caravan dealership closes after 64 years

Its a tough time for some dealerships, and although we have lost several dealers recently another one goes to the wall - Blazers Caravan Co nr Swansea - a sad state of affairs that shows no sign of slowing - we hope to see more new dealers at some stage.

[@paulbird3235]

Selling Bailey products is it suprising, Ive had three bailey caravans and everyone had damp issues. I can't believe we cant make a "box" which is waterproof. The other thing is when you do have "issues" they just 'DON'T WANT TO KNOW'. Thecaravan industry is a total disgrace at the moment. YES all dealers say their market is bouyant, "well they would wouldn't they". They should concentrate on "customer care" NOT CUSTOMER SALES.A disgrace all in all.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Phew thanks for this comment, since the first caravan was built leaks have always happened and even today it still is. Lightweight structures that never see shelter again and out in all weathers contacting and expanding plus holes in the box , windows, vents etc all mean that leaks will happen. Agreed it should be less common - but still built by us humans and with social media bad news spreads quick. I think we expect more today and thats not a problem but the caravan industry is still small compared to cars. Not the investment or size - but foreign tourers do also leak but few come onto our shores so hard to compare against the qty sold her of UK. Customer care is something that few have any time and money to put into this. Back in the 60s Sprite and its CI parent company built up customer care / spares at a time when it was unheard of in the caravan industry, When the Ci Group went bust in late 82 I always said the UK industry went backwards again. Used stuff is doing ok new is sticking and thats down to prices - lets hope more positive news will happen thank you and sorry for long reply - I need a sti down now!!

[@danmiddlehurst6462]

Totally agree with you.. Swift no better if I'm honest... I've been repairing my own swift van and doing all maintenance including 2 major damp repairs.. I take more care and do the job properly... Caravan industry in UK is poor

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@danmiddlehurst6462 Good tat you can do good repair - not many folk can myself included so workmanship an old word needs to improve overall - thank you

[@johngarethjenkins]

My first caravan was a Bailey and yes it leaked. After that I've only bought european caravans such as Adria which never leaked. Had one Burstner after the Bailey, which was already 12 years old and was still leak free

[@paulbird3235]

@@johngarethjenkins SOMEONE SHOULD TELL BAILEY!.

[@galaxyb1103]

£45 a night for a pitch, that might explain things

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

We need to get prices back to a reasonable level agreed.

[@49googie]

Listen to the guy at Atlantic Caravans and his thoughts will tell you all you need to know !.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Did that and he no longer stocks new - well he began in 04 at a time there was a boom on tourer sales - 2008/9 there was a slow down but by 2010/11 things had levelled out - Some dealers have more chimney pots ie more potential sales for new tourers I would say where he is wont be the best spot so used he may do better. Back in the early 80s manufacturers were openly slashing prices and the dealer would then take some off further to help sales. ABI tried mid season changes in 1987 i caused confusion for customers who bought a new 87 model produced for 88 then in Feb replaced with a new 88 model - Bailey make till sales drop off and then revamp sometimes model ranges run just over 12 months but if you note Bailey launch a new series range usually at the start of the new model year from September 1st - the 70s saw many dealers go to the wall makers to but unless you lived local you would never know unlike today. I know several dealers who just sell used with less pressure on selling new on plans and warranty problems. Hard to believe that motorhome sales were miniscule until the mid 90s - trends and fashions affect all products as do sales slumps and highs-thanks for your comments

[@fy7chris]

The price of new caravans has got ridiculous since Covid while the product is of a very questionable quality. I for one will never buy another Elddis product after the ongoing problems that my current Buccaneer has had and that is from someone who prior to Covid changed my caravan every 3 years with the last 4 being Elddis caravans.

[@paulbird3235]

I bought a brand new Bailey in January, it leaked like a sieve. I resorted to sorting it out myself, less hassle and I know what has been done!.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@paulbird3235 err not good - look all the construction ideas still leak but as Swift and Bailey do they dont use wood so no rotting bit easier to fix. Any box with holes in it no matter how well sealed are prone to leaks sadly

[@paulbird3235]

@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk Bailey floors have a damp issue, and they are PLYWOOD. Anyone WHO has an alutech caravan should check under the edges of the floor after heavy rain, (this is were it begins).

