Hi, we are about to purchase a new Bailey autograph 79-4l, Im concearned about the water tank freshness

[allaboard]

Hi,
My wife and I are about to become fulltimers in the UK. We are purchasing a Bailey autograph 794-4l. Never had a motorhome, so having to learn lots quickly!
My main concern is how to maintain the water tanks and how often, to avoid bacteria and other nasties....any advice? Also and other suggestions on anything else....I feel like I'm starting something major blindfolded!
Thanks.
Tim

 

[Bessy765]

In the UK I wouldn’t worry too much about your water tank, main thing is to ensure the water quality of what you are using to fill it. You will get lots of different suggestions but its horses for courses. In over 40 years of motor home and caravan use we have always used the tank for drinking etc with no problems. In some parts of Europe it may pay to use bottled water for drinking. think long and hard about all those must have items you think you may need. If you are full timing payload is your enemy.

 

[VXman]

From no motorhome experience to full time. Brave! Hope you like it.

On the water, I agree with the above. What you could do is use bottled water for any cold water drinking and the tank for all other uses. Thats pretty much what we do although I will drink out of the water tank on occasion if needed.

 

[allaboard]

Hi there,
Thank-you for your prompt reply and advice....yes I'm coming to realise payload!!!

 

[Dramfineday]

Try puriclean, other folks will have their favorites too. You want something to clean the tank without possible damage to boiler elements.

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[allaboard]

Thanks Dramfineday for your welcome and advice

 

[Wabs]

I think if you are FTing, the tanks will get used so much they should stay clean,especially with the chlorine already present in the water,,good luck on your travels

 

[Wabs]

And by the way Welcome

 

[WynandJean]

I think if you are FTing, the tanks will get used so much they should stay clean,especially with the chlorine already present in the water,,good luck on your travels

Hello and welcome from West Midlands. I agree.



Wyn

 

[Stonemags76]

Welcome! We use a jug to get drinking water straight from the water source (campsite tap etc) & put it in the fridge. We then use tank water for everything else, including tea & coffee. We also went full time for three years, having never had a Motorhome before! Good luck!

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[allaboard]

Rrr...thanks Wabs and Wyn....really appreciate your kind welcome and advice and the same for all you other guys posts back to me!
Any other advice for me becoming a fulltime would also be welcome...thank-you

 

[ManTheVan]

Welcome. You’ll be well advised to add something like the product posted below, even if you use fresh water, as legionella and other nasties can build up at ambient temperatures. We used aqua sol on our yacht for years and now in the MH and it’s marvellous stuff.

Aqua Sol 300ml Water Purifier - Homestead Caravans

Dual purpose water purifying solution | Kills all harmful organisms & eradicates foul tastes & odours | 300ml bottle purifies 750 litres | Keeping stored water fresh & pure

www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk

 

[allaboard]

Welcome! We use a jug to get drinking water straight from the water source (campsite tap etc) & put it in the fridge. We then use tank water for everything else, including tea & coffee. We also went full time for three years, having never had a Motorhome before! Good luck!

Thanks for this...and your welcome and words of advice...any other words of wisdom and advice I'd greatly welcome

 

[ManTheVan]

Also, you’re limited to 5 posts as a free member. It’s worth subscribing as the £15 buys you a lot of advice!

 

[Wabs]

Also as Bessy has already said,, you’re payload is the one thing to watch

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[Stonemags76]

I would also recommend joining here, as there will be an answer for every question you have! Best £15 I spent!

 

[Blue Knight]

I can't see the Bailey 74-4i being any good at all for full time touring.

The basic weight of the van is 3,233kg so then add full water; full fuel, a variation for the material types being used; the extra dealer options, a passenger, plus the extra weight should the driver be over the standard 75kg allowance and by my reckoning you'll already be at 3,750kg - and this figure excludes food, bikes, extra batteries, extra gas bottles, clothing, cutlery, dogs, ,beer & wine, extra passengers, tools etc etc the list goes on.

The Bailey 74-4i is therefore a totally unsuitable van for full timing.

Note-1: You should also have a back up plan for the those days/weeks it'll need to go back to the 'supplying dealer' to get repaired.

