Autotrail motorhome reliability? (1 Viewer)

[FreeSpirit445]

Hi, would like to know good and bad re Autotrail motorhomes please by those who own or have owned them. I'm considering a Apache 700, 4 cylinder diesel, it has 156 k kms. I'm concerned that it has a Fiat Ducati chassis (& engine???)... heard alot of bad reviews about the Fiat... and Mercedes... and Ford Transit.
Btw, I'm in Australia. Also not sure if servicing and parts will be an issue here.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[138go]

There’s an Autotrail Unhappy Owner’s Group, on Facebook. It might be worth a look.

 

[Alan]

I had a 2006 Fiat Cheyenne for 8 years without any major problems,some people seem to have had issues with some of the later models and I’m sure you’l get more information with this post

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[Podney]

Never had one so shouldn’t really comment....but I will.
Lots of tales on here about Autotrails with water ingress problems. But maybe it’s a bit like when Ford Escort cars were know for being unreliable................when that car was the most popular one on the road and there were millions of them,so you were bound to hear tales of woe!

Check it out with a damp meter.

If it’s been serviced regularly I doubt you’ll have a problem with the engine,but might help others if you tell us which engine it’s got,just the year would be a start.

 

[Cockers]

I’ve owned two Autotrail Dakota’s one 2005 and the latest one 2015 purchased both from new I have never had any issues with them the 2005 Dakota seems to be built well, the general feel of the vehicle felt solid, it never broke down or had any damp issues, just a regular service. The 2015 Dakota has been serviced every year the only big job that has be done is the timing belt at 5 years old as recommended, it’s Never had any issues, no damp and starts every time. When you look deeper behind the panels you do see the wiring seems thin compared to upgrades I’ve done but all makes are the same regarding that. Generally I think they are good vehicles. I’m sure there will be a wave of comments from people how bad they are but generally from people that have never owned one. There are good ones and bad ones in all makes as they say the Friday afternoon ones.

 

[Gellyneck]

Got a 2013 Savannah and not really had any major problems with it. Yes, a few niggles and pre-emptive work but. by and large, alright. Probably similar to most marques.
Cam belt changed (check the one your thinking about has had it done as c£400 in UK), habitation step (one side changed), airbag ECU repaired (very common fault with X250 Ducatos), one DRL changed, windscreen scuttle tweaked (another common one on X250's - see threads on here about it) and oh, they don't like fences jumping out behind them (twice, once on each side!).

ps

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[Tombola]

Had a lot of issues my my new Imala, and the dealer was less than helpful.
I bought in 2019 Ill be selling it back end of the year and wont be looking at other autotrails.

 

[FreeSpirit445]

Thank you to everyone who has given feedback. Sorry I forgot to say it's a 2015. The FB page is interesting and alarming being an Unhappy AT Owners page... the 2015 apache is priced at half or a third of what other mh brands sell at here so not sure if worth the gamble.

 

[Jim]

Nothing wrong with the Fiat It's given more fun to motorhome owners than any other marque. Quite frankly it's awesome.

As for the Auto trail there are far more happy owners than unhappy. if it's 6 years old and dry, no worries, it will stay that way as long you re-caulk seals regularly. Have fun

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[Jonno1103]

As Jim say's nothing wrong with the chassis cab, just make sure the service history has been fulfilled and the timing belt has been changed.

In terms of the conversion, on a 2015 model year 700 inspect the rear under seat external hatch rubbers and the internal floor around it for water ingress as the hatch door manufacturer had issues with them.

Auto Trail are probably the most popular hired motorhome brand across Australia & New Zealand.

 

[Speve]

We have owned Two Autotrail‘s a 2004 Cheyenne 695,merc engine and a 2013 Tracker FB Fiat 150 bhp no major problems with either in fact nice comfy vans and reliable.

 

[irnbru]

We used to have an Apache 700. Had quite good payload. No idea how driving licences work in Oz but here in UK you need a Class C1 to drive it with it being over 3500kg unless its downplated.

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[Jonno1103]

We used to have an Apache 700. Had quite good payload. No idea how driving licences work in Oz but here in UK you need a Class C1 to drive it with it being over 3500kg unless its downplated.

There's no chance of downplating the 700, a 2015 van has a MIRO of 3445kg without any OEM or dealer options fitted. It's why it's on the heavy chassis. The 2019 700 has a MIRO of 3510kg.

You can up plate a 632 (MIRO 3180kg) or 634 (MIRO 3250kg) from 3500kg to 3650kg free of charge.

There's a huge Trigano influenced design & modernisation refresh and range rationalisation in progress in order to increase payloads. It's why the Apache has now been phased out and after Tribute was relocated lock stock and barrel to Grimsby during 2017/18, that brand has now been phased out too.

The closest you'll get to an Apache 700 now is a 736 Imala which is 305kg lighter with a MIRO of 3140kg even though I'd still not want to have one being stuck to 3500kg.

The new Tracker range is now based on a full low line conversion with a drop down bed cost option to bring the weights down, the EKS is now sub 3000kg when previously it weighed 3190kg.

Auto Trail already build PVC's for four different Trigano brands, Auto Trail, Benimar, Roller Team & Chausson, there's rumours that during 2021 or for 2022 they'll begin constructing coachbuilds for other Trigano group brands too. There's a lot of recruitment going on.

 

[Vipar]

No one get up and posts just thought that I would let you know that my van is ok. Only post when there is a problem.
Anyway it don’t rain in Aussie does it. Oh I forgot about the recent flooding.

 

[Geo]

Im in the trade and see em all
On my 3rd Fiat Ducato Autotrail Nuff said

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[pappajohn]

156000km (100000mls) in 5 years... Its either been used very frequently for long journeys or its ex-hire.
Ex-hire it may have had a hard life.
Mentality of many hirers is... Its not mine so why be careful.

 

[Clarky]

We have owned three motorhomes on a Fiat Ducato base and have had almost trouble free motoring.
We had a new 2012 Autotrail for three years and although there were some warranty faults none of them were serious.
The only Fiat problem with the Autotrail that I can recall was the airbag ECU going u/s just out of warranty.
The current owner is a Fun member and the van is still going strong.

Richard.

 

[IanF]

Got an Autotrail Savannah 2013 no mechanical problems no dampness problems very happy indeed with it. Certainly we spend a lot of time and money to ensure we maintain it.
You'll always find problems in whatever manufacturer you select if you only listen to the people with negative attitudes

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[Conal]

Autotrail Delaware. Not used much in the last year but no apparent serious faults. Had it four years and would “definately” buy another. I was surprised though to find out the external body panels do not come under the 10 year warranty.