Auto Sleepers Kingham & Warwick XL Walkround (Plus Others)
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- A visit to SMC Motorhomes on 14/11/21 to view the beautiful Auto Sleepers Campervan range, we always liked them in pictures but they’re even better “in the metal” Heather likes the Kingham, Rick likes The Warwick XL but which one do we agree will (at this point in time) become the replacement for Pearl when we eventually upgrade? Also at the end there’s some bonus Chausson and Hymer footage at Lowdhams.
This video is mainly for us to remember what we liked about these vans when upgrade time comes, if they help you too then please enjoy. Thanks to SMC for allowing us to film.
We have a Warwick XL, 6 months 6K and 70 nights - We love it, a great van but a couple of things we didn't pick up on purchase, the windows are great, love the privacy glass, however they are not double glazed which is a pain in the winter, the diference between the 21 and the older van is that they have different heating systems, the 21 has Whale and older van has Truma, the Tuma is better, it has a vent through the step between the living space and the Cab and a better control system IMO. This year with out telling anyone AS put a lithium 60amp battery in, 48 usable amps is to small for us, we asked to put a second battery in but the infrastructure doe not support it, the lithium can take a 50 amp charge, the alternator can provide it, however the Sargent controller is fused at 20 amps. There are work arounds but they may take you off piste with your warrenty, we compromised with Autosleeper and they provided us a 100amp lithium at cost, and upped the fuse to 25 amps... Would I buy the same van again, actually I probably would, always a camper/motorhome is a compromise, we use the shower for storage so having the doorway opening into the toilet and not the shower, is a biggie for us, we always found our previous 7.3m Motorhome a bit ugly and love the aisthetics of this, plus we can get up the really small country roads and park in a carpark without feeling guilty of taking up to much space. Hope that helps..
Thanks Kevin! Great to hear from an owner directly! I’ll pin this comment so I don’t lose it, didn’t realise the windows were like that although I must admit there does seem to be a lack of opening ones, interesting about the heating change and battery swaps! We’ll research plenty when the swap time comes…. Who knows we may even find a different van by then.
Is the whale heating not that good then Kevin ?
@@The-Salty-Bager Hi Mark - I don’t think it is as good as the previous Truma, and certainly not as Alde although Alde heating takes up to much space in a panel van conversion. It depends how you use the van, If you use it mainly in the warmer 3 seasons in England it is fine, if you are not going to make the back bed up it is fine in the winter. We use it in winter and use the back bed as a double, which means the two of the three outlets are under the bed and the issue is compounded by the air intake being under the bed also, meaning hot air recirculates under the bed, as the Autosleeper has bonded windows that are not double glazed that puts a big demand on the heater. We also used to use the heating on when moving, we were led to believe you can do this in the autosleeper also has it has a LPG crash cut off valve, unfortunately you can’t. Our heater is also unreliable on LPG causing us to abandon a number of winter trips. However very few people have issue with whale heaters on the Forums so it could be the way we use the van plus a rogue heater, if I were to replace this Campervan it would be with another WXL.
Love your video....thanks very much xx
Thanks for watching and commenting Paul 👍
Some lovely vans on display, the Kingham looks really nice.
It was, but the size of the bathroom was disappointing for us, we did like the sofa tho
Love the Autosleepers, so well made, noticed they had a Nuevo next to the Kingham though....
Was only a 6m though. And had to have the front sofa converted to the bed so we didn’t like it 👍
Enjoyed that. 2 single beds for me too. 👍
We think as much as a double is nice, when you’re climbing over each other to get to the loo it soon becomes annoying.
@@RickandHeather exactly 👍
Love the Kingham, what a van
Agreed but the bathroom felt small
I do love a mooch around vans. I also want to stay at around the 6metre length. I liked the Kingham with its French bed layout. Merry Christmas and happy New year to you both. Take care Gill
Thanks Gill we love a mooch too, the Kingham was nice but the toilet was small. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you too. ❤️
Nice review and lovely looking van - always pros and cons and the con for us with the French Bed (we had a French Bed caravan) is that one ends up stuck on the inner side and has to disturb the other during the dreaded night time pit stop! Otherwise nice and practical and looks good quality build 👍
The Kingham was great bar the bed/small bathroom that’s why we like the Warwick XL built well but expensive!
