Rapido or Auto trail ???

[RS SPIKE]

We are looking for advise on buying our first motor home ??
After visiting the lincoln show at the end of last month and many dealers up and down the country i think we have narrowed it down to two Motor homes !!!!

The rapido 986M OR The Autotrail 634L ??? I'm limited on size because of storage and engine size because i will be pulling a trailer,the spec is as follows:

Max length 22 FT
2.5 Minimum engine size
Capable of towing a 1500kg braked trailer
shower
Fixed bed if possible
U or L shaped lounge (no railway seating)

Looking forward to your comments good or bad, all advise will be most welcome as we are virgins at buying a motor home

Regards phill & tracey

 

[treetops1]

For me its the Rapido every time lol.

 

[BreweryDave]

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

IMHO !!!

 

[laneside]

Rapido, rapido, rapido every time

 

[Clive and Kerri]

Has to be the Rapido, bias as I have a one

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

ditto ^^^^^^^^

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Got a Pilote - so if that is the choice then it is the Rapido. They look nice as well...........

 

[Techno]

Of course

 

[Cal54]

Can't really comment on a comparison but can advise that I received exceptional service from Auto-Trail when I owned a Cheyanne. The MH mysteriously developed a small fracture in the side panel at 5/6 years old and the side was totally replaced by Auto-Trail at no cost to me without question.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

One thing you should check is payload - that is real life payload, not what the rather imaginative manufacturer's figures............

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Techno]

Most stories related to autotrail are indeed regarding customer service and the frequent need for it.

 

[dewaltman]

Rapido

 

[Ladylea]

Rapido

 

[jonandshell]

The rwd Rapido for tailer tugging I suggest!

 

[Masman]

RAPIDO

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chippy63]

I don.t know about the autotrail, but the rapido 986m only has two belted seats, even though is a four berth
thats why we did not buy one when we were looking, bought a Rapido 941M instead .

last van was a rapido also.

 

[MikeD]

I have a 2012 Autotrail - buy the Rapido

 

[cranky]

eeeerrrrrrrrmmmmmm let me think





ok totally unbiased but I think Rapido
but only if it suits you, sir

 

[johnandsue]

When I was buying my first motorhome the best piece of advice I received was do not buy new. The reason given was that until you have had one it is difficult to work out exactly what you want I.e fix bed v make up, garage v limited storage, payload requirements etc.
I took that advice and glad I did as my first (second hand) motorhome was too large, not enough payload, no fixed bed etc etc., despite all those still had great time in it..
Now purchased a brand new one which with a bit of experience should meet our needs and guess what - it is a Rapido!

 

[Techno]

All this makes me even more surprised that there isn't a UK owners club. I've had to join a french owners forum to exchange/share ideas. Anything I post on here as an alteration also gets shared with mes amis and is received warmly

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[wizzer59]

Hi Guys welcome to fun. My UNBIASED and unprofessional opinion for what its worth, just looking at the two examples I've found on ebay, Rapido and Auto trail
two quite different vans, one A Class, one Coachbuilt, Ive owned both types, and both have their merits, quite a difference in price, it says the Auto trail is 23ft, Rapido has a 2.7cc Merc base, Auto trail is 2.3cc Fiat, given the choice I would take the bigger engine every time of course you may find a 634L with the 2.8cc engine I'm guessing the Rapido is fully winterised, a real plus IMO, I'm also guessing the Auto trail isn't winterised so not so good but if you do not use your motorhome in the winter or go skiing then not such a biggy looks like only two belted seats in both

Your choice, are you buying new or second hand?? make note of stuff that's important to you, air con for instance IMO is a must, cruise control is very nice and solar is handy. looking at the two examples I would plump for the Rapido

Whatever you decide do not rush into it, do your homework and look at plenty

PS. Before you ask I have a Hymer.
PPS. Spend the tenner, worth every penny

 

[tonka]

I have a 2012 Autotrail - buy the Rapido

Ditto,,,,,
My next one will be German...

 

[weekenders]

Rapido, German or French are better than English made. We had a Hymer and very well built, got a rapido now and really good quality

 

[canopus]

All this makes me even more surprised that there isn't a UK owners club. I've had to join a french owners forum to exchange/share ideas. Anything I post on here as an alteration also gets shared with mes amis and is received warmly

We were members of this club when we had our Rapido 909M
http://www.rapidoandsilvercaravanningclub.co.uk

 

[Techno]

Looks a bit naff

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

R.A.P.I.D.O.

 

[Techno]

It can be quite hard work but at least two of my modifications were born from here
http://www.forumdesccrapido.com/forum
but I did them better and posted the results

 

[deleted-member02]

I would love to own a Rapido 986m, can't say I feel the same about an Autotrail...

 

[Debs]

Hi,

We're quite new to mh's but have over 20years caravan experience - all british built - sad to say I'd go with the Rapido, needless to say we haven't bought a british mh.

 

[Chris]

Don't know the models but please don't be put off Autotrail.

We have a 2013 Scout and are delighted with it.

We had a Burstner A class before it and I prefer the Autotrail.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}