Autocruise Wentworth or Autosleeper?

[Wee Bold Davy]

Hi Folks we've just fallen in love! For the past 10 months or so we've really fancied our first MH being an Autosleeper Clubman / Executive or similar. Then just as we were getting into position to make a serious effort to purchase one, we decided that if we put it off until later this year or early next year we would be in a position to double our intended budget and get something a bit newer/better.
Then at Easter we went for a look around a dealers and came across an Autocruise Starquest and loved the quality of the finish and the layout,it seemed perfect.
Then today we spent hours looking at vans online and came across the Autocruise Wentworth, we both just loved the van. What I can find on here is either Autocruise being slagged off because of problems or people who love their van. How can something that looks so perfect be so wrong?
Being of a certain age and with a limited budget we have one chance to get the right van, no room for error. We want it to be life changing for us in a positive way.
Would love to hear of your experiences with the Autocruise Wentworth or similar or Autosleeper.
Our budget we hope will be around £22K

 

[normanandsue]

Autosleeper every time. We have had two autosleepers and they are undoubtedly the best of the British motorhomes.

 

[Theonlysue]

I've had an auto sleeper. Well made, great van.

 

[wigster]

Am not being any anti van at all but i if i was buying i would check for damp. The problem being that there is normally wood in the construction as in a caravan and wood and damp dont mix. Not putting a downer on your choice at all just saying what i would do if i was buying one

 

[Mikeco]

If the Autocruise was made prior to 2007 then it will be have been built before Swift bought them out and will be built to a better standard than the later ones and also Autosleeper. Bught a new Autosleeper in 2007 and got rid after a year, not good quality or design. The best part was the dinner service which we still have.

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[Kingham]

I'm still of the belief that Auto-Sleeper make a better quality van than Autocruise, but being a member of an owner's forum, it's apparent that they're not as well built as earlier Auto-Sleepers were.

I'm happy with my Auto-Sleeper and so far the two fairly minor issues I've had are not down to the converter, the winding gears in my Heki rooflight failing and the slide adjuster on the Peugeot passenger seat coming off. The design and layout of the van is superb and it was that that sold it to me.

There's no guarantee that either maker will satisfy all your needs and tick every box, but you can only try to get as close as you can on paper, before spending.

When I was putting the spec together for my latest van, on paper I loved the idea of an automatic and the closest I could get was Fiat's Comfortmatic, but when I took one for a test drive, I absolutely hated it and bought a manual.

Good luck with your search.

 

[ambulancekidd]

Hi Davy, your personal preference comes first here, then its down to finding the right van in the right condition. All motorhomes are like cars, one mans meat is another mans poison etc. If you go viewing a van that makes you feel uncomfortable then listen to your instincts & just walk away. We're very happy with our Auto-sleepers Executive but that as I've said is personal choice.

Whatever you decide keep us posted & may you guys have long & good health to enjoy it.

Robert & Hazel.

 

[Neckender]

Removed post.
John.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Hi Davy, your personal preference comes first here, then its down to finding the right van in the right condition. All motorhomes are like cars, one mans meat is another mans poison etc. If you go viewing a van that makes you feel uncomfortable then listen to your instincts & just walk away. We're very happy with our Auto-sleepers Executive but that as I've said is personal choice.

Whatever you decide keep us posted & may you guys have long & good health to enjoy it.

Robert & Hazel.

Many thanks for your nice words. The past 12 years have been a blur, between looking after sick parents and nephews who lost their father and holding down stressful jobs. All that's behind us now and it's time for us.
When we get the van we intend living life to the full as we're not getting any younger
We're so excited at the thought but a bit scared of getting it wrong.
There is some great folk on this forum and can't wait to put some faces to the names.

Davy & April

 

[TUCANO]

Am not being any anti van at all but i if i was buying i would check for damp. The problem being that there is normally wood in the construction as in a caravan and wood and damp dont mix. Not putting a downer on your choice at all just saying what i would do if i was buying one

Damp is a major problem with any van, a recent Habitation check report should be requested from whoever you purchase the van from, you are better covered if buying from a dealer than privately but you also tend to pay more.
Hunting down the perfect van for you is part of the fun just don't rush in, if you have been waiting for a while then what is a little while longer.
Best of luck and please keep us informed.
Norman.

