Bailey Alicanto Grande Porto 2023 Review

[@sandrawestley4193]

Having just spent the day driving up to Somerset to view the Laser 850 and 845 and the Swift elegance, with the intention of changing our caravan which is a Bailey Porto, which we’ve now had 2 years,we were very disappointed with the competition like the Laser and The Swift elegance, the interiors were so dark and the furniture was dark and the covering of the seats again dark grey, really depressing colours, we were very disappointed with them. We have decided to stay with our Porto and see the colour schemes for next year in September, who chooses the colour schemes, I love my covers on the Porto that I have got, but again the work surface is black, and I don’t like that. The other plus point for the Porto it does a rear island bed, with middle bathroom, and 2 benches and draws at the front to us is the perfect layout, having caravaned for 40 years we know exactly what works for us, and what we want, and this is the layout we like. But, and it’s a big but, Laser and Swift elegance do not do this layout, so if come next year things are just the same, we will be having another Bailey Porto.

[@HereWeTow]

It is good you went to look, sometimes when you see things in person they aren’t what you thought.. grass isn’t always greener I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️😊 Everyone knows what they like and maybe a new Porto will be just right again. I am at the Coachman launch in June so if there any new layout and furnishings I will be filming them.. thank you for watching 😊👍

[@rubberdc]

That cupboard space under the oven could be used for foil rolls .

[@sandrawestley4193]

All my pans go in there actually, no problem. Now I’ve just bought a ninja speedi and use that on the L shaped work space, works a treat and I don’t need pans now, just a microwave and the speedi 😂

[@rubberdc]

On ething that does puzzle me is why the companies always seem to add a regular door handle to any bathroom, I would prefer a similar handle like the lockable cupboards in the kitchen have , so when im walking back to the bedroom i dont catch any clothing on the handle .

[@rubberdc]

I quite like those magazine pockets in the front , Im not keen on the front locker , I can see the potential for having a small table there to pull out but I think its better as a seat , as in a wraparound seating area . I also like the fact that there are no little "duckets" areas that are empty and what can you place on them that you dont have to just pack up when the van has to move ? The small cupboards that open up are great .

[@Andeecee]

Another fantastic review. Love the front window & that stable door. Not sure about that wall in the shower and would prefer a chrome towel rail. But all in all a very nice caravan.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching..enjoy your week 😊

[@sandrawestley4193]

I agree with you, but apparently a Crome towel rail is less efficient as against that painted one, I would probably change it regardless, as it doesn’t look good, why do something that looks so cheap. The mirror in the shower needs to drop by 2 ft by the look of it, but a mirror in the shower on holiday, I think it would be better without it, you’d feel you had to clean the thing all the time. As it’s so high up I think it’s safe to say a man designed that.

[@roymorgan138]

Another fantastic review Karina and Jules, not a Bailey lover myself but they are starting to look nice.

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Roy..all the best with your collection..

[@brec5879]

Lovely caravan but for such a big one, there is very little cupboard space for food in the kitchen. Tnks for review Karina. As always enjoy your videos. I think when bed is pulled out for night time u can get better access to the cubby hole.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching and I am glad you enjoy the content.. have a lovely weekend 😊

[@jakeblaber8]

Just brought one of the 2024 ones which are a tad different but are stunning

[@HereWeTow]

Congratulations on your new caravan 🤩

[@rubberdc]

Good evening Karina and Jules , when you stood in the lounge of the caravan, wow , you can see how huge that window in behind you is !

[@HereWeTow]

Good evening to you 😊

[@marktaylor7094]

Hi my 2021 bailey unicorn cabrera has the high level brake light don't know why this hasn't

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching and enjoy your Unicorn 😊

[@rubberdc]

that cupboard , whats the joke with 3 womens inches ? is that because men always say much bigger ? ( and they say size isnt everything )

[@HereWeTow]

🤷🏼‍♀️🤣 Men and women seem to differ on inches I always find..

