Auto sleeper fairford

When it comes to taking grandkids, I think it's a pity they dropped the Windrush..

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We took the grandkids in our Fairford once, it can be difficult getting two children’s seats on to the rear travelling seats, if I did it again I would pull out the seat base section to make the seat wider. Kids don’t need a full sized double so leave the extra cushions and don’t make the bed wider, just make a narrow double. Again nothing specific to report re problems.If you ask to see the reg document, you could get the previous owners details and ask them why they sold it.

Hi Karlburn, I made the same assumption , but our A/s panel van suffered serious damp due to the factory botching the sealing on the only place rain could enter ie the holes they cut in the roof!!

Karlburn wrote:Thanks all, I have done my homework and it is the only layout that will work for us and grandchildren, I have had many problems with damp in coachbuilds and caravans so a panel van it must be, I’m getting a bit of a wobble regarding the money but I’ve done package holidays to death so it’s time for some new adventures

Lor fal posted this......"As to the 2 living areas......it’s great! It suits us....though might not suit others. It just works for us and if you don’t use the front bed, don’t take the cushions , it gives a good amount of storage."


if you are taking grandchildren (and it's not clear how often this might be) you will be using the front bed, you will be taking the cushions and you will be taking two lots of bedding/pillows....so you will be using up some (or all) of the storage just for beds...


onviously, as above, when used for a couple, this is not an issue, but a four berth van should 'work' too, when all four berths are used...
 
perhaps have a visualise as to where all the extra cushions/bedding will fit (along with their extra clothes/shoes/coats/boots etc and, of course, any car seats.....


storage can be an issue in vans with smaller footprints and this is the time to get this straight in your mind.


as you say, it's a lot of cash and it needs to work in the way you want it to, which might not be the same as for other users.


good luck.

Paulmold wrote:When it comes to taking grandkids, I think it's a pity they dropped the Windrush..

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Paul, a great design with the rear bunks....however, there are other panel vans on the market (though, as you say, not AS) that provide one above the other kids bunks and a four seater lounge with belts.....these will be continental vans so perhaps not of interest but might be (as with the Windrush) well suited to the requirements.

Yes indeed.

As a number of members have intimated (and to put it in a nutshell) the habitation area is by far the most vital aspect, and you should make every effort to get it right first time.

You will be living there . . . possibly for quite long periods, probably during long dark evenings, and certainly during periods of foul weather. That's when things you didn't take much notice of at the dealer's, or during a lovely sunny holiday, can really get on your wick. Specially if the grandkids get a bit fractious!!

The engine part just gets you there, and within reason it matters little which base vehicle is used - from that aspect at least. People who change their new vans after a short and devastatingly expensive period, do so because they can't live in it. Rarely because they don't like driving it.

Hope this helps your focus.

We carry our awning and all it’s kit, bits and bobs etc in rear storage area. If you aren’t carrying an awning...... there should be ample space  for storing infill cushions either there or under front seat storage area or above cab, still leaving plenty overhead lockers for clothes etc. If you are not fussed about hanging clothes (neatly rolled or folded in lockers is no probs) then there is even more storage to be had in the wardrobe. If grandkids are young .......the single bed is a big bed lol it will easy accomodate 2 small kids, even topped and tailed which always used to be fun as kids lol. This being the case you wouldn’t need all the cushions with you.

Look forward to here how you get on.
I still believe it’s a good choice, good luck!

Sorry Karl, just noticed you are looking for a driveaway on another thread......this will take up space for sure, but it’s as easy to travel with it between the rear seats. If you get an air awning, don’t forget the pump.....it’s an awkward shape to store, we keep ours in the box as it’s easier to pack and will protect the bits on it

Karlburn wrote:Going to view and hopefully buy a fairford on Saturday, so to all the owners is there anything horrible I need to look out for?

Did you buy it?

Think we are all waiting with anticipation lol

Yes I’ve got it!
Very happy with it, my only minor gripe is the head unit, mine is a sept 2016 model so it doesn’t have Sat Nav and it displays in orange (silly thing but it disapoints me) what head unit/ sat navs have the latest ones got.
When we are are away with the grandkids I feel nthat a drive away awning is a must so any recommendations on awnings and head units greatly received
Thanks karl

Congrats! Happy travels

Karlburn wrote:
it doesn’t have Sat Nav and it displays in orange (silly thing but it disapoints me)  what head unit/ sat navs have the latest ones got.

My 2017 van has a Garmin 660 Satnav (seperate not a built-in Peugeot) and the Head Unit display is orange too (from memory). I believe this years vans are similarly equipped. Also 2016 models.
The Garmin satnav doubles as monitor for the reversing camera.

I may be wrong.....but I was under the impression that AS DIDNT  use built in Peugeot sat nav, but instead supplied the garmin sat nav as extra? It’s a far superior model to a standard car sat nav. It’s a caravan and camping one, and a great little bit of kit!  As mentioned it doubles as reversing camera.

Again.....I might be very wrong, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the previous owner kept the garmin that it came with.

There is a thread on the forum debating the different types of sat nav

we wanted and bought a Kingham, we looked at a few used ones but they all had faults or damaged in someway. In the end we bought new, we should have shopped round a bit more but overall happy with our decision.

2016 model had no sat nav

When I bought my Berkshire the HPI check showed finance I rang the finance company and they told me it is common for dealers to have loans on vehicles, I rang the dealer and they explained the same he told once l go and pay the balance they would do in front of me a new HPI check which they did and it showed no finance on the HM

Toffee wrote:2016 model had no sat nav

The Garmin Satnav was added to the catalogue in October 2016 as part of the premium pack. I have no idea if any van has ever left the AS factory without the premium pack but I have been told more than once that all the vans have the premium pack (Cab AC etc).

It’s possible that the van in question is like ours and manufactured before the sat nav was added to the build spec and Therefore was sold without the sat nav. We have the infamous Veba reversing camera. Our Fairford was possible manufactured in 2015 despite being first registered in May 2016.

Toffee wrote:It’s possible that the van in question is like ours and manufactured before the sat nav was added to the build spec and Therefore was sold without the sat nav. We have the infamous Veba reversing camera. Our Fairford was possible manufactured in 2015 despite being first registered in May 2016.

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, mine was registered sept 2016, it does have the Veba camera  are there known issues with it?

Hi what's the u shaped bracket for?[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

When travelling your are recommended to slide the table up towards the back of the drivers seat, and it engages into the bracket

Thanks Toffee that makes sense

And my next question!
I've just found this bag inside a bedbox it contains two white poles, is this standard issue? If so what for?

Thanks karl