Opinion on Auto trail quality

[Gaston aires]

I’m asking for a friend, yes really, I would like opinions on Auto trail models as to build quality etc. I have never owned one so I would be grateful.
Thanks Phil

 

[funflair]

What age are you sorry they thinking of Phil? I don't really know either old or new but it might help somebody else answer.

 

[Cush]

I have a 2003. Very happy with build quality. Charger needs updating.

 

[Gaston aires]

What age are you sorry they thinking of Phil? I don't really know either old or new but it might help somebody else answer.

About 2008/12 SE model I think.

 

[PhilandMena]

Twelve years old and going strong. 70,000 miles mostly in the E.U. and Morocco and its been through the worst and best of weather without a hitch. Minor issues along the way as you would expect with any build. For us, it was a great buy from new.

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[RowleyBirkinQC]

We had a 2006 AT Tracker EKS which was absolutely bullet proof whilst we had it, no damp, reliable and served us well. We literally just outgrew it, 2 adults and 3 dogs in there was a bit much at night, would end up with a terrier sneaking into the bed and a Labrador commando crawling under the bed. Plus the shower was like a vertical coffin for the, ahem, more robustly built gentleman.

 

[dally]

We had an 07 plate Mohican, it was about 3 years old when we got it. It was an absolute nightmare to be honest. Rarely went out and back again without some sort of issue. The main things were, damp along the offside. A problem with tears coming from the corners of the windows. This was a problem known by Autotrail or so I was told. The window cut outs were slightly too small and with expansion and shrinkage, they split. Fixed by Autotrail as long as I drove it there and collected it at my expense and didn't leave a list of other problems. That bit made me wonder a bit. Four hours drive twice and two train journeys.

There was also a problem with electric's, water leaks and a badly cracked shower tray. Kept it 5 years but couldn't wait to get rid of it in the end, almost broke our resolve.
Didn't help that I bought it from "that" dealer in Newark either.

 

[S9BAX]

Really happy with our 2016 Tribute. Bought it 2nd hand from a dealer nearly 2 years ago.

 

[Cobra]

We have a Tracker EKS 2009
No issues at all apart from a very slight leak on one window frame (a small about of silicon sealer sorted that immediately)
No other issues in the 3 years we have owned it.
The only reason to change would be fixed beds

Andy

 

[Diabalo]

I have had a 2013 Auto trail Mohawk for 8 years. It's built like a tank with quality fixtures and fittings apart from a crap microwave and media centre which I have replaced. Were well happy with it.

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[pampam]

Ive had 3 arapaho
Apache (new) and cheyanne ,
Loved their style
The frontier models and older models seemed better built,
Didnt like the new apache, it seemed flimsy ,
We also bought all three from that certain dealership at newark ( if id have been on this forum then it would never have happened)
I loved the cheyanne BUT major disasaster
With comfortmatic gearbox dictated a change ( certain dealership had it on service bays floor fir months)
Would i buy another Yes
But have had a hymer caravan since and the build quality was superior, however have had an autosleeper and that was well made but not as stylish as autotrail (but thats only my personal opinion)

 

[jongood]

The biggest issue with most of the wood framed motorhomes is potential for damp, once its in its very difficult to deal with, you need one from a fastidious owner who has kept up with sealing and been careful about clambering on the roof etc. Some of the Autotrails also have a large gap under the join between the cab and the bodywork, where the cabling enters which is another potential problem area and there wasnt much insulation in the last one I looked at properly.

At the end of the day most motorhomes have issues its the scale and the nature that varies and the correct mh for me may not be the correct one for someone else. If they doubt their ability to properly assess it then probably a good idea to get someone familiar with the brand to have a look.

 

[Abacist]

I had a 3 litre 2010 Savannah that I bought s/h in 2013. The first winter we had it the rear roof joint leaked and apart from the damp all the interior wallpaper needed replacing. It had to be taken apart, dried out then rebuilt with new timber. Luckily we had an insurance policy which paid for it all but we were without the van for months! Everything else was fine other than routine servicing and I had to rebuild the Truma to replace the electric heating elements.

