Exclusive first ever review of the AIR - Auto-Sleepers' first Ford-based campervan in years!

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We are the first to get our hands on this all-new campervan - the Auto-Sleeper AIR, a high-spec, side kitchen pop-top campervan based on the Ford Transit Custom
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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6 ноя 2021

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Комментарии : 94

@algie1962 Месяц назад

Shooting Canon since before the 5D? A mere youngster. 🤣I bought my first Canon in 1983, that was a Canon A1, 35mm film camera, stuck with them ever since, through early EOS film and up to present with a 7D Mk 2 and an R7. I too will be looking very closely at the R5 Mk 2. Can't wait

@andrewbeale2585 2 года назад

Thank you Peter As ever, a first class review, the best in the business. Personally, I would stick to my VW Coast 6.1 with the same layout, lower roof than a Transit, and narrower so much more practical as a daily vehicle, Refinement is better too and VW generally looks more modern and automotive. VW do such brilliant tables and chairs in the Californias that everything else just looks second rate. VW has integral screens for the windscreen, and a top loading fridge which I know divides people, but is more efficient. If I were in the market for a Transit, I would go for the rear kitchen Nugget, just to get the benefit of that layout if having to put up with the disadvantages of a Transit as outlined above.

@RA-zr5lw 9 месяцев назад

I agree with most of what you’ve said here. Looking at this and the VW California, there are just something’s more refined on the Cali, making it a more user friendly camper IMHO. There were a few things on this van that I would find frustrating and not well thought through, such as cabinetry access in various places, through to the side windows not sliding fully open!

@robertp.wainman4094 2 года назад

An interesting and very informative video. Good to see Autosleeper's are back in the small camper market, but would be great to see a two berth that used their original wonderful solid sided, insulated elevating roof. To me at least, it was so much nicer than being in a van whose upper area resembles a tent, complete with sloping roof!

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 года назад

My parents had a Commer and two Talbots, all with the Auto-Sleeper solid