Bailey Jive Titanium 642
Price £21,434 Berths 4 MIRO 1227kg MTPLM 1382kg This dealer special based on the ever-popular Phoenix makes an ideal tourer for couples
A DEALER SPECIAL from Ropers Leisure in North Yorkshire, the Jive has certainly carved itself a niche in this sector.
The firm’s Jive Titanium 642, based on Bailey’s Phoenix 642, has twin single beds, an end washroom and a side kitchen.
Pitch and set-up
The Jive’s smart graphics clearly identify it as a special edition. It’s on the Al-ko chassis, which also comes with AKS hitch and ATC as standard.
There’s an exterior mains socket and a barbecue point, too. Of course, no Bailey has a front locker, but you do get a nearside front locker – although that does steal some of the underseat storage there.
GRP sides provide a tough exterior and for gas bottles, there’s an offside locker.
You also get a solar panel fitted as standard.
There’s a TV aerial, which comes as standard on the Phoenix, but as with all Baileys, no battery box located on the side. Instead, the battery is fitted in the floor, which some customers seem to love, but others might not be so keen on.
The mains input is next to the Jive’s additional exterior mains socket. There’s a glazed stable door – a feature which was once common but has been pretty much superseded by one-piece units. We really prefer the stable door – it’s a great way of augmenting ventilation on a warm day.
Lounge
The front lounge offers ample seating for four, although the Jive is most likely going to be favoured by couples on tour.
The upgraded upholstery includes smart scatter cushions and extra bolsters; these soft furnishings really lift the interior.
The lounge has twin blown-air outlets in its central chest of drawers, powered by the excellent Truma 2 heating system. There is a freestanding table here, and pleated blinds give the van a decidedly upmarket feel.
LEDS and USB points are fitted, and the lounge also provides excellent overhead locker storage. In a clever design touch, the two corner cubbyholes are cupboards. You also get a radio fitted in the front.
Bailey doesn’t fit a sunroof as such, but the central front window extends over the roof curvature, providing almost the same effect. And reassuringly, at the base of the central chest of drawers, the van’s alarm sensor can be found.
Kitchen
The central kitchen also benefits from some additional spec, with good cupboard storage and extra worktop above the fridge, which is placed opposite.
The microwave is located at a sensible height, and you also get twin downlighters for task lighting, and a very useful folding extension for yet more work surface. Unlike standard Phoenix models, the Jive is fitted with a dual-fuel hob. The Dometic 103-litre fridge/freezer should be more than enough for couples, even on an extended tour.
Overhead storage is provided in two lockers, and you’ll also find the control for the Truma heating and two handy mains sockets here. Next to the kitchen is the cupboard housing the freestanding table.
Beds
The twin single beds at the rear are probably the Jive’s main selling point, and this layout has proved very popular with many buyers. The beds are wide enough to provide a very comfortable night’s rest and each has a neat headrest, along with that all-important corner shelf to accommodate your morning brew.
When needed, the lounge seating is easily converted into a double bed, which is made by pulling out slats from the central chest of drawers and folding down the cushions, making up a 1.82 x 1.42m bed.
Washroom
The end washroom has a practical design, with a large basin, good storage and a mirror with LED lighting. However, there’s no window in here, a feature we would like to have seen. A roof vent allows in light and ventilation, though, and the lined shower cubicle also has its own small roof vent.
Storage
The Jive offers plenty of storage for two on tour, and even with four occupants, there should be ample. But we would like to have seen access flaps on the front seat bases, or the storage areas below the single beds. Generally, overhead storage is good, especially with those extra cupboards in the lounge’s front corners. Kitchen storage capacity is excellent, too.
Verdict
We like the additions in this dealer special, which are all very useful and add value.
As a tourer for couples, this would make an excellent choice for buyers who like the Bailey Phoenix but want to benefit from some really good extras.
Minor niggles are that a window in the washroom would have been good, as would access flaps on the seat/ bed bases. Some customers might also miss the front locker storage, common elsewhere. But all in all, we think the Jive 642 is a special edition well worth adding to your shortlist.