Technical Excellence

At Bailey we adopt a policy of continuous improvement whereby we are constantly evaluating how and why we do things. In doing so we ensure that we continue to manufacture technically advanced products that combine first class build quality with market leading value for money.

Alu-Tech Bodyshell Construction System **Bailey 1st**

The Alu-Tech body shell construction system is the most significant development in caravan production technology for over thirty years.

After having undertaken the most comprehensive product design programme the industry has ever known, the Bailey development team has produced a construction system that is so unique that it has necessitated the commissioning of over 100 bespoke tools to build it and that features a design so advanced that it has 5 new patents pending.

The result is a caravan that is triumph of engineering and technological advancement that offers real advantages of ownership; advantages that lead us to believe that one day all caravans will be made this way. For more information please visit www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk.

The first caravan to be built using this new technology is the Bailey Pegasus details of which can be found on www.baileypegasus.co.uk

FIRA certified caravan scheme **Bailey 1st**

FIRA is the UK's leading Furniture Technology Centre and is responsible for the development of internationally recognised testing programmes for both domestic and commercial furniture. Over the past eighteen months FIRA has been applying theses testing programmes to a number of Bailey caravan components with a view to developing a new quality standard for caravan interiors. The resulting Product Certification Scheme for Leisure Accommodation Vehicle Interiors (Touring Caravan Class) is the ultimate mark of product excellence from FIRA. Achieving this prestigious honour shows that a product has been completely evaluated for fitness for purpose, quality and workmanship.

The new Ranger Series 6 and Ranger GT60 Series 6 are the first caravans to receive the FIRA Gold Award and the testing process has now begun on the other ranges in the Bailey portfolio. In order to gain accreditation, the caravans have passed over 30 separate furniture industry tests relating to the following areas of construction: ergonomics, workmanship, structural strength, performance, installation procedures and moisture/humidity/temperature resistance.

It should be noted that the new FIRA scheme has been developed to complement the existing NCC certification programme. The latter focuses primarily on the legal and safety elements of caravan design whereas the FIRA Gold Award concentrates on the performance and durability aspects. Together they represent one of the most rigorous pre-production testing regimes for a UK caravan.

For more information on FIRA please visit www.askfira.co.uk.

Please click here for a full Which Caravan Magazine report on the new scheme.

National Caravan Council product type approval

All Bailey models have been certified by the National Caravan Council for compliance with stringent European Standards, British Legislation and industry set Codes of Practice specifically relating to health and safety issues. The approval process covers the testing and inspection of critical areas of the product from fire safety, weights and dimensions, to gas, electrics and ventilation. Every Bailey caravan carries the "NCC Approved Caravan" badge. The NCC also conduct unannounced inspections at the Bailey factory to ensure continued compliance. NCC Approval gives you peace of mind that your Bailey caravan is legal and safe.

Caravan Stability Studies

Bailey has been working in partnership with the University of Bath and The Caravan Club to increase understanding into trailer stability. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has been commissioned to design and produce a fully adjustable trailer rig where factors such as towball to axle distance, nose weight and total mass can be varied. By varying these factors, areas such as speed, loading and tow vehicle selection can be analysed. The findings of these studies can be incorporated into future caravan design to enhance road safety.

For more information on this research please click the button to visit our dedicated micro site on the subject.

Water Test Rig

One caravan from each daily build is put through a programmed water test which replicates rain patterns for sixty hours. The rig is used to monitor the caravan's resistance to water leaks and ingress. By using this testing method Bailey was the first UK manufacturer to include a 6 year body shell integrity guarantee, to cover against leaks and de-lamination, as part of their warranty package for new caravans.

Traceability Programme **BAILEY 1st**

Bailey has made advances in on-line quality control by introducing new bar code technology into the production process. The company electronically records the bar codes of both appliances fitted and tasks completed on a particular caravan. The former allows us to identify which component has been installed in which caravan and the latter to trace any action carried out during the production process back to an individual operator. As a result it is now possible quickly identify the source of any problems relating to product performance and make the necessary corrective actions in terms of retraining or modification of the production process or component.

TowCar of the Year Competition

Bailey currently supplies the caravans used in The Caravan Club's TowCar of the Year Competition. In total ten different units from the four Bailey ranges are made available for the competition to cater for the widest possible range of tow vehicle. During the test period over 250 circuits of the Millbrook Proving Ground, featuring a lap of a high speed bowl and a demanding hill route are completed to provide both the car and caravan with the ultimate tow test challenge. Bailey monitors the product performance during and after the competition to gain valuable feedback on caravan towing dynamics and structural integrity.

To find out more about what takes place during the competition please click the button to visit our dedicated micro site.