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@paulbird3235 yes it been a problem from day one on Au Tech not a fave construction of mine and I was outspoken at the time of launch and given a hard time by fellow writers and Bailey who never really forgave me 14 years on - tey said these wont leak - Hmm I said they will its a box that moves with holes in it - it did leak as we know - I have did a feature some years ago on caravan construction from the 20s to modern times and all have claimed durable and leak resistant but as we know thats not true - and we still see cars with rust onnot as bad as one time but still do - the life of a caravan was supposed to be 10-15 years but many have lasted longer with repairs - again how they are cared fr makes s difference too. Thank you

[@fy7chris]

With my Buccaneer the reason That I won’t be buying another Elddis group caravan is not so much the fact that they find more damp on each service which is not really acceptable in my opinion. It’s the fact that they refused the warranty claims on the stress cracks and associated water ingress on both the front and rear panels stating that they are only covered in the first year of warranty and tried to put the blame on me accusing me of driving through potholes.

[@cryengine62]

Out priced yourselves same things going to happen to the sites greed,greed.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Ok lets look at this , prices had risen steady and caravans and motorhomes were still seen as good value. Covid came and everybody wanted the two leisure vehicles. With new stuff hit by covid staff, material shortages prices went up, supply and demand, same with used. A spike in sales was just that nothing set in stone and it was due to fall again once stuff returned to normal. But with the energy crisis coming after prices on new went up. I talked to several makers who told me they found it hard to set a price. This last happened in 1974/5/6 when inflation and oil crisis hit caravan makers were putting prices up every couple of months. Back then more dealers and makers - so a perfect storm. Yes some dealers charged more than 2k over book because they were having to buy stock in used from private sales who cottoned on to the big rush. Sites have put prices up and to be honest its priced me out of using the caravan even if I had the time and that I find upsetting because I wont be the only one and caravanning as a value holiday has taken a beating. Its sad all round.

[@hagreegardenmachinery3738]

Bought my new Phoenix from them in February fantastic service from them and van is great so far. Totally shocked when I heard

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

unexpected but they had reduced their stand size for October NEC show

[@chrisround941]

I’ve been a caravan user and owner since childhood. Compulsory caravan holidays with my parents, and had my own caravans in adult life. Two main issues, the standard of people using caravans nowadays has dropped terribly, loud, obnoxious, ignorant, selfish people who do not understand camping etiquette at all and that’s just the children let alone the parents, caravan park charges astronomical, storage facilities poor and extortionate, and the appallingly poor standards of build quality especially of U.K. caravans to lighten the weight has cheapened the quality of products to enable people to tow with a small under powered inferior vehicle. After over five decades enjoying great times with friends and family, I decided to call time on a pleasure that became an unpleasant expensive chore. VERY, VERY SAD!!!

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Ahh I feel for you to, caravanned since 69 and my own from 85 loved it away most weekends in winter to , things have changed but as I reckon with social media you hear more and folk who have a faulty fridge blame the caravans! but its prices for me and i love this industry and caravanning but i need to save now to get away - we had great times though when others were stuck at home! Thank you for your comments

[@kevinflood8212]

Hi Andy, yeah that's sad news and very bad for all the staff too. Don't like to see the market ending up with a small number of very large dealers, it's never good for the ordinary man on the street as competition won't be there among dealers to get sales. Great news about the books well done you. Used reviews would be popular now as buying power seems to have dried up for new stuff. Finger on the pulse as usual well done!

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Thank you Kevin - hope all going okay with yourselves. Yes being left to large concerns no good its happened in the car trade hardly a family owned new franchised garage left these days. Yes a used review done just needs edit and it will be going on - thank you for your usual encouragement !!

[@leprechaunshelper]

A dealer told me he has Bailey caravans arriving from factory pissing in water and Bailey couldn’t give a xxxx that’s not a great start is it !

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

eek!! thats not great I think I should pass on to the makers what my viewers are saying and see what they say! Thanks for that info

[@stevio7777]

The trend appears to be shifting towards campervans and motorhomes rather than traditional caravans. This change is driven by several factors: 1. Flexibility: Campervans and motorhomes offer greater mobility and ease of use for multi-location road trips compared to caravans, which can be slower and more cumbersome to move around[1]. 2. Space efficiency: When not in use, campervans take up less space than caravans, which often require winter storage and incur higher pitch fees[1]. 3. Market dynamics: The motorhome market experienced a boom post-COVID, particularly among the 30-55 age group. However, recent price increases have made new motorhomes more expensive, potentially affecting sales[2].

