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Bailey has extended its Adamo coachbuilt range – Nick Harding assesses the five-berth XL-DL

Bailey’s three new Adamo XL coachbuilts – all over 8m in length – have been designed with ‘serious’ touring in mind. Presenting plenty of living space, they also come with a very generous overall specification. ‘DL’ stands for ‘double lounge’ on this example and, somewhat unusually these days, this is a five-berth as standard – and it has the payload to cope.

Build quality – 77%

As with every coachbuilt motorhome coming out of the Bailey factory, the main bodywork is the company’s own Alu-Tech construction; the sides and roof are GRP-clad and there’s a GRP skin underneath the vehicle for roadgoing protection. It’s backed by a six-year integrity warranty. Inside, the flooring and furniture are strengthened to help them withstand the stresses of a collision.

Ford’s Transit chassis-cab provides the underpinnings. The cab itself is in Magnetic Grey, which blends well with the white bodywork thanks to generous use of upmarket graphics.

There’s space enough for a garage, which will take bikes, although fixing points for an external rack are also provided. A 12V strip light, plus mains and 12V socket are present, while the table stows in here as well.

Driving – 80%

You will need ‘C1’ status on your driving licence to drive this vehicle, but the big advantage of a 4,250kg MTPLM motorhome is the huge payload on offer – more than 860kg in this case.

More impressive is the overall specification Bailey orders for all its Adamo XLs. Owners get the powerful 165bhp engine with latest eight-speed automatic transmission, along with plenty of cab goodies: heated windscreen; electric door mirrors; and a 12in touchscreen infotainment system that provides all kinds of connectivity, sat-nav and a very clear reversing camera view.

It’s all very sophisticated, right down to the push-button handbrake and large dial in lieu of a gear selector; there are steering wheel-mounted paddles for when you want more control.

I can happily report you’ll get a very assured drive. Ford’s three-year warranty includes Camper Assist breakdown recovery.

Daytime – 85%

The two-lounge arrangement will appeal to those who want to optimise daytime living space – and indeed host the occasional party. For the front lounge, the cab seats swivel easily to join the L-shaped and inward-facing settees, accommodating up to six people in relative comfort. You’ll be getting on for a full football team if others are prepared to sit in the rear lounge.

Sufficient windows (plus an opening sunroof over the cab) keep the ambience light and airy, while the Truma Combi 6E has well-placed outlets to keep the whole interior cosy.

At the back, there’s wrap-around seating with a deep shelf beyond. There are sockets here, making it an ideal place for a free-standing television, while an extendable flatscreen holder is on hand for the front lounge area.

The freestanding table provided with this test model was large and a tight fit in both forward and rear lounges; Bailey has since replaced it with a smaller one.

Night-time – 82%

The two drop-down double beds glide easily into position thanks to straightforward electric operation via controls on the panel just inside the habitation door.

If you’re not using the fifth berth, the rear double can go right down to seat squab level if you remove the backrest cushions. (In which case it makes sense to leave one of two hook-on ladders provided at home.)

Both doubles have one-piece mattresses on slatted bases, offering decent support and ventilation. My own measurements of 1.82m x 1.28m for both fall shorter than Bailey’s official figures, although to be fair there’s plenty of space around each mattress. There’s just one reading lamp for each of these beds, although both also get ambient strip lighting. The fifth berth is made from the rearmost seating.

Kitchen – 78%

The kitchen sports a Thetford cooker with dual-fuel hob (three gas rings, electric hotplate) and separate oven and grill. The worktop includes a hinged lid to the hob. To its left, the circular sink has a flexi-head tap. Storage includes a cutlery drawer and two lower-level shelved lockers, while overhead two side-hinged doors open to reveal more locker space. The right-hand side is going to be the location if you opt for a microwave oven – though many pack an air-fryer these days.

To the right of the kitchen unit, the fridge is a slimline Thetford compressor model with freezer and a generous 150-litre capacity, set above floor level for easier access.

Washroom – 72%

Open the solid door and a small step takes you into the washroom; considering the overall dimensions of this Adamo, it’s somewhat on the small side. Nevertheless it has all the facilities you need – the usual swivel-bowl toilet and square counter-top handbasin with click-clack plug.

There’s no separate shower cubicle – instead, a rather old-fashioned curtain that wraps around. The shower tray is moulded around the wheel arch and has two drainage points, with the showerhead itself on a riser bar.

A mirror-doored locker sits over the basin, while there is a second shelved locker below. Other features include a high-level window, small rooflight, drop-down rail for hanging wet clothing, plus towel/clothes hooks on the back of the door.

Details – 78%

Storage is considerable, including a rear nearside wardrobe, also accessible from outside. Its equivalent opposite is shelved, while the rear overhead single locker is divided and shelved.

Other details include a waste bin and umbrella holder on the habitation door; Remis blinds (and flyscreens where appropriate) throughout; a double USB portal just inside the habitation door and two mains sockets in the kitchen; a 200W solar panel on the roof, alongside a Status 570 TV aerial; and six individually switched reading lamps, each with a USB port in its base.