Autotrail…. Are they really that bad…?

Just smiffy

Just smiffy

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I’ve been looking at a replacement motorhome for some time now and it’s getting harder and harder at the moment and looks like it’s going to continue that way for some time…

now I’ve seen a few Autotrails come along that have the layout I like and seem to be a good price (under £30k)
I know they have a bad reputation but there are a lot driving around so they can’t be all bad can they..? I’m very good at diy and mechanics and could probably solve and improve any failings they have so if I got a fairly good one to begin with I’ll hopefully be able to keep it that way with my skills…. Most have been in the 2000-2010 year bracket…
Most are Mercedes Autos and some 3ltr Fiat Autos…

honest opinions please and I don’t mind a few p*** takes…😉
 
I've owned a couple of them and they didn't put a foot wrong both excellent vans built to a good price There are certainly far more satisfied owners than otherwise. Anything built before 2006 will last as long as any German van and will likley have a better layout.
 
I had an Apache 700 for 8 years and now have a savannah which i have had five years and will most likely buy another autotrail in a couple of years time. All makes of van have problems, when I have had a problem in the past with either Autotrail I emailed the factory and got excellent help.
 
we love our 2013 Delaware. 3 litre 180 multi. never missed a beat and every damp check reading less than 12%.
go for it (y)
 
I have a 2004 Apache 700 bought new back in 2004, we have put 106,000 on the clock in that time with no major issues or damp. We have used it well as you can see by the mileage but have also tried to maintain it with regular servicing. Autotrail have been very popular over the years and with so many on the road you are bound to get the odd bad review.

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I've had several Autotrails aged between 2000 and 2012, all were excellent. I believe there was an issue with some of the newer models due to poor manufacturing processes. I would recommend that if you considering one you get a decent damp meter and check everywhere including in all the lockers (high and low), the garage if it has one, underneath the van where the body meets the floor and anywhere else where moisture could creep.
 
My brother in law and sister who we pair up with on many of our trips has had two and never complains and only ever had the occasional minor issue.
 
All sorts of issues with my 2019 Imala 734, far more than just snagging, but on reflection and speaking on various AT forums etc I was just one of the "unlucky" ones.
All sorted now though
 
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Had our 2018 Imala only for a year. Absolutely nowt wrong with it. Only changing it cause we want a different layout.
I honestly can't understand why they get bad reviews, but then again i am new to the game.

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We’ve had 2 Autotrails a 2007 Apache 700 & a 2012 Tracker EKS both from new & found them excellent vans. As with all new vans they had their teething problems but nothing out of the ordinary.
The Tracker has a fantastic layout for 2 & we only changed to a Vantage NEO because we fancied a change.
I know this doesn’t mirror some people’s experience but You can only speak as you find.
 
Apache 700 since new in 2016. 37k miles now

Nothing major. Needed new seals around the garage doors and around the big skylight at the back, water ingress. Spotted early so no consequential damage.
The hab door step had a sheared pin, rendering it altogether floppy.

All sorted under warranty.

I’ve added air suspension, lots of solar & refillable LPG. I’m hoping to keep it very long term as the layout suits us perfectly.
 
Ive had three autotrails apache(new) arapaho, and cheyanne i like their style, and they always look good ,nice designs and layout,perhaps not as well finished as our hymer, but yes i would buy another,i think the earlier ones are better made ,and the frontier range is just a bit better spec ………… id have another 😀
 
Had two 1 brand new 2012 tracker no problems and a 2007 Miami 740
The 2007 was a Renault Master auto which did have a problem with intermittent starting problem but it was only a breather pipe and once it was replaced it never missed starting.
 
Had a v line, upgraded to a tracker, the first tracker had engine management problems which the dealer swapped for another after a lot of negotiation, to be fair this was a fiat issue. Both ok as far as I’m concerned.
we then changed to a swift which in 5 years never have any issues.
both makes have bad reps but they are British 😃
 
Our first motorhome was an Autotrail. It was a 13 plate and bought secondhand. Looking at the accompanying paperwork it looked like the previous owner had issues which were all sorted. We thought it was a great first buy and apart from the dreadful media system (replaced) we had no problems.

