BEST FIXED DOUBLE BED MOTORHOME
MAKING an unexpected debut at the Motorhome & Caravan Show was Bailey’s latest motorhome range, Alora. The company’s first narrow-bodied coachbuilts (just 2.12m wide), they reflect a growing interest in slimline vehicles that offer the space, comfort and insulation of a motorhome in a size a little closer to that of a campervan. However, at almost 7m long, the Alora was considered too big to fit into our Compact Motorhome award category.
The brand-new range includes the expected single bed and island bed floorplans, but it’s the transverse bed model, the 69-4S, that appealed to our judging panel. Yes, it has the bed access issues for whoever is sleeping alongside the back wall that are intrinsic to this floorplan, but the MMM team felt that the much greater feeling of interior space (compared with the 69-4I) was well worth the compromise.
Adding to the appeal is the fact that the rear bedroom has a padded headboard on the offside and opening window at the foot – and, for once, there’s plenty of room to sit up in bed to read. Then there’s the clever fold-out double steps to climb into bed and the very neat slide-out wardrobe (with shelves and hanging rail) that’s also concealed under the bed.
Another factor that makes this newcomer feel bigger inside than you’d expect is the face-to-face lounge with a large overcab sunroof letting in lots of daylight. It’s a great place to relax and it can even be adapted to offer a pair of rear travel seats, thanks to the foldaway Aguti chairs hidden beneath the sofas.
Turn to the right, rather than the left, as you enter through the habitation door and the Alora feels far more open than any island bed model of comparable size. The washroom design contributes towar