Note-2: Check the Bailey warranty to see if it will support your full time aspirations as lots of UK manufacturers have a clause in the contract which stipulates that these vans are not designed for full time living and therefore the warranty is void for those doing so.

 

[Jo662]

We use bottled water for drinking , and only use the on board tank for showering and washing up!

 

[mitzimad]

We drink out of out of our tanks never had a problem
Being full time will mean even faster turn around so no problem

 

[Ninjabob]

I can't see the Bailey 74-4i being any good at all for full time touring.

The basic weight of the van is 3,233kg so then add full water; full fuel, a variation for the material types being used; the extra dealer options, a passenger, plus the extra weight should the driver be over the standard 75kg allowance and by my reckoning you'll already be at 3,750kg - and this figure excludes food, bikes, extra batteries, extra gas bottles, clothing, cutlery, dogs, ,beer & wine, extra passengers, tools etc etc the list goes on.

The Bailey 74-4i is therefore a totally unsuitable van for full timing.

Note-1: You should also have a back up plan for the those days/weeks it'll need to go back to the 'supplying dealer' to get repaired.

Note-2: Check the Bailey warranty to see if it will support your full time aspirations as lots of UK manufacturers have a clause in the contract which stipulates that these vans are not designed for full time living and therefore the warranty is void for those doing so.

The poster states Bailey 79-4l which has a payload of 617kgs so that should help. Probably upgradeable further to 4100kgs with suspension/tyre mods which realistically might give another 100 or so kgs extra payload.

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[Blue Knight]

The poster states Bailey 79-4l which has a payload of 617kgs so that should help. Probably upgradeable further to 4100kgs with suspension/tyre mods which realistically might give another 100 or so kgs extra payload.

That was a typo error by me, I did mean 79-4i but my fingers didn't press the keys in the right order

If the MTPLM can be increased then that's good news but I'm not entirely sure that the OP will be aware of such a process.

Also, if the MIRO is 3,233kg without all of the many extra weights being added (mentioned in my previous post) then it won't take long before the rear axle has exceeded its standard load capacity so in reality the 3,850kg figure is probably not achievable in any case.

If the OP wants a van for full timing then he really needs to be considerjng something which is capable of big payload figures........

......The Bailey may be a good weekend or holiday van but not ideal for permanent living.

 

[Ninjabob]

......The Bailey may be a good weekend or holiday van but not ideal for permanent living.

I have a 75-2 upgraded to 4100kgs and I would not want to live full time in it. Perfectly good for long holidays.

I would want a Yank with slide outs

 

[Badknee]

We’ve got 1650kgs payload and I’ve just had a junk clear out as I think we were getting close.

 

[RobbyMClark]

Also, you’re limited to 5 posts as a free member. It’s worth subscribing as the £15 buys you a lot of advice!

It will be one of the best 15 quid you spend.
By the way from Merseyside

 

[David and Sally]

Welcome. You’ll be well advised to add something like the product posted below, even if you use fresh water, as legionella and other nasties can build up at ambient temperatures. We used aqua sol on our yacht for years and now in the MH and it’s marvellous stuff.

Aqua Sol 300ml Water Purifier - Homestead Caravans

Dual purpose water purifying solution | Kills all harmful organisms & eradicates foul tastes & odours | 300ml bottle purifies 750 litres | Keeping stored water fresh & pure

www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk

Same here. Both yachts and caravans/motorhomes. Cheap enough and keeps it all clean.

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[Barclaybasher]

You could have a towbar fitted and pull a small box trailer

 

[Jenka]

I travelled FT Europe for 3 years including two lockdowns ,I wasn't too bad living in it even during winter months garage storage was limited but my main reason for changing to a Continental van was the Bailey was unrealible with Hab faults worst being the Hab door had to secure it shut for Six months as no dealer would touch it and even when I had peaugot issues they were reluctant . On arrival back in the UK it was another three months before Bailey got the parts .

 

[TheDogMan]

We keep a Brita filter jug full next to the sink, use this for all drinks hot or cold, showers and washing up come straight from the 400L tank

this is the easy way and not expensive,

 

[Tombola]

Ive just been looking to buy a new Bailey Autograpgh 79 4 T at Spinneys, how did you get on OP did you purchase it