Autotrail Tribute 680 or similar van conversions - thoughts?

[Woody3]

Currently looking to buy a used camper van/van conversion.

We need 4 belted seats, but only really need a two berth. The Autotrail Tribute 680 fits the bill just right with a front dinette and a rear lounge:



Just wondered if anyone has had any experience with these? Was hoping to get either a Burstner, Adria, Dethleffs etc, but they all seem to come with fixed rear beds...

Any pitfalls with this van? Any better alternatives?

Got ~£35k to spend...

Edited by Woody3 on Tuesday 25th August 23:06

[smifffymoto]

That’s the difference between UK and Continental builds,in reality,how many seating options do you really need.

[valiant]

IH motorhomes are generally well received and have a few models with a rear lounge. (Some even have a slide-out for ultimate campsite bragging rights!).

A little pricey though compared to UK stuff but I think your main problem is stock at the moment. Everything is selling fast.

[chopper602]

Woody3 said:

Any pitfalls with this van?

Edited by Woody3 on Tuesday 25th August 23:06

Check everywhere for damp, it's not normally too much of a problem with a van, but still check.

Only thing I can think is not wanting to make the bed every night, I much prefer a fixed option.

[Woody3]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, there's hardly anything coming onto the market at the moment - I'm having the same difficulty trying to purchase a mini digger!

I'll have a look at IH, thank you!

Regarding Rear Lounge/Fixed Bed:

Long story short, we were initially looking at coachbuilt vans with a fixed island bed (Adrias, Burstners etc). However, we've realised that without another mode of transport, while away, going into town or just nipping places becomes a bit of a pain. Hence why we've moved onto van conversions....

But, this creates another problem. If it's raining and we have a guest or two, it all becomes a bit cramped around the cooking area, so the idea would be to enter the van via the rear barn doors, freeing up vital space at the front. Obviously if it's just the two of us, we'll keep the rear set up as a bed.

Thanks again everyone!

[smifffymoto]

Why not buy a van that suits the needs of 2 of you rather than one that will suit the odd time you have guests(unless it’s grand children).

[nick997]

A bit late to the thread but I have a Tribute 669 (double bunks across the back) and you are right to question the amount of space in the van. Mine is predominantly used for karting days/weekends with the odd bit of camping. We have a decent sized air awning and that is essential to get people out of the van if you want to do any cooking. I've had two larger coachbuilt vans before and as the kids got older the trips away got less and less so I decided to downsize to this mainly for karting. It fits the bill perfectly for that, somewhere to get out of the rain, cook and pee! We also use it for the odd day out dog walking further away from home and again it is good for that, still notice it is quite big on lanes but easier to get around in than the previous vans.

They are definitely built to a budget but most things are standard camping fit stuff so easily replaced if catches, switches, etc. break. Good luck finding one, I waited a few months to find ours a year ago but they do come up.

[cts1975]

IH or Wildax are best for build quality followed by Adria and then the rest.
A 4-6 year Wildax Solaris would be a good option. In general motor homes seem to be going up in price.

[Kickstart]

cts1975 said:

IH or Wildax are best for build quality followed by Adria and then the rest.
A 4-6 year Wildax Solaris would be a good option. In general motor homes seem to be going up in price.

Any views on an Eldiss/Compass CV40 - looking for something well under £50k - 2 single birth with 3 travel seats min - love the look of the Wildax but its another £10k new

[nagsheadwarrior]

Kickstart said:

cts1975 said:

IH or Wildax are best for build quality followed by Adria and then the rest.
A 4-6 year Wildax Solaris would be a good option. In general motor homes seem to be going up in price.

Any views on an Eldiss/Compass CV40 - looking for something well under £50k - 2 single birth with 3 travel seats min - love the look of the Wildax but its another £10k new

cv40 are great for the money, so great most dealers are nearly or totally sold out, simple well proven layout with simple well proven kit built in big numbers (for the Motorhome industry) and sold cheaply, if you want one grab one quickly if you can find one as prices will be going up a lot for 2022.

Factory options are cheap as chips too so a specced up automatic in grey with the nav, awning, can blinds , solar is a good call.

Wildax are clever, very well built vans , very high level of standard spec, lovely personable manufacturer support.
No exact cv40 layout equivalent buy using a Solaris XL as comparison an automatic with awning and solar is £60000 to the same spec cv40 £48500.
Manual gearbox the gap is smaller as Elddis havnt put the price of the auto box up yet.

Both good vans , budgets there buy a Wildax if not buy a cv40.
Third bed in the cv40 is tiny and rubbish tho so don't buy one to sleep more than 2.5 inside you'll need a cv80 for that which has the roof pop top bed.