Viewing 4year old van (1 Viewer)

[Buster54]

Hi guys and girls,
Will be viewing this 4 year old van in a couple of days i.e. 2.3 Autotrail imala 734 semi auto many extras. Looking forward to the viewing and the owner sounds a nice genuine guy. My question to you, is there anything thats outstanding that I should be looking for, I will appreciate anyone's advice or points of view that can help me make up my mind. Not had auto motorhome before am a little concerned on consumption. Drove class 1 trucks all my life and wasn't keen on auto but willing to give this a try due to people opinions on here, were all getting older.
Many thank in advance Buster.

 

[Bessy765]

the auto will likely be a robotic box (manual with servos to change gear) so fuel consumption will be the same as a manual. We have a 2019 Burstner with the Fiat Comformatic. As opposed to the new true auto. Till you get used to it it may seem a bit sluggish and we find that it will pul away quicker if say coming out of a side road if we dont press the accelerator too hard. You soon get used to it. At 4 years old hopefully any snags wil have been sorted. Hab checks and service history is important.

 

[Buster54]

the auto will likely be a robotic box (manual with servos to change gear) so fuel consumption will be the same as a manual. We have a 2019 Burstner with the Fiat Comformatic. As opposed to the new true auto. Till you get used to it it may seem a bit sluggish and we find that it will pul away quicker if say coming out of a side road if we dont press the accelerator too hard. You soon get used to it. At 4 years old hopefully any snags wil have been sorted. Hab checks and service history is important.

Many thanks Bessy the gearbox doesn't really faze me as you say just a matter of getting use to it.

 

[CazPaul]

Have you got a damp meter to take?

 

[Buster54]

Have you got a damp meter to take?

Yes thanks, would there be a reason for asking me this or just a precaution. ???

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[Jake Royd]

If a Ducato base it's only a year from needing a cam belt.
Negotiate on this. A typical price for the job is around £600

 

[Durham's dad]

Autotrail is the reason for the damp meter!

 

[CazPaul]

Yes thanks, would there be a reason for asking me this or just a precaution. ???

You need one for all used vans, auto trail you do get some fairly newish ones with damp, so check very carefully.

 

[Carpmart]

Make sure you do the usual vehicle HPI checks… lots of Motorhomes are bought with finance.

 

[Revolvor]

Have you downloaded "The Motorhome Buyers Guide" from Resources?

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[Buster54]

If a Ducato base it's only a year from needing a cam belt.
Negotiate on this. A typical price for the job is around £600

Yes thats on my list, but thank anyway

 

[Buster54]

You need one for all used vans, auto trail you do get some fairly newish ones with damp, so check very carefully.

Ok taken that on board many thanks

 

[Buster54]

Make sure you do the usual vehicle HPI checks… lots of Motorhomes are bought with finance.

 

[Buster54]

Yes I've done hpi check all in order many thanks.

 

[Badknee]

Has it got a service history. If it’s turned 4yrs old it should have had a brake and clutch/gearbox fluid change.
Good luck

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[Northernraider]

Yes thanks, would there be a reason for asking me this or just a precaution. ???

It's an autotrail.

They have a reputation

 

[Buster54]

Has it got a service history. If it’s turned 4yrs old it should have had a brake and clutch/gearbox fluid change.
Good luck

Appreciate the tips and all taken on board does have service history so hopefully all done many thanks

 

[Gromett]

Appreciate the tips and all taken on board does have service history so hopefully all done many thanks

I will just re-iterate what Revolvor said. Download the excellent buyers guide that Jim created just for this purpose.

The Motorhome Buyers Guide

This book will save you money, probably a lot of money. It will show you, step step by step, how choose the right motorhome and then show you how you can easily negotiate the very best price. This book is FREE to subscribers. Download it by...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Buster54]

It's an autotrail.

They have a reputation

Yes again appreciate the advice and this will be my third, but it is out of warranty so will definitely make a list of the comments put to me. Many thanks

 

[Buster54]

I will just re-iterate what Revolvor said. Download the excellent buyers guide that Jim created just for this purpose.

The Motorhome Buyers Guide

This book will save you money, probably a lot of money. It will show you, step step by step, how choose the right motorhome and then show you how you can easily negotiate the very best price. This book is FREE to subscribers. Download it by...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Ok will download this and have a read many thanks

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[Lenny HB]

It generally not practical to run a 7.25 m van on a 3500 kg chassis.
If it is on a 3500 kg chassis it is not really useable as it will have a very small payload needs to uprated to 3850kg or preferably on the 4250kg chassis.

