Recently asked a motorhome technician which manufacturers to avoid. Auto trail was Number 1. They are, apparently, known in the trade as Water Trails
. I understand from several technicians that the older models, as probably, in most cases were far superior. I looked at a 23 plate a friend had bought. What a pile of 
. Everything looked cheap and nasty. It even had horrible net type curtains up. We have had 10 motorhomes in 14 years, only 3 second hand. The only one that we had no problems with was a new Knaus and stupidly changed to a caravan for 5 minutes. Now on an AS Kingham. Only used once, so far, and technical problems with that but sorted. Off to factory on our way to Wales, in June too, sort out a very rattling microwave and some loose cupboard/drawer fronts. Have found the factory very helpful. No matter if new or secondhand, we always take a damp meter and do our own check! We looked at 3 brand new Bailey Caravans just delivered. We found serious damp in all three. Of course, we didn’t entertain them but bet they got sold to some poor unsuspecting customer even though the Manager checked them all with his damp meter. “BUYER BEWARE”
I'm really wanting a Delaware,still haven't found a nice one.The layout seems to suit.Think i will just have to be really careful and do all sorts of checks etc.
Still got, a 2009 Cheyenne 28,000 miles.
We bought a 2000 Mohican from a dealer not a million miles from Brownhills in Newark some years back & had nothing but problems with not just damp but water ingress. We would travel from Southampton to Newark every time to have work carried out under Warranty - some of it structural. One problem was sopping wet carpet on the door steps that _ _ _ Motorhomes told me was due to people getting in & out with wet feet!!!! Traced the fault to water running in from a locker door & running along the floor to the steps. If you want anything done - do it yourself. Had enough after 3 years & bought a Rimor & kept that for 7 years without issues.
I thought Autosleepers were meant to be relatively damp - free.
Not ours. It's still not right now but a lot better than it was. We've had 2 minor ingresses since the last work was done & are monitoring it. We have told the dealer to make them aware we might be back with more problems but it's such a PITA to empty everything out & be without it for the time it takes.
We are going to the dealer with 3 letters on Thursday, having a look a Frankia, anyone had experience with them?
Why is everyone so reluctant to name names.You mean SMC?
The one on the roundabout, is the one whom we always refer to a Broonfools, having had past experiences with them, and also personally aware of others who have had mega financial problems, as well as bad afyer sales and serviceing experiences with them.
I bought a used 2000 Mohican 12yrs ago, & although they appeared quite thorough in their pre - delivery prep it soon became apparent they weren't. I hired a car to travel to Newark to collect the motorhome (lived near Southampton then) & on the journey back the clutch began slipping. Made it home & within 3 days it was away for 3 weeks being repaired. From then on it was all about damp & water ingress repairs under warranty & had to return it twice to Newark at my cost. I had to point out to them the 'smell' that i had reported previously was a rotten wood frame around an access hatch - something their damp check should have picked up. The manager then wouldn't admit responsibility & i found myself between a rock & a hard place & ended up going halves on the cost of repairs - he quoting £1000 total & i suspect that figure was highly inflated so i was paying £500 & most of the repair cost. I will also add that the discussions at one point became 'heated' & to the point where the manager became aggressive & suggested we settle it outside - in so many words.
I found Brownhills OK for small Hymer parts in the past.The one on the roundabout, is the one whom we always refer to a Broonfools, having had past experiences with them, and also personally aware of others who have had mega financial problems, as well as bad afyer sales and serviceing experiences with them.
I have more than once said on here, that I wouldn't by a packet of fuses off them.............and to this very day, that resolution has stood firm.
After researching Swift and Autotrail for many months, with a trusty damp meter in hand, we eventually bought a Hymer, and after 14 x years of relaible ownership, we have gone over to Niesmann+Bischoff for the last 4 x years............and still happy.
Gaston aires. Phil, with your previous ownership and knowledge of quality built MHs from the EU, why are youconsidering going foradvising your friend to go for British built sh1te?
Stick with what you know...............or advise your friend accordingly.
Cheers,
Jock.
I have already considered the opinions and will not be recommending Auto trail.The one on the roundabout, is the one whom we always refer to a Broonfools, having had past experiences with them, and also personally aware of others who have had mega financial problems, as well as bad afyer sales and serviceing experiences with them.
I have more than once said on here, that I wouldn't by a packet of fuses off them.............and to this very day, that resolution has stood firm.
After researching Swift and Autotrail for many months, with a trusty damp meter in hand, we eventually bought a Hymer, and after 14 x years of relaible ownership, we have gone over to Niesmann+Bischoff for the last 4 x years............and still happy.
Gaston aires. Phil, with your previous ownership and knowledge of quality built MHs from the EU, why are youconsidering going foradvising your friend to go for British built sh1te?
Stick with what you know...............or advise your friend accordingly.
Cheers,
Jock.
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