[@brianpaige4884]

All it needs is bailey to get the build quality right...poor reputation bang it together attitude... shame

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching Brian

[@NotAnotherWhiteBox]

Thanks for coming to Leeds Caravan Centre for this review; it was a pleasure to help. Your reviews are well researched and very detailed, these are all the important things when you're considering buying one! I also think you summed it up pretty well by comparing the flagship Bailey to rival manufacturers; there's a huge price difference there. The Bailey is great value for money. PS, love your comment about the washroom window - though I will add that the high level window makes a more practical change to the usual arrangement of caravan washroom window that perfectly frames your mid-section only! I think that would be far worse to leave the blind open in the middle of the night!!

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you and we appreciate you letting us film.. I was genuinely surprised by the Porto..hopefully we will see a refresh on the Pegasus to bring in in line with the Alicanto. Thanks and see you soon to film some more content 😊👍

[@rubberdc]

Im not keen on the branding in the kitchen , I dont feel that is necessary , but i do like the double socket and the drainer set in the worktop and that small backsplash wall.

[@peterlucas7241]

First, many thanks for your reviews. They are very informative and you delivery them in an easy style, which is most helpful to us as we're new to caravanning. In your Porto 2023 review, you hinted at not being overly keen on Bailey vans back in 2020/2021. I may have misunderstood, but as we're looking at a Porto 2020 model for our first van, I'd be interested to know what you think of it? Thanks. All the best, Peter (for info, we love fixed end bed, central washroom, and domestic-style fridge/freezer with MTPLM 1800kgs-ish vans)

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching Peter, personally I found that the range lacked that something special for the price and were a bit basic compared to some of their rivals. The 2020 Porto should deliver for you though, a great place to get information is in the owners groups on Facebook. You can get their opinions and any common problems to look out for. For build quality, Coachman are always very good and their larger caravans are luxurious. Happy caravan shopping, make sure any you buy has been serviced yearly and get a damp report too. If you have any questions come back to me 😊👍

[@snacklofter]

👍👍

[@paoloallen]

hi again... that's a lovely van but the cost is just too much for us sadly... we'd love a fixed bed eventually however... it's the dream lol... take care Paolo and Roger aka 'The Camp Caravanners'

[@HereWeTow]

I hope you manage to get your dream fixed model in the future chaps..and maybe prices will start to come or at some point..too many people priced out now. Have a lovely week 😊

[@tonychapman9491]

Thanks for the review and now that exact van is ours 🎉🎉🎉. Thanks for the review and to LCC for great service in our purchase and part ex. Can recommend them. Loving our new ‘Ariana Grande’.

[@HereWeTow]

That is great to hear..enjoy your new caravan Tony and thanks for watching 😊

[@williamfreshwater-d5w]

Hi ihave this van I was sad to see you didn't pull the bed out into night position. When you put it in that position you have to squeeze between the wall and the bed as there is very little space to walk around it on the offside. You can buy a frosted window sticker for the wash room from baileys. Baileys have put soft gromits in the floor where the wires and pipes go in. You need to get them sealed up to stop the mice getting in which I had to do as a mice got in (luckily I found it before it could do any damage.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching and for raising some of the issues you have experienced as an owner. That is always helpful. I’m glad you didn’t get any damage from the mouse, that would be awful. I had heard Prima Leisure were selling a sticker for the window. Hopefully you are enjoying your Porto despite these things..😊

[@delphjunction1168]

🇺🇦Hi Karina and Jules. It's just great to see you both back again in the caravan/motorhome family. Pete and Su👍

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you and I hope you are keeping well, nice to hear from you 😊

[@jasonnewton7969]

That tourer looks absolutely awesome any chance we could borrow it for a couple of years 😉 we was in the process of buying a tourer caravan but thanks to covid 😢😢 and been furloughed quite a lot we had to spend our savings so now we’ve had to downgrade to a tent 😢

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks for watching Jason..sorry to hear your plans were put on hold..I hope you manage to get there and that prices start to come down. Have a lovely week 😊

[@corrineblood-cl6nl]

