Michelin OE for latest Bailey caravan range

Bristol-based caravan manufacturer Bailey has decided upon a 100 per cent Michelin fitment policy for its new Unicorn caravan range, which will be available in retailers from September 2012 onwards. The two tyres fitted as standard equipment to the caravans are the 185/65 R 14 Energy Saver+ and the 185 R 14 Agilis. In a press release announcing the supply arrangement, Michelin notes that “despite being more expensive than the previous brand, the company believes that a premium caravan should be fitted with a premium brand of tyres.”

Speaking about the deal, Bailey managing director Nick Howard said: “Until now we have been fitting mid-range tyres to our caravans but felt that as we offer a very high quality product, that ethos should be reflected in all components on the caravan. This is especially true in the case of the tyres bearing in mind their impact on safety.

“Also, as a UK manufacturer we like to try and source our parts from UK-based suppliers wherever possible,” he added. “As Michelin manufactures the Energy Saver+ tyres at its Dundee plant, this fits in perfectly with this strategy.”

Bailey has been established for more than 60 years and has grown to become one of the UK’s largest caravan and motorhome manufacturers, producing up to 9,000 vehicles a year.

The Energy Saver+ is the latest generation of fuel saving tyres launched by Michelin and this should have a positive, albeit slight, impact on fuel consumption compared to towing a caravan on standard tyres, the tyre maker says. Michelin also expects that this tyre, along with the Agilis van tyre, will also offer caravan users, high levels of safety, reliability and longevity.