Rapido or Auto trail ??? (1 Viewer)

[sadlonelygit]

If the Merc pusher with reasonable miles yes

we have a2.7l 962m, but bought private, highish mileage (we have 2.4's at work with 500000 on them) and got a decent scooter thrown in for 2/3 that price. that's a lot of markup

 

[Kevinthecat]

Gawd , I've a 2012 swift bolero from new and when I've read about all the swift negatives on this site it made me feel that I had made big mistake in buying it even though I've had no swift problems (so far) . I'm in the process of changing it to an AT and now I read all this , arrrrrrgh .

 

[robnchris]

Gawd , I've a 2012 swift bolero from new and when I've read about all the swift negatives on this site it made me feel that I had made big mistake in buying it even though I've had no swift problems (so far) . I'm in the process of changing it to an AT and now I read all this , arrrrrrgh .

Our advice would be down jump from the frying pan into the fire have a look at some of the European built motorhomes.
Our problem is we prefer an end "U" shaped lounge and despite all the dealers telling us it is the most popular design not all
manufactures make them.

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[Steve and Denise]

I thought some one should speak up for Autotrail !!! We have a new ((March this year )) Tracker EKS, and have done 5,000 miles already.. All we have had go wrong is waste tank warning system, a peeling decal, radio head unit had a slight fault, and hab door flyscreen string snapped. All rectified under warranty by the dealer no problem.. Yes, it hasn't got a very big payload, but as we are naturists and not 'huge' we have not run out of loading freedom yet.. Runs like a dream, Euro 5 engine gives 28mpg (( in sandals !! )) and we are very happy with it.. And its under 50K..
Good luck with your decision and remember, the layout is the most important part of the equation..
Mitch.

I suppose looking on the bright side you should have no problems with wet clothes.

 

[Tackle man]

I had a built in wet room in my Auto Trail ... FREE of charge!

 

[Hymie835]

Rapido....continental van every time

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[RS SPIKE]

looking like Rapido

 

[DuxDeluxe]

looking like Rapido

Well, Autotrail don't seem to have much of a fan club unless you buy an old one.

 

[SandJ]

Hymer B544 to Swift Bolero FB then Bessacarr E450 (Swift)again now Rapido 997M which is the best???
Modern design and stylish the the Swifts win
Quality of build the The HYMER was vgood and the Rapido is excellent
In other words if you want it to last then in mho pre 2007 Rapido

Now awaiting the flack from .........

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[Techno]

damn n blast mine's 2008 doh!

 

[Techno]

damn n blast mine's 2008 doh!

 

[Techno]

And no delete tab to fix it.
Sorry but my connecion is very slow just now which is probably the cause of the double post.

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[SandJ]

In Andys opinion 2008 he is so convinced he announced it twice

 

[SandJ]

As to the question asked in the post title
Maybe this helps

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/damp-readings.94327/

 

[Abacist]

Our 2010 AT Savannah came with an inadequate payload when we bought it second-hand so it's cost us to put that right with SVTECH and air suspension on the rear axle and probably dearer higher load rated tyres next time around. It's not winterised like the foreign vans.

Since seen and like the look of Rapido's and they hold their money better.

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[Chris]

Well, Autotrail don't seem to have much of a fan club unless you buy an old one.

Well I am a big fan.

I keep reading that layout, layout, layout is the most important factor when choosing a motorhome.

I only like the layout on British vans.

 

[Techno]

If they were any good you'd call them English vans, why include the poor Scots and welly chuckers to take the blame

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Well I am a big fan.

I keep reading that layout, layout, layout is the most important factor when choosing a motorhome.

I only like the layout on British vans.

Same here, Chris - luckily we found an A class that did have a Brit layout and full kitchen. We have been in a few A/T vans and like the inside and the finish (apart from the ridiculous fixed fitted carpet, now dropped) but a lot, not just a few, of people are reporting build quality issues with the newer vans. They may just be unlucky of course and we do only tend to hear about the bad ones, but then again, looking at the thread, how many people are saying "I purchased a Rapido - a very popular brand - and it is a dog"? That says a bit.