Great review as always, thank you. We have a s1 Porto and there are a few things we prefer about the s2 - just not enough to pay the extra! 1. The front window is larger 2. Integrated draining board (the plastic one on the s1 is as much use as a chocolate teapot) 3. General aesthetics such as interior colour scheme, floor, kitchen splashback, exterior decals 4. Marbling in the bathroom gives it a touch more luxury feel 5. Offside services light (we don’t have one so that is an addition) 6. New door lock 7. Lounge seating is a better colour for not showing marks, seems quite robust and has the addition of a knee roll/bolster 8. The payload - up plated I could pack our whole house! There’s also a few things we noticed that are different and we’re not so fussed on: 1. There didn’t appear to be any plate racks or mug holders in the top kitchen cupboard (possibly not fitted yet). Although a niggling thing on the s1, they come with a two mug holder for a 4 birth caravan which I thought was a bit stingy. 2. The wine rack on ours is a deep shelved cupboard with quite a lot of storage so we feel you’re losing that here. We do have a 3 bottle wine rack (nowhere near enough for me anyway!) next to the microwave. 3. Our bathroom seems wider/longer as the wardrobe has moved to the other side of the fridge so you lose that bit of space in the bathroom - important to us as we use it to wash/bath small children. These are only really small points and entirely our opinion, we love our Porto and are looking forward to being out in her for the Coronation weekend! PS, looking forward to seeing your campervan videos!

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you and it is great to hear from an owner who can make a direct comparison. Enjoy the coronation weekend, we are away too. I hope you enjoy the camper content 😊👍

[@mikebeswick3420]

Good to see you back

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you and I hope you had a great weekend so far 😊

[@tonydixon9757]

Best review I have seen for this caravan. We have swapped our Bailey Brindisi for the Porto and pick it up in about 4 weeks. Found your feedback really interesting and informative, thank you!

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Tony, funnily enough i did the Brindisi too, they are very different..I think you will be very pleased with your Porto.

[@rubberdc]

I suppose in the bedroom , those cubbies could have had a push button on them as an alternative to a hole to open them up . I would prefer that , cos i can be clumsy too .

[@HereWeTow]

Yes i would prefer that too..

[@rubberdc]

I did laugh when you mentioned getting up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet ...and forget the window blinds .hahahahaha

[@sandrawestley4193]

Also you’d have to coordinate your visit to the loo, with your next door neighbour for that to happen 😂 so most unlikely. But I like complete darkness not a chink of light, so I wouldn’t forget the blinds.

[@jaylepp]

@here we tow , would you take this van over the lusso ?

[@HereWeTow]

Personally I would choose the Coachman Laser Xcel but that would be a personal choice. If I was spending this sort of money it would be an Adria Alpina for me. The Porto is a very popular model though. I think if you are considering purchasing one the go to the NEC in February to the Show and spend some time looking at the models. You will know which feels right for you. I have not heard a Lusso owner say they were disappointed with their purchase. I know that may not be a huge help but everyone likes different things. Happy shopping 😊👍

[@jaylepp]

@@HereWeTow we are currently in a Bailey autograph 740 Motorhome , we have looked at the laser excel , lusso , and the adria alphina with end kitchen , which we absolutely love , the lusso comes with self levelling,air con , motor move etc , which is all included ,obviously this makes a big difference over the other 2 vans . So interestedly , you would take the laser over the lusso 🤷‍♂️

[@HereWeTow]

@jaylepp Yes, and don’t forget you can always get other bits fitted if they are something you want 😊

[@andrewjones-productions]

I am a huge fan of Bailey caravans. I have one huge pet hate of them however. That is the lack of a third brake light at the rear. A third brake light has been proven in numerous studies to reduce the number of rear-ending accidents. For any vehicle (including trailers) manufactured after 2017 here in Japan and above a certain height, a third brake light is now required by law. Not so much a criticism of caravans which generally have a full combination rear light cluster, many trailers in the UK still skimp on this. Especially a reversing light, or with caravans and box van trailers, a third brake light. I cannot understand this at all. If they are required on a car to indicate the actions of that vehicle, why would one not require them on a trailer for the same reasons? To keep things fair, I also don't understand why Japanese road traffic regulations don't require the use of a rear fog lamp and many vehicles are not fitted with one. Those that do, often use the rear fog lamps as 'decoration' and have them on permanently. Again no regulations pertaining to front and rear fog lamps. Going back to trailers, the on-road features of a trailer/caravan are in my opinion, far more important than the 'camping' features of it. ....Sorry to have ranted and rambled a bit Karina. Good review as usual.

