The new Pegasus Grande GT75 range is an update of the old Pegasus Grande, with the former launched to mark the Bristol company’s 75th anniversary. The caravans are still 8ft wide, with a few little extras to tempt you – as we found when we went to view the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina, one of the continuing range layouts and a model we shortlisted for the best caravan for families at the Practical Caravan Awards 2024.

Pitch and set-up

The Pegasus looks fetching, with grey side panels and decals that on this model extend all the way beyond the window at the back.

The inclusion of ATC and an AKS 3004 stabiliser as standard should lessen any concerns about towing an 8ft-wide caravan.

Unusually, this model includes a small garage across the back under the island bed. While it is useful, you’d need to be careful not to stow anything too heavy in here, as it could affect your towing.

Lounge in the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina

Step inside through the stable door and the control panel is immediately above, with two handy shelves to the right for keys and fobs. Lower down, under the fitting for the TV bracket (check out our best caravan TV guide if you’re after one), is a shelving unit that contains possibly the biggest change you will see in the new-look Pegasus.

The caravan manufacturer is no longer including a radio, but instead provides a portable Sonos speaker. There’s room for a wireless charger, too.

For the front lounge caravan layout, Bailey has gone back to parallel settees with a central chest housing a pull-out table.

Large windows allow in plenty of natural light during the day

In the immediate previous generation, the Messina had an L-shaped settee with a small fixed table by the door. Even without the L-shape, this is a front lounge in which you can really spread out and relax, something the best caravans will provide.

In total, with a tiny bit of a squeeze, six people could fit on the settees, and they could really stretch out their legs, even with the foldaway table in place.

Two heating vents running from under this chest should keep you cosy throughout the colder months, thanks to the Truma Combi heating system. Two LED lights in the housing for the large window and three spotlights will keep things bright inside.

We were surprised that only one of these spotlights has a USB port. Yes, you have the wireless charging pad, but not all devices can make use of that.

Kitchen in the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina

There is no extension flap for the side kitchen, but the work surface should be adequate without it, and the whole area is very well lit. Two mains sockets are handily located near this space.

Kitchen area
No extension flap in the kitchen, but worktop is fairly generous

A dual-fuel four-burner hob sits on top of the separate oven and grill. On the other side is a slimline fridge with a removable freezer section. It’s all suitably close at hand.

Washroom in the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina

Even with the wheel arch creating a ledge on the far side, the offside shower cubicle is huge, with a large roof vent and lots of light (but only one drain hole).

The door swings out to create a partition so you can seal off the front. The basin has a large lit mirror and a shelf.

Sleeping in the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina

With the bed pulled fully forward, you can still get around it to the bedside tables. There are small cupboards on both sides of the partition at the foot of the bed. The nearside unit has sockets for a TV, while the offside one has a lit mirror and a socket for a hairdryer. Both spotlights by the headboard have USBs.

At 1.91m, the settees are long enough for use as single beds, but you can make up a double by pulling out the slats, lowering the backrests and adding an infill cushion.

Double bed in lounge
Pull out the slats and use settee and infill cushions to make up double bed in lounge

Storage in the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina

Storage is always going to be an important consideration, with room needed for packing all of these caravan essentials. It is quite a stretch to reach the centre of the ‘garage’ and the ceiling is low, so less agile people might be reluctant to venture too far in. There is access from inside the van, but you do have to remove the table. You wouldn’t want to put smaller items in there that you could need in a hurry, but larger (lighter) items should be fine.

Another external locker accesses the nearside underseat area up front, and usefully, part of it has a waterproof floor.

This nearside locker has no internal access flap – you lift the slats – but the offside locker does have a flap, leading to a clear section of the area.

As well as wardrobes either side of the bed, there is also a wardrobe in front of the washroom next to the fridge, with a couple of overhead lockers here. There are two more lockers and some open shelving between the wardrobes in the bedroom.

Kitchen storage includes a cutlery drawer, two large drawers, a pan locker and a part-shelved cupboard. There are a couple of small cupboards in the washroom, too.

Verdict

Although it’s marketed as a family tourer, the Messina would work just as well as a caravan for two adults, or parents with grown-up kids, thanks to the wardrobe up front and the long settees. We’re not totally convinced by the garage, but the spec in this 75th birthday edition, especially the Sonos speaker, adds a touch of class.

What we like:

  • Excellent storage inside, roomy shower cubicle

What we don’t like:

  • Could do with more USB ports in spotlights, garage is a squeeze

Or you could try:

Technical spec of the Bailey Pegasus Grande GT75 Messina:

  • Price: £31,499
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1538kg
  • Payload: 160kg
  • MTPLM: 1698kg
  • Interior length: 6.33m
  • Shipping length: 7.86m
  • Overall width: 2.45m

Spec list:

  • AKS 3004 stabiliser
  • Truma Combi heating
  • Separate oven and grill
  • Dometic fridge
  • Four-burner dual-fuel hob
  • Microwave with non-moving ceramic plate
  • Sonos speaker
  • Mains sockets
  • USB ports
  • 100W solar panel
  • External mains socket and BBQ point
  • Garage 
  • Rear double bed: 1.91 x 1.54m
  • Front double: 2.12 x 1.43m, or two singles: 1.91 x 0.62m

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