Auto-Sleeper Cotswold

Hi we are looking to buy the said model year 2011, any negative points we should look out for. also does anyone have any idea of fuel consumption figures

Hi Gordonmh

We own a 2011 Cotswold, and we absolutely love it. Love the end bathroom and the space, only negative we found was the step, we just don't like using it, we find the steps on all motorhomes a bit narrow. We take a caravan step instead. Fuel consumption is around 33 miles to the gallon, but we never go above 60 on the motorway.

Hope this helps

Pete & Pauline

Just be aware the weighing in at over 3500kg invokes many additional vehicle usage regulations in the UK and Europe and that you will need to pass a medical before your licence is renewed at 70.

Peter

Peter Brown wrote:Just be aware the weighing in at over 3500kg invokes many additional vehicle usage regulations in the UK and Europe and that you will need to pass a medical before your licence is renewed at 70.

Peter

Not 'that' many Peter. 

OK can fill a page with bits and bobs and yes the dreaded 70 is a pain as well as some breakdown co's won't recover over 3.5t but other than that I have not found it has caused me any issues.

I'm into my 7th year with vans over 3500kg and was of a mind "well they don't really mean that restriction to apply to camper vans" till I was fined for not having a Gobox in Austria this year and then realised that my weight meant lower speed limits apply in the UK and elsewhere.

I'm happy with what I have (and also think the Cotswold is a superb van) but am aware of the constraints that come with higher weight and think it reasonable to remind others of them.

Peter

Peter Brown wrote:I was fined for not having a Gobox in Austria

Ok Peter, I'll ask (because Google tells me that "GoBox is a reusable container system for to go food in downtown Portland, Oregon for food carts"): what's a Gobox?

http://www.asfinag.at/en/maut/maut-fuer-lkw-und-bus

There you go.

Peter

Sorry Peter, wasn't criticising your comment re over 3.5 tonne restrictions and agree they need pointing out, I was just trying to give a perspective showing they are not 'too' restrictive. 
Do agree that research needs carrying out so when you have one you know what the restrictions are 

I cannot understand why the over 3500kg vans pay just over half the road tax of a 3500kg van.
Also, my 3500kg van was flashed by the upper camera on a French speed cam a few weeks ago as I descended a hill at about 65km/hour. The limit for 3500 was 70 but only 50 for over 3500kg. Presumably they will do an online check with DVLA.

Oh, yes. Forgot that advantage  Half the road tax 

We have had our 2011 Cotswold for about 18 months, we absolutely love it, to date there have been no real problems, I would definitely recommend this model.