Narrow winner

Nick Harding tries Bailey’s new slimline Alora 69-4S for size

Motorhome width is particularly important to some owners, given how it affects ease of driving. Consequently, a number of manufacturers now offer narrower, nimbler models, including Bailey with its new Alora series. These low-profile coachbuilts come in at 6.99m long and with a maximum body width of 2.12m – up to 20cm narrower than similar vehicles. Like their Bailey stablemates, the three Aloras are all based on Ford’s very capable Transit. All have a driving licence-friendly maximum weight of 3,500kg and, in the case of the 69-4S here, there’s a decent 550kg of payload.

Build quality – 74%

Constructed using Bailey’s Alu-Tech system, the outer and inner walls of the coachbuilt bodywork are GRP, held together by an interlocking framework with fixing brackets, with polystyrene insulation.

The garage at the back is accessible from either side. As well as space for anything up to a couple of bikes, there are also floor-mounted lashing points, some open shelving and a drawer, plus a hatch to access the water pump and dump valve, and a dedicated locker for a single 6kg gas cylinder.

Note that the lounge table and support boards for the second double bed stow here – not necessarily the ideal location if you’ve a lot of other gear. Along with a gas cylinder, they account for a somewhat limiting 80kg payload capacity in the garage.

Driving – 78%

Impressive infotainment screen

There’s just the one engine offering – it’s the 128bhp unit from Ford. Automatic transmission for an extra £2,000 might be tempting, although it does steal some 50kg of payload.

This lower-powered unit isn’t quite the free spirit of the torque-ier 155bhp variant: there was a fair amount of gear-changing involved in our driving through the (often narrow) roads of Somerset and Devon. Luckily, that gear lever is close to hand and slick in operation.

The Ford cab impresses with its features and style. The 12in central infotainment system screen is key – along with DAB radio, there’s Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity as well as Ford’s own reversing camera.

The Ford cab seats offer a great range of adjustment and support. By comparison, the Aguti seats that fold out from each settee base are somewhat basic, lacking armrests and needing additional cushioning. Unfortunately, the Alora’s small, high-set windows don’t allow any views out the sides for all but the very tallest passengers – or indeed the driver at angled junctions.

Daytime – 75%

Bright interior decor

Credit to Bailey’s designers because, once you’re parked up on site, you feel like you’re sitting in a ‘normal’-width motorhome. There’s a typical-enough front lounge with inward-facing settees of different lengths. The cab seats are easy enough to swivel around, making them ideal for watching TV– however, somewhat annoyingly, these don’t sit at the same height as the settees.

As in the cab, the lounge’s side windows are very small, which is an issue if you like to have a view with your morning coffee, and also no help for rear passengers wanting to see where they’re going.

It’s worth noting, too, that there are quite a few steps to negotiate in this vehicle: down from the cab to the living quarters; up to the kitchen/washroom zone; and then on up to the rear bed.

Heating and hot water is from the diesel and electric Truma Combi system, with iNet connectivity.

A special note on the washroom arrangement – the fitting of the tambour door helps free up extra corridor space when needed, which is a nice touch.

Night-time – 75%

Permanent beds across the back haven’t always been popular here in the UK, but the Alora might change a few minds. Here, access is particularly easy, thanks to a rather clever fold-down double step, and, with the only upper-level lockers along the back wall, there is enough height to sit up in bed.

The whole 1.89m (6ft 2in) x 1.49m (4ft 11in) base hinges up to reveal a decent-size storage area (ideal for clothing), but the floor-level wardrobe here is very shallow. The only other issue was that there was a bit of noise from the fridge – right where our heads were. Light sleepers, take note.

There’s a bit of setting up to do with the double bed in the lounge which, at its maximum, measures 1.96m (6ft 5in) x 1.34m (4ft 5in).

Kitchen – 70%

The kitchen is compact and effective. The Thetford Triplex cooker – featuring a dual-fuel hob with three gas rings and one electric hotplate, plus combined oven and grill – is a real space-saver. To its left is a stainless steel circular sink with a loose cover that doubles as a chopping board. The worktop extension across the habitation doorway is small, but will undoubtedly prove useful. Storage includes a large overhead locker that is divided and part-shelved. A microwave can be stationed here, should you want that particular option. The single drawer under the sink contains a loose cutlery tray.

Washroom – 68%

The washroom contains the usual complement of shower and swivel-bowl toilet plus a handbasin on a sliding section that moves out of the way so you can optimise washing space.

The drop-down hanging rail is ideal for wet clothing, etc. There’s just a clip for the shower (rather than a riser bar), while the shower itself is the extended tap with trigger operation, while a curtain protects the main fittings.

A retainer clip for the aforementioned tambour door

to prevent it moving in transit would be a welcome addition. It’s always good to see a second plughole in the shower tray, while the four hooks are very handy.

Details – 77%

There is much to impress in terms of detail, including 16in alloy wheels, an 80W solar panel, opening overcab sunroof, automatic day-running headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, remote central locking that extends to all doors and switched reading lights (in the bedroom and over the cab seats) with USB portals.

Being more critical, such an over-reliance on open shelving is not great in a touring vehicle, and some of the lower locking shelving, in particular, lacks any kind of lipped edging – meaning objects might tumble out when you open a door after a drive.

Despite those small lounge windows, the interior is light, and night-time lighting is bright (the white ceiling helps).

Verdict – 74%

The vehicle for this test was the prototype, so some anomalies will hopefully be resolved in production models. These days, a starting price in the mid-£70,000s counts as ‘budget’ for a motorhome and, in that respect, the Alora offers decent value for money.