 

[Buster54]

It generally not practical to run a 7.25 m van on a 3500 kg chassis.
If it is on a 3500 kg chassis it is not really useable as it will have a very small payload needs to uprated to 3850kg or preferably on the 4250kg chassis.

Strange you should mention this.
It as been up rated and this is one thing that been bugging me as I've just sold my Savannah which I had 6yrs on the maxi chassis with similar layout to the imala.but running at 4250kg

But the problem is all these vans are being made so light now due to C1 license. There was talk of it being arazed and back to 7 5tons. The problem i have I'm 70 next year and have to have medical not saying I won't pass but just preparing myself incase I fail. My past career was uk and European truck driver so I am aware of what I'm doing but that van is ideal and I'm thinking I have a 6x4 box trailer that could solve the problem.
I ask your opinion on that as you seem quite knowledgeable???

 

[Lenny HB]

Strange you should mention this.
It as been up rated and this is one thing that been bugging me as I've just sold my Savannah which I had 6yrs on the maxi chassis with similar layout to the imala.but running at 4250kg View attachment 704702But the problem is all these vans are being made so light now due to C1 license. There was talk of it being arazed and back to 7 5tons. The problem i have I'm 70 next year and have to have medical not saying I won't pass but just preparing myself incase I fail. My past career was uk and European truck driver so I am aware of what I'm doing but that van is ideal and I'm thinking I have a 6x4 box trailer that could solve the problem.
I ask your opinion on that as you seem quite knowledgeable???

I'll be 73 this year currently have 4500kg van and a 4250 kg one on order, only a 6.67 m but only 600kg payload at 3500 . IMO well worth it for the payload makes using it so much easier.

Towing a trailer will limit where you can stop & up ferry costs up, after I stopped tugging I said I never want to tow again.

Even if it's been uprated the rear axle will still be 2000kg unless it's had air suspension fitted to the rear.
Al-Ko chassis the rear can be uprated to 2240kg with air and if 15" wheels tyres will need changing, I don't know the situation on a Fiat chassis.

 

[Buster54]

I'll be 73 this year currently have 4500kg van and a 4250 kg one on order, only a 6.67 m but only 600kg payload at 3500 . IMO well worth it for the payload makes using it so much easier.

Towing a trailer will limit where you can stop & up ferry costs up, after I stopped tugging I said I never want to tow again.

Even if it's been uprated the rear axle will still be 2000kg unless it's had air suspension fitted to the rear.
Al-Ko chassis the rear can be uprated to 2240kg with air and if 15" wheels tyres will need changing, I don't know the situation on a Fiat chassis.

Yes I understand that as I added air to the Savannah myself at a cost of around £350 that was also on my mind. I wild camp and the Savannah carried 160ltr of water so that another factor. Trailer not a problem, Park jump on a bus if need be and as for the medical on 22 tablets a day, and i can downgrade the imala if need be.

 

[Buster54]

I'll be 73 this year currently have 4500kg van and a 4250 kg one on order, only a 6.67 m but only 600kg payload at 3500 . IMO well worth it for the payload makes using it so much easier.

Towing a trailer will limit where you can stop & up ferry costs up, after I stopped tugging I said I never want to tow again.

Even if it's been uprated the rear axle will still be 2000kg unless it's had air suspension fitted to the rear.
Al-Ko chassis the rear can be uprated to 2240kg with air and if 15" wheels tyres will need changing, I don't know the situation on a Fiat chassis.

Thanks Lenny for your feedback well appreciated

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[Lenny HB]

Yes I understand that as I added air to the Savannah myself at a cost of around £350 that was also on my mind

If its an Al-Ko cost will be £2000.

as for the medical on 22 tablets a day,

Ouch! I'm only on 3 for BP.
I think I would be looking for a smaller van with a decent payload.

 

[Buster54]

If its an Al-Ko cost will be £2000.

Ouch! I'm only on 3 for BP.
I think I would be looking for a smaller van with a decent payload.

Yes I'll take that on board cheer

 

[GMLS]

Appreciate the tips and all taken on board does have service history so hopefully all done many thanks

Yup well deserved.Have a look on Unhappy Autotrail Owners on Facebook