Autotrail Imala 730 2016
- Thread starter ShazzerC
- Start date
Blue Knight
Free Member
My only advice is to check the van over and if it has Rapido, Hymer, Pilote, N&B, Frankia, Burstner, Dethleffs, Bavaria, Sunlight, Adria or Carthago written on the top then buy it.
If it doesn't then, errrrrrrrr, don't!
grumps147
LIFE MEMBER
The principle problem with many auto trails at 3500kg is the weight left for you to use, check this if you are restricted to 3500kg because of your licence.
Many other problems when new should have been sorted by others. In particular check for damp near and on rear locker doors. As damp insurance, verify any manufacturers body warranty is transferable to you, there will be manufacturers conditions to this, e.g., check hab services done as instructed and recorded in booklet.
Pp., welcome to fun, if you pay the annual membership you will find tons of information by doing searches and will not be restricted into the number of posts you can make.
Many other problems when new should have been sorted by others. In particular check for damp near and on rear locker doors. As damp insurance, verify any manufacturers body warranty is transferable to you, there will be manufacturers conditions to this, e.g., check hab services done as instructed and recorded in booklet.
Pp., welcome to fun, if you pay the annual membership you will find tons of information by doing searches and will not be restricted into the number of posts you can make.
tonka
LIFE MEMBER
1. Payload.. The 730 registered at 3500kg has 330kg of payload, this is before you put anything in ie a passenger, water etc
Some vans are 3650 so you get and extra 150kg before you are overloaded and illegal on the road. So check its enough.
2. Habitation checks - Autotrail have a 10 year water ingress (some need it ) make sure past owners have had this done and on time otherwise it becomes void.
https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/range/imala/730/weight-calculator
This is Autotrails own weight calculator.. So fill the water tank and thats it your almost full.. Lets not mention accessories you may want to fit..
Dont want to be all negative BUT on Autotrail forums we see people asking these questions after they have bought the van and handed over their cash.
Some vans are 3650 so you get and extra 150kg before you are overloaded and illegal on the road. So check its enough.
2. Habitation checks - Autotrail have a 10 year water ingress (some need it ) make sure past owners have had this done and on time otherwise it becomes void.
https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/range/imala/730/weight-calculator
This is Autotrails own weight calculator.. So fill the water tank and thats it your almost full.. Lets not mention accessories you may want to fit..
Dont want to be all negative BUT on Autotrail forums we see people asking these questions after they have bought the van and handed over their cash.
Blue Knight
Free Member
Shazzer, have a quick read of one of our ongoing threads:
Cheers, (and welcome
),Andrew
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Cheshirecat57
Free Member
It will do 24-25 mpg
It will be overweight in the blink of an eye
Needs to be a good price- is it from a dealer?
It will be overweight in the blink of an eye
Needs to be a good price- is it from a dealer?
Stretto Boy
LIFE MEMBER
My only advice is to check the van over and if it has Rapido, Hymer, Pilote, N&B, Frankia, Burstner, Dethleffs, Bavaria, Sunlight, Adria or Carthago written on the top then buy it.
If it doesn't then, errrrrrrrr, don't!
Or AutoSleepers!
DigglyDog
Free Member
Welcome ! 
There are lots of opinions on Autotrails but you mustn't let the nay sayers put you off your purchase.
As always, its a very personal thing and most of us buy with our hearts not our common sense.
I can only really reiterate the view that you should join here, download the excellent Buyers handbook from the resources section and go along to the dealer with it prominently in your hand, having read all the pitfalls of buying everything from Autotrails to Hymers - yes they're having problems too..., and Conversions to gin palaces.
Whatever happens its £15 well spent for the wealth of other stuff you'll find here.
There are lots of opinions on Autotrails but you mustn't let the nay sayers put you off your purchase.
As always, its a very personal thing and most of us buy with our hearts not our common sense.
I can only really reiterate the view that you should join here, download the excellent Buyers handbook from the resources section and go along to the dealer with it prominently in your hand, having read all the pitfalls of buying everything from Autotrails to Hymers - yes they're having problems too..., and Conversions to gin palaces.
