Anyone else got a Windrush?

we have recently downsized our A Class Hymer to an AutoSleeper Windrush, bit of a compromise on storage but huge benefits in lots of other areas including parking, fuel economy, etc... 

We chose the Windrush as there is 3 of us, we need the rear bed for our 2 year old (lower bunk for him, top bunk extra storage) 

given it was the 2012 Van conversion of the year, we thought there would be quite a few around... but I have never seen another!

Appreciate that the bunks are not for everyone, so maybe it's a limited market?

any other Windrush owners on here? would love to hear from you and how you are getting on with your van?

Jim

Can honestly say I've never heard of one never mind seen one.

There are 5 Windrush owners registered on this forum including yourself. Only one of the other 4 has ever posted but not visited since, one joined in March and last visited last night. That's it, so it's up to you to tell us all about the Windrush. We don't bite, honest.

We looked at the windrush but as there are only two of us we opted for the kemerton as we liked the more spacious kitchen area. We don't get our new van till next March. Like you we have never seen a windrush or kemerton on the road.Good luck with it. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it as it looks like a very good layout for someone with a wee one. We are also going to by a drive away awning for ours which is great for extra gear.

well. seems we are in an exclusive club then! :)

Judy - we have a Vango Sapera drive away awning, we bought it when we had the Hymer but it also fits a van conversion. We used it last weekend with the Windrush, seems to fit more snugly against the side of the van and gives loads of extra space. Would highly recommend it, Vango also do a shorter version. both are air beams so take 10 mins to put up. I have a photo, just working out how to attach it.. sorry new to this forum!

How to add a photo..

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I think this is how to attach a photo?

Van and awning look great. Our van will look the same as yours as we have also chosen the same colour. The awning looks good and we'll bear that in mind when we get around to buying one. We had looked at the Sebring which looks similar but ten minutes to put yours up sounds amazing ! Will definitely check it out. Thanks for the info. This sight is so good.

Hi. We've got one and I'll have to say that the ergonomics and layout is GRRREAT!!! We downsised from a six berth coachbuilt and have a family of four. We sold our second car and use the windrush instead. mpg - great in comparison. On the downside we've had a lot of teething problems which I don't think would be fair to list as as the dealer and Peugeot have been putting them right almost constantly since we bought it in April - and there's still stuff to get fixed! So that has put a dampener (big style) on the feelgood factor that we thought we would get, given auto sleepers' reputation. The multispace idea of having sleeping, eating, driving and lounging in one area that feels much bigger than any of the single function spaces in our last motorhome is superb - it's a tardis! The fact that it also functions as a second car makes it economically justifiable too!

We have a Sussex BB ( a Windrush base with a few extras put in by Marquis (dealer). We too are a family of, mainly 3, and sometimes 4 when the oldest offspring wants to come, The Sussex BB (stands for Bunk Beds) has Tele , Microwave and Habitation Air Con extra to the model for that time (2012). We love it. Have been to Annecy. Brugge and Amsterdam abroad and Chichester and Cromer. Had a few problems cured under warranty. Water pump packed up. Air-suspension rubber belows failed. Hope you enjoy your time with yours.

Had some great times already - haven't been to continent yet just bacause we didn't know if it was going to pack in but the faults have nearly all been fixed and I can't wait to spread our wings a bit further.

groovey2shoes wrote:Hi. We've got one and I'll have to say that the ergonomics and layout is GRRREAT!!! We downsised from a six berth coachbuilt and have a family of four. We sold our second car and use the windrush instead. mpg - great in comparison. On the downside we've had a lot of teething problems which I don't think would be fair to list as as the dealer and Peugeot have been putting them right almost constantly since we bought it in April - and there's still stuff to get fixed! So that has put a dampener (big style) on the feelgood factor that we thought we would get, given auto sleepers' reputation. The multispace idea of having sleeping, eating, driving and lounging in one area that feels much bigger than any of the single function spaces in our last motorhome is superb - it's a tardis! The fact that it also functions as a second car makes it economically justifiable too!

hi Groovey2shoes

finally, another Windrush owner! We are also really pleased with the layout and overall 'usability' of the van, having down sized from a 6 berth A Class Hymer we thought we would be missing something, but actually we prefer the more compact layout. having said that, with the flexible lounge and large sliding side door we find it roomier somehow.
now, this is the weird bit... we sold our Hymer to a lovely couple who travelled all the way from Ayr to Staffordshire to buy it, drove back same day. they told me all about Ayr, so the following week we travelled up to Ayr in our new Windrush, spent 4 lovely days parked up on the seafront, with 20+ degrees sunshine! then moved our way up to Inverness to visit family and back home again a week later, via Ayr again! I notice from your profile that you are also from Ayr, and in all our travels so far we have never seen another Windrush! 
We have also had a couple of teething troubles, most of which are being sorted by the dealer and Auto Sleepers direct, although would be interested to hear your snagging list, in case there are any issues that may be generic. If you're interested in comparing notes send me a PM.

and Hi Etlenne, glad to hear your getting full use of yours, I had heard of the Sussex BB but hadn't realised it was the same as a windrush. You learn something new every day! :)

Bought in Sept 14 new. very pleased. Use it every day, still finding our way around the functionality.