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[wigster]

Many thanks for your nice words. The past 12 years have been a blur, between looking after sick parents and nephews who lost their father and holding down stressful jobs. All that's behind us now and it's time for us.
When we get the van we intend living life to the full as we're not getting any younger
We're so excited at the thought but a bit scared of getting it wrong.
There is some great folk on this forum and can't wait to put some faces to the names.

Davy & April

I understand your excitement and being scared of getting it wrong , its a lot of dosh and a one time spend if your not loaded.
I suggest maybe starting a new thread giving links to the vans your looking at and asking peoples opinions . I know what vans i would want but we are all different . For heavens sake though dont for one second think just because you buy from a dealer it will be all ok.
If i get slagged off for saying that then so be it just saying what i think

 

[Stretto Boy]

I think the most important things are to get a van that you like, in good condition (you really should ensure that it has a damp check) and at a fair price. It is always possible that when you get it you will find, with experience, that you prefer a different layout and want to change it. That happens to lots of us. Don't panic if that happens because a motorhome in good condition will command a decent price and you may not lose as much as you think if you decide to trade it in after a year or so. Some have even made a profit!

 

[Badknee]

We loved our Wentworth and only changed because we're full timers and needed a Moho that would have a higher payload. The layout was brilliant with either two singles or a double and perfect to lounge about in in the evenings. Massive kitchen area that Mrs Badknee loved and the big sideboard opposite. Much more drawer and low cupboard space than we have now and the slide out larder was a brilliant idea.
As has been said check for damp, we didn't have any till the big skylight seal failed but was a relatively easy fix.


Northern Spain looking a bit dwarfed

A couple of nights near Millau bridge.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We loved our Wentworth and only changed because we're full timers and needed a Moho that would have a higher payload. The layout was brilliant with either two singles or a double and perfect to lounge about in in the evenings. Massive kitchen area that Mrs Badknee loved and the big sideboard opposite. Much more drawer and low cupboard space than we have now and the slide out larder was a brilliant idea.
As has been said check for damp, we didn't have any till the big skylight seal failed but was a relatively easy fix.

Hi Paul. The Wentworth looks the perfect van to me, don't think that there's too many around compared with other types. There doesn't seem to be any space wasted. What size of engine did your van have? How was it on fuel?

Davy

 

[Badknee]

Yes Davy we loved it, worth looking out for a good one.
It was a 2.8 Peugeot which is a lot quieter than our Iveco we have now. Not too sure on mpg as we fill it up, use it and fill it up again. Poss high twenties low thirties. We had a cruise control retrofitted which made continental touring a doddle.
We would still have it but we could only go to a max of 3850kgs. It just wasn't enough for us so we had to change.

First night away.

Chilling in France at the Twin Lakes meet.

But as I say it had to go but good luck with the search. Anything else I can help with just give me a shout.
Here's our home on wheels.

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Wow, your new van makes the Autocruise look very small. Not seen one of these before. What length is it?

 

[Badknee]

Wow, your new van makes the Autocruise look very small. Not seen one of these before. What length is it?

It's a Hobby 700 on an Alko maxi chassis with tag, 5250kgs and a tad under 8mtrs.

 

[Augusta08]

I've enjoyed my Autocruise, bought new in 2008. 80,000 miles and 9 years later, I've had 2 new leisure batteries £180 (dual so had to change both together) 1 new water pump £79, new windscreen wipers £22. ........ Sticky electric step. About 4 sets of tyres (I loose count) . But other than that I cannot fault it.

I went to NEC last year with my cheque book ready, but couldn't find anything I liked better without spending money for spending monies sake.

 

[Just smiffy]

You say you may be in a situation to increase your budget within a year, from my experience I would wait until then as the extra funds will open up so many more vans that may suit your needs more.....

However if you go for the wentworth I would not have the optional wind turbine fitted...