Autosleeper v Autotrail

[Fidge]

Going to view one of each on Sunday, a Tracker and a Broadway any knowledge or advice re. build,, reliability, and damp issues etc would be very welcome.

 

[maison]

We have always read good reviews of Autosleepers and less flattering ones of Autotrails.

We have never owned an Autotrail but the only AutoSleeper we have had was a Ravenna, bought new. We traded it in after eighteen months having had the following problems

Five separate gas leaks. Each time the whole system was checked and declared good before another leak developed. This was the main reason we got rid as we didn’t feel it was safe.

Panels fell of the wall due to incorrect fixing.

Internal lighting had continuous faults in different areas.

The cooker moved while driving and we found it had not been fixed in place properly, if at all.


I realise our model was not a Broadway but that is our only experience of the two Marques.

 

[RM_Marine]

I've had my 2014 autotrail for two years now and I was the second owner from 6k miles no major issues.

Yes maintenance stuff, like seal the roof again , had to refit the rear skylight and I fitted a maxxair fan in the middle, fitted better gasket to the spare wheel cover as it rubs the body shell, had gaslow fitted but it's passed mots, and it services easily. Even worked in the - 6 for two weeks with a bit or preplanning.

Parents brought a new 2019 autotrail but have had some bigger issues, rear tire has worn through the body and autotrail/ marquis motorhomes refuse to even look at it, outside light stopped working during covid due to water egress and again refuse to look at it due to it only being under a 12mth warranty for fittings.

But would I buy a used one again "yes" and a autotrail "no" I would prefer a double floored van with the same layout

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I had an Autosleeper Broadway (2010) and found a couple of minor issues - the electric step failed and the central locking to the hab door stopped working. Both easy fixes under warranty - the first was a relay and the second was poor contacts that needed a clean. As for Marquis “customer service” …… willing but hapless is the best I can say.

 

[bobnick]

We had a 2 year old Autotrail for one year. We liked it as i learned to scuba dive in it.

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[bigwood]

Not as new as the Broadway but our 55 plate Autosleeper Rienza has served us well for the last seven years. Considering it’s age it appears well built enabling us to travel all year.
There have been a few little niggles but nothing that wasn’t easy to sort out.
We have looked at newer built Autosleeper and Autotrail motorhomes and from past experience we would stay with Autosleeper.

 

[GMLS]

Had a thoroughly miserable time of owning a newly purchased Autotrail Scout. It had to go back every year for damp repairs over a 5 year period and the last time back to the factory for weeks or work after which we px'd it having lost confidence in the brand. It was a real shame as a great vehicle in very other way. Have a look on Unhappy Autotrail owners on Facebook to see if the previous owner if on there (assuming you are buying from a dealer). Use a damp meter in any event

 

[Andacami]

We had a 2 year old Autotrail for one year. We liked it as i learned to scuba dive in it.

Water ingress problems...?

 

[hja]

We had a as Broadway for a couple of years. Main issue we had was with upper cupboard doors. They were not flat, they had a deliberate curve too them and were made of two sections. They would come apart at the join. One was replaced very quickly after purchase ( from new) and at least one other we managed to fix ourselves.

 

[Harrogate motorhomer]

We had 2 Autotrails ,Apache 2007-2012 & Tracker EKS 2012-2019 both from new.
Both had a few problems but nothing major. The build quality of the Apache was better than the Tracker but I think the same can be said of most makes. We really liked the Tracker & would have had another if you didn’t have to have a tow ball mounted bike rack,
(would have bottomed out on steep drive). It was a great van for 2 with loads of storage.

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[jwells]

I have had an AutoSleeper Nuevo since new, 2013/14. I would never buy a new MH again!
Is there any make of MH that doesn't have problems from new - if you know what you are looking for!

 

[pelican]

Had both similar build standard and leaks!

 

[GMLS]

I have had an AutoSleeper Nuevo since new, 2013/14. I would never buy a new MH again!
Is there any make of MH that doesn't have problems from new - if you know what you are looking for!

For every new one with problems there is someone who bought my used disaster I'd had enough of.It's all a lottery.

 

[Fidge]

Thank you to all who replied! Comments are very helpful as always on this great forum.

 

[Jasz]

We have an Autotrail Imala that we bought new in 2016 with no major problems. I make a point of maintaining it, such that I deal with minor issues before they get worse. I suspect a lot of vans wouldn't be as bad if people spotted possible problems in time.

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[rosalan]

Never owned an Autotrail have owned an Autosleeper, which we found well built. As a country we do seem however, to build motorhomes to a price rather than a reputation of quality.

 

[KiwiKampers]

We bought our Autotrail Tracker FB new in 2016. Our hearts sank when we noticed the hob door didn't close properly. This was before we had even left the showroom. The dealer soon put it right and we drove it around the UK for 6-months before exporting it to NZ. We have had no significant problems in 6 years, but we never travel without a tube of superglue for those niggly things, like plastic window catches that snap and trim that peels off. We spend an average of 3-4 months a year travelling around the two islands and we are not precious about the roads we travel. Corrugated gravel roads are very hard on vehicles but the Ducato and the motorhome have faired pretty well.
I have to say, I'm not a great fan of the Comfortmatic gearbox but manual vans don't sell in NZ, so I went with it and have got used to it.

 

[The Dudess]

I almost bought a brand new Autotrail V-line but rejected it due to marks on the ceiling which wouldn't come out. I then bought a used Autosleeper Warwick XL 2019 plate from a private seller. I had joined both the Autotrail V-line and Autosleeper Warwick XL Facebook sites and reading all the posts citing terrible problems people have had with the Autotrail I feel I definitely dodged a bullet. We are very pleased with our Autosleeper - feel it's very well built and, so far, haven't had any problems at all. This is our 5th motorhome so we do have some experience.

 

[bobnick]

Any van you buy from any country the first thing you should put in your kit is a roll of good quality gaffer tape and secondly a swear pot.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

And thirdly a pot full of spare cash for remedying the faults

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[Lavender1]

I have had an AutoSleeper Nuevo since new, 2013/14. I would never buy a new MH again!
Is there any make of MH that doesn't have problems from new - if you know what you are looking for!

We bought an Autosleeper, 2014ish, brand new. Had 13 faults, had to go back to factory on low loader for one Issue to be rectified. Autosleeper Sales Director told me “if you don’t want any faults don’t buy a new one, buy one 2/3 years old when any faults have been sorted”! What an attitude .

 

[MitchandJenny]

Going to view one of each on Sunday, a Tracker and a Broadway any knowledge or advice re. build,, reliability, and damp issues etc would be very welcome.

We’ve had 2 Autotrail Trackers, still got one (8 years old )from new.
Had 2 new side windows but that was the window manufacturers fault, so done under warranty..
The MOST important link in the chain is the Dealer you get it from !!!!
Ask people and go on confirmed references..
Everything else the falls into place, regardless of make.
Auto trail for me.
Mitch

 

[robnchris]

We looked a brand new Autosleeper Cornium the sales man gave us the keys and said help yourself, the hab door would only open a 1/3rd of the way so we took him the keys back, he said oh you can get in through the cab doors.
I replied saying the person carrying out the quality control should really have noticed that the door didn't open when carry on the finals checks, with build quality at such a low standard we won't bother you any further.