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

 

[Gaston aires]

And what about your friend?

Ian

My pal, real not imaginary, has asked me to advise him. Auto trail now not on the wish list. That’s what Funsters are for.
Phil

 

[JockandRita]

I found Brownhills OK for small Hymer parts in the past.

Sorry Mzracer, that is hardly testament in support of a company, who over at least two decades, have consistently let customers down in both quality products, warranty work, and servicing.

Unfortunately, there are some right horror stories out there regarding Broonfools, and as the old saying goes, "sh1t sticks".

Is anyone aware of the Burstner Argos 747 they dropped off the servicing ramp, whilst the owners were in Newark................but failed to inform them upon their return to reception, hoping that they would just jump in and drive off? No? I'm not surprised. A search into Motorhomefacts archives may reveal all.

see you at Corfe castle or Newark ?

Not going to Corfe Phil, but interested at what's on at Newark?


Jock.

 

[TinSte]

I never realised Brownhills had such a bad reputation, this is our first moho, bought new in 2019. We hired a few before that to see which layout we preferred.

 

[Mzracer]

Sorry Mzracer, that is hardly testament in support of a company, who over at least two decades, have consistently let customers down in both quality products, warranty work, and servicing.

Unfortunately, there are some right horror stories out there regarding Broonfools, and as the old saying goes, "sh1t sticks".

Is anyone aware of the Burstner Argos 747 they dropped off the servicing ramp, whilst the owners were in Newark................but failed to inform them upon their return to reception, hoping that they would just jump in and drive off? No? I'm not surprised. A search into Motorhomefacts archives may reveal all.


Not going to Corfe Phil, but interested at what's on at Newark?


Jock.

Yes I was aware of their appaling reputation, I was just saying that they had been OK for parts.

Really they completely screwed up the Hymer dealership in the UK, what a blunder !!

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[JockandRita]

eally they completely screwed up the Hymer dealership in the UK, what a blunder !!

Absolutely, and their stock of Hymer parts is not infinite, which has to come to an end sometime soon................if not already sparse.

Jock.

 

[bigtwin]

My pal, real not imaginary, has asked me to advise him. Auto trail now not on the wish list. That’s what Funsters are for.
Phil

I thought you were taking everyone’s joshing in good spirit; seems I was wrong.

Ian

 

[Gaston aires]

Sorry Mzracer, that is hardly testament in support of a company, who over at least two decades, have consistently let customers down in both quality products, warranty work, and servicing.

Unfortunately, there are some right horror stories out there regarding Broonfools, and as the old saying goes, "sh1t sticks".

Is anyone aware of the Burstner Argos 747 they dropped off the servicing ramp, whilst the owners were in Newark................but failed to inform them upon their return to reception, hoping that they would just jump in and drive off? No? I'm not surprised. A search into Motorhomefacts archives may reveal all.


Not going to Corfe Phil, but interested at what's on at Newark?


Jock.

Sorry meant Newbury. Senior moment.

 

[Gillygrim]

We've never had an Auto trail but my cousin bought a new Scout in 2004 and has covered thousands of miles in both Europe and UK. She does rallies nearly every weekend and has (had) two or three long trips a year in Europe. She's never had any problems (except when her sister forgot to close the Luton window before they started home....). The van has been scrupulously maintained by a garage in Banbury, mechanical and habitation. I guess that's the answer if you've deep enough pockets !!

 

[John and Mel]

We have had a s/h 2015 Frontier Savannah for the last year, it’s been fantastic and never been an issue, we love it

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[Gaston aires]

I thought you were taking everyone’s joshing in good spirit; seems I was wrong.

Ian

Hello Ian. Crossed wires here. I have no problem with joshing funsters, I do enough myself. Just explaining my reason for asking.
Autotrail is a brand I know nothing about and it was very helpful in making my decision.
Phil

 

[irnbru]

I think Autotrail are like any other brand, they all have faults from time to time , what you need to ask yourself is the percentage of faults…U.K. build there will be more of them so higher complaints and let’s face it you rarely hear of the good. Use your eyes and your nose along with a damp meter to check out vans regardless of the make.

 

[Apacheman]

We have a 2020 Apache 632. Bought new and went back to the dealer for minor problems 3 times under warranty. This is our second Apache and they’ve stopped using the name. Nearing 3 year old and all seems well at the mo. Fingers crossed it lasts. They keep trying to build them lighter but with more in, so something has to be compromised. My brother had a Bailey and he got rid because he was fed up of it dropping to bits.

 

[dally]

When you say "that" dealer in Newark do you mean the one on the roundabout or the one with three initials? Just curious as we bought ours from the latter.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I mean the one on the roundabout. We've not had experience of the other one. To be honest, If the one on the roundabout offered me the best deal ever, I wouldn't take it. The experience was so bad we nearly gave in motorhoming, to the degree that we now will only buy from one dealer and we won't entertain a British built van now.

 

[DaMoe]

I've had A CI, A Swift Bolereo and 3 different second hand Auto-Trails. The 2012 Apache had no problems. I had a 2015 Tracker FB where the fridge freezer went walkabout and creased the vinyl floor. I eventually got Auto-Trail to pay a local dealer to put it right. I also realised one of the rear speakers wasn't working. Had to lift the false floor in the cupboard and found the wires were not connected - build issue ? Then I had a 2016 Tracker RB and found the side marker lights not working as I was about to leave (the dealer was a long way away so I took it home to get sorted as I'm the only driver and couldn't leave it). Auto-Trail wouldn't consider this one. So after contacting Sargent about the wiring loom info, and 2 hours of dismantling the interior, I found a connector had not been plugged together under the floor, an obvious build issue, but Auto-Trail wouldn't admit to it. I now have a 2019 Elddis and although it's good, I can see the the better build quality and extra features of the higher end Auto-Trails despite my ealier comments, but I supose it's a case of you get what you pay for. So From these experiences IMHO I think that Auto-Trail were (or should be) the best build and features quality, just check everything works first - as you would anyway. But when I was looking to change I saw some bad Auto-Trails blatantly displayed on forecourts. The rubbish is starting to float to the top now that there's a vehicle shortage. Also, I don't know if newer Auto-Trails have been "cost reduced" like so many other things.

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[Hoovie]

I have only had one "factory" motorhome (all previous campers being self-build on VW vans) and that is an Autotrail, namely a Cheyenne 635.
Even ignoring the age (15 years) and mileage (>100,000) I think it is very good and IMO just as nice as any newer and much more expensive German (and Slovakian) Motorhomes I have been in and worked on.
In terms of build quality and materials, I fitted a new socket over the weekend in the MHs Loft bedroom (Overcab bed to you ) and thought I would take a photo of what I had to drill through to run the cable ....

Autotrail walls by David, on Flickr

I have a feeling going by comments made on various forums about various issues that the overall quality of ALL motorhome brands is lessening, not least due to interior materials being made thinner and more flimsy, both to save weight and probaby cost as well.

 

[Jugster]

Bought an Autotrail Imala 730 in 2018 brand new. Biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever paid for. The van started to fall apart within weeks and it was so noisy you couldn’t hear yourself think, it shook and rattled so badly. Loads of snags, so I wrote to Autotrail and complained about the poor build quality only to get a standard reply with an apology for my experience! But no offer of putting anything right! Needless to say I got rid of it sharpish and am now the proud owner of a Hymer which I can’t fault.