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The Year’s Most Promising and Lightweight Family-Friendly Travel Trailer Is From England

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As you know, I’m always on the lookout for the most affordable and amazing travel trailers and RVs the world has to offer. This time around, our journey takes us to the UK, where we meet a camper like very few others: the Discovery. The name says it all.

Dear lovers of the greater outdoors and fellow explorers, lend me your eyes for the next few minutes so that we can get a feel for what could be considered one of this year’s hottest off-grid tickets. The catch, however, is that the Discovery, the unit before you today, is only found in the UK, so if you do happen to fall in love with this one, you may be required to go through a complete lifestyle change; it’s all worth it, I assure you.

Now, before we hop into a Discovery and see all that it has to offer, let’s first explore a bit about the minds and hands behind what we see. That’s where Bailey comes in. I don’t expect you to know that this UK-based manufacturer has been active since 1948, making them even older than Winnebago, but I do expect you to let them wow you.

For example, the Discovery is a travel trailer available in three different layouts. The smallest one starts at no more than £20,000, which is the equivalent of a tad under $25K. The larger layouts, like the D4-4L and D4-4, are priced starting at £21,500, which is around $300 short of $27K. Best of all, the two bigger units are, of course, suitable for family living; four guests have a place to rest their heads.

Photo: Bailey of Bristol

As for the remainder of our time with the Discovery, I’ve decided to choose a layout that I feel best represents all that this lineup is all about, the D4-4. So, for the next few minutes, leave your troubles wherever you are, hitch a D4-4 behind your vehicle, and let’s take a break from life.

Picture yourself behind the wheel of your truck, your family beside you, and the Discovery working its magic, too. As you drive along, an interlocking aluminum framework will ensure this puppy doesn’t blow away at highway speeds, while an aerodynamic GRP skin promises minimal strain on your vehicle. All that’s set upon a galvanized steel chassis with an extended A-frame for bike racks and other gear and your average suspension; no wild off-roading with this one.

This results in a unit that weighs as little as 1,248 kg (2,751 lbs) under full load, making it suitable for an array of cars, not just massive trucks and 4x4s. This is a massive plus for anyone who wants to get into the off-grid game without making any massive lifestyle changes—all except moving to the UK, that is.

Discovery

Photo: Bailey of Bristol

Once you’ve completed the first leg of the journey, it’s time to park your unit, stretch your legs, and begin preparing your campsite. At this stage, you’ll unload all the gear you’ve stored within the lockers tattered all over the shell and from inside the unit, too. Before you know it, you’ll have an outdoor dining set in place, an awning overhead, and the kids running around.

At this stage, most people do one of three things: either hang around outside, go exploring, or head inside to cook up a meal or grab a few minutes of shuteye. I’ve decided to choose the latter scenario, minus the ‘shuteye.’

Now, if you’ve been wondering why I chose to bring to light a camper from the UK, the interior is sure to answer all your questions. Honestly, I’m still waiting for the day when North American manufacturers will give their future customers fully-equipped mobile homes like this one. I’m not saying there aren’t any, but they’re few and far between. I personally fell in love with the Discovery simply because of the level of execution we see in the images.

Discovery

Photo: Bailey of Bristol

As to why the D4-4 layout, that’s simply because of the way everything is set up, offering guests a massive hallway from where they can access everything from a modular dinette at the front of the unit all the way to the rear, where the bathroom and shower lie in wait. Along the way, you’ll pass a large kitchen and an interesting double bed. Be sure to check out the video below to get a better feel for its sizing with a full-grown adult hanging out inside.

From here, we could sit around and talk about all the inner workings that make this home suitable for a family, but it’s clear that Bailey is on a slightly different level in terms of comfort, so I’ll let you dive in deeper on your own time. Just watch out; it’s a rabbit hole of systems, features, and dreams. I think I may be moving to the UK pretty soon.

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