 

[Tombola]

I had a new 2019 imala 734...far too much "snagging" it was as if no one gave a shit that built it. Soon found out the wiring was too weedy for my power needs..(my problem.for not checking)
Service from three ways at abergele (one particular manager) was poor.
Door locks locked me.out..cupboards latches nearly all failed..header unit replace 3 times..reverse cam knackered..battery connection loose in cab overheated and melted part of floor

Rear bumper skirt bracket loose..loads more to mention...

I sold it and moved on..

 

[TCG]

2013 delaware 3 litre 180 - goes like a train. dry as a bone. love the layout

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[Camper634]

My 2018 Apache has been excellent.Wish I could same about the Fiat bit.

 

[Imala615]

2014 Tribute 615 , had it 6 years now and no problems.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Got a 2015 Delaware and just love it . Built by far better than some of the stuff out there. Dry and just keeps going! 3.0lt 'Pretend Auto' gearbox with loads of bits added! Love it!

Kev and Carolyn

 

[Chris]

We had a 2013 Scout for 5 years with no issues at all.

No damp etc. Good layout.

 

[peterc10]

Twelve years old and going strong. 70,000 miles mostly in the E.U. and Morocco and its been through the worst and best of weather without a hitch. Minor issues along the way as you would expect with any build. For us, it was a great buy from new.

View attachment 748377

Phil, does that mean you have at last treated the lovely Mena to the nice new step she deserves ...........

PS Just asking on behalf of Lenny HB

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[TheBig1]

The big problem with autotrail is that they are not consistent with their quality or quality control, relying on the dealer PDI and customer to find poor workmanship

Their other name waterfail should give some indication and why many people, dealers included steer well clear of buying them. Second hand values for good ones remain high but buyer beware of badly bodged fixes on some vans

 

[PhilandMena]

Phil, does that mean you have at last treated the lovely Mena to the nice new step she deserves ...........

PS Just asking on behalf of Lenny HB

Hello Peter, I trust all is well with you and yours. Yup! We still have that same step. its been everywhere. I never thought it would be a topic of conversation until you and that other reprobate gate crashed our Grand Superior exclusive plot in Cullera. The pair of you should have been evacuated.

 

[GMLS]

We had an AT Scout purchased new in 2012.Loved it and internal build quality seemed really good but we had major damp found every annual check the last time resulting in the vehicle having to go back to the factory for 3 months.To be fair they never quibbled about doing the work but we lost confidence in the brand and wouldn't go there again.As evidenced by others above many have had better experiences and it's the lottery nature of the whole buying process I find most frustrating about this lifestyle.You get what you pay for doesn't apply!

 

[Gaston aires]

2013 delaware 3 litre 180 - goes like a train. dry as a bone. love the layout

If it goes like a train, I’ll bet your “chuffed”
Thanks Phil upmetank

 

[Gaston aires]

Phil, does that mean you have at last treated the lovely Mena to the nice new step she deserves ...........

PS Just asking on behalf of Lenny HB

She always get’s what she wants. Asked me for a fur coat once so I bought her a donkey jacket

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[Silkcut1105]

ive got a chieftain bought it when it was 7 years old and ive had it nearly 8 years been excellent to be honest

 

[Gaston aires]

Thanks very much for all the helpful responses, I think it looks like a mix bag of experiences.
Phil upmetank.

 

[rob1234]

bought my imala 720 at 1 year old only problem i had is with the tyres cracking, but cant really blame autotrail ✔

 

[GAVLAD]

I looked at an Arapaho and there was no comparison with the build quality of the European equivalents which seemed more robust and better materials used. However AutoTrails do have a lot more layout options that I like over the Euro vans.
However, the above is just my opinion and we are all different.

 

[Treefitter]

We had a 635 SE V-line. 2020. They are not too bad. But build quality could be better. Quite a few issues with design and fittings. It seems that if the cheapest will do it’s fitted. It was a cold van in winter. Pipes are rooted via holes in vehicle rather than with a bit of thought. We had our 2 years and have moved on. Would I buy another one? No the quality is not there.