Our ’vans, our month Latest on our long-term-loan fleet
Writing about the Bailey Autograph 74-4 we have had as a long-term-test vehicle for the best part of a year has been a bit of a challenge – for much of that time it hasn’t been a test vehicle at all. Lockdown has seen to that.
Instead, we’ve been happily looking back at photos of when we took it out before the first lockdown (a time that now seems so distant, you begin to wonder whether it actually happened at all) and during the brief spells of respite since then.
Sadly, although much of the UK came out of full lockdown while this magazine was going to press, it wasn’t early enough for us to take the Autograph to any sites for a break away.
We are hoping, however, that the next month will provide plenty of opportunities for trips in this and other vehicles in our fleet. So in the meantime, here’s a round-up of what we have loved about the Bailey so far.
For starters, all of us have really appreciated the large, 165bhp engine that comes under the bonnet as standard. It makes for a smooth, more comfortable ride when paired with the Al-Ko low-profile AMC chassis, especially as Bailey has narrowed the vehicle slightly from the previous generation of Autographs. That relatively small adjustment makes tight corners easier to manage, and parking that bit easier, too.
We also like the spacious front lounge, although some of us have found getting around the large table a bit of a struggle. There’s a step between the lounge and the kitchen that you need to be aware of when walking to and from those areas, too. Otherwise, the lounge is a great place for numerous occupants to sit and relax, and the lighting here is excellent, no matter what time of the day or night you happen to be sitting there.
Upgraded kitchen
The kitchen is good, and has been greatly improved (again compared with previous Autographs) by Bailey’s decision to include the wooden cooker-tops first introduced by its now disbanded Australian subsidiary.
As long as you don’t mind completing all of your veg chopping and preparation before you light the hob, the system is very practical indeed. The 134-litre fridge is a good size for the food of a family, although at this price point, we would liked to have seen an AES (automatic energy selection) unit. It’s great to see a full-size oven and grill here, allowing you to create even larger meals with ease.
Both of the beds are comfortable – the front example needs to be made up, but we found this a relatively straightforward process.
The French bed in the rear is the main sleeping area, but some of our reviewers, particularly those of more than average height, have commented about how much of a bite has been taken out of the shape of the bed on one side.
Still, the resulting decreased width of the bed does provides as wide a gangway as possible to what everyone agrees is a very good rear washroom, and it’s not too much of a problem if one of the bed occupants is a little shorter.
Although the washroom door itself might be a bit of a squeeze for some, you do get a sizeable separate shower with an EcoCamel shower head, and lots of storage space, too. So much so, in fact, that few of our reviewers seem to have bothered with the campsite facilities (where lockdown rules have allowed them to be used) once they discovered what is on offer here.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of other great kit that is fitted as standard, all of which goes to help make this feel like a real home from home; it includes Alde heating, a Thule Omnistor awning, a habitation door flyscreen, a skyview rooflight over the cab, and much more.
Now, at last, with the pandemic seeming to be entering a less intrusive phase, we are hoping that we can get out on the road very soon to enjoy this family four-berth properly once again. 1 Bailey has decreased the Autograph’s width, making it easier to manage tight corners
2 In issue 242, editor Sarah and husband Matt enjoyed a short break in Oxford…
3 … while the month before that, Alastair Clements’ family took a between-lockdowns trip to Somerset
4 Comfortable French bed, but it might be a bit narrow for some
5 The kitchen is well fitted out and offers a decent amount of workspace
6 The excellent rear washroom provides a spacious shower and plenty of storage