EXTREME TESTING! Bailey's new compact Alora motorhome at minus 20 degrees

Peter Vaughan tests the Bailey Alora 69-4S - winner of Best Fixed Double Bed Motorhome 2024 - in the snowy Italian Dolomites, with temperatures down to minus 20 degrees. Despite some issues with the diesel heating, the Alora scores well for its bedroom, washroom and surprisingly spacious lounge, as well as the Ford coping well on mountain roads.
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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[@philipellis7039]

The twin bed version ticks a lot of my boxes although my wife would take one look at that shower curtain and say No. Hopefully have a look this week at the NEC and see how we feel.

[@peter.russell]

Love this review, something a bit different, more in depth with the usual Peter Vaughan attention to detail with a bit of humour thrown in. That's a 👍 from me 🙂

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mraidymaddful]

I had a friend many years ago had a van like this with an almost identical layout. He took out the left side couch and replaced it with a small woodburning stove from a railwayman's hut that was being demolished. We camped in it in Northern Scotland in the late 80's in deep minus temperatures and it was toasty, toasty; as we quite often said. The forestry workers often gave us small logs to burn and if we offered them a warm and a hot cuppa, they would chop the logs for us with their chainsaws. Happy days.............

[@lestersmyth692]

Great review thanks, I like this very much however I’d soon get frustrated with the washroom set up and limited storage.

[@ironman8fitnesspl-eire75]

This guy is just brillant...very informative and his voice lures you in ...great video..nice van too

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Thank you for your comments - much appreciated

[@JNash-n4y]

Its alright but the low cupboards at the far end of the bed would put me off. Easy to hit your head if you toss and turn at night.

[@cheif3112]

comprehensive review as always!

[@bluecarefreeforever]

Like a vintage red wine Peter, you reviews just get better! Loved the ‘real world’ review and actually changed far more positively about Bailey than before. Really creative and looks like good value. I can imagine the more powerful auto engine would be even better to drive. Thank you for your very good advice as always.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

That's very kind, thanks for supporting the channel

[@woodrows]

Stupid solution with the table! 🙄

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Hoping they'll move it to under the bed but it's not the only one like this

[@carolynandcocohaywood2638]

Great review, Very nice other than the wet room, shower curtain- no thanks and no separate shower.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

I hate shower curtains too but this one doesn't get stuck to you!

[@terryhere3889]

I love it 😍

[@George103]

Did the underslung waste water freeze, or is this insulated or heated? I love the review. Are you going to try the other models i & T.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Bailey is looking at adding a heated waste tank option

[@user-kev-k5v]

Loved everything about this one , more comfortable for you and it is a fantastic van

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

We agree!

[@rob20452]

Absolutely love the bed and all the set up before it was all getting boring with the same,.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, great to see something a bit different

[@Jagcycle]

Nice bit if kit, but I'd much rather the Rapido c86 layout. At least for only two people.

[@RickandHeather]

Why were you using diesel heat if on hook up when it turned off overnight? Surely on hook up you’d use the “free” heating option?

[@tonysutton6559]

I thought the same but the answer could be that Peter was testing it for people who might want to go off grid (that would be my excuse if I was Peter).

[@RickandHeather]

@@tonysutton6559I’m guessing that it just doesn’t get hot enough on electricity but hopefully we’ll get a response

[@tonysutton6559]

@@RickandHeather I tend to use a little fan heater in my camper when we're on a hookup to save my gas. Even at 0.5kw it makes it too hot for me up on the overcab bed. My wife sits on top of the thing while I'm lying on top of the duvet wearing just a pair of shorts and I have to open the roof light to avoid over heating.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

No point in going all that way and not trying the diesel heating, which will be what you'll be reliant on when off-grid. Also, the heater is more powerful on diesel or combined settings.

[@andywass3196]

Great review Peter, only observation would be the lack of view sideways for the rear passengers, looked like you were only able to peer over the bottom of the side windows, better if they were lowered a tad. Hope they get the derv heating problem sorted..... Nice van!

[@tonysutton6559]

I think that it would be really horrible for anybody under about 6ft 6in tall sitting there looking at the walls. A sick bowl would almost definitely be needed on winding roads.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, windows are high relative to the travel seats unless you're fairly tall

[@colinphillipson4830]

I've read the diesel heating tank level comments on the Chausson forums also. As you were on electric hook up why were you using diesel for the heating, is it optional? We prefer the twin bed models and look forward to your review of that. Thanks.

