Bourton 2020 checks at handover

Hello, we are slowly moving up the ranks. Motorbike and two man tent. Frame tent, trailor tent,folding camper, two caravans and now in two weeks time a 2020 Auto Sleeper Bourton. Except the two man tent there have always been a few issues especially the last caravan which was like a paddling pool after a days rain! 
So, your experience please. What should I check on my new auto sleeper before I drive off?
Thank in advance
Widget

Make sure the solar is working, if it’s sunny. Mine (still) isn’t! Once they have your money, you may find getting workshop time to look at anything becomes a little bit harder because this has been a bit of a crazy couple of months for most dealers I suspect.

Will do. Thanks.

Good luck with the Bourton. We are taking delivery of a new Bourton in August so will be interested to see how you get on.

Hi, I will let you know. We collect ours on the 10th of June and head down to Cornwall for week. lots of tech in these vehicles so a little nervous..

Pre-delivery check list here....

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t3632-pre-delivery-check-list

Many dealers were providing detailed video handovers during the Covid restrictions which are quite useful for reference later on, it is difficult to absorb everything that they tell you at the time. Even if you don't have one of these for your own specific MH there are many of these videos available on youtube.
Also, owners manuals for both the base vehicle and the conversion are not always provided, and even when they are it appears from other recent new owners that they are out of date! So might be a good idea to check that out.
EHU cable and any necessary external water pump systems (Whale) should be included with the sale as standard equipment.
Hopefully all will be well, and best wishes for happy times ahead.

Once you have got it home then if you are able to I recommend spending a night or two sleeping and eating in the new van on your drive. That way you can familiarise yourself with all the controls and be sure they are working OK, also that you have everything you need onboard. 

Better to do this near enough to home to pop indoors and fetch anything missing plus in the case of any major problem/s your own beds are nearby!

Hi
 yes make sure the Dealer gives you all the little extra's Electric hook up cable at least 50mtrs both types of water connector hose if you have a whale system, fire extinguisher in date smoke alarm CO alarm all with batteries make sure you have plate racks, cup racks , cutlery trays you could ask for a few extra's awning ground sheet, leveling blocks the list is endless
regards 
Alan

Widget wrote:Hello, we are slowly moving up the ranks. Motorbike and two man tent. Frame tent, trailor tent,folding camper, two caravans and now in two weeks time a 2020 Auto Sleeper Bourton. Except the two man tent there have always been a few issues especially the last caravan which was like a paddling pool after a days rain! 
So, your experience please. What should I check on my new auto sleeper before I drive off?
Thank in advance
Widget

Hi
Welcome to the forum from Bridington,you will love your new van,good luck. 
Boaby

gemdeco wrote:Hi
 yes make sure the Dealer gives you all the little extra's Electric hook up cable at least 50mtrs both types of water connector hose if you have a whale system, fire extinguisher in date smoke alarm CO alarm all with batteries make sure you have plate racks, cup racks , cutlery trays you could ask for a few extra's awning ground sheet, leveling blocks the list is endless
regards 
Alan

Standard hook up cable 25mtrs.

Hi Paul
    my mistake I stand corrected
regards
Alan

Wonderful. Many thanks for all your suggestions and gratefully received.

Widget wrote:Hi, I will let you know. We collect ours on the 10th of June and head down to Cornwall for week. lots of tech in these vehicles so a little nervous..

Will be looking out for you and around if you need any help. Exciting to get a new van so good luck with that.

One piece of unrelated advice avoid Carbis Bay, St Ives or Falmouth because of the G7 also Watergate Bay area as the airport (NQY) will be crawling with security and many roads will be shut. If you really want to go to Falmouth let me know and I will tell you the best way to get in without having to park there.

Thank you, appreciate the heads up. Might just stay at the site and stare lovingly at our new purchase....

Check everything, I thought I did but there are issues that I am having that basically take the shine out of owning something that you have waited 7 years for.

Thanks Wilksy
I can sympathise as we had this with our last dream caravan. Leaked like a seive. Never had confidence in it and every time we picked it up we nervously checked the storage area under the bed for water. You would expect the dealer to check every thing. Radios, water systems, gas, electrics, joints, seals ect. I hope it all comes together for you soon.

Hope you have better luck with your Bourton.
Driving ours new in 2019 from dealer found lots of other drivers blowing their horns, gesticulating a & shouting at us.  
Stopped several times found nothing wrong so mystified? 
Later at storage place discovered that the rear indicators were cross wired front indicators showing correct way rear indicators showing opposite. Seems funny but could have caused an accident.
But Willersley quickly fixed this.

Since then we have had numerous problems with the console we have had software changes & replacement consoles 4 times now. Its now been in Willersley for the last 3 days having the fuse control boxed checked/replaced because of no water pump and possible burning. Also now fitting cab blinds.

We have also had to drive to the Mercedes main dealer on 2 occasions for vehicle recall repairs.
The vehicle travelled just about 2000 miles now and I think nearly 1/2 of that is taking it in for repairs.

However when it 'works' we are very pleased with our latest model & we find Willersley Service to be excellent.

The only camping item we have had faultless from day one, was the two man tent and trailer tent. Both caravans and folding camper have had issues. There really is something missing with quality control in some of these companies.
But, we trust again and here we go.
I will add that indicator issue to our list....
Good luck and I hope you have more, working well, good times.

good luck with your Bourton and enjoy!!
Record the handover with your phone (my other half did it)  as so much going on and with the added excitment and nervousnessis its suprising what you forget take your time dont let the  dealer rush you 

are you getting it loacal? that always helps if you do have any problems

phil

On the way home, BEFORE you fill it with all the non essentials (!) take it via a weighbridge and get it weighed, best possible opportunity. Record the exact conditions, driver only 3/4 or full fuel whatever water you think it has, you'll know if you drain it first etc.

There is no better opportunity than new van on way home.

Hi Ian, thanks for the advice. At the risk of sounding Stupid Why would I do that? Whats your thinking? Isn't the weight the weight in the brochure?
First motorhome and eager to learn, thanks.

Widget wrote:Hi Ian, thanks for the advice. At the risk of sounding Stupid Why would I do that? Whats your thinking? Isn't the weight the weight in the brochure?
First motorhome and eager to learn, thanks.

Agree that sounds a bit odd. No doubt IanH will explain. Delivered weight may be different to the brochure but it’s not clear to me what you would do about it. What is definitely important is to weigh it fully loaded with full fuel, full water, passenger and fully stocked ready to go. Apart from checking that you haven’t exceeded the allowable maximum 3500kg, the weight on each axle will allow you to set the tyre pressures properly.
If you have a public weighbridge nearby they will usually write the weights down on a piece of paper. If you want the official print-out there is a charge.

The converters do not weigh every vehicles and  there will be a slight difference from what is recorded for your payload,

 I was not bothered about the empty weight only my touring weight ,so I loaded as though going for a 4 week trip with everything onboard full everything except waste water ,me and the wife and was 20kg over the max weight permitted at 3500kg ,glad I had been plated to 4500kg had nearly an extra 1000kg to play with

Thanks again all. 
I have since done a little research and for sure weight and tyre pressures are big topics. If I can find a weighbridge on the way back from collection I will. Then again when we head off on our first adventure.