Wee swapped the shower head for a lidl adjustable one for a fiver. Now works perfectly as a tap and a shower! The shower door is a bit of a flimsy arrangement and will definitely need addressing since the piece of sticky tape on which its structural integrity is entirely dependent is working loose - again! Any suggestions would be very welcome. I dare say more sticky tape would be a short term solution but something more permanent would be far preferable.

sounds like a good idea for the shower head, it doesn't really work as a tap does it!?

the shower door on ours is driving us mad, the thing catches on the corner every time and pops out the track. We tested the display Windrush at the NEC and it worked perfectly, so will add to the snagging list that I hope AS will sort soon. We had this type of concertina sliding door on our Hymer and never had any problems.

just returned from a last minute 2 day trip to the Forest of Dean and had a lovely time, but encountered 2 more problems.... :(
first, the cupboard inside the lower bunk area fell off he wall, literally! it's only held on with a few self tapping screws and the top came away from the wall. I had to take the cupboard out so my little boy could sleep in there safely. 

second problem was the rear seat on the off side, we often make this up into a 'bench' seat and use the centre bed section as a back rest. We find this layout works well, as we can sit and have the table out and eat lunch etc whilst still being able to use the side door. however,   whilst sitting in the middle of the bench, I heard a loud crack and the seat caved in! When I investigated, I was surprised to see that the centre section is not supported at all on the front edge in the centre, the steel legs support the front (nearest drivers seat) and also at the back. the plywood board that makes up this section is hinged and is attached by just 1/4 inch self tapping screws (again), this could never take the weight of an adult, the screws just ripped out! Another issue to take up with A/S when we get booked in for the other snagging problems. 

Still loving the van, but starting to get a little concerned about the build quality... I thought that A/S were supposed to be better than this..

We had exactly the same problem with bench seat. The dealer secured a strong piece of wood on top of the hinges which, they say, now make it load bearing. So far, so good, but clearly a design fault - along with the shower head and door. The layout is superb but all we are asking for is for it to work. Still got a few things to get fixed 8 months after purchasing - disappointing but we're looking to get the snags behind us and start enjoying it as it should have been when we drove it out of the forecourt for the first time. The annoying thing is that I feel that it's never been the van we paid for and never will be - i.e. brand new, pristine and in full working order. Judging from what I read on forums this seems to be an unrealistic expectation these days. We couldn't find one second hand and its virtually the only layout of its type. We fancied the Autocruise quartet but they're not made anymore and second hand ones are rare. Although a nearly new one came into our dealer about a day after we bought the Windrush. All'n'all I'm glad we've got the Windrush because of the layout - nice if it all worked though. Dealers have done all they could to rectify things and I guess, like other motorhomers, we will have to look upon it philosophically as a learning experience - when a million and one things go wrong with your van you certainly learn things you never even knew about it. I know we're going to have amazing adventures in it and can't wait to get the last few things fixed so that we can have enough confidence in it to 'spread our wings and fly.'

Hi Jimmad,
Just looked at your photo again with your awning. Looking at it , I think you have the tall one and not the standard. Can you confirm this for me as I'm not sure which one we need .  Thanks .

Hi Judy

yes, it's the Sapera Tall. We originally bought it for the A Class Hymer, but it fits the Windrush perfectly. We attach it with the figure of 8 strip into the roll out canopy (you'll need to buy this bit as it's not supplied, cost about a tenner). alternatively you can throw the straps over the top of the van and peg down. The 'Tall' version fits most coach builts and high top van conversions, the standard is for VW's and smaller camper vans. 
hope this helps.

Thanks. We have bought the smaller version, I think it's called Kela , from another AS member who saw our postings. So now we have the awning , which arrived yesterday , we just patiently await the arrival of our van. Hope you are enjoying yours.

I have been looking for another ‘van to upgrade my not so long owned 2004 Symbol ES (nice vehicle, but not ‘just’ quite what I need). Four travelling seats are a priority (family days out), with a little more space, and the Windrush has been put on my short list.
 
I wondered if some of the owners that posted above might like to give some information, positive or otherwise, now they have owned their vehicles a little longer.
 
A couple of things I would be interested in knowing a) is the rear lower bunk suitable for an adult to sleep in and b) is the rear top bunk removable?

This vehicle seems to tick all the boxes (so far): [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Any comments would be appreciated, also if no part exchange what sort of discount would be expected?
 
Thanks
   
Brian

Hi Brian
as groovey2shoes said, it would have been nice to have had a pristine van with no issues from new. alas, we have had problems too which have finally been sorted with A/S direct. I have a couple of minor issues still to sort, which includes a new oil pump which is a dealer recall and a new carpet to be fitted. hopefully then we can enjoy the van we bought many months ago. 
The layout is pretty good I have to say, we love using the van and get much more time in it than our previous A class.
you can get a 5'6" adult in the bunks, it's a little tight but possible, I prefer the top bunk as it feels less claustrophobic. To be honest, I think they're more for kids than adults though.
The top bunk is not removable, but there is a 'hatch' in the middle that lifts so you can get in the bottom one easier.
If you are in the market for a 4 travel / 4 berth then there isn't much choice, but the Auto Cruise Forte is a nice van, albeit with less storage and a bit longer at 6.36m I think. I also like the Autotrail V-line 620, with the half dinette, this will facilitate 3 for sleeping.
I don't regret the Windrush though, a few minor niggles but we have had that we every other van we have owned!
good luck

Thanks for the candid reply. It is a shame, after spending this sort of hard earned cash, a company like AS still cannot get it right from the word go. Although I have to admit, I looked at several vehicles today, mainly from two manufactures, one of which I spent a whole 30 seconds inside before closing the door and walking away (Benimar) the second took me three minutes (Elddis).
 
I have a feeling I’m in for the long haul for my sole mate, but I’m in no rush.
 
   
Brian