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Hi - there is pros and cons on both camps, motorhome parking on tour is not easy. Also if left on a side street they can be broken into easily the thief knows the owners will have TV etc and so more prone to break ins. Restricted to mainly main roads though campervans less so - also to nip out means unhooking electrics and then doing so on return to pitch up. Yes at present motorhomes are easier to store on a road outside owners houses - but I can see with the costs how insurance may be affected especially if you stop in a car park or lay by and damage occurs where on a site its less of a risk - caravans have an image problem, towing though thats easily mastered and storage again compounds have become expensive due to vans being stolen - caravan storage was once cheap and theft uncommon - lots to be said for both having done campervan , motorhome and holiday home use I still prefer a tourer. But its down to being what your needs are. - thanks for your comments

[@robwilkguitar4458]

Well what do you expect, thirty five pounds a night for site fees and the state of new builds beggars belief. Elddis know they have a serious problem with the front panels. Using some sort of adhesive for attaching this panel and it's not working, lots of owner's suffering the same issues. Mine was two years old and had seventy percent damp on its second service. Hymer need to get their act together sharpish.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Keeping customers should be a urgent action and getting products right - hate hearing of poor quality many thanks

[@russbrooker5571]

100% overpricing ,& taking advantage .Just like all the others that have gone . No sympathy whatsoever. Hopefully more to follow. The days of greedy dealers with armies of greedy salesmen are well and truly numbered. Private sales with all the due diligance and warranties are the way forward

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Private sales can turn nasty - seen a few over years but also seen some great buys - with dealers you have more come back and that its been serviced and checked over. Profits are new tourers has fallen dramatically since the 90s even , dealers have dome stupid deals making no money on a sale - thats no good - thanks Russ

[@Ma-fh9on]

Caravaning has become a rich person's thing price of Caravaning is crazy from buying a caravan to the ridiculous site prices have hadly taken my caravan out this year went to Spain in May going again in September far better value

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Thats sad but I am same but no holidays full stop! I just saw my neighbour off with this van to the cotswolds costing £47 on service pitch on a club site - it is expensive saddens ,me - thanks for you comments

[@trucker5722]

Sad times for their workers being made redundant, With what I hear new Bailey vans have nothing but problems at the minute. Congratulations on your new book deal. Motor homes are still an eye watering price.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Hi Trucker - Yes Bailey have had problems and motorhomes are still expensive even old models are overpriced at times. Thanks for the congrats too! Yep redundant not good been there - and warranty work will be a problem on used bought from there as no cover now, thanks as always

[@robbeard6929]

To expensive, to complicated to build, they all leak water, crap taps, to heavy, most of the the stuff in them you don't need, makers ain't got a clue. Go back to Sprite days cheap and cheerful, they leaked aswell but could be repaired as could the taps and electrics.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Thats the problem - back in years gone by things were repairable and cheaper folk could do their own repairs but those days are just about gone - as cars today your not encouraged to dabble and most of the times thats right - but the days for diy in caravans are all but numbered. - thanks Rob

[@jameswalker7874]

Very sad as you say, but sadly I can't see it stopping. The problem is caravanning is no longer cheap. You now have to want to caravan because it's caravanning, rather than because it's fun and affordable. That'll put off a lot of new entrants. While everyone now has B+E, the decades where you weren't easily able to take up towing put many off and we've probably got a generation where the vast majority have neither experienced a caravan or had a friend with a caravan. I'd be interested to hear the average age of a caravanner as I would expect those two factors have increased the age. It'd be good if someone could bring out a sensibly priced caravan to reignite the value aspect. Strip out unnecessary features - essentially, for example, get the Swift Sprite back to what it was. Having a £30k caravan sat there, used only a few times a year doesn't work financially - you'd be spending less going to a hotel. You could say buy a used one for £5-10k, but you're looking at something very old and past it's best which isn't going to be a great start.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

I agree - a basic caravan thats light, value and 7ft 2 wide store on a driveway - for a family who want to caravan in summer and use sites with blocks on - But I get told that market doesnt exist anymore - I say try it - the Bailey Disco is a great package but in a quirky shell otherwise decent value and lightweight - yes caravanning has become a lifestyle not a value holiday - thank you

[@jameswalker7874]

@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk I'm absolutely convinced if people tried it they'd like it. But to get people through the door, there has to be something enticing them. I'd imagine that there's quite a few existing caravanners who only use sites with facilities, and anyone new to it would most likely want a site with as many luxuries as possible. Hopefully it'll soon pick up somehow, don't want to see it become a niche holiday.

[@MrRichardmorris]

I bought my first caravan last year at 66yo and tell people it isn’t for cheap holidays but flexible ones. Being retired we can go away regularly. It is an old one (2007) so cost £6k (plus £1.4K on parts) - it can’t be easy justifying £30k plus other costs to only go away 4 weeks a year. Not to mention the stress of leaks and water ingress. I have spent way too many hours sealing mine to keep the damp out but I’m glad I did!