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Like anything anybody buys, complaints do not get heard about until they go wrong, then that particular item/manufacturer is rubbish. Now if Autotrail were indeed a useless piece of equipment that all leaked, broke down fell to bits, eventually the company would fail to sell any and they would go under (look at the motorcar industry, British Leyland a by word for quality and desirability). Many on here have listed great words about their present or past Autotrails and many have told of their sad woes. Its a fact that all vans have issues.
We previously owned a Swift Kontikki 669, an outstanding van. Owned it for 7 years and not a thing went wrong down to manufacture. (Owner related another issue) These were known a Konleaky when we were looking. I then took trust in the dealer and went ahead and spent a lot on money.
So whatever you buy as many have said, do not rush the purchase, invest in a professional examination who will identify any issues and outline costs in relation to any repairs. You can then make an informed decision.

What ever you buy just be prepared to have a fund for examination and repairs on an ongoing bases. Left uninspected for a couple of years then something found. The damage that the negligence has resulted in will up the cost of repair.

My son has just bought his first Caravan. Great price ,16 years old and from the start he identified the water ingress issue. Got straight down to the repair with the help of You Tube and he has done a fantastic job repairing a wall section and floor and you would not even know such repair was undertaken. So now he owns a van that he knows is a good un.

Good luck with your hunt
 
We had a 2006 AT Tracker EKS for a few years, no issues or damp at all, sailed through hab checks, still one of Domestic Management’s favourite vans which she still fondly remembers to this day. We only changed because I wanted more space, I don’t think she’s ever forgiven me. ;)

That said, there have also been some horror stories, seem to remember references made to the ‘issues’ creeping in from circa 2007 onwards, possibly after change of ownership/manufacturing processes (rewarding quantity over quality)? No idea, may need research as I don’t want to proliferate potential untruths.

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We have a 2013 Frontier Dakota. It has had a few minor issues when I bought it a year ago. All fixed under dealers warranty or replacement bits sent by Auto Trail. It is the perfect layout for us, well built and great to drive. (Mind you my comparison is a Landrover Defender). We love it and plan to keep for quite some time
 
We owned a 2008 Cheyenne 840D (now known as Comanche). We bought it new and had nothing but problems with it,some needing a return to Autotrail. These include leaking windows (5), broken Heki mechanism (twice), habitation door lock (3 times), broken bed base (no rude comments please :giggle:), numerous fridge problems so in the end swapped the crap Thetford for a Dometic, floor delamination, body cracks appearing around window aperture (hole had been cut too small) and finally the remote gas locker cable came adrift while in France meaning we couldn't turn the gas on.
Apart from that it did have a great layout and the 3ltr Fiat engine was great - but would I ever buy another? Not on your life - not after having our current Burstner
Bazza
 
Baldybazza said:
We owned a 2008 Cheyenne 840D (now known as Comanche). We bought it new and had nothing but problems with it,some needing a return to Autotrail. These include leaking windows (5), broken Heki mechanism (twice), habitation door lock (3 times), broken bed base (no rude comments please :giggle:), numerous fridge problems so in the end swapped the crap Thetford for a Dometic, floor delamination, body cracks appearing around window aperture (hole had been cut too small) and finally the remote gas locker cable came adrift while in France meaning we couldn't turn the gas on.
Apart from that it did have a great layout and the 3ltr Fiat engine was great - but would I ever buy another? Not on your life - not after having our current Burstner
Bazza
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It just amazes me how such main manufacture issues can occur. The sealing of the windows and cutting out of the apertures must be automatic to get correct as they are part of the production line. What goes wrong for this to happen and if it is just the odd van in the production line why. Around the other items I, they are supplied goods and can be said out of the control of the MH builder. Is it the case that the goods are being scaled back in quality to cut costs to supply to the Mh manufacturers thus they fail and the MH manufacturer is blamed. The MH manufacturer should then demand better quality.espaecially as they clearly would be the main supply outlet for any producing company
 
PJGWiltshire said:
It just amazes me how such main manufacture issues can occur. The sealing of the windows and cutting out of the apertures must be automatic to get correct as they are part of the production line. What goes wrong for this to happen and if it is just the odd van in the production line why. Around the other items I, they are supplied goods and can be said out of the control of the MH builder. Is it the case that the goods are being scaled back in quality to cut costs to supply to the Mh manufacturers thus they fail and the MH manufacturer is blamed. The MH manufacturer should then demand better quality.espaecially as they clearly would be the main supply outlet for any producing company
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99% money, every one wants to make more and save costs
 
Just smiffy said:
I’m going to have a look at a 2008 Cheyenne se 696G on a 3ltr fiat auto tomorrow…..😱😱
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well I didn’t buy it… think I need to look for an a-class again…

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