If you’re after a motorhome that won’t have you breaking into a cold sweat every time you encounter a narrow country lane, the Bailey Approach SE 740 deserves serious consideration. This 2013 model represents Bailey’s attempt to squeeze proper four-berth accommodation into a package that doesn’t require an HGV licence, and by most accounts, they’ve succeeded rather well.
The SE 740 sits in that sweet spot where you get a proper fixed French bed without the intimidating bulk of larger motorhomes. At 7.52 metres long, it’s certainly not compact, but it’s manageable enough that you won’t spend your entire holiday worrying about whether you’ll fit in the next car park. The Alu-Tech bodyshell construction gives it a solid foundation, whilst the 3.5-tonne gross weight keeps it within reach of standard driving licences.
What makes this particular example interesting is the remarkably low mileage, just 3,000 miles suggests it’s barely been run in. Whether that’s a blessing or a concern depends on your perspective, but it certainly indicates careful ownership.
Size and Practicality of the Bailey Approach SE 740
At 7.52 metres long and 2.42 metres wide, the Approach SE 740 occupies that middle ground between compact and unwieldy. You’ll find it fits comfortably on most ferry decks and won’t have you holding your breath through village centres, though you’ll still need to think twice about some of those picture-postcard Cotswold lanes.
The 2.64-metre height keeps you under most barriers, though you’ll want to develop the habit of checking before diving into multi-storey car parks. With a 510kg payload, you’ve got reasonable scope for loading up with holiday essentials, though four adults with full kit might push things close to the limit.
The twin bike rack is a thoughtful touch, cycling often becomes essential when you can’t quite squeeze the motorhome into that perfect spot near the village pub.
Driving the Bailey Approach SE 740
The Peugeot Boxer 2.2 HDI engine provides 130bhp, which should prove adequate for most touring scenarios. You’re not going to win any traffic light grands prix, but motorhome driving is more about steady progress than outright pace. The 320 Nm of torque arriving at 2,000 rpm suggests reasonable pulling power for hills, though you might find yourself making friends with lorry drivers on steeper gradients.
The six-speed manual gearbox gives you proper control over proceedings, and cruise control will help maintain legal speeds on longer motorway stretches without constantly watching the speedometer. Air conditioning is a genuine blessing during summer touring; there’s nothing quite like returning to a cool motorhome after a day exploring sun-baked historic sites.
The reversing camera addresses one of motorhoming’s perpetual challenges. Parking something this size often involves a degree of guesswork, so having electronic eyes watching your back makes life considerably easier.
Living in the Bailey Approach SE 740
The four-berth layout centres around that fixed French bed at the rear, a proper double that doesn’t require nightly gymnastics to assemble. You’ll appreciate this arrangement after long driving days when the last thing you want is to wrestle with cushions and table legs.
The Alu-Tech bodyshell construction should provide good insulation and structural integrity, important considerations if you’re planning extended touring or year-round use. Bailey’s reputation for build quality has generally been solid, though like any manufacturer, they’ve had their moments.
The Fiamma F45S awning extends your living space significantly when weather permits. There’s something particularly satisfying about setting up camp with a proper outdoor area, it transforms the whole motorhoming experience from mere accommodation to proper outdoor living.
Approach SE 740 Sleeping Arrangements
The fixed French bed eliminates one of motorhoming’s daily chores. You’ll find it’s a proper double, not one of those narrow compromises that leaves couples fighting for space. The gas strut mechanism for accessing storage underneath is a thoughtful touch, no more wrestling with heavy mattresses to reach your belongings.
For the additional two berths, you’ll likely be looking at dinette conversion or possibly a drop-down bed, though the exact configuration would need verification. Four adults might find things cosy, but for couples with occasional guests or children, the arrangement should work well.
The partitioning blinds mentioned suggest some attempt at privacy, always appreciated when you’re sharing relatively compact quarters.
Kitchen Space in the Bailey Approach SE 740
The 117-litre fridge provides reasonable storage for extended touring, enough for a week’s supplies if you shop sensibly. You’ll find this capacity adequate for most touring scenarios, though families might need to be more strategic about fresh food purchases.
The microwave adds convenience for quick meals and reheating, particularly useful during poor weather when outdoor cooking loses its appeal. Combined with what’s presumably a decent-sized hob and oven, you should have sufficient cooking options for most holiday scenarios.
Storage space around the kitchen area will determine how comfortable you are with extended cooking sessions. Well-designed motorhome kitchens make meal preparation a pleasure; poorly planned ones turn it into an exercise in frustration.
The Approach SE 740’s Bathroom
The separate shower is a significant advantage over combined shower/toilet arrangements. You’ll appreciate having a proper shower space that doesn’t require folding away the toilet every time you want to wash. This separation also means one person can shower whilst another uses the toilet facilities elsewhere.
The cassette toilet is standard motorhome fare, efficient and hygienic, though emptying duties remain one of motorhoming’s less glamorous aspects. The thermostatic shower mixer should provide consistent water temperature, avoiding those unpleasant surprises when someone turns on a tap elsewhere.
Having a dedicated bathroom space, even if compact, makes a significant difference to daily comfort levels, particularly on longer tours.
Bailey Approach SE 740 Systems
The electrical and water systems should be straightforward enough for most users to manage. You’ll want to understand the basics of 12V and 240V systems, water tank capacities, and waste management, standard motorhome knowledge that becomes second nature with experience.
The Vision Plus satellite pre-wire suggests some preparation for entertainment systems, useful for those evening hours when weather keeps you indoors. Modern motorhoming often involves staying connected, whether for weather updates, route planning, or simple entertainment.
Gas systems typically handle heating, hot water, and cooking – reliable technology that’s been refined over decades of motorhome use. Understanding how to change gas bottles and operate the various systems safely is essential knowledge for any motorhome owner.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
The Roller Team Pegaso 740 Italian Styling and Build Quality offers Italian styling and build quality in a similar size package, potentially with different layout options that might suit your specific needs better.
For those wanting British engineering, the Auto Trail Apache 700 6 Berth Family Favourite Review provides an alternative approach to the same basic requirements, with Auto Trail’s particular take on space utilisation and build quality.
The Bessacarr E765 6 Berth Layout Solutions Review represents another British option, potentially offering different layout solutions or specification levels that might align better with your touring style.
Final Thoughts
The Bailey Approach SE 740 appears to offer a sensible balance between space, practicality, and manageability. The fixed French bed layout suits couples who want proper sleeping comfort without daily bed-making duties, whilst the four-berth capacity provides flexibility for family use or guests.
The low mileage on this particular example could be seen as either a blessing or a concern (motorhomes benefit from regular use, but careful ownership often trumps high mileage). The recent service suggests responsible maintenance, always encouraging in a used motorhome purchase.
At 3.5 tonnes gross weight, it remains accessible to standard licence holders, whilst the Peugeot Boxer base provides proven reliability and reasonable parts availability. The combination of practical features like reversing camera, cruise control, and air conditioning suggests thoughtful specification rather than basic transport.
Whether this particular Bailey suits your needs depends largely on your touring style and space requirements. The fixed bed layout works brilliantly for couples but might feel restrictive for families wanting maximum flexibility. As with any motorhome purchase, seeing it in person and understanding exactly how the layout works in practice remains essential.
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