Hello to all owners of older Autosleeper

Just read the rules of posting a classified ad and realised that I might actually have to be a little bit more proactive on the members forum before listing our Autosleeper for sale.

We came from NZ in July and after looking at many different types of camper - we decided the 4 berth Autosleeper Talisman, 1999 was just the job for us.

We have spent the last 4 months driving it around Europe and are exceptionally impressed with the camper. Nothing fell off it - it was exceptionally comfortable - we love the double glazed windows that opened out fully (although this was our downfall as we also broke one), the fly screens were a life saver.

It was a bit hot in Greece in the fully insulated camper to be fair and we found a good campsite with LOTS of shade.

We didn't see a single old Autosleeper in Europe, but there are lots here in the UK and very friendly.

The Autosleeper factory in Willesbey was great as well when we picked up the new window, and they quickly fitted it for us at the end of their early finish on a Friday (we got stuck on the M5 on the last workday of the school holidays!

Speaking of which, the traffic in the UK! Horrendous. We thought around Milan was bad, but nothing beats heading down the motorway in the school holidays! At least the truck drivers aren't all texting here and drifting across the lanes (we saw that a lot in Italy) or people using their phones and speeding up and down, drifting, driving badly etc, which was a problem in every country we went to.

Anyway, it was a blast- we felt we made the right choice but are a bit worried now about selling it before we leave for NZ. If it's going to be difficult we might be asking members on the site about good places to park it up over winter and come back next Spring to sell it when the market's a bit better.

Tata for now
Steph

Hi Steph
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

from Warrington.   Glad you are enjoying your Talisman

welcome
 

there may be more traffic in the UK but there are at least open petrol stations   (after driving from Aukland to Gisbourne to see my son, arriving on fumes to be greeted by his step father saying "we have a saying here - don't drive past an open filling station").

As for buying/selling. Although a camper is traditionally expected to sell easier in the spring - when everybody starts thinking of summer holidays - I don't think it is a major factor. As good well priced van will sell at any time and a bad badly priced van won't sell at any time. However I won't discourage you from returning next year and seeing more of Europe.

Many camp sites have winter storage for caravans so check if your local campsites can do that for you.

If you are thinking of returning to do more touring, either UK or Europe, I would hold on to your Talisman and store it, as you'll find it hard to find another. They hold their value really well, so waiting another year won't make much difference.

Thanks for your nice words - we have finally got the advert up on ebay - they made it really difficult - and have had some response.

Yes, diesel is more here - although we pay diesel miles at home - but correct about the petrol stations. At home we have a Chevy silverado and demountable (with V8 my husband put in), it eats petrol and we have to do a thing where if the petrol station is closed on our way to the West coast from where we are on the East coast of the South Island we have to stay the night at the local campsite until it's open the next morning and fill up as we can't get to the West coast and back otherwise. We also fill some containers with Petrol just in case as it just makes it on a tank there and back.

Now I'm writing that - it sounds like NZ is really remote which it probably is! We're just cautious - there's a petrol station at Arthur's pass but can't be relied upon.

Steph

Hi Steph, we get lots of admiring glances when we drive down to Greece in our auto sleeper here are not many out in Europe we did not see another one until we got back tot he UK either. Glad you had lots of fun and hope you find a buyer.