Secondhand shootout
Immaculate twin-berth Baileys under £9000
IF YOU’RE A first-time buyer and want a couple’s tourer, then we reckon one of these two Baileys we found at Golden Castle Leisure could prove ideal. We didn’t want to go above £9k, yet wanted something with a decent spec and in a more-than-decent condition. Not easy. However, ace sales executive Chris Howell steered us towards two recent landings on their forecourt.
Judging by their exteriors, both the Baileys had seen careful ownership over the years, so things were looking promising.
The contenders 2010 Bailey Pegasus 462
The Pegasus range that emerged in late 2009 was Bailey’s crowning glory. Not only did its Alu-tech construction represent a breakthrough for the company, the model also sold well right up until the MK2 version appeared a year or so later. That follow-up, together with the launch of the Unicorn, meant plenty of Pegasus models came onto the used forecourts.
Our example was a 2010 model priced at a bargain-busting £8950. And it was still looking in remarkably good condition.
The Pegasus does look dated now, with its square back end and chunky looks. But even well-kept examples are not expensive, and although the interior will turn few heads, it is functional and includes some excellent roof-locker storage and a supersized rear-end washroom. Spec includes an alarm, ATC and four-burner hob, plus Cd/radio, a fridge and blown-air heating.
2009 Bailey Ranger S6 GT60 460/2
Rangers sold by the bucket-load and good ones still fetch over £9k. When we found the 460/2 we were impressed to see that, like the Pegasus, it had been well cared-for.
The Ranger in two-berth format is a cracking tourer, and at £7450 this one looked
even better value for money – especially with the added kit enjoyed by GT60 models.
Although cheaper than the Pegasus, the Ranger GT60 gives you a lot for your money. There’s a fridge and blown-air heating, a CD player/radio and a decent-sized rear-end washroom as well as quality soft furnishings. It’s also refreshingly spacious.
So, given that both models share the same end-washroom and lounge layout and both are in excellent condition, we’re expecting a hard-fought duel…
Pitch and set-up
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
The Pegasus has its Alu-tech construction while the Ranger depends on the longrunning bonded sides and roof. Both have alloy wheels and are based on an Al-ko chassis. The Pegasus has heavy-duty rear corner steadies but standard ones at the front. Both come with a spare wheel and both have ATC as standard, but the Ranger has a mover fitted where the
Pegasus makes do without.
Both have AKS hitch stabilisers and benefit from a Status TV 530 aerial. The Pegasus has a barbecue point as standard plus an exterior mains socket.
When it comes to front gas-bottle lockers the Ranger has the edge in terms of size, but the Pegasus counters with an additional front side locker for storing smaller items. Both are blessed with sturdy grab handles – the ones on the Pegasus actually light up when towing!
The Ranger just gets its nose in front in this section thanks to its mover.
Lounge
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
Here again, there’s barely a cigarette paper between them. Both models have lovely lounges but an extra four inches of width
on the Pegasus is noticeable when it comes to the floor area. The Ranger has good, supportive seating but the cushions on the Pegasus are better still. The upholstery on both still looks as good as new. The Pegasus has a pull-out base section on the sofa for creating a reclining seat, and offers two heating ducts to the Ranger’s one.
Lighting in the Pegasus is by four corner spots, while the Ranger employs two spots and two corner lights plus a ceiling unit.
Plenty of daylight and ventilation is assured in both lounges thanks to a large Heki Roof vent. Roof locker storage is comparable – and generous – in both too, although the cabinets in the Pegasus offer slightly more depth. It’s a dead heat when it comes to the central chest of drawers arrangement (fold-out coffee table, twin drawers, storage locker below), but if we had to choose a winner in this section it would be the Pegasus.
Beds
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
Given that these are both two-berths, it really all comes down here to how effectively – and easily – the lounge converts into a bedroom.
If you want two single beds, life is easy whichever ’van you’re in, although those in the Pegasus are likely to be more comfortable thanks to that extra width (which translates into wider beds).
When it comes to converting to a double, the Ranger uses a bank of slats sliding from beneath the central chest while the Pegasus uses a pull-out frame to fill the gap. The latter option is better but can be a little more difficult to assemble. On balance, it’s the Pegasus that lands the honours here.
Kitchen
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
Another tight one, because both these Baileys come with excellent, practical kitchens. A Thetford fridge is fitted in the Ranger and a Dometic in the Pegasus. Both ’vans have four-burner hobs plus full ovens and use the same microwave – albeit on opposite sides.
You won’t want for cupboard or overheadlocker space in either case, although Ranger users might envy the extra mains sockets in the Pegasus’ kitchen.
Where the Ranger uses a standard roof vent, the Pegasus employs an Omni vent extractor fan. This is undoubtedly more efficient but does sacrifice some natural light. The side dresser houses the dual-fuel Truma heater in both cases.
Night-lighting comprises a strip lamp and a ceiling light in both kitchens.
Washroom
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
If any damp is going to show itself in a used tourer, it will usually do so in the washroom; so we were delighted to find that both models proved to be damp-free. They’re both well designed, too – plenty of space, good storage, large shower cubicles and deep hand basins.
The Pegasus has a washroom window as well as a roof vent and an electric-flush loo. As well as offering plenty of space in its walk-in shower, the Pegasus also provides an ample wardrobe and a cupboard beneath its unscathed hand basin.
The Ranger’s washroom also comes with a window plus roof vent and an electricflush loo, too. The floor area isn’t as good
as in the Pegasus though, – that narrower body making the difference again.
It’s far from cramped though.
The wardrobe in the Ranger isn’t quite as large as the one in the Pegasus (neither is the wall-mounted mirror) but, even on a long tour, two people should have plenty of space for their washroom belongings.
As on the Pegasus, we inspected the Ranger’s washroom closely but, despite its nine years’ of use, we couldn’t fault its condition. That said, the winner’s medal goes – by a hair’s breadth – to the Pegasus on account of those extra few inches of space.
Storage
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
Brilliant storage provision in both ’vans means that those wanting weeks away won’t have any problems finding room for their possessions in either case. Roof-locker and kitchen storage in the Pegasus is first-class, while the Ranger also fares well in these areas, adding particularly versatile under-seat storage.
The only significant area in which the Pegasus loses out to the Ranger is in the size of that front gas locker. But that’s not enough to prevent it pipping the Ranger to the post here. It was a close call, though.
Verdict
Bailey Pegasus
Bailey Ranger
It’s been nip and tuck between these two throughout this comparison, so do we have a winner? Well, the Ranger is the cheaper of the two and only slips behind on specification in one or two minor areas. The Pegasus doesn’t look as good on the outside as its opponent but sports a good interior thanks to all that extra storage – the front overhead lockers seem endless! What’s more, the front chest in the Pegasus can be moved out to provide extra seating. The extra width means it’s more spacious, too. The Ranger is lighter by 149 kgs MTPLM and £1500 cheaper – but a year older.
The extra kit on the Pegasus may sway it for some buyers but the cheaper price, lighter weight and better looks of the Ranger could be just the ticket for those without a large tow car and looking to keep costs down. The Pegasus wins in some areas, the Ranger in others; so evenly, in fact, that these two Baileys end up crossing the winning line together.