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks for watching..I agree, road safety is very important..it is always funny when I look up during a review and don’t see a third brake light..I just think oh lets move on. Have a great week 😊

[@sandrawestley4193]

I expect that the reason for no fog light on the back of the caravan is, they are expecting you to only use it in summer, and it’s against the law to use that fog light unless visibility is down to 30 meters, which is very rare.

[@mickeyjim19844]

This model is stunning. I love the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The only thing I'd change is put an L Shape lounge with the wall mounted TV. Great review though thanks. Hope you're both doing OK x

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching, all is good here thank you. I hope you have had a great weekend so far 😊

[@sandrawestley4193]

That’s the one thing I like, the bench seating on either side, as we don’t watch TV at all, we just use our IPads.

[@jbf5117]

I love your reviews. I only wish we had these brands in the United States.

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@JohannvR]

Interesting how the reviewer failed to notice that Bailey is sadly the only modern caravan maker that now fits a front chest of drawers straight out of one of their 1980s caravans, complete with two different levels to said table! Bizarre when none of us use VHS anymore, to go so far back in time, to offer something so useless. A standard sized place mat will have to be placed over two levels or not be used at all! A sad blot on an otherwise pretty well thought out caravan.

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks for watching..VHS and the 1980s were good times 👍

[@garyfirth2115]

Wrong. Eldiss and buccaneer fit them in 24 models.

[@colinrimmer789]

Very nice Karina, I’ll speak to Mrs Rim 😳

[@HereWeTow]

Yes, have a quick word with her..I am sure it will be fine..😊

[@lindaplatts7064]

Great review as always, a very nice looking caravan 👍

[@HereWeTow]

Thank you Linda 😊

[@rubberdc]

I like the stable door , that harks back to caravans of old . I like that useful feature of a "portable tv" ( i used to have a portable tv in my bedroom .lol)

[@HereWeTow]

I like it too 😊

[@sandrawestley4193]

I love the stable door on my Porto, stops my little dog getting under the pull across fly screen, she’d worked out a good system to push underneath it, now I just close half the door 😂

[@HereWeTow]

🐾😂🐾

[@rubberdc]

What is altered to the caravan to raise the payload ? is it strengthened in some way ? I dont understand how that works ?

[@Andeecee]

I may be wrong but I don’t think they change anything.

[@HereWeTow]

No the chassis is already capable of carrying the load, you have to apply for a new sticker that goes on the weight plate and it then authorises you to legally load the caravan to its maximum weight and tow it on the road. They often have a lower weight so more cars can legally tow them or they would reduce their potential sales market. I hope that makes sense…😊

[@sandrawestley4193]

We have paid to upload our weight, when we used to tow to Spain and France, it just gives you a large weight to carry. So few people even weigh there vans, I would think many are well over the axle weights that they should be. We always loaded our van, then took it to the weight bridge, if over , we would take out and weigh each lot till we got it right, you invalidate your insurance if you are not the legal weight for the axles, which means should you be involved in a serious car crash, the police can fine you for too heavy a load and the insurance can refuse to pay the costs you claim. It’s very serious.

[@peterkane4524]

Hi, Nice review, We have a 2022 Messina from Roper Caravans but always looking for that next van to change to and i think we will be popping over to view this model as the "G" shape sitting area is the only bit we can not get away with in the Messina. P.S Great camera work from the other half 🙂& hope the home renovation is going well.

[@HereWeTow]

Thanks Peter.. yes it is definitely worth a look for the comparison. Jules likes the G shaped lounge but I couldn’t get on with it when we had a loan caravan a few years back. Have a great week..😊

[@peterkane4524]

@@HereWeTow Hi, been to see the Porto but was shown the Evora as well and was very impressed with the space inside so watch this space ;-)

[@HereWeTow]

Oh fantastic..yes, that is a nice layout..happy hunting, it is always exciting 🤩

[@peterkane4524]

@@HereWeTow Good News, We now have our new Evora, if you want to do a review without too far to travel let us know 🙂

[@HereWeTow]

That is great news Peter, you must be excited, we visited Barnard Castle a few weeks ago, don’t know if you have tried there before. Thanks for the review offer, I am away most of May and June but thank you.. we may see you on site somewhere.. have a fantastic weekend 😊