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@MrRichardmorris Well i reckon you have a value for money holiday/weekends there. You see as you have said you dont need to spend lots of cash to enjoy caravanning. As long as the van is dry and safe it doesnt matter. Flexible holidays your right - thats what caravanning is these days - but so glad your enjoying it and not at silly money either. What is your tourer make/model? Thank you for your info

[@MrRichardmorris]

@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk it’s a swift challenger 510 (2 fixed single beds). I think I should change the model number to 522 on account of the amount of sikaflex 522 I’ve sealed it with!

[@lyndonwatkins1]

It may be because of the cost of electric vehicles and the banning of petrol and diesel soon to happen

[@ukman9797]

Was, and state was a caravan/motorhome owner for many years. I agree the cost of living and covid impacted the industry. But when we did come out of covid the cost of living hadnt impacted then, the industry was being driven by the staycation boom and those that had never considered a caravan/motorhome were now buying them at a great rate. I specifically remember going to the dealership i always used enquiring about a new motorhome, their attitude stank, they were acting like oil barons with a couldnt careless attitude. Told me to come back next year if I wanted one, but wanted me to sell them my motorhome as they had customers waiting. Clearly they were raking it in and got caught up in the bubble. Back then the forecourt was empty, i pass now and it is rammed with stock heavily discounted. I am sorry for the people losing their business and those losing their jobs. Hopefully the industry will level back out with better build quality, sensible pricing and a thought of who really their core customers were!

[@user-cw6sq1px8j]

Andy one of the things that I think hasn't really been addressed with dealers closing is the issue of warranty and serving. I know many dealers now are reluctant to service or accept warranty work for caravans they haven't sold. Whilst the warranty is obviously with the manufactures they don't seem to have a stipulation in dealer contracts that makes dealers offer aftersales services to owners of products not brought from them. This is really concerning as whilst there are obviously independent mobile caravan service providers - surely there is a need for manufacturers to step up and now make sure the after-sales is there across the country. Interested in your views on this.

[@stevezodiac491]

especially for water ingress !

[@dougle03]

Most of the NCC approved workshops can and will do warranty work on request. My local workshop (Not a dealer) does Autotrail, Eldis and Swift warranty work provided the rules for warranty have been followed (Hab checks etc...).

[@mellarner8253]

Cars are about the only consumer item that have dealers honour warranties on vehicles bought elsewhere. Anything else you buy, is by law, the duty of the seller to meet statutory obligations. Many consumer item outlets will try to fob you off to the manufacturer, but it remains the case that the company you handed money over to has ultimate responsibility, hence the value of having at least some finance which then puts onus on the finance company as the seller.

[@paulbird3235]

A salesman who used to work at the now closed Chesterfield Robinsons branch, told me they didnt want to do warranty work for the manufacturers when they could earn three times as much working for 'Joe Public' That is why they would avoid any warranty work on a caravan they didnt sell in the first place. 🤔🤫😒...

[@dougle03]

@@mellarner8253 Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is brilliant, of only more people knew their rights...

[@scotchegg6422]

Broadland have gone into administration too

[@StevenHaggis]

See ya!!!

[@stevezodiac491]

If so many caravan manufacturers didn't make caravans with inbuilt water ingress design, over time, then perhaps customers would buy them ? I have no confidence in caravans made with the first line of defence against water ingress being sealant ?

[@dougle03]

There was a video on YT years ago shot inside the Bailey factory, the chap putting the silicone on must have been trained by Stevie Wonder... I think they took it down eventually, but it really showed just how sloppy their manufacturing process really is...

[@paulbird3235]

It's not just sealant, its bad design and their lack of urgency to remedy anything. Had a new bailey cadiz 2018, replaced it in January for a brand new Pheonix. And you know WHAT it had exactly the same damp issues has the 2018 model. Six years on! a disgrace.

[@stevezodiac491]

​@paulbird3235 I am quite new to caravanning but learning fast. I have an old caravan and it has leaked from the awning rails because of shrivelled and aged sealant beneath. Luckily the dealer, who was very good, honoured his warranty. Otherwise it would have cost me over £2k to put right Talking to the repair lad, who was brutally honest, perhaps too much for him, he said that he wouldn't buy a caravan or a motorhome, purely because of bad water ingress design. He has a panel van conversion himself because of the problem. He also said that and showing me a couple of year old caravan, built in the pandemic that was getting repaired for bad water ingress. He said more modern caravans are worst. Out of serendipity I bought an old caravan and I am glad I did because at the end of the day, I would have less money to lose if the dreaded water ingress returns. This however being of wide consumer knowledge now, doesn't bode well for caravan manufacturers but they only have themselves to blame. They know the problems but it would seem that it has been cheaper to repair under warranty than redesign. They have failed to consider reputation and future sales though and people exiting the hobby completely because of it ?

