Hello from an AS First Timer

by Epicurus Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:12 am

Hi everyone.

I'm awaiting delivery of a new Fairford Plus on the Fiat chassis with the 9 speed auto.

This will be not only my first Auto Sleeper but also my first ever camparvan/motorhome! I'm very excited, sufficiently so that I have already browsed through 100 pages of the campervan forum here...

I'm a little concerned to read some of the horror stories and talk of a drop in quality compared to older models, but from looking round the vehicles at the dealer and seeing my new van waiting for me I think it looks great.

Why did I choose an Auto Sleeper? Well originally I had my heart set on the new VW Grand California, but it's had a horrible and messy launch in the UK. It's only sold through VW Commercial dealers and my two most local VW commercial dealers have been absolutely dreadful. So dreadful it put me off! Although AS is not a make I had considered, I have a dealer effectively on my doorstep and I was impressed when looking around. I settled on the Fairford Plus because I wanted both a long wheelbase and the potential to carry larger loads in the rear. It doesn't look like anyone owns one on this forum yet, so I'll post some comments when I take delivery.

by MelB Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:27 am

Hello and welcome to the forum from S.Yorkshire. Looking forward to your comments when you take delivery of the Fairford Plus.

by Gromit Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:41 am

Hi and welcome.

Autosleepers are not perfect, but neither are any others, even the mega-expensive models. The drop in quality you mention applies to just about every make of van.

They are better than most however, so unless you are very unlucky all will be well.

Be realistic and don't necessarily expect 100% perfection! They are made up of loads of individual items assembled inside the box by people, not robots, and each item has the potential to fail, specially after driving over a few hundred miles of potholes!! Messrs A/S are pretty good at putting things right if/when they do go wrong.

I'm sure you will love every minute of it.

Dave

by Liam Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:02 am

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new van - as Dave says, nothing man made is perfect, but everything is fixable!

Keep us posted on your impressions of the new auto box and I for one would be particularly interested in your experience in obtaining the Fiat extended warranty.

by mikethebike Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:07 pm

Micky

by Epicurus Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:27 pm

Thanks guys, and I'm particularly grateful to this forum for getting me in the right frame of mind prior to delivery. I'm excited about the van, but fully prepared for teething problems!