Autotrail Email Confusion

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Is it just me that gets suspicious of threads that tell half a story even after several requests to hear all of the story?

 

[AndyPK]

No, it’s not Just you!

 

[JohnJan]

Is it just me that gets suspicious of threads that tell half a story even after several requests to hear all of the story?

No, not just you. How hard is it to copy the original email? Not even half a story, bored now, non event!

For the record we like Autotrail!

 

[tonyidle]

It's sad, but comparing motorhomes with cars is pointless. Cars are produced in their millions in a highly structured automatic process. Motorhomes on the other hand are built by humans, some of whom will undoubtedly have the odd off day.
If you want a mh built to automotive standards you better be prepared to pay a great deal more money.

I don't expect automotive standards. What I do expect is that work that is as easily and cheaply done correctly as not is done to a decent standard. It isn't an off-day it's a lack of production team values.

 

[Baden87]

Johnjan it’s pointless listing them all I know what they are ! I know what they are and so does Autotrail and Brownhills, the people that need to know and can fix them

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[tonyidle]

This is a reply to some questions I sent Autotrail
This was meant for Dave Thomas MD , BUT HE MESSED UP AND SENT IT ME BY MISTAKE WOOPS
Hi Dave



I think he wants his Christmas dinner invite



For me I would force the issue to deal through the correct channels however happy if you want to jump in

Baden87 what's missing here?

 

[Jim]

I've changed the title of this thread to something more apt.

 

[Baden87]

Hi lim
I didn’t realise there was anything wrong with original title

 

[Revolvor]

Johnjan it’s pointless listing them all I know what they are ! I know what they are and so does Autotrail and Brownhills, the people that need to know and can fix them

If you weren't going to tell the whole story, why did you bother to post on the forum in the first place? You can't expect meaningful comments without providing the full facts.

 

[James-Alex]

Not had our autotrail excel long but currently had no issues. We’ve even commented on how well built it is. I do understand it’s not new and that the first buyer would have possibly had a few or more faults after taking ownership.

We see it as someone before us had the problems when new and took the time to resolve them for us before buying

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[Beltie]

Tony, you're probably right, but I think there are other issues as well. If you are going to rely on a semi-skilled workforce, a significant proportion of which are probably agency workers, you need to make sure that your designs and assembly processes are as near foolproof as possible. Unfortunately, I think manufacturers would rather devote their energies to choosing upholstery colours than concentrating on the fundamentals.

A further issue is the ridiculous rate of model churn. In the motor industry a car will typically have a life cycle of five or six years with a light facelift halfway through. In the motorhome industry, however, it is not unusual for models to be changed or heavily revised on an almost annual basis. It is little wonder that there is little time to
focus on the basics for either the designers or the workforce.

 

[JohnJan]

Johnjan it’s pointless listing them all I know what they are ! I know what they are and so does Autotrail and Brownhills, the people that need to know and can fix them

So the point of the original post was what exactly? Not even half a story, just a bit of an alleged email and not much else.
Life is too short, particularly at the moment.
Either share the faults or move on with your life!

 

[Baden87]

Thanks for all your thoughts I’m also getting bored now johnjan

 

[bridgedino]

Thanks for all your thoughts I’m also getting bored now johnjan

good grief,

 

[Al n Val]

my one an only motorhome is an Autotrail Comanche which we’ve had since purchasing brand new in 2018

it’s not been faultless but they have been minor ones such as led lights having poor connections or the Sergeant unit needing an update

it’s dust dry up to now, drives like a dream and low and behold has more room inside than any other van we looked at up to £178k, so on balance saving £100k is a bit of a bonus in our eyes.

One upmanship, nah, our Autotrail will do whatever any motorhome will do and that’s giving us enormous amounts of pleasure and up to now our service/dealings with and from Autotrail and our dealer has been superb.

Unlike our new friends who own Hymer, Benimar, Rapido, Carthago, Le Voyager, Dethleffs, and even a N&B, all are really p!ssed off especially the Hymer guy.

So in essence, none are perfect but some just cost more than others

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[Conal]

Another vote for Autotrail and I will add Brownhills. As other have stated not perfect but suits me.

 

[Minxy]

Thanks for all your thoughts I’m also getting bored now johnjan

Nice to know that we are wasting our time even bothering and boring you instead!

It would be more interesting if you could be bothered to list the 12 faults and maybe give you some balance as to how often the same things have cropped up with other makes of MH.

 

[bobnick]

In the few months we have owned our 2018 Autotrail Imala 4000 miles when bought i am yet to come across a problem. Couple of things i will look for when we change, like more powerful engine, wider single beds, bigger fridge. Nothing in this one has fallen off, broken down, or generally gone wrong.
As long as the new one when we change has the configuration we now want having tested this one meets our needs i wont give a toss what chassis it's on or who has built the body.
In the few short month's on this forum i see almost all makes of MoHo have had issues of one thing or other. There are complaints and praise for all.
Until Toyota build one on their chassis i think there will always be some issues of some degree with all of em.

 

[AndyPK]

Ooooh.....controversial!!!

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Johnjan it’s pointless listing them all I know what they are ! I know what they are and so does Autotrail and Brownhills, the people that need to know and can fix them

Having been on the wrong side Jim ....I will proceed with caution .

