TrailLite`s UK baby

REVIEW
AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
01
traillite’s uk
baby lands
Words ROBYN DALLIMORE Photographs BRUCE MOUNTAIN
W
hen TrailLite
general
manager,
Shaun
Newman,
advised of the arrival date of
its first Auto-Sleeper Burford
motorhome, I checked the diary
and saw we would be in Ham-
model motorhome, and directed
Bruce to a local viewing spot
looking out over Pukekohe,
where we checked through the
vehicle and chatted about the
expansion and diversity plans
for TrailLite.
TrailLite announced in April it
had become the official New
TrailLite announced in April it had become
the official New Zealand distributor for
Auto-Sleepers, UK.
02
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ilton around then, so I booked
in to check out the first of the
range of Auto-Sleeper Coachbuilt motorhomes that TrailLite
has elected to import.
Adam Newman, TrailLite’s operations manager, was excited
to come out with us in the AutoSleeper Coachbuilt Burford
Zealand distributor for AutoSleepers, UK. I think it would
be fair to say it was a surprise
to many that this successful bespoke motorhome manufacturer
of over 50 years would start
importing an overseas brand,
the perceived enemy
for many New Zealand
AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
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01 THE PUKEKOHE TRAILLITE SITE IS REBRANDING TO EVERYTHING RV 02 THE LOWLINE
BURFORD MODEL ATTRACTED ATTENTION AT THE PUKEKOHE HILL LOOKOUT 03 THE MERCEDES SPRINTER BASE CHASSIS AND CAB MAKES FOR A GREAT UNIT 04 SEPARATE FULL
SHOWER IN THE REAR-WIDTH BATHROOM 05 FRENCH BED, GREAT VIEWS OUT THE WINDOW
manufacturers. Perhaps the
association with Southern RV,
as a Bailey caravan agent, was
a signal the business was heading into a retail equal market.
Currently a rebranding of the
Pukekohe TrailLite sales site
and factory is underway. In
addition to manufacturing the
TrailLite brand of motorhomes,
we will see a big expansion
into accessories, as well as the
business taking on distribution of major quality imported
brands, and a new name
‘Everything RV’ for the Pukekohe site. With over 38%
growth in new builds last year
of TrailLite motorhomes, a little
expansion to meet the needs
of the customer is the name
of the game. And as far as RV
vehicle brands go, it will cover
Auto-Sleeper motorhomes,
Bailey caravans from overseas,
locally manufactured Leisureline
caravans, and of course the
bespoke built TrailLite models. I
wonder what’s next?
As it didn’t want to reinvent
the wheel, a list of must-have
considerations was compiled
when it started looking at a
UK motorhome manufacturers and prospective models. It
had to look at how they might
dovetail into areas of existing
relationships, service and warranty arrangements, as well as
drivetrain requirements of rear
wheel drive and chassis style.
Construction methods, habitation door placement, and factory fit-out of gas and electrical
requirements to NZ standards
REVIEW
were of prime concern as well.
The Newman family has built
the TrailLite reputation on quality builds, customer service,
warranty back-up, and great
looks, and it’s aimed to meet
the demands of customers
since 1954. The Auto-Sleeper
Company has similar objectives
and goals, producing what in
European manufacturing terms
is a relatively small number of
motorhomes, at approximately
640 per year. That means it
has the ability to target build
to specific requirements for a
distributor, for example for electrical and gas compliancy. With
the nitty-gritty details sorted with
Auto-Sleeper UK, a selection
of models that will complement
the existing TrailLite range and
layouts was investigated fully.
Six Auto-Sleeper Coachbuilt
motorhomes were selected,
with a range of models and floor
plans on offer that should fulfil
most customer needs. All the
vehicles selected are based
on a Mercedes chassis. The
rear wheel drive aspect of the
chassis was important, as rear
drive is better for traction on
and off our NZ roads, and TrailLite already has an excellent
relationship with Mercedes,
as it is the most popular of the
TrailLite base vehicles. All Mercedes come with a two-year
global warranty, and TrailLite
offers an extension to a threeyear warranty. It is also happy
to cover existing Auto-Sleeper
owners who purchased through
the previous official distributor,
and still have a current NZ
warranty.
