Possible new (to me) Autotrail

[Andacami]

We've seen this a few months ago and quite like although it's possibly overpriced; spent an hour or so at Elite looking at all options, nice bunch. We like the island bed idea although SWMBO quite likes rear singles... What do folks think of this particular marque, model and why apart from price might it still be for sale?

 

[Blue Knight]

This is one of my favourite Autotrail videos. (It really shows off the build quality).

Auto-Trail Tales Of Woe

If you're desperate enough to be considering an Autotrail Delaware then just be careful as it's the second most reported van on the Autotrail Unhappy Owners Club for severe water ingress issues; second only to the Autotrail Apache 634.

Good luck!

 

[Allanm]

After a lot of looking around we have decided that the Delaware will be our next purchase brilliant layout, Especially the front lounge layout so far superior to the cramped uncomfortable offerings from over the water.
We have owned an Autotrail for the last 3 years of virtually trouble from holidays.
We had looked at single bed options but found the beds to narrow for comfort.

This put us off initially, but many of the Euro vans now come with a Face a Face layout ( twin sofas with an adjustable fixed table) which is what we have now.
We can comfortably seat 8 round the table and still move around.
The most important part of a French house is the dining table, they ( and others) love to socialise round it and many Motorhome layouts mimic this.

 

[jezport]

Don't listen to the British knockers if your happy with your research and the dealer then it's your choice. The way people knock British based companies who I might add many on here either work for or have a pension with it's a wonder any body can afford to buy foreign let alone British.

I think you need to listen to them when they have owned one and had issues!

 

[The Wino]

I think too many people think if they had damp they will all have it and too many who happened to but a dry one think it's just knocking British vans. The fact that there is an unhappy owners Facebook page would make me wary as that suggests a trend rather than one off problems

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[Beltie]

I've had three Autotrails, two very good ones and one not so good, although we kept that one for ten years and got back 60% of what we paid for it.

I now have a top end Hymer group product which cost me the thick end of £100k and I am currently awaiting the arrival of a replacement, as it's the only vehicle I've ever had to reject. From shortly after delivery it had serious water ingress, and I mean serious. The dealer has been brilliant, but still, the myth of superior continental European build quality, is just that, a myth.

 

[zac]

I think too many people think if they had damp they will all have it and too many who happened to but a dry one think it's just knocking British vans. The fact that there is an unhappy owners Facebook page would make me wary as that suggests a trend rather than one off problems

Definitely a trend

I've had three Autotrails, two very good ones and one not so good, although we kept that one for ten years and got back 60% of what we paid for it.

I now have a top end Hymer group product which cost me the thick end of £100k and I am currently awaiting the arrival of a replacement, as it's the only vehicle I've ever had to reject. From shortly after delivery it had serious water ingress, and I mean serious. The dealer has been brilliant, but still, the myth of superior continental European build quality, is just that, a myth.

I have had issues with all 3 of my motorhomes but none more that the Autotrail Delaware, i now have a Rapido 10000DFH and that too has had issues but no where near the amount and severity of the AT equivalent. They have no quality control what so ever and they should be shut down based on the amount of complaints i have read from other owners and from my own personal experience or at the very least sort out there QC. These are not cheap vans they are the best part of 65k (when i brought ours) but to be honest the cost is irrelevant as if new then it should be niggly little things not 98% damp in the back garage or cracking cowlings from stress, bent awning that had never been unwound let alone used. But on the plus side there are a lot of these vans on the road so i guess if they have a small percentage that are rubbish then i am thinking they can live with that. For me it was more stress than i care to put up with and health for me comes first hence why it has now been sold back to the dealer. I wouldnt even sell that to anyone as i would feel guilty with all the issues.

 

[Lenny HB]

This is one of my favourite Autotrail videos. (It really shows off the build quality).

Auto-Trail Tales Of Woe

If you're desperate enough to be considering an Autotrail Delaware then just be careful as it's the second most reported van on the Autotrail Unhappy Owners Club for severe water ingress issues; second only to the Autotrail Apache 634.

Good luck!

Just looked at that, ignoring the problem I just couldn't believe the poor insulation. On a modern van only polystyrene & where the awning mounts no insulation at all. They obviously don't expect their customers to use them when it's cold.

 

[Jenka]

I think you need to listen to them when they have owned one and had issues!

How do you know I have not owned one and had no issues ! My point is every van in the market will have issues for some one !

 

[Andacami]

Thanks folks, lots to think about there. We will of course take heed of the warnings and advice and proceed with head over heart.

Renting is the first step of course (? bloody expensive though!); then possibly something cheap and cheerful in the knowledge that it might not be brilliant but it will be road legal and get us out for an adventure or two or three. If we still like it after that, I suspect upgraditis will have firmly set in and we will go look for something along the lines of the Delaware.

No doubt I'll be back soon to annoy you all with yet more newbie questions...

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[Lenny HB]

Renting is the first step of course (? bloody expensive though!)

If you don't mind travelling, renting in Germany can be ½ the price of the UK. We rented in Germany a couple of times before buying.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Thanks folks, lots to think about there. We will of course take heed of the warnings and advice and proceed with head over heart.

Renting is the first step of course (? bloody expensive though!); then possibly something cheap and cheerful in the knowledge that it might not be brilliant but it will be road legal and get us out for an adventure or two or three. If we still like it after that, I suspect upgraditis will have firmly set in and we will go look for something along the lines of the Delaware.

No doubt I'll be back soon to annoy you all with yet more newbie questions...

If you spend £50k and don't like it/wrong layout , you are staring at a HUGE ( potentially five figure) loss
Renting for £1000 for a week might be the best £1000 you ever "waste"

 

[Andacami]

Indeed

 

[pelican]

Mine is British made and a lot better quality than Hymer etc

So is my 2009 Autotrail

 

[Arapaho-65]

We've seen this a few months ago and quite like although it's possibly overpriced; spent an hour or so at Elite looking at all options, nice bunch. We like the island bed idea although SWMBO quite likes rear singles... What do folks think of this particular marque, model and why apart from price might it still be for sale?

Hi my advice on buying is look at which suits your needs and dont be put off by all the negatives about autotrail i think its all down to luck. We have owned our autotrail arapaho se for 2 years now and cant fault it in anyway. Its a 2006 2.8 with rear lounge which is great and the finish in the van is beautiful. The van drives amazing and smooth and at 8.5mtr its got all the room we need and this year we are now living full time in it since selling our house. Going to take her abroad to spain july next year and cant wait for the experience .