review of the Autosleeper Trophy

Hi All. As you have seen from my video, I'm the proud owner of a 1996 Autosleeper Trophy. I was wondering if anyone on this forum would know how many of these unusual conversions were made?

Hi John - I don't recall A/S ever publishing total numbers built of each model, though they might tell you if you ask them? I can't remember if the van's build number (typically recorded in the glove box) is model-specific, but I don't ~think~ it is.

I doubt that they were made in big numbers, as they must have been complex and labour-intensive to make.

It's a shame that A/S eventually abandoned all of their VW-based models, but they seemed to want to move their range "upmarket" in terms of size.

If I every go back to owning another high-top van, as opposed to the pop-top I have now, I would be looking to own a Trophy or its successor, the Topaz.

[P.s. did you ever own a Pilgrim, by any chance?]

Hi John.
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your review in the Trophy.
Thank you.

It would be great if other owners could do a similar thing.

A very useful resource indeed.

Thanks Howie. 
I intend doing another couple of reviews (not as long!) one on the driving experience and one showing Betsy set up and in use on camp (Bed with bedding and the issues of storing a quilt, Cooking facilities and counter space, emptying and filling the tanks etc)
And I already have several repair and upgrade videos on my channel for anyone who is interested and these will obviously grow over time

Roopert wrote:Hi John - I don't recall A/S ever publishing total numbers built of each model, though they might tell you if you ask them? I can't remember if the van's build number (typically recorded in the glove box) is model-specific, but I don't ~think~ it is.

I doubt that they were made in big numbers, as they must have been complex and labour-intensive to make.

It's a shame that A/S eventually abandoned all of their VW-based models, but they seemed to want to move their range "upmarket" in terms of size.

If I every go back to owning another high-top van, as opposed to the pop-top I have now, I would be looking to own a Trophy or its successor, the Topaz.

[P.s. did you ever own a Pilgrim, by any chance?]

Hi Roopert.
I will message them and see if they have any build numbers. Also wonder if they made any money when they sold them. The effort involved for the size of the than is totally disproportionate.
And yes I owned a total of 4 Pilgrims but the last one I had was over 14 years Ago!
I take it we know each other from a previous Kit car life?

John Dee wrote:And yes I owned a total of 4 Pilgrims but the last one I had was over 14 years Ago!
I take it we know each other from a previous Kit car life?

John - sort of. My late Dad owned/built an FT (with some help from me) and I recall he got advice on part of that build from you. Small world, eh? I should add that I ended up driving the FT more than he ever did!

The Trophy was built on the short wheel base VW t4 only built for a very short time so not many made, I believe two - three years,
To get the shower compartment, a pod was added on the the chassis to extend it , so shower bit is an extension and not on the original chassis.

As soon as VW released the LWB VW T4 AS used that base and called it Topaz.hemce no need to extend the chassis as it all in one piece.This was made for many years. The Topax I had a 2002 to start with my first MH was £ 57,000 when new, much more expensive than bigger vans, then the VW base was expencive, that is why AS stopped using them, although they will go on for ever if looked after.

Couple of points Re the Trophy:
Once you've made up the rather complicated bed, you have to clamber over it to get in and out of the van...no other way in!
 I quite like a beer or three when camping, so it's either make the bed early, and then clamber over it to get another beer out of the fridge, or make the bed just before getting in it...easier said than done after a number of refreshments!
The on board water tank is too small...one quick shower and it's empty. If the other half is still in bed you can't move the van to fill it up until the beds been dismantled.

No need to move the van, use a watering can to fill fresh water tank, can always carry the water in a closed container for when needed.I always carry two 5 litre water containers fro drinking water anyway.in an emergency could use those.

The Bobdogs wrote:Couple of points Re the Trophy:
Once you've made up the rather complicated bed, you have to clamber over it to get in and out of the van...no other way in!
 I quite like a beer or three when camping, so it's either make the bed early, and then clamber over it to get another beer out of the fridge, or make the bed just before getting in it...easier said than done after a number of refreshments!
The on board water tank is too small...one quick shower and it's empty. If the other half is still in bed you can't move the van to fill it up until the beds been dismantled.

Hi thanks for watching. Yes I think you have hit the nail on the head re the Drawback on the trophy's bed
I dont have an issue with the tank size but like some of the other respondents i tend to have a drinking water container as well so maybe thats just enough to make the onboard tank sufficient?

daisy mae wrote:The Trophy was built on the short wheel base VW t4 only built for a very short time so not many made, I believe two - three years,
To get the shower compartment, a pod was added on the the chassis to extend it , so shower bit is an extension and not on the original chassis.

As soon as VW released the LWB VW T4 AS used that base and called it Topaz.hemce no need to extend the chassis as it all in one piece.This was made for many years. The Topax I had a 2002 to start with my first MH was  £ 57,000 when new, much more expensive than bigger vans, then the VW base was expencive, that is why AS stopped using them, although they will go on for ever if looked after.