I’m sure you’ve seen most of the van tours on UA-cam but my current favourite is the Devon Aztec XL, it’s a great van and competitively priced. I was going to buy an Auto Sleeper Symbol but have gone for a Devon Colorado and it will be ready to collect soon. Unfortunately I wasn’t confident enough to go from my SWB campervan to a LWB so I’ve settled on a MWB for now! I can also get the MWB on the drive and even though the XL was a more expensive van the guy at Devon did say, you won’t use the van as often if you don’t keep it on the drive. He also said, a box of tea bags and a pint of milk and you can be away. Sounds fantastic, let’s hope that turns out to be true 😁 I used to be on all day packing our last van and that was on the drive!
We use ours loads more than the Motorhome as it’s easier to get away, however I used to drive my vw as a daily when I had that as it was smaller, yes the Devon Aztec is a lovely van as is the Vantage Eos, so much choice hence we like to do these videos for the day we will eventually change…. 👍
Love the video, looking for a motorhome ourselves an you have just made it harder 🤣 merry Christmas
There’s loads more reviews to come over winter 😂 sorry! Merry Christmas to you too!
Great vid guys. Have to say I do like the XL myself.
It’s lovely but the price is a bit scary 😂
Great video. Those are lovely vans, We are thinking of downsizing to a van from a motorhome.
That’s what we did, just wish we’d gone slightly bigger on the van
Lovely vans and great review guys. We could never take one them off road, we'd be petrified of damaging them. Great stuff guys, looking forward to seeing what you go for in the future. Take care and all the best, Tony and Claire.
Thanks both, sorry we haven’t been commenting much on the foreign trips but we have been watching, we’re just way behind with UA-cam subs! Have a great Christmas ❤️
@@RickandHeather No worries whatsoever, the more you produce vids, the less time you have to watch them lol. Have a fantastic Christmas and a great New Year!!
Not bad video, but please show some respect towards your Wife. As she said, "Don't say 'Ar*e' ..." She is not an object or some farm animal (it's even an insult to animals). Just be respectful please. She is a human being with feelings. You seem to cut her off when she is speaking as well, as you seem to think what you have to say is so much more important - you're so rude to her. Treat her better.
@@inquisitive1911 I give as much as I get and Rick has the upmost respect for me, we have alot of banter between us, and none is meant with any malice.
To be fair to Rick, he is the one who has to edit the videos and I do ramble on at times.
We do have respect, we also have a laugh and you’re the first person ever who’s criticised us, trust me H gives me plenty of it back, the only reason she said don’t say ar*e is because of people watching, thanks for the lovely feedback though, when you know us personally feel free to leave some more 🏴☠️
Great Vid as usual ... I love the Autosleepers Kingham BUT way too much money and no opening windows at rear ! ... I am now thinking Wildax Europa ... Gawd knows how long it will take to actually see and buy one !
They are expensive but build quality is good, wildax are nice vans!
Both lovely vans mate and both out of my price range. I’ll just have to keep modifying mine until it turns into an auto sleeper. Get your arse out the way heather so I can see the drawers. 😂😂😂 I’ve got a tour of the autotrail 540 coming out on Tuesday. Lovely van. A bit small for me but a nice step up from the vw camper if you want the extra head room and a washroom. Let me know when you get your auto sleeper and I’ll come down for a visit. 👍🏻
We’re a while off change yet, but it’s nice to dream.
Ian leave my drawers out of it lol
Also with the light strip you can get USB to fit it :)
Looks a nice van, surprised what the extra foot or so enables - David 👍
It’s amazing how much difference it makes!
We were looking at the 6.36m panel vans but then we saw the new Rapido 854F A Class which for not a lot more on a quality panel van, seems to offer a lot more space for only a little more length at 6.5m.
It’s width more than length I’m interested in, I like the narrower vans.
That was really interesting. I’m sure you have seen most of the van tours on UA-cam but the Devon Aztec XL is my favourite van and for the quality it’s competitively priced. I was going to buy an Auto Sleeper Symbol but decided to go for a Devon Colorado and it’s almost ready to collect.
The Aztec is a nice U shape lounge we saw the Frenchies Motorhomies review it, very similar to the Vantage Eos, but for now the Warwick XL has the best washroom
@@RickandHeather It definitely has a great washroom, I think it compares to The Poshcats and their van is 6.7m.