THE BASE UNIT
These vehicles are based on an
economical, rear-wheel drive,
single-axle Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter chassis, powered with
a turbo diesel Euro V-compliant
engine. It produces 120kW of
power, plus 360Nm of torque
from a low 1200 to 2400rpm. ›
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REVIEW
AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
Once you’re underway engine
noise is minimal, with excellent
bulkhead and bonnet insulation. As well as alloy wheels the
Sprinter includes a full electrics
package with ESP, adaptive
acceleration skid control, ABS
brakes with EBD ensuring you
feel completely in control of
the vehicle. Add in some more
cool stuff like cruise control,
electrically heated adjustable
door mirrors and a rear fog
light. On the inside, things
like a cab alarm; armrests on
the swivel chairs, stylish and
discrete cab concertina curtains
and central locking are just
some of the specs. You’ve
got to love a Mercedes; you
know you’re driving something
at the upper end of the scale,
that’s for sure. The wood-effect
dashboard fascia is a small part
of the cab, but really adds to
06
06 A LONG UNIT AT 7880MM
the feeling of quality and luxury
in this vehicle. There’s plenty
of door storage, a locking glove
box and overhead map shelf, as
well as the all-important drink
holders to ensure a happy driving experience for all.
THE EXTERIOR BODY BUILD
The full GRP (glass-reinforced
plastic or fibreglass) body, onepiece roof and rear panel exterior offers great scratch, and
impact-resistance properties.
Vehicles come in white or
platinum side-colour options, the windows are plastic
double-glazed, and aluminium
skirts finish the exterior profile.
An underfloor-mounted large
external skirt locker increases
exterior storage, a second hatch
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AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
REVIEW
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07 A SOLID APPEARANCE TO THE REAR-END OF THE BURFORD 08 WELL DISCRETELY FITTED, AND
OPERATED CONCERTINA BLINDS IN THE FRONT CAB FOR PRIVACY 09 NICE HANDLES, ROUNDED
EDGES, FITTED PLATE HOLDERS ALL NICE TOUCHES TO THE FINISH
offers storage space, accessed
under the bed as well as the
outside. The lowline roof is fitted
with a wind-up Seitz SkyView
window and Heki roof-lights –
which looks good from outside
and inside. A few classy extras
include a Thule Omnistor 5m
canopy awning, a full spectrum
reversing camera, an external BBQ and 230-volt mains
socket, and an electric slide-out
entrance step with auto retract
when you start the engine. The
central locking controls both
the cab and the entry doors. All
models come with 160W solar
panels, and 140-litre fresh and
100-litre grey tanks, which suits
our Kiwi needs. TV and satellite
requirements are handled at
this end as well.
You’ve got to love a Mercedes; you know
you’re driving something at the upper end of
the scale, that’s for sure.
THE INTERIOR
The body entry door position
changes from model to model,
as does the size of the bathroom, and the fixtures within it.
The Coachbuilt is the top-ofthe-range option from AutoSleeper and all models boast
a luxurious-looking veneer, described as Amarti covered timber interior finish, with chrome
fixtures and fittings. A choice of
five, Belgium Chenille fabrics
provide luxurious soft furnishing
options, and all the upholstery
uses high quality reflex foam.
Privacy concertina blinds and
fly-screens on all the opening
windows are complemented
with co-ordinated curtains and
cushions. The interior carpets
are removable, with wood effect ›
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AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
10
flooring underneath. There are
plentiful over-cab storage compartments and low lockers, plus
low storage under the bench
seats and the beds. All lighting
is LED, from the spotlights to
the roof lighting.
The kitchens are fitted with a
dual fuel hob with three gas
burners and an electric hot
plate, plus a separate grill and
oven. The 190-litre fridge/freezer units, draining board, and
cutlery drying rack are standard,
as is the melamine crockery
set, a cooler bag, some lovely
crystal glasses in the cocktail
cabinet, and fitted crockery
holders in the overhead kitchen
cupboards.
Curves, warm colours, pleasant textures, great lighting, and
space are all common features.
Heating is ducted to all the living
areas, there are gas monitor
alarms, and a cool LCD control
panel keeps you on top of the
housekeeping elements of
water, battery and waste, plus a
whole lot more.
The first models to arrive, which
we viewed in May, are the AutoSleeper Coachbuilt Burford
and Burford Duo, at 7880mm
long and at the top end of this
market, at $173,000.
The Burford model viewed
offers a separate bedroom mid
rear, with a French side bed,
vanity unit, illuminated mirror,
glass-fronted storage cabinets
REVIEW
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Curves, warm colours, pleasant textures, great
lighting, and space are all common features.
and a wardrobe. The full width
rear bathroom is spacious, with
a large separate tiled shower
unit, an electric flush toilet
system, a lovely hand-basin
and vanity fixtures. The goodsized lounge area behind the
driver cab converts easily to a
long double bed at 2210mm,
compared to the fixed French
double size of 1980mm long.
