reliability recommendations please

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chris1967

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autotrail
i was recently looking at an Imala 736g (new) then i read that they have poor build quality and suffer from damp which kind of scared me off that one ,not sure myself having never owned a motor home before . So i've joined he looking to all you lovely owners for your recommendations ,we have a budget of no more than 70k
i've owned caravans but never a motorhome ,also recommend me a good dealer one who's there if any issues arise

thanks all in advance
 
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w2f
Not familiar with the model you mentioned but they all can have damp problems.
Some would say more likely on British makes who still use timber in construction process.
Don't let it put you off, just do your research and due diligence.
Lots of useful information on here and the buyers guide in the resources section is very informative

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

The Motorhome Buyer's Guide - MotorhomeFun

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Welcome here.

The dealer question is difficult to answer as you give no idea where you are. Some brands only have a single dealer. If that's 200 miles away, and you have an issue it's difficult to simply drive it there and get it fixed. Unlike cars, if you buy a particular brand and model, you can't run it to the local dealer.

I strongly suggest you subscribe and then download the motorhome buyers guide that is only available to paid up members. You also only have 5 free posts as a non-subscriber. If you post your rough location, folks here will give their views on dealers in your area.
 
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meanders said:
Welcome here.

The dealer question is difficult to answer as you give no idea where you are. Some brands only have a single dealer. If that's 200 miles away, and you have an issue it's difficult to simply drive it there and get it fixed. Unlike cars, if you buy a particular brand and model, you can't run it to the local dealer.

I strongly suggest you subscribe and then download the motorhome buyers guide that is only available to paid up members. You also only have 5 free posts as a non-subscriber. If you post your rough location, folks here will give their views on dealers in your area.
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good point about the area i hadn't thought of that (derby) As regarding the internet reviews of owners posting on the internet you only find the negative and rarely positive
 
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Do not know which part of the country you are based, but one trader who can be highly trusted is Simon Select from Select Motorhomes, Devon.
I also second the advice that you subscribe, the help and knowledge that is available from members is well worth the subscription fee alone.

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chris1967 said:
i was recently looking at an Imala 736g (new) then i read that they have poor build quality and suffer from damp which kind of scared me off that one ,not sure myself having never owned a motor home before . So i've joined he looking to all you lovely owners for your recommendations ,we have a budget of no more than 70k
i've owned caravans but never a motorhome ,also recommend me a good dealer one who's there if any issues arise

I have an Imala 615, (my 7th and last van in almost 20 years) Its made by Autotrail , no problem with build quality and no damp problems. My last van was a Tribute 615 (had it 8 years+) which is basically the same set up but a cheaper version and again there was no problem with build or damp. On a dealer you don't say where you live but shop about and take into account just say you live in the north east you don't want to be using a dealer down south and having to take it a couple of hundred miles every time you have a bit of a problem, so look at the dealers close to you or add your location to your profile and people can recommend dealers close to you .
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chris1967 said:
i was recently looking at an Imala 736g (new) then i read that they have poor build quality and suffer from damp which kind of scared me off that one ,not sure myself having never owned a motor home before . So i've joined he looking to all you lovely owners for your recommendations ,we have a budget of no more than 70k
i've owned caravans but never a motorhome ,also recommend me a good dealer one who's there if any issues arise

thanks all in advance
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We have had an Autotrail from new for 4 years . It’s been a terrific van. Our previous van was also an Autotrail , again no problems. All manufacturers will have teething problems, nothing that can’t be fixed under warranty. The most important thing is buying from a good local dealer who has the ability to look after the van , carry out warranty work and service it for you .

Good luck , happy shopping 👍
 
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We also have an Imala 615 and have had no problems with build quality 👍
Our first Moho was also an Auto-Trail which had a couple of garage doors replaced under warranty but it was great otherwise and,in truth, we regret selling !
Our dealer has always been excellent.
My PERSONAL view is that more negative reviews of makes AND dealers are posted because those of us who are happy just get on living the life.
Read the reviews ? - yes , and take from them questions to ask whichever dealer you decide to use. Then, based on your take on the reviews, the dealers answers and your observations of the Moho, make your decision accordingly 👍
Good luck

Menis
 
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needed to hear it from owners who own auto trails and we really like the 736g ,we originally looked at an auto sleeper kingham but would like a bit more livable floor space

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I can recommend Geoff Cox at Ripley based on personal experience coming up for a decade ago at the old site in Denby. I don't think they now do Euramobil, but are Adria dealers. Things may have changed of course.
 