@@sylviapage8572 the search will continue 😂 we love looking and besides Pearl’s only a year old so we shouldn’t change yet anyway 🏴☠️
@@RickandHeather I know what you mean. I haven’t even picked up my new van up and I’m wondering when I’ll be able to upgrade to the XL 😂😂😂
We have to have a dream 😉
Always good to have hydraulic rams in the van. You get a lifetime supply of wire wool 👍
Groannnnnn I had to read that many times before it clicked! 😂
@@RickandHeather 😂
Симпочичная пара в симпотичном автодроме.
I have no idea 🤷♂️ what you typed but thanks for helping the algorithms.
It’s really interesting to see you as potential purchasers reviewing a van. We did the same and went to SMC as it’s fairly close to us I liked the look of the auto sleeper with the separate shower. Probably one of the best loo/shower set ups in a van. Did you check out the Globecars while you were there? In the end we went mad, spent the kids inheritance and ordered a Consort van🤣. Seasons Greetings to you both, Ruth🙂
Thanks Ruth you too, if I recall the Globescout had a front dinette? I’m not a fan, we like the idea of a bigger shower, we’re happy lounging on the beds. 👍
Great video, the French bed is the worst thing to come out of France apart from French people.
😂 oui monsieur
The only thing that puts me off really is the single glazed windows. If AS addressed that then I might be tempted. I was only joking about French people, but not about the French bed.
Agreed on the windows and the lack of opening of said glass,none of the rear ones open!
We love the Kingham found nothing to top it. But we still have a 16 years old. So have to wait a little bit. Fore me the Warwick is not as good even if the Kingham does have a fixed bed.
The bathroom was just too tight in the Kingham although the layout was great as was the bed and storage, but the bathroom wins in the Warwick XL for me. That elusive perfect van is still out there…
Did you look at any globecars whilst at smc, the campscout is 636 with fixed singles at the back and front dinette
We’re not a fan of the front dinette it’s wasted space for us, we prefer to lounge at the back, hence liking the Warwick XL as the space is utilised with a bigger washroom 👍
Autosleepers have a fantastic build quality and so love those steamlined windows. The price though, its the biggie that puts me off (Expensive Game). The 3 way fridge, for such a new van is a major dissapointment.
Agreed on the windows looking good, however there aren’t many opening ones. I don’t mind a 3 way but the vents look ugly. Thanks for watching 👍
Does the sliding door not interfere with the fridge when open ie the air vents on the side of the van
I wouldn’t think so there’s still 3 or 4 inches to let air flow?
I think the fridge should be moved to where the wardrobe is with more storage under the kitchen work surface. The fridge could be very much larger and more in line with higher end motorhomes. I'm not sure that a wardrobe is necessary when "camping", even if the camping is so luxurious.
Yep we’d all move little bits on vans to make them better 👍 I think sometimes the fridge is dictated by the vents as it’s a 3 way in these?
Hi Rick did you try the drivers seating position. It looks a bit tight?
In the Warwick? Yes one reason we decided against it… anything with a fridge behind was just to restricting for the seating portion
@@RickandHeather Thank you for a quick response. We have a fixed rear bed and are thinking of changing for a rear lounge. We are going to the show at Malvern tomorrow so hopefully we may see something there👍
@davidlindley485 good luck, our favourite show but not there this year
Can you drive this on a normal car licence
Yes it’s a 3.5t van
We have today looked at a Autosleeper Warwick XL that’s 2 years old and can’t decide if to go for that or a ex demo cv20 both almost same money. Be interested in your thoughts
If it was me I’d have the Warwick but be aware the lack of opening windows, obviously a longer van too but a better bathroom, we’re swapping our CV soon but decided against the Warwick (check out our videos) we love the Warwick but want to sit at the front.
I think the Warwick will hold its value better.
@@RickandHeather why are you changing the cv20 and what are you going for next ?
@@The-Salty-Bager we want a bit more room so a lwb van and we want to be able to sit up the front with a table etc, getting an S&L Apollo
@@RickandHeather has your cv20 got the whale heating ? And if so is it any good ? We currently have the truma and have heard the whale is very loud and doesn’t heat that well
@@The-Salty-Bager whale yes, ok on gas really hot but noisy, electric is quiet but has to be on high to do anything…. Insulation isn’t the best in the elddis.
I enjoy watching your videos, you obviously love motorhomes.
I also do motorhome reviews.
Let me know what you think of my channel.
Thanks I can’t find a channel called The One Motorhome
Shame you loose so much space in the Kingham with the fixed bed.
The sofa is great but the width of the shower was disappointing for sure.
6 berth with 4 belts?
? Did I say that? Which van?