You have made no attempt to let the folks on here know what the problem really is regarding your purchase? You have stated 12 faults? What are they? You have not allowed any of us to make a real judgement or comment because we cannot answer an "empty question"? You mention Brownhills Motorhomes but again we are left wondering if its anything or really nothing?
I have been fortunate enough to have been the owner of a number of motorhomes and I can honestly say that the Auto trail has been a pain in the past. That said...I have now an Auto trail Delaware and honestly think its the best thing I have owned ! Sorry @Westty66 but its true. I have personally been quick to slag Auto Trail off but a lot of the times its been over stupid stuff.
Build quality was and always will be an issue but that can be said about them all. Just look at the threads on here from folks with Cathargo and Hymer etc etc . Really ....I don't think any one of them is actually brilliant unless you have some seriously deep pockets and you can afford to buy in to the likes of Morrello's and the Niesmann types of trucks. If the truth be known regarding those too....they have their problems.
Long and short of this is ........Unless you are to put on here the real problems that you have .....don't expect any sort of back up from us if you cannot be bothered to open up!

Hope that was polite enough Jim?

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[funflair]

Having been on the wrong side Jim ....I will proceed with caution .

You have made no attempt to let the folks on here know what the problem really is regarding your purchase? You have stated 12 faults? What are they? You have not allowed any of us to make a real judgement or comment because we cannot answer an "empty question"? You mention Brownhills Motorhomes but again we are left wondering if its anything or really nothing?
I have been fortunate enough to have been the owner of a number of motorhomes and I can honestly say that the Auto trail has been a pain in the past. That said...I have now an Auto trail Delaware and honestly think its the best thing I have owned ! Sorry @Westty66 but its true. I have personally been quick to slag Auto Trail off but a lot of the times its been over stupid stuff.
Build quality was and always will be an issue but that can be said about them all. Just look at the threads on here from folks with Cathargo and Hymer etc etc . Really ....I don't think any one of them is actually brilliant unless you have some seriously deep pockets and you can afford to buy in to the likes of Morrello's and the Niesmann types of trucks. If the truth be known regarding those too....they have their problems.
Long and short of this is ........Unless you are to put on here the real problems that you have .....don't expect any sort of back up from us if you cannot be bothered to open up!

Hope that was polite enough Jim?

They all have their problems in my experience even MORELO lets face it they all use the same bit of kit from Fiat, IVECO, Dometic, Alde, Seitz etc etc.

Anybody who buys a new van and expects perfection is in for a disappointing ride.

 

[robnchris]

Motorhomes or Cars, even the most expensive can and will have faults, It's not the faults that are the problem it's how they are dealt with that makes all the difference.

We have owned 3 Autotrail motorhomes and have to say the last one we bought new in 2013 had more faults than the other two put together, dealing with Autotrail was a nightmare.
We ended up sorting out the problems ourselves and stuff the warranty, we know the work was carried out properly and we were in control rather than not knowing if and when it was going to be finished.
We like the Apache layout and have made the vehicle our own can't see us buying another.

 

[chaser]

Motorhomes or Cars, even the most expensive can and will have faults, It's not the faults that are the problem it's how they are dealt with that makes all the difference.

We have owned 3 Autotrail motorhomes and have to say the last one we bought new in 2013 had more faults than the other two put together, dealing with Autotrail was a nightmare.
We ended up sorting out the problems ourselves and stuff the warranty, we know the work was carried out properly and we were in control rather than not knowing if and when it was going to be finished.
We like the Apache layout and have made the vehicle our own can't see us buying another.

Spot on, depends on people's view of problems, some might see a loose screw and it's the end of the world, emails back and forth, but others would see it and screw it up, end of story.

 

[trophychap]

Surely if anyone purchases a new or used motorhome that has faults show up after delivery, their first avenue of approach must be to the supplying dealer and not the manufacturer, with whom they have no contract.

The only reason in my opinion that the complainant would write to the manufacturer is if dealings with the supplier have completely broken down.

 

[phillipsheila]

i found 2 fault he wrote about so whats the other 10 MY habitation door won’t open from outside on my 2019 Autotrail 2000 miles on clock It’s under warrant but just curios , my brakes are squeaking

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[chaser]

i found 2 fault he wrote about so whats the other 10 MY habitation door won’t open from outside on my 2019 Autotrail 2000 miles on clock It’s under warrant but just curios , my brakes are squeaking

 

[Aerialmark]

On the first fault of Christmas my true love said to me " Open the ******* door !"
On the second fault of Christmas I said "sorry love I couldn't hear you above the squeaky brakes"
(Now waiting for the other 10)

 

[Vanderek]

Does anyone know the outcome of this unhappy purchaser .. Unhappy the video was taken down .. just wondered what the outcome was

 

[Baden87]

Ok here goes
1Wire basket not screwed on in bathroom
2 faulty tracking system replaced
3 still faulty tracking system again replaced again
4 faulty tracking system again wire not correctly secured
5 full-size table leg system collapsed only 3 out of 5 securing screws fitted
6 tv bracket fell a part only 2 out of 4 screws fitted
7 waste tank leaking under van overtightened and split replaced
8 glass lid came flying off when travelling smashing into toilet door and frame resulting in damage to both
9 hot water system release valve spurting hot water underneath replaced
10 habitation door lock wont open waiting to be fixed
11 outside awning light failed replaced
12 led light in bathroom failed waiting to be fixed
13 led under bathroom door failed waiting to be fixed
14 Brakes squeaking not covered by fiat warranty
15 hill holder not available warningflashing up on dash or yet fixed
16 leisure battery failed replaced
17 batteries not charging correctly not yet fixed
18 damp in rear garage doors replaced
19 clock on panel over hab door keeps loosing time settings not sorted yet
I’m not sure that’s comprehensive
So what do you all think would you be happy ?

 

[Baden87]

its suddenly gone quite ?

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