Hi from New Zealand - Peugeot 4wd

Hi from New Zealand.

I have owned our Auto-Sleeper for 6 and a half years, and loved every minute.
It is a 1996 Peugeot Boxer, Dangel 4wd equipped, 2-Litre EFi, 5-speed, Auto-Sleeper Executive model.

Its history is a little confusing - 
The cab-chassis was built in the Fiat Factory in Italy for Peugeot (as far as I can make out), then had the Dangel 4x4 system installed in France.
Then sent to the UK for the Auto-Sleeper Executive body to be fitted.
Then sent to Japan, and sold there NEW.  Whew!
It was imported into New Zealand in March 2008, and I bought it from the importer, with 32,000 miles on the odometer.

It has now completed 46,000 miles, and still has the original upholstery and crockery, all in excellent condition.

Since purchase, I have added a flexi solar panel (super yacht design) which sticks to the roof with minimal wind drag (4mm thick), and no chance of leaves and debris getting caught underneath. This keeps our 2 x 130 Amp Hour house batteries topped up. Also added was a Winegard satellite dish and a 19" LED/LCD TV/DVD with Freeview built-in, so we can keep up with the news and weather while on our travels.  With this setup, we never need to plug-in to 230v, so can freedom camp for months at a time.

The only other thing I have added is a set of 16" alloy wheels and load-rated tyres, so it handles really well on road as well as off-road.  I don't go "bush-bashing", but it's very satisfying knowing that you can push a button on the dash to get out of a sticky situation if needed.  There are quite a number of 4wd roads in NZ for exploring, and getting away from the normal happy campers if so desired.

I would be interested to know if there are any other 4wd Auto-Sleepers out there.   Were any made for the UK market?

I know of at least 2 other early Auto-Sleepers in NZ (pre 2000, large window models), but neither is 4wd. I have also seen a Transit with a slightly larger body (same design and windows).

I'm pleased I found this forum - I'm sure I'll find lots of handy hints, and possibly more history on my Peugeot.

Regards from down under.
Den

I am aware that AS produced 4 x 4wd Talbot based Executive/Talisman vans one of which was still knocking around up to a couple of years ago,havnt seen it recently.  It doesn't surprise me when you say your Boxer/Ducato model is 4wd as they may have done the same sort of run on the later chassis.

Welcome from N.E Wales      sounds like a fascinating bit of kit you have there.

Hi Den, welcome to the forum

Frank

And a hearty welcome from (Old) South Wales  ...Maybe the 
"Transit with a slightly larger body (same design and windows)" is a Legend like ours?

Hi Den
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

Hi Den

Welcome from another Auckland Peugeot owner.


Keith

Hi Den and a big welcome to the forum  Your mh sounds great, I am in to Landrovers for Overlanding and wild camping. Went to italian Alps this year and met a four wheel drive Mercedes Sprinter conversion and thought what a wonderful way to travel. Just a bit more comfortable than the roof tent on my 21 year old Defender ha ha. Look fwd'd to hearing  of your adventures.
All the best John

Sounds great - we'd a 4WD Toyota Hiace camper (popular in NZ I'm told) great bit of kit when you want to get away from the crowd

Thanks everyone for the welcomes.  It looks like you have a lot of AS mohomes in the UK.

We'd be very tempted to buy a new one there if we could get a 4wd one - travel a little and then bring it home with us.  Evidently Dangel only adds the 4wd system to new vehicles (something to do with warranty) - otherwise would have liked to get a near new AS less than 6.5m and have the 4wd fitted.

Why do we insist on 4wd?  We do a lot of trout fishing in quite remote places here, and it is certainly reassuring to know that when driving on to a riverside or lakeside, we can engage 4wd and drive out without any problems, after staying a couple of nights in absolutely blissful surroundings.  It is also possible to drive confidently down narrow gravel roads (tracks) and know you can get back out.  (No stuck moments yet!)

We have just completed driving down every road that goes to the coast around the whole of the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and many of them are just 4wd tracks.

Thanks again - what a great family with similar ideals.

Hello & welcome from S/Yorks. 

Hi there,

Welcome from a dull and damp Skegness; where we live in hope!      

Best regards,