Hello and yes I am happy to tell you about my problem.
First off I want to say that my Bailey Orion is the second van I have had in my life. The first van I had was a 21ft newzealand made LITE WEIGHT.This van I had for 12 years while living in NZ and loved it. I retired last Dec and decided to buy a van along the same lines as my NZ one.I had 3 choices in the market place here in Q.L.D. I looked at imported second hand Bailey vans, new Bailey vans made for australia and Swift vans.Price was a big factor for me and age also came into it. after looking for 6months I found the used Bailey September build date 2012 orion,I bought it as it was everything I had had but smaller. I am a 65 yr old lady going around Aussi on my own,so needed all the mod cons Bailey has.I get so many great comments about my Bailey and am a proud owner.This van was bought from Bailey in Melbourne by a couple who came up to Q.L.D. On a trip,sadley the lady had a bad fall and had major back surgery so could not go caravaning again.They put the van up for sale.Its only done the one trip before i bought it.
Please dont let my problem put you off as Im sure I will find a solution.
The issue I have is I cannot get the van off the street into my driveway as the back end will hit the ground as its too low.Also,some caravan parks have high wide speed humps and you have to back the van in because of the same problem. What made me decide to ask for some help is that the other day i took the van for a new mag wheel to be put on after i had hit something on the road which caused damage.The manager jumped in my ute and proceeded to drive into his work area.Bad news,he drove in and getting from the road into the workshop the back of the van hit the road and was damaged to the tune of $900.00
Now I have worked out that my nissan ute is too high to tow a UK built van.If you are going to tow with a std stationwagon or sedan, you wont have the same problem. Yes the vans are low but if you take care and dont go offroad you will be fine. I just love the big windows the big bathroom and the ease of towing.Also mine is single axel.I sit on 90 klms no worries.Need to know anything more pls contact me anytime.Kind regards Beehive.
When attached to your car is the van sitting level. You mentioned your car is to tall to tow a bailey van.
If your van is sitting low in the rear because of the hight of the draw bar on your car you can get adjustable tow hitches that allow you to level out the van and stop the rear dragging.
Sounds like your problem is not the van but your towbar height on your Nissan. Almost any caravan/4X4 shop can supply an adjustable receiver for your hitch giving you the ability to lower the tow ball height possibly eliminating your problem. That is as long as you have a "Reece style" hitch. Might be worth going to your local towbar centre for some advice.
Snap Bluey!! posted at the same time.
-- Edited by The Doo crew on Sunday 9th of August 2015 07:54:22 AM
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The hitch I had installed on my falcon ute was put in upside down. The size and direction should be such that the van is level when coupled on level ground. One handy purchase I made was a dual spirit level to glue on the a-frame. They are about $3 at Bunnings. I had Bailey, Jurgens and Swift. I got the Jurgens. I eliminated Bailey as the model I wanted is not longer available here.
Hello and thanks for the suggestion.I Have a Hayman Reese tow bar with the Bailey plate and tow ball which came with the van.When I hook the van to the vehicle it is level.I do have the spirit level you suggested glued to the draw bar but have never looked at it for the reason you suggest.I have the van stored until the 27th August. However I will try what you suggest and let you know how I went.I have just been outside and put the towball tonge on upsidedown.I measured both before and after and this has taken the height from ground to top of ball from 450mm to 515mm. Does this seem correct,? would this not make the back of the van even lower when driving over speed humps and into driveways.I would be pleased if you can advise if this is what you had work for you,Cheers Beehive
G'day Beehive another option to consider if you have leaf springs is having them on top of the van axel instead of under this will give the van better clearance and not effect the vans stability had mine done on previous single axel van and cost around $250.
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I see you are at Boonah Qld, It may be prudent to approach Aranda Tow Bars at Springwood. They may be able to help with advice or help and advise a solution to your problem.
Hi again,I have just contacted Aranda tow bar people. Yes they know of the problem I have and they say nothing they can do.They say all these imported vans are not built for Australian roads etc.All too low to the ground in the first place.Im quite upset about the problem as I am stuck with the van and really cannot go where I want.I have had my van all set up to go around Australia to promote awareness to LYME DISEASE and tick born illness. I decided to do this off my own bat as I have a friend who has Lyme and is very ill.People just don't know what a tick bite can do to you.Please go to my facebook page to see my vehicle and van.Thanks to everyone for the advice so far,Kind regards Beehive
Hi and thanks, I will be on to these people first thing tomorrow morning as I am very serious about sorting this problem.Will keep you posted,Cheers Beehive
Hi again,I am on the road until approx. 11th Sept with my Lyme on the move van,I decided to make contact whenI got back.You can follow my journey on facebook LYME ON THE MOVE.I will contact you as soon as I have contacted them,thanks again,cheers Beehive
Hi, was your Bailey an imported UK model or, an Imported from UK but built for Aus. All Bailey vans imported by Bailey Australia are different to the UK vans. Usually ride height and strengthened chassis and a few other differences. Have you thought of getting a caravan mover and reversing your van up the driveway?. They can be bought from as little as $250.00. We had a UK Abbi for a while and now have a 22ft Swift Explorer. Never have a problem with speed humps in c/van parks or service station forecourts. On some ferry ramps can cause a slight problem but if you creep slowly then there is no cause for concern. Hope you have good and safe travel.
I took the time to look at the lady's ute and caravan photos.
The hitch is not the problem, the van is looking level and possibly a little lower then most single axle caravans.
You could buy a drop down receiver lowering the ball height which would lower the front and raise the back, a quick fix for one problem and then adding more problems. Lowering 20 mm at the front might make a difference enough to get by on.
Like when you are going to unhitch, unable to get your caravan wind up stand under the A frame, chains draging on the road, the A frame hits the curb or speed bumps instead of the rear.
Her van has a long overhang adding to the woe.
Yes the only real way of fixing the problem is raising the vans height would be at the axle.
I like to think there was easy way and economic way. Ralph
The problem is that ALKO chasis cannot be raised as they are all part of the floor construction of the van,I phoned ALKO in Victoria and was told I must live with the problem.
Im on the road for the next 2.5 weeks so lets see how things go,Cheers Beehive.
Hello,the van was brought in by Bailey Australia new 2013.The height is 16 inches off the ground level.Very low.Also the spare wheel is slung under the van just behind the wheel its self.I have just met another Bailey owner with a van 22ft long,same problem.He has placed wood blocks under the bed inside the van plus same on outside.He has fitted wheels to these blocks,this solution is working for him along with a slightly lower tow ball setup.? now is where to get this done,I do have a contact via this site and will call them when I get back to QLD,
