MMM – September 2019

158 outandaboutlive.co.ukSeptember 2019

FURTHER READING

We did a brief review of the petrol version

of thisTrophy in De cember 1993, or you

could go online to read reviews of 35

high-top campers with end washrooms

motorhome.ma/reviews

is usedforsun blockingin summer

and frost protectionduringwinter

months; easy tostore andfit, it’s been

a greataddition tothe kit onboard.

Havingdrivenmanymiles through

Franceonourfirst trip, we alsoadded

somesimple winddeflectors onthe

front driverandpassenger windows.

These cut downbuffetingverywell

andmakewindows downtravelling

muchmore pleasurable.

Onceprobably seenasa luxury,

there is alsoa TVaerial andbooster

fitted;however, at somestage, this

willberemoved asnew technology

has replaced the needfor aTV, and

iPads and phonesareusedforkeeping

upwith the news, etc,savingonthe

bulkof a TV(whowants to watchTV

anyway, whenyou can watch the sea?).

IN SUMMARY

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourfirst

real forayinto campervanlife sofar

(I did briefly have aCF Dormobile

yearsago, but that’s another story).

Ken has delivered on allcounts and

we’re looking forward tomanymore

adventurestocome.

CH-CH-CHANGES

A non-apologetic nod tothe genius

of David Bowie. So, what have we

changed andadded, andwhat else

may we?

Ye t tobe tested is a useddriveaway

awning bought late last yearwith

the intentionof providingsleeping

accommodationand alittle more

livingspaceonlonger stays i n warmer

weather. We’re looking forwardto

spring totest this out.

Ta lkingof music, the campervan

camefittedwithanold CDplayer,

pretty muchasstandardwithfront

dash-mountedspeakers. Whilst

I contemplatedan upgradeand

additionalspeakers, the space inthe

dashhasbeenreplaced withcup

holders and asmall rechargeable

Bluetoothspeaker providesexcellent

soundsin the front orrearwith

greatflexibility.

Oneadditionthat weare

consideringis a roof vent fan unit.

Althoughpriced at around £300,these

seem to bea goodoptionforhelping

circulate the air throughthe ’van,

especially whenin warmer climates.

A frontwrap-around screen shade

Ken, on a trip to Hayling Island

PRICE

Price new today:No similar model in

Auto-Sleepers’2019 range

Price ofsimilar aged ’van today:£10,000

to £14,000

BASICS

Berths:2+2

Travel seats: 4

Length of owership:18 months

Annual mileage:6,000

DIMENSIONS

Length:5.18m (17ft 0in)

Width:2.18m (7ft 2in)

Height:2.85m (9ft 4in)

Gross vehicleweight:2,89 5kg

Payload:605kg

BASE VEHICLE

Type:VW T4Kombi

Engine:2.4-litre diesel

Fuel economy:Untested but seems to be

very good onfuel

BEDS

Main lounge double:1.88m x1.49m

(6ft 2in x 4ft10½i n)

RUNNING COSTS

Base vehicle service cost:£105

MoT and oil change

Insurance:£390 inc breakdown insurance

Habitation service:£150

Road tax:£22.31 per month

OPTIONS

Accessories added:Dash fans, driveaway

awning, graphics upgrades, front window

deflectors, clear front indicators

WHAT WENTWRONG

Mains charger stopped working: waiting on

new unit.Water heat tank splitin sn ap cold

conditions – on the liststill. Ignition barre l

replaced. Cracked pipe on intake to toilet

flush – replaced pipe and clip, all working.

Horn decided to work on its own – fixed at

time

FACTS AND FIGURES

Tell other readers what you love about your ’van and what

you would like to change motorhome.ma/ownersreport

REVIEWYOUR MOTORHOME

TESTED 1994 Auto-SleeperTrophy