Autograph 79-6, pros v cons

Getting out and about from a lot of sites unless you also have another form of transport as well

Ps in the UK that is ,

Yes, thanks for that, we've been talking through the different options-bikes, public transport and car hire if needed or A frame and tow a smaller car if going for a longer period of time! Decisions decisions !

if your sons are travelling with you, I guess they/you are quite young...

this is a large, wide, heavy van built on the fiat 'heavy' (4250kg) chassis so you will need the appropriate license groups to drive it and if you passed your test after Jan 1997 you'll need to take an extra test...

not sure where the boys are to sleep....one in each of the other beds?..but for such a large van the beds are very narrow as doubles and one of them is very short (assume you are having the rear double?

Bed Sizes:
Front Double 1.70m x 1.02m / 5 ' 7 " x 3 ' 4 " 
Drop Down Double 2.01m x 1.25m / 6 ' 7 " x 4 ' 1 " 
Rear Double 2.12m x 1.58m / 6 ' 11” x 5' 2"

the vans's size (8m long and over 8' wide) might make you feel like you're in your caravan on site but will be a pig to drive on any 'slim' road away from trunk routes.

Overall Body Length 7.988m / 26 ' 3 "
Overall Body Width 2.489m / 8 ' 2 "

with four of you and a dog, and in need of other transport, any particular reason for the switch?

Lucy

Until earlier this year we had a Bailey Approach 740 SE which was one of the predecessors of the Autograph range. The 79-6 is a big beast but having said that we rarely found the width to be a problem. If a bus can go down a road so can a Bailey Autograph. Interesting that many caravan manufacturers are also introducing 8 foot wide caravans! The Baileys are pretty well equipped and are good value. We had our 740 for six years before going to a slightly smaller Bailey model. Did you know there is a Bailey Motorhome Owners Group on Facebook which you might find worth joining.

David

Really helpful, thanks ever so much David.

My husband will be the main driver and has driven many large vehicles both pre and post military, so is very competent with driving, even on tricky parts that I no doubt would struggle with! We've just returned from 2 weeks in newquay and this would be a perfect scenario where I would want a hire car, just for ease of parking up, but weekends away or places on public transport routes or pretty flatish for the bikes we can just leave the van and go!

Again, thank you.

Something to bear in mind – A family of 4 plus a dog & poor/rainy weather whilst away may mean you will need an awning & car to cater for such a scenario.  I know nothing about the payload or towing capabilities of the L.V. but feel they may also need to be considered.  Good luck.

I worry for the dog😁 Trailer behind a bike? Suppose it depends on size. 

There were two tralers with dogs in when we were in the New Forest one family on bikes with a 7month old puppy in (not old enough to keep up with cycles?,and another couple whos dog was to old to keep up with them on cycles

Jay, this van is built on the 'heavy' Fiat chassis, plated at 4250kg, its MIRO is around 3500kg so has a payload of 750kg ish...which should be enough but 2 kids (ages/weights?) and the passenger (nominal 75kg) need to deducted from that along with all other carried 'stuff'...

however, the fact that it's over 3500kg means it can't be driven in a car license but it seems the OP has a 'qualified' driver on board.

good luck, guys.