Hi Daisy Mae. I have made enquiries re trophy build numbers direct with Autosleeper and will share anything i learn

I have a Trophy and get your derogatory point re the water tank capacity and the full-cabin-filling of the made up double bed, but aren't these 'drawbacks' shared by the Topaz and the Duetto. I lost thousands on a Duetto, which had a bodged up rust bucket of a Ford Chassis, so the VW chassis on the Trophy makes up for any 'drawbacks'. On the Topaz; yes you have the second exit via the back door bit if some one is  having a shower or using the toilet then you have a problem.

Hi John,

As you know I own a late model over cabin pull out bed, electric windows, Trophy, and I want to add bleep, bleep, bleeeee, parking aids to the front bumper. Your video re, taking the bumper off is a great help, but have you any knowledge of the best way to cable between the bumper/engine side and the cabin. I see a couple of very tight gromits but nothing else. I would rather not go underneath, road-side. I have installed a duo reversing camera/ rear view camera, so am OK with electrics.

Regards and thanks for your videos

ooh good question Leonardo 1776.
I've not looked into it but my instinct would be to look at the area where the interior air filter is mounted and see if there is an obvious plastic mounting plate that can be used to put a hole and a grommet through. This would come out behind the glove box which is easy to remove allowing good access for wiring.

I will look next time I get chance

John Dee wrote:ooh good question Leonardo 1776.
I've not looked into it but my instinct would be to look at the area where the interior air filter is mounted and see if there is an obvious plastic mounting plate that can be used to put a hole and a grommet through. This would come out behind the glove box which is easy to remove allowing good access for wiring.

I will look next time I get chance

Hi John,

Can't thank you enough for your videos on the Trophy and your prompt reply - I will look into your suggestion. I am an 80 year old recent widower and this lockdown has made me desparate to get out and discover the world in my Trophy. Did I mention that the Trophy is a rare Petrol Electronic Automatic and it has an air-conditioning fan in the roof. I have some photos. BTW, I have had the glove box off - it hides a load of electrics, some factory and a lot added by the Japanese gent who used the Trophy in Japan for (it is rumoured) some dodgy surveillance - he added steel brackets each side of the cabin roof to hold equipment.
P.s. I added some pix, but they are no-where to be seen?????

I would have loved an Auto!
Hope we can find the photo's wherever they are stuck in the internet

Hi John Dee
I have a 1994 petrol engine 2.5 ltr Trophy I have to say that yours looks much cleaner than mine as it has been standing on the drive for quite some time 
mike 
vwt4

john dee 
how do I access your other videos please
mike 
vw t4

vwt4 wrote:john dee 
how do I access your other videos please
mike 
vw t4

HI,

John's playlist on his T4, which just happens to the base vehicle of the AutoSleeper Trophy Conversion, are the best vids on the Trophy tou will find: They start at:

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

John Dee wrote:I would have loved an Auto!
Hope we can find the photo's wherever they are stuck in the internet

Ill try uploading one pix at a time, in case there is a limit on bandwidth. This should be the TV DVD etc on the cabin roof:How did you upload your video?
Go to: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
For Over cabin bed, Go to:        [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
For Air Conditioner Fan, Go to:      [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Wow that's a serious ceiling fan.looks like you have got yourself a really interesting variant.
I have a friend who has a t4 Autosleeper 'talent' which was imported from Japan and includes some really unusual features such as ceiling-mounted airbags in the cab!
I hope to do a video comparison between the TALENT and the TROPHY quite soon.

leonardo1776 wrote:

vwt4 wrote:john dee 
how do I access your other videos please
mike 
vw t4

HI,

John's playlist on his T4, which just happens to the base vehicle of the AutoSleeper Trophy Conversion, are the best vids on the Trophy tou will find: They start at:

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

Thank you very much leonardo1776

John Dee wrote:Wow that's a serious ceiling fan.looks like you have got yourself a really interesting variant.
I have a friend who has a t4 Autosleeper 'talent' which was imported from Japan and includes some really unusual features such as ceiling-mounted airbags in the cab!
I hope to do a video comparison between the TALENT and the TROPHY quite soon.

I forget to mention that our Japanese friend didn't like the cream colour of the fibre glass, and has sheathed the outside in white plastic. A step too far I think.

leonardo1776 wrote:
For Air Conditioner Fan, Go to:      [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Leonardo - the ceiling fan is actually (I believe) an Omnivent - probably made by Dometic at that time, now made by Thule?

They are very good - I had one installed from the factory on my Flair. They move a huge amount of air, but be warned - if you accidentally switch from forward to reverse while it's running it will probably blow the fuse. It's the sort of mistake you only make once (but I did it twice!).