by Tom Leaning
As part of our continuing #ArcticAdventure coverage, Bailey of Bristol give their own account of their latest marathon product endurance test, taking two caravans and a motorhome to the Arctic Circle and back. The UK leisure vehicle manufacturer, in association with the Caravan and Motorhome Club, took two caravans (a Pursuit 530-4 and 550-4) and one motorhome (an Autograph 75-2) on an epic 5,000 mile journey to the Arctic Circle.
The Bailey #ArcticAdventure set off from the world renowned Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on 2nd March, travelled through Europe across the Arctic Circle to the Millbrook Winter Test Centre in Ivalo, Northern Finland and then back. The journey took 16 days to complete and the team visited 12 countries in the process taking in some of Europe’s most iconic locations including the Brandenburg Gate, the official home town of Santa Claus at Rovaniemi in Finland, and the Oresund Bridge linking Sweden to Denmark on the way.
Road and weather conditions at this time of year in Scandinavia were challenging to say the least. With temperatures dropping below freezing and with plenty of snow and ice on an already harsh terrain, driving became potentially hazardous as the team navigated across Europe. To combat this, the Pursuit 530-4 & 550-4 caravans were matched to a pair of powerful Volvo XC90s, while the 2.0 Blue Hdi 160 BHP engine of the Autograph 75-2 was able to take the journey in its stride. All vehicles were fully winterized, and fitted with winter tyres and supplied with snow chains.
As with all Bailey leisure vehicles the #ArcticAdventure caravans and motorhome are built using the company’s patented Alu-Tech body shell construction system. This award winning technology creates vehicles that are more robust, more durable and yet lighter than those manufactured using conventional methods to keep owners comfortable, safe and secure all year round. To date over 40,000 Bailey caravans and motorhomes have been built using this method and are currently being enjoyed all over the world.
This adventure was in stark contrast to the West 2 East Challenge, undertaken by Bailey Australia in 2015, in which two locally built Alu-Tech caravans travelled 3,700 miles the breath of the country through some of the most remote parts of the Australian Outback in temperatures at times in excess of 35 degrees on a mixture of dirt, gravel and corrugated roads.
This time round the vehicles were driven by, among others: Simon Howard (Marketing Director, Bailey of Bristol & W2E Challenge Veteran); John Rawlings (Freelance Journalist & Seasoned Arctic Traveller); Martin Dorey (Celebrity Chef & Television Personality) Lee Davey (Freelance Journalist & Bailey Brand Ambassador) & Bernie Jones (Caravan and Motorhome Club Tow Course Instructor). Throughout the journey, the team were joined by representatives from the Outdoor Leisure, Travel and Motoring media.
Talking about the successful completion of the #ArcticAdventure Bailey Marketing Director and a member of the team Simon Howard, said: “This has been the most extreme real-life endurance test we’ve ever undertaken and for the caravans and motorhome to cope in the way they have is further testimony to the unrivalled strength and durability of the Alu-Tech construction system. Hopefully we’ve demonstrated that if you put your mind to it you really can go anywhere and do anything in a modern leisure vehicle.”
“Since the introduction of Alu-Tech we have put our leisure vehicles through their paces on the leading test-tracks in the UK and Europe and as far afield as the Australian Outback and now the Arctic Circle. In all instances they have stood up to everything both the terrain and the weather has thrown at them, meaning you can be confident of going where and when you want in a Bailey Alu-Tech caravan or motorhome.
“In addition to providing a thorough examination of our products the ‘Arctic Adventure’ has also taken us through some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the planet, proof, if needed, that caravans really do allow you to visit the places that other holidays cannot reach” he added.