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I still think you could do a lot worse than buying a used Hymer they are usually winterised and the two we have owned have been very reliable once the little snags are sorted out which in a used one will have been done.
As Lenny HB says for your budget you could get a nice one. Good luck with your search😊
 
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chris1967 said:
i was recently looking at an Imala 736g (new) then i read that they have poor build quality and suffer from damp which kind of scared me off that one ,not sure myself having never owned a motor home before . So i've joined he looking to all you lovely owners for your recommendations ,we have a budget of no more than 70k
i've owned caravans but never a motorhome ,also recommend me a good dealer one who's there if any issues arise

thanks all in advance
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My only caution regarding the 736G is that you take note of the payload.
I believe the m/h is a six seater and if you were to use it as such, your passengers would use up most if not all of it and you'd have very little (if any) payload left for clothes /food etc
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Speve said:
I still think you could do a lot worse than buying a used Hymer they are usually winterised and the two we have owned have been very reliable once the little snags are sorted out which in a used one will have been done.
As Lenny HB says for your budget you could get a nice one. Good luck with your search😊
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Another vote for Hymer, mine has been remarkably solid (touch wood). I’d sell mine to my best friend
 
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Just to show there are differing views: https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/51967-warning-to-prospective-hymer-owners.

I like our Euramobil, also German build, but I would be telling whoppers if I said it was 100% as delivered ..... It wasn't! Better than the Swift build and Eldiss before but far from perfect. No real statistical evidence, but it appears that continental vans tend to be more reliable that their UK counterparts, but there are British van holders who have been entirely happy with their vans, as there are with continental builds, but absolutely zero guarantees that buying any brand will deliver 100% problems free motorhoming.
 
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We bought our new Autotrail from Don Amott who are in Derby. They supply new and used so definitely worth a visit there. We've had no issues with them.

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Figaro said:
w2f
Not familiar with the model you mentioned but they all can have damp problems.
Some would say more likely on British makes who still use timber in construction process.
Don't let it put you off, just do your research and due diligence.
Lots of useful information on here and the buyers guide in the resources section is very informative

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

The Motorhome Buyer's Guide - MotorhomeFun

Download our Free Motorhome Buyer's Guide packed with essential tips, checklists, and expert advice. Distilled wisdom from 60,000 members
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
Click to expand...
Sorry Figaro but UK builders haven't used wood in their construction for a decade.
 
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chris1967 said:
i was recently looking at an Imala 736g (new) then i read that they have poor build quality and suffer from damp which kind of scared me off that one ,not sure myself having never owned a motor home before . So i've joined he looking to all you lovely owners for your recommendations ,we have a budget of no more than 70k
i've owned caravans but never a motorhome ,also recommend me a good dealer one who's there if any issues arise

thanks all in advance
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with the Imala, I'd look at more recent models as when originally designed they were Auto Trails entry level moho. Today after years of steady improvement they are ranked No2 in their stable.
 
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Jonno1103 said:
Sorry Figaro but UK builders haven't used wood in their construction for a decade.
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I beg to differ 😂
Drilling into some vans when the owner is standing nearby telling you how “all their damp problems have been resolved “ you can feel immediately as the hole saw starts to bind and there’s no sawdust but a brown paste 🤬😂☹️
Normally better to say nothing 😂
 
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Lenny HB said:
£70k will get you a decent German van a few years old. Much less risk of damp.
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Yup.Had 5 years of damp issues with a Scout.AT are masters of superficial design and marketing.You have a decent budget and personally I'd be looking at something like an Hymer, Dethleffs or Burstner from a local dealer.No guarantee but better odds.
 
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GMLS said:
Yup.Had 5 years of damp issues with a Scout.AT are masters of superficial design and marketing.You have a decent budget and personally I'd be looking at something like an Hymer, Dethleffs or Burstner from a local dealer.No guarantee but better odds.
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You missed Carthago, or maybe Frankia!
 
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