Whatever happens its £15 well spent for the wealth of other stuff you'll find here.
Cheshirecat57
Free Member
Just to add, Im not a nay sayer...above is my experience
grumps147
LIFE MEMBER
Not a nay sayers this end either, my first autotrail had window leak problems and I still bought a second. This also had a window leak problem. That I found as soon as I arrived home and put the hosepipe on a heavy rain shower.
I have applied for my C1 at 70, and am awaiting the DVLA medical committee to decide if I can still have a C1. If I can, I will still stick to the autotrail, problems now sorted and an excellent vehicle (4500Kg).
If they say no, I have to drop to 3500 kg. If I have to do this there are no autotrails can give me enough payLoad to make it useable. If there are two of you who weigh under 75Kg each, you may manage it if you don’t carry any fresh water and little diesel, plus too many other restrictions on what you can carry. I have done a lot of research, as you can gather. I strangely really wanted another autotrail if I had to change.
It’s not just autotrail at 3500kg, I am restricted with layout needed to about six models from a dealer near enough to me to make it viable. Again, you buy from a dealer miles away from you at considerable cost in time.
Over 3500 Kg Autotrail are not an issue, these days not even an issue even the German manufacturers do not have from posts on here. They all seem to have problems.
But, don’t forget all you will hear about is problems, not those who never have any problems.
I have applied for my C1 at 70, and am awaiting the DVLA medical committee to decide if I can still have a C1. If I can, I will still stick to the autotrail, problems now sorted and an excellent vehicle (4500Kg).
If they say no, I have to drop to 3500 kg. If I have to do this there are no autotrails can give me enough payLoad to make it useable. If there are two of you who weigh under 75Kg each, you may manage it if you don’t carry any fresh water and little diesel, plus too many other restrictions on what you can carry. I have done a lot of research, as you can gather. I strangely really wanted another autotrail if I had to change.
It’s not just autotrail at 3500kg, I am restricted with layout needed to about six models from a dealer near enough to me to make it viable. Again, you buy from a dealer miles away from you at considerable cost in time.
Over 3500 Kg Autotrail are not an issue, these days not even an issue even the German manufacturers do not have from posts on here. They all seem to have problems.
But, don’t forget all you will hear about is problems, not those who never have any problems.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
My fist van was an Autotrail, Apache 632 bought second hand. We had problems with the battery charger which I had to replace ( it was 5 years old so not a big shock ) We also had a leaky window which was removed and re-sealed by the dealer. Other than that it was a great van and better built than the one we now have , a 2015 Apache 700 bought new. we’ve had a few small problems with it , a drawer front which fell off so we glued it back with gorilla glue , reversing camera died ( replaced under warranty ) and a seat cushion which started to eject the long plastic spike from inside , again a warranty job. Other than that it’s a good motorhome and at 10000 miles is now returning 27 mpg on a 150 bhp engine. Our biggest niggles are bed base design , the slats are just a wooden frame , a bit 1980’s , needing to be lifted out to access storage where most modern vans have slick aluminium slide out jobs . Also the centre slats which turns the rear lounge area into a double bed by sliding out like a horizontal rope ladder is a major pain in the ‘arris and has a tendency to come off the rails and jam across the seat bases causing cosmetic damage to the woodwork. We should have considered this when we bought it but heart ruling head etc. Otherwise a great van which gives us endless fun .
Norfolk Red
Free Member
My only advice is to check the van over and if it has Rapido, Hymer, Pilote, N&B, Frankia, Burstner, Dethleffs, Bavaria, Sunlight, Adria or Carthago written on the top then buy it.
If it doesn't then, errrrrrrrr, don't!
Real sensible reply, that.
I have to admit we have owned two Auto trails and liked them both however the payload issue is a factor and on the second a 2013 Tracker FB had it updated to 3850kg it was ok until we wanted to tow and then by the time the Towbar was added it was not possible to tow a car trailer. So abandoned that and bought a Hymer A class that could.
Cheshirecat57
Free Member
Nearly all AT models will only tow 1250 kg !
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.