near the rear washroom and one of the side twin beds.
For some buyers, that lack of a front gas locker might be a deal-breaker, but for others, it won’t be a problem.
With new exterior mouldings, the Pegasus profile has been freshened up, although it retains its clean lines at the font and the Bailey name in the window.
Living
Now here’s a clever trick – the front lounge works like an L-shaped design, but it’s actually a G-shape! This is an idea Bailey originally had in the mid 1970s and is one which worked well.
It works even better in the new 8ft-wide format and, using the freestanding table, the lounge can seat up to six at meal-times.
There are overhead lockers on both sides, and you’ll find the CD/radio and speakers here, too. But with no front chest of drawers, you do lose some storage space.
For night-time lighting, there are LED spotlights. The Pegasus also has Truma blown-air heating, with an outlet in the lounge.
The seating is comfortable, although it doesn’t have much depth. There are some scatter cushions, but if you use the end seat by the entrance door, no backrest is available.
Pleated blinds are fitted, and the entrance door by the lounge also has a window. All in all, the lounge area works well – it feels spacious and airy.
Kitchen
The kitchen in an 8ft-wide tourer should provide plenty of storage space and work surface, but this one is not as large as you might expect, and it looks similar to the kitchen unit fitted in the Phoenix. Worktop is limited, but storage is provided in a large drawer and two cupboards.
The fridge is placed opposite in the side dresser, which also houses the microwave, located at a sensible height. Bailey fits a full oven, with a dual-fuel hob, and for night-time lighting, two LED downlighters.
Twin mains sockets and the Truma heater control panel are located in the kitchen. The sink is a reasonable size, too. The two overhead lockers here are fitted with integrated lighting above.
We think the kitchen could have been larger, for example, making it an L-shape and using those extra few inches of width. Overall, though, it is practical, especially the worktop opposite and the sensibly positioned microwave and fridge.
Washroom
The Rimini’s additional width is especially noticeable in the rear washroom – Bailey has made excellent use of the space.
Despite the wardrobe you’ll find here, the floor space is still reasonable, with a roomy shower cubicle that has its own roof vent.
The only downside, for some, might be the limited natural light – there’s no window here.
The cassette toilet is placed in the base of the wardrobe, an idea that Bailey first made use of in the Phoenix.
That wardrobe is a good size, and you’ll find more storage in the cupboard below the large handbasin and the handy shelves nearby to the left. Night-time illumination is also well taken care of, with bright LED lights.
Beds
The Rimini is a four-berth, but couples will be the main users of its twin-fixed-bed layout. That said, the lounge seating makes up into a sizeable double bed if needed. But the twin single beds are the main attraction, and both have a side window and a small corner shelf.
The beds are a sensible height and with the extra width, a good size. You’ll find more overhead lockers and LED spotlights here.
Storage
When it comes to storage space, especially for touring couples, the Rimini performs well, with lots of room below the twin beds and sizeable overhead lockers.
The front lounge also has some storage under the seating, and the provision of overhead lockers is good here, too.
In the kitchen, storage isn’t bad, but that side gas locker does steal some space. The lack of any front gas locker might be a minus point for some buyers.
With four people on board, storage might be a bit tight, but for couples, it should be fine.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 4 |
| MiRO | 1343 kg |
| Payload | 155 kg |
| MTPLM | 1498 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.38 m |
| Width | 2.45 m |