[@CliffordDive]

Running a Truma solely on electrical power wouldn't keep you very warm in those temperatures

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You need to use diesel or combined diesel/230V at these temperatures and the whole point was to test the diesel heating, which is new to Bailey

[@hankcuccina5260]

It almost needs another axle to support that overhang.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

It's not an unusually long overhang for a motorhome (this is restricted by Construction & Use regs anyway)

[@garycooper6281]

If Bailey created the option to turn that front bed into a bunk bed I think the whole vehicle would make a great family camper.

[@Simon-390]

Adz adventures on YT is also having trouble with a new heater , I thaink thats also a truma ?

[@nigelk780]

What is it about the diesel tank level that shutdown the boiler. Level gauge limit or loss of suction head ?

[@bitemex2]

At 24 minutes and wondering about the bathroom. Poor Peter 7°C

[@adrianbenton7061]

Peter, thank you for your review, I have watched many of your reviews and always find them interesting and informative. However I do have a question, can you confirm the diesel tank capacity please I believe it will be 80Litres?

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

I'd have to check with Bailey as fuel tank capacities can vary

[@siuk65]

really interesting review, was just wounding as i am 6,3 would i fit into the bed? anythoughts welcome but appreciate this motorhome is not available yet

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

The measurement from the headboard to the wall is 1.94m (6ft 4in), so you might be OK. As always, you need to try it for yourself (and you'd need to be careful not to damage the blind with your feet). Why not ask Bailey when/where you can see one?

[@14Jem]

Never considered a Bailey before as some of the older range seemed just too low to the ground but really like the look of this one. Beautiful scenery and we are off to the Dolomites to camping Sexten in May, just hoping there’s slightly less snow when we get there.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You'll love Camping Sexten - the restaurant and pool are five-star quality!

[@andyglawe7804]

Good review. I would be really interested to hear how waste water tank coped. Was the tank heated and insulated? A lot of german vans with a single floor have a blown air system for this tank saving on electric demand.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Bailey is investigating the addition of a waste tank heater

[@rveurope]

well done, Caravan park Sexten is a real cool place, fantastic views, stunning bathrooms, tree houses, great main restaurants ( 2) and proper service...a campground wher e you can wash down your camper upon arrival😂❤

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, it's fabulous. Loved the pool and sauna complex

[@rveurope]

indeed👍 we always take the wellness package when travel thru, its surely a 1001 night kind of mega spa incorporated into ancient woodbuildings with natural rocks and open fire unbelievable

[@tricialyn4645]

I enjoyed every part of this! It must be a lots of work to prepare this in-depth insight!! TY for all the effort...it was worthwhile. So sorry you got chilly!! 🚐🚘🚐

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonysutton6559]

It's nice to see a proper dirty van, it makes a nice change from seeing the usual unrealistically clean and shiny vans in so many reviews. We there any issues with the toilet cassette freezing up? I alway look at ours and wonder what would happen if we were in a really cold place for any length of time.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

The only issue I've found with cassettes freezing can be dealt with by some warm water around the hatch/lock

[@peterhobbs7609]

Looks a really good option and seems nice and cozy

[@muddymarvellous]

THIN cussions alert !!!

[@GooseCreekFarmTN]

Really love this design. Is this available in the US market?

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Unfortunately not

[@susanjennings4113]

I like this one the rear bed is a great use of space plus the lounge looks extremely comfortable.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You're right on both counts!

[@andrewbriggs5194]

how much.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

£75,499

[@cafdetoren]

The moore i check your video s the moore pleased i am with my old hymer 664 😂

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

How old? Hymer have made some great 'vans over the years

[@judewilliams9345]

Wouldn't buy it.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Why not?

[@cedricthorn3975]

Shower curtain..yuck

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

That's what I thought until I tried it. It's OK here

[@stum8374]

Nice van but a bit steep on the moola 😂 bed in both measurements but could you do it all the time thanks !! seats dont look right in different fabrics .... 75K sorry but no.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

That's how prices are in 2024, I'm afraid. We always try to give bed sizes in metric and imperial.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Another vehicle reviewer who thinks they need to speak like they're on top gear from the mid 90s

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

80,000 subscribers seem to like it...

[@IntoTheWhite04]

@@MotorhomeCampervan 50% of people are bellends so...