When purchasing a touring caravan, consider the following factors:

• Budget: Account for the initial cost, insurance, maintenance, and storage expenses.
• Choosing Your Retailer: Find your local Bailey Authorised Retailer via the Find a Retailer section to ensure convenient and reliable service.
• Weight and Towing Capacity: Verify that your vehicle can safely tow the caravan. Use Towsafe’s matching service, or the Caravan and Motorhome Club or Camping and Caravanning Club’s matching software if you are a member of either club.
• Size and Layout: Select a size that meets your needs, from a two-berth for couples to a six-berth for families. Ensure the layout provides comfortable sleeping, a practical kitchen and lounge, and bathroom facilities that work for you.
• Quality and Construction: When choosing a Bailey you can benefit from our unique Alu-Tech bodyshell construction. Find out more.
• Features: Prioritize features most important to you. This might be heating options, fridge size or bathroom layout to give some examples. Visit your local Retailer to see caravans you are interested in in person.

These considerations will help you find the ideal caravan for enjoyable travels.

In the UK, what you can tow depends on when you passed your driving test and the type of vehicle you have:

1. Before 1 January 1997: You can usually drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass).
2. After 1 January 1997:
   • Category B license (standard car): You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM.
   • Category B+E license (if you want to tow heavier trailers): You can tow heavier trailers, but you need to take an additional test.

Always check your driving license for any restrictions and ensure your vehicle is suitable for towing.

The rules can be detailed, so it’s wise to consult the UK government’s guidelines for specific scenarios or if you’re unsure about your entitlements.

In the UK, caravans themselves do not require road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) as they are considered trailers rather than motor vehicles. However, the vehicle towing the caravan must be appropriately taxed, insured, and comply with legal requirements for towing.

Key points to consider:

1. Towing Vehicle: The car or vehicle towing the caravan must have valid road tax.
2. Insurance: Both the towing vehicle and the caravan should be properly insured. Check with your insurance provider to ensure your policy covers towing and the caravan whilst being towed.
3. Driver’s License: Ensure that the driver’s license includes the correct category for towing a caravan.
4. Towing Limits: The towing vehicle must be able to tow the caravan you have chosen. You can check this using Towsafe or through either the Caravan and Motorhome Club or Camping and Caravanning Club.
5. Lighting and Number Plate: The caravan must have appropriate lights and a number plate matching the towing vehicle.

By adhering to these requirements, you can legally and safely tow your caravan on UK roads.

You are not required by law to have caravan cover or caravan insurance in the UK but you can buy products that will protect your investment from things such as theft or damage.

You can find caravan cover or insurance by searching online. You can also buy Caravan Cover from the Caravan & Motorhome Club or Club Care caravan insurance from the Camping and Caravanning Club

In the UK, towing a caravan requires the use of extended mirrors to ensure clear visibility behind you and along both sides of your caravan.

Towing mirrors are essential for this as they extend beyond the width of the caravan, providing an unobstructed view. They help to avoid blind spots and are required if your caravan is wider than the rear of your vehicle.

Proper towing mirrors improve safety by allowing you to see vehicles approaching from behind, facilitating safer lane changes and turns.

It’s crucial to choose mirrors that are securely attached and adjustable to maintain a clear and stable view while driving. They must be removed when not towing.

You can find towing mirrors at PRIMA Leisure – the home of Bailey Parts & Accessories

Noseweight is the downward force that the front of a caravan exerts on the tow ball of the towing vehicle.

It is a crucial factor in ensuring safe towing, as it affects the stability and handling of both the caravan and the towing vehicle.

Properly setting the noseweight helps maintain control and prevent issues like swaying while driving.

For detailed guidance on measuring and adjusting noseweight, visit our beginners guide to setting caravan noseweight here.