Lowdhams
May 2021 – Andy’s parents had a few caravans from Lowdham’s so we put this dealer on the shopping list locations when searching for a motorhome. What was becoming very clear very quickly was the speed at which dealers were selling stock and not able to keep the websites up to date so a good 90 mile drive was necessary to establish what they really had available. We had planned a weekend of visits to dealers and had in mind specific motorhomes we were interested in. The focus on the visit here was the Bailey Autograph range and Bailey Adamo range plus the Swift Hi-Style dealer edition motorhomes. We needed to be 3500kg max for one of our licences. By the time we did get here the bulk of stock was sold and we were left with a brand new Adamo 75-4i and Autograph 74-2/74-4 which whilst ideal would have been a big step for a first time motorhome so we did step away before taking this option. Turns out that was not a bad decision…
February & March 2022 – These were our first visits since the relaunch and refresh of the showroom over the winter closure. The refresh of paint, new wood trim and the expansion of the showroom floors indoor for both caravans, campers and motorhomes was notable in providing a more diverse range to explore under cover and more space around the vehicles – a polite welcome as ever from the reception desk on arrival is always welcome. The showroom was quieter (this was the weekend before the NEC show) and so there was a good time to speak with the salesmen about the market, supply, pressures and plans for NEC and after. During this visit we got to explore two vehicles we have been considering for the future – the Chausson 788 Titanium Premium, and the Bailey Adamo 75-4i – both of which sit on the automatic Ford Transit cab and feature the island bed. This is something we are missing from the Swift Fairway 580 caravan we had (based on the Swift Sprite Major 4 SB) as we currently have gone into a French bed set up. The showroom refresh is superb and the display of Hi-Style models from the Swift models are now on display from the 640 to the longest 694. Dealer specials on the Dethleffs and Swift, plus a range of Bailey and Chausson can be viewed.
Brownhills
February 2022 –
Grantham’s (formerly Grantham Caravans)
May 2021 – We stumbled upon Grantham Caravans on the way home from our big motorhome shopping weekend and after seeing a new Bailey Autograph 74-2 at Lowdhams. On the off chance we stopped off and this dealer, a non-motohome specialist at the time, has a part-exchange of the 2019 Bailey Autograph 75-2, with just 3,000 miles on the forecourt. So the dilemma – back to Lowdhams, hope it hadn’t sold to the other person looking at it and pay an extra £13,000 for a brand new motorhome or buy this pre-loved and immaculate model? We put the deposit down there and then! During the visit here, we noticed a well stocked forecourt with many Swift caravans and Coachman caravans – both the main model lines and the Grantham’s dealer specials – Swift Siena. The dealer took our Swift Fairway 580 in part exchange. Great service from the team throughout and the salesman, Paul, really didn’t have to work for our sale that day. The biggest flaw of this was dropping our caravan off for inspection one week and collecting the motorhome at a later date – meaning moving a holiday in between. We are under no illusion that our part exchange hit the showroom and sold in the time in between! And so Betty was born…
White Arches
October 2021 – The Adria Launch Event – This was a great opportunity to explore pretty much the breadth of the Adria range all in one go and one place! White Arches had a couple of models from each line with a mix of the sub-models/tiers of specifications and layouts so you could see in effect what any model – range – layout would be. What this did show us was our desire when we come to upgrade that we could get an island bed once again in these model ranges. We particularly liked the new Fiat Ducato cab – very stylish and more modern (even if the exterior cab is in effect a facelift and not an all new model). The fit and finish of all the Adria models is superb and would be a step up again from what we have in the already well specced Autograph from Bailey. Our preferred range is the Coral in Plus trim with the island bed – Coral Plus 670DC or 670SC form. Maybe for the future and when supply improves again.
February 2022 – So we took another little look at White Arches as part of our pre-NEC show planning – basically so we can maximise the time at the show with what we want to see! However, what we did notice was the lack of new stock – which amounted to a good stock of VW campers, couple of Adria campers, two Auto-Trail F60, one F74 and an Imala. The only new Bailey Autograph 79-4T had sold. We were pleased to get a look around the Auto-Trail F74 as this one has the island bed. As a new entry-level range – we were very impressed. We posted about this on Instagram – but the nice Ford Transit cab, on an automatic, with well built interior + the spacious washroom and shower unit, nice island bed and well equipped kitchen all go in its favour. Coming in at £64,000 – in current market is reasonable but you notice the extras that are missing, the extra plugs. the Alde heating, the wind out awning etc. Not one to rule out but would need options adding. There was a good stock of pre-loved but the prices noticeably on the rise, for example with a 2017 Bailey Autograph 75-2 just like ours (but two years older) at a staggering £57,000 (which is considerably more than what we paid for our 2019 version in 2021). Supply and demand – market forces clearly in play! The 2021 Autograph 74-4 on offer (year old) was up for £68,000 which again outstrips its new price 12 months ago!
Broad Lane
June 2020 – Our first visit to Broad Lane was in the summer of 2020 when we were seeking a caravan. Due to limitations with the towing capacity of the cars, at the time we had to opt to use our Mercedes A-Class A200 which had a reasonable towing match for smaller starter caravans. Much research and limited stock on the dealer forecourts meant that a short drive to the Broad Lane dealership and thier Alcester branch. We were immediately impressed with the knowledgeable and friendly staff and the relaxed, but reassuring advice. Our relationship was with the super Gary who took us through the whole process. We initially looked at a Bailey Ranger model from 2008 but were drawn to a newer and more modern looking Sprite Alpine 2 sat next to it. This model from 2010 with very little signs of wear and tear was the one! The end of this first trip saw us purchasing the caravan for collection a couple of weeks later. The staff in the shop were helpful in equipping the necessary accessories and the all important gas bottle contract. Gary was very good with the paperwork side and managed the whole process with absolute clarity. We had booked this trip in with Gary over the phone as at this stage the showrooms were just preparing to reopen post-lockdown one. As a result we were personally thanked by the managing director, Darren Brown. Visit them at: https://www.broadlane.co.uk/
September 2020 – A change of car over the summer to a Volvo S90 meant we could start and think about plans for a bigger caravan. We had trawled numerous local showrooms and independent forecourts but could not quite find what we wanted. Despite being almost 100 miles away from us, we decided to come back to Broad Lane. During the next visit we ended up, much sooner than planned, in purchasing one of the dealer specials that are supplied by Broad Lane. On this occasion they had just put on the forecourt a Swift Fairway 580 that had been a former showroom and caravan show model. We loved the fixed bed layout and immediately sought out Gary once again! A second trip and tip top service once again. We could not recommend Broad Lane highly enough. One year and two caravans later – we definitely felt part of the Broad Lane family. The sadness came when swapping out to a motorhome in that they simply, due to Covid demand, did not have a model that worked for us in our timeline. We shall be back!
Two Guys, Two Dogs, Four Wheels 