The Duo model indicates
two single beds fitted in the
bedroom area, with wardrobe
and cupboards above, and the
lounge area converting as with
the Burford.
Other models arriving aim to
met a variety of needs with
models starting from $157,000
at 6445mm long, with seating
converting to beds, compact
kitchen and washroom options.
Another model based on the
10 SWIVEL CAB SEATS EXTEND THIS LIVING AREA TO SEAT AT LEAST 8 11 A QUICK
PULLOUT CONVERTS THE LOUNGE AREA FOR
EXTRA SLEEPING 12 THIS AREA IS THE VANITY,
ILLUMINATED MIRROR AND GLASS-FRONTED
CABINETS IN THE BEDROOM 13 VIEW FROM THE
KITCHEN THROUGH THE BEDROOM ENTRY, SHUT
THE DOOR AND YOU HAVE PRIVACY
Kiwi classic U-shaped lounge
converts to double or single
beds, while others feature a
fixed French style bed or permanent single beds. Bathrooms
range from compact to rear
full-width options.
The kitchens are all very similar
in style and fittings. There is a
pullout bench extension that ›
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REVIEW
AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD
14
TECH SPECS
Model Auto Sleepers Burford two-berth lowline
Base vehicle
Mercedes Sprinter 316
Engine
2.2-litre turbo diesel
Power 120kW/360Nm
Gearbox
Fully automated five-speed
Tare weight
3500kg
GVM weight3880kg
Towing weight2000kg
Chassis Mercedes LWB with aluminium extension
External length7880mm
External width 2350mm
External height 2860mm
Shower
Separate full shower cubicle
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Toilet Dometic CTW4110, electric flush toilet cassette
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Water
140-litre fresh,
100-litre grey
Toilet
19- litre
Power
Solar panels 160W
Battery
210 amp
Charger
Sargents EC500 25 amp charger
17
I look forward to catching up with the TrailLite
team again in the near future, and seeing the
progression of changes at the Pukekohe site.
helps expand the cook’s
workspace. This model can
sleep four people, but is a
two-berth and as such no
seatbelts are fitted in the rear,
the front two cab seats are
it. Great for friends crashing the night, but they can’t
come with you hehe. I look
forward to catching up with
the TrailLite team again in the
near future, and seeing the
progression of changes at the
Pukekohe site. The Burford
and Wiltshire models are on
site now, the Gloucester and
Berkshire models arrive in
late July and the Bourton in
mid August, so look out for
them at upcoming motorhome
There are many synergies between
Auto-Sleeper and TrailLite. Auto-Sleeper
is the oldest company in the UK, and
has been manufacturing motorhomes,
and more recently caravans, since 1961.
The company started as a family-owned
business when the Trevelyan family built
their own motorhome, based on a Morris
Commercial J2 van, which they took on a
family tour of Southern France. When they
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shows later in the year to
view them if you can’t get out
to Pukekohe earlier.
I’m one of those people occasionally in the know, and I can
tell you to watch this space
for the next exciting iconic RV
brand that might join the TrailLite stable in Pukekohe in the
near future.
got home they used their recently acquired
knowledge of what worked and what
didn’t, and converted an Austin van into a
motorhome. This caught the eye of a Jaguar and Rover dealer, Henlys in Bristol. An
order for five vans followed and the rest is
history. The company has changed ownership a couple of times over the years, even
being owned by the Italian motorhome
manufacturing company SEA Group from
Hot water
4kW, 10-litre Truma Dual
Gas Fuel heating and hot water
Fridge
190l Dometic three-way
Cooking
Thetford three gas and one electric burner with separate oven and grill
TV/DVD 19” RSE TV/DVD/ Freeview
Satellite
Manual
Price$173,000
14 VIEW FROM THE HABITATION ENTRY DOOR,
LOUNGE TO THE LEFT, KITCHEN OPPOSITE
15 THREE BURNER GAS, AND ONE ELECTRIC
PLATE ON THE HOB, SEPARATE GRILL AND OVEN
BELOW 16 COMPACT BENCH SPACE AIDED BY A
PULL OUT EXTENSION ABOVE THE DRAWER 17
THE FIRST AUTO-SLEEPER COACHBUILT MODEL
LANDED IN MAY
2000 to 2009, until existing directors/
owners Geoff Scott and Mike Crouch
acquired all the shares. This brought the
company back into British private family
ownership. The company encompasses
the Auto-Sleeper manufacturing business and the Marquis Retail sales arm in
the UK, with over 26 outlets distributing
worldwide, including Germany, Sri Lanka
and New Zealand.