Autotrail Imala 615

[RGR723]

Been Faffing about for ages, having got close twice in the last couple of years and then bottling out. I am determined to go ahead now and am about to put a deposit on a new A/T Imala 615 (similar layout to A/S sleeper Bourton my previous flirtation) any comments/advice good or bad appreciated, what size canopy awning does it need? If anyone has one how have you coped with the Fridge which is on the small size?
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[boxtraveller]

Hi, Bought a new one back in 2016 and in general well pleased with it until whilst emptying it for a hab check in 2019 spotted beads of water on the floor under the n/s sofa! No obvious source for the water so took pictures and took it to dealer for the hab check.
His comment at the end of the hab check was " it has had a catastrophic failure of the seals somewhere and whilst it is usable do not store anything heavy under that bench or the floor might go!!" followed by I know it is June but we are too busy until late November/December to do anything about it!!
To cut a long story short we carried on using it, got it repaired by the dealer, where it failed another damp test a week later! Got it repaired by another, this time competent dealer, sold it and bought a PVC.
Six years later in retrospect I did like the van, it went well, was comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer. My wife liked the kitchen apart from the hab door step well which was dangerous.
Autotrail seemed to have a problem with poor workmanship around 2015 onwards which they may or may not have resolved, personally would not buy another.
Good luck with whatever you decide to buy.

 

[Guigsy]

As with many motorhomes, they are sold as 3.5t vehicles to make them drivable with a normal car class C licence. But they don't have a lot of spare payload. With you and a single passenger, you'll have about 300kg left. So if you fill the fuel tank, the fresh water tank and add an awning, you'll have to watch how much luggage you take. I think you'll be ok as the 615 doesn't have a garage to fill with junk. Just don't max out on the accessories.

Alternatively, you uprate it to 3.65t. But you'll need to check you have a C1 licence. And it has implications with tax and tolls. If you plan to take 4 people, this is probably a necessity.

 

[Tombola]

Not a 615 but a 714 new in 2019
And dont want to put a downer on them but never again. Had it one year.
more snagging than I could list here, dealer in north wales rubbish
Most cupboard latches failed or came off, door lock broke ,door trim fell off (one spot of glue) radio header unit replaced twice, wiring to battery for charging wrong way round at switch in cupbaord, fresh water tank came loose, reverse gear worked when it wanted, skylight latch snapped when first opened, extractor fan broken 1 month, wiring very very undersized (my fault for not checking) Mirror in bathroom fell off as did the towel holders, gas hob number 2 failed on 2nd use....I could go on blah blah

just too much, and very little interest from dealer.

 

[Lenny HB]

Payload is a bit tight only 480kg if you travel light might get away with it but if avaliable I would get it on a 4250kg chassis.
Fuel tank very small only 60 Lt is the 90 Lt an option?

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[RGR723]

Thanks for the replies Box Traveller, Guigsy, Lenny HB and Tombola.
Tremendous amount of valuable guidance, dangerous step, damp and unhelpful dealer all borne on mind and eventually led me to bottle it again.
The main one that broke the camels back for me was the nightmare journey on the A34 getting there and back. Just did not fancy legging it there and back with loads of potential warranty problems if I got a bad one. The MOHO was everything we''d hoped for. The decision now is whether to order a new one from a local dealer with a likely waiting time of 18 months!

 

[RGR723]

Hi again (update)
Well I unbottled! and have now put down the full deposit, and collect it in January having found a local dealer who said they would carry out any warranty work required. Which meant I felt comfortable enough to proceed.
Trusting this turns out to be the case if need!
ATB
Ray

 

[Tombola]

Hi again (update)
Well I unbottled! and have now put down the full deposit, and collect it in January having found a local dealer who said they would carry out any warranty work required. Which meant I felt comfortable enough to proceed.
Trusting this turns out to be the case if need!
ATB
Ray

Good luck, Im sure my issues were "somewhat one offs" and look forward to hearing of your new trips.
If you need any advice as to where the wires run (I completely re did all mine) let me know