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@paulbird3235 It is the guys on the line to are they trained well or are they rushed for cost cutting ? Social Media means we can here all the bad news when back in time it was in the readers letters pages!

[@paulbird3235]

@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk These lads work on a line so I suppose management control the speed they work, if there is a problem or an issue. I wouldnt think they will stop production, so WILL the issue be dealt with at all?

[@boombox2661]

I thought that most of the UK manufacturers had the issues with water ingress covered from the introduction of their new technologies in the manufacturing process from about 2014. Seems not! Why would anybody plough £25-50k + into a depreciating asset that is poorly built to last five years and the manufacturers have fingers crossed that it doesn't come back before the warranty runs out. Is it the same as car dealers model for caravan dealers? Financing their new stock purchased for 30 days at a time and then paying the interest on the balance of vans not sold? Probably a lesson to dealers taking on a bad quality poor product, from manufacturers making a quick profit for investors and are not quality products. Not a good Investment and longevity and trust of product for ownership of the end user. It will be survival of the fittest so only the very best will survive of what is coming very soon.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Wow thanks for that - look although we know water problems are not solved its an age old issue - with all caravans not just UK ones. Many vans are UK her with small portions imports so fewer problems straight away. But if the German vans were better there should be plenty oldies still around and there simply isnt. I have been in damp Hobbys, Tabberts and dont forget the Crystals that were supposed to be great build - but none to be seen these days. Medis spreads the damp issues so we hear more about it and while a box should be sealed and ok its basically only a lightweight structure, twisting, expanding contracting - leaks will occur as they do in house roofs over time.. Even a modern car will still rust over time - but in cars these days its the electrics that kill them off - but I know some folk who have never had a ;leak problem in older vans - but there it is. Thank you for your time and comments

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@Dusty2feathers We must look at the decline in sales over the last decade - back in the early 70s 67,000 tourers new were produced and sold. But changes in holiday s folk took made a dent and economic factors. In the mid 80s after dismal sales things picked up and sales of 30,000 plus new caravans came about but by 1991 sales had slumped. Its a problem thats been around since the firat caravan. its a yo yo and we dont want anybody to go pop not good for buyer confidence. What I would say is ther have always been those wanting to sell just used - more money to be made these days but 30 plus years ago margins on new caravans were good. JUps and downs and price slashing over producing its all happened before. Atlantic I would say are not in a great catchment area while other dealerships are better placed and one near me have bought in used stock to sell - new is hard to shift even with massive discounts - dealer specials were popular because makers got a set order from a dealer and could produce for them that amount to be allowed for a special range. - I have several dealers near me who sell used and have dome for years - 2025 stuff needs to be well priced and designed to stimulate buyers - I dont agree with Atlantic on changing upholstery over for a 2025 range yet built as a 24 thats simply not right. Baileys idea was tried by ABI from 1988 but didnt work very well as buyers got confused so they went back to yearly changes - for Bailey they produce until sales drop off such as a new Unicorn due out soon which will be launched as a 2025 model - phew to many long replys! Thank you

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

@@Dusty2feathers I noted in Pegs that the plastic roof locker frames were twisting Bailey siad it was down to heat 0h think it would have been on fire!! But I saw problems with Alu Tech as Peter and also they were stuck-with a box profile made update by adding mouldings - also they date quickly too!

[@mickstamp4732]

I have a Elddis affinity 540 2013 and still water tight fingers crossed, I have emailed Elddis a few times but never got a reply and even phoned but that was a waste of time. All I require was some info regarding what type/name of the jointing strips on my caravan interior, never did find out what a waste of time.

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

They are not the best at communication - I would ask a dealership they should be able to help. The 2013 models were the first Solid construction units - glad its holding up well

[@davidnicholson1883]

Looks like we may be heading towards the end of caravan uk manufacturing, remember what happened to the motorcycle industry followed by car makers. Time for the uk manufacturers to get a grip before its too late

[@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk]

Hi David - I would hope not, but the market is shrinking so imports wont gain any ground. Unless they make to UK tastes and specs they will struggle here in UK. Problem with imports is their not reliable with back up and can stop being imported - same with motorhomes. That means your imported van is devalued and hard to sell. Adria have been in UK 54 years and they are still a harder sell in UK. Few other imports around in tourers. The electric car and costs such as towbars, storage will not help - lets hope for a better outcome. Thank you