We looked very closely at an A/T tracker with the end bathroom which ticked almost all the boxes until we realised that available payload was going to be a serious issue with all the options we wanted. Like a few other Marques, the older ones seem to be much better put together. The Pilote, being a continental van, is much better insulated and winterised with a very nice double floor

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[gibbon]

Well, Autotrail don't seem to have much of a fan club unless you buy an old one.

Ours is an old 2000 Cheyenne 634 with U shaped lounge. We love it.
Bone dry inside & comfortable for 2 with dog.
I have to admit though, if I was putting my hand in my pocket for a more modern van I would'nt touch autotrail with a barge pole.
It would be a European van for me, definitely winterised, as Brit vans generally are not.
In France at the moment and surrounded by all manner of euro vans.
They look quality.
Buy the Rapido original poster.

 

[Chris]

Winterisation is an interesting issue.

Our old Burstner was fully winterised with heated floor etc.

Was it any warmer than my current van?

Nope.

 

[7735]

I thought some one should speak up for Autotrail !!! We have a new ((March this year )) Tracker EKS, and have done 5,000 miles already.. All we have had go wrong is waste tank warning system, a peeling decal, radio head unit had a slight fault, and hab door flyscreen string snapped. All rectified under warranty by the dealer no problem.. Yes, it hasn't got a very big payload, but as we are naturists and not 'huge' we have not run out of loading freedom yet.. Runs like a dream, Euro 5 engine gives 28mpg (( in sandals !! )) and we are very happy with it.. And its under 50K..
Good luck with your decision and remember, the layout is the most important part of the equation..
Mitch.

Is that only sandals Jennie & Mitch.....

spongy

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[Abacist]

By winterising we don't necessarily mean that the van is warmer but that your service water tanks etc are insulated or heated to stop them freezing up and becoming unusable.

 

[Chris]

By winterising we don't necessarily mean that the van is warmer but that your service water tanks etc are insulated or heated to stop them freezing up and becoming unusable.

I have heated tanks on mine. It was an extra

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Winterisation is an interesting issue.

Our old Burstner was fully winterised with heated floor etc.

Was it any warmer than my current van?

Nope.

Depends on what you set the thermostat to, usually

The Pilote has much thicker insulation all round, plus the double floor.

Anyway, back to subject, we liked the autotrails we looked at, and one like the Apache that some Funster friends have is almost ideal, but the Apache and Dakota were simply ruled out on length as we are restricted a bit on turning to reverse into the driveway. The Pilote is our first continental van and very good.

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[rolandrat]

Bear this in mind if you're not already aware, the AT Tracker water pump is situated under the cooker next to a fresh air vent. In Winter when the temperature drops to below zero the pump and pipes freeze up solid if you don't drain down. Also because of the stupid location you need to be an octopus with extra long feelers to change one over. You must also make sure that any water is removed from the filter housing as the frost can split the plastic bowl. This happened to me on a rally, it was an expensive learning curve lesson. After that I always carried a spare pump and an extra long screwdriver and a wooden jig/cradle in case a changeover was needed. I think the AT 630 model is similar.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Hi SPONGY.. You could try bare feet (hmmm) and get 28.5 to the gallon..

PS.. I hope we are not tempting fate saying that our AT is a good one..

 

[PhilandMena]

Rapido. Always go for a European - far far better build quality

Ditto ! spot on.

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[The Dudess]

We have a 2010 Autotrail Savannah, we haven't had a single problem with it and the layout is perfect for us and the dog. We've done about 10,000 miles in the last year so it's had a good thrashing. However, our next van will be an A class and my vote goes to Rapido.

 

[7735]

Hi SPONGY.. You could try bare feet (hmmm) and get 28.5 to the gallon..

PS.. I hope we are not tempting fate saying that our AT is a good one..

Hi Jenny & Mitch, I do drive in sandals but only get 24 to the gallon in my rapido, perhaps I could leave my socks off.!!!

Spongy

 

[Rugeley Tim]

We have had an AT Apache 634L for the last 3 years (pre-owned 2008) we have had no problems since we have had it and have done 20,000 miles in that time including right over the top of the Pyrenees on 2 occasions. My only advice would be to buy the 634U as it is more practical in the evenings if you both want to lie down to watch tv.

We have 2 sets of MH buddies who own Savanah's and neither have had any issues, that said we intent to look for an A Class in the coming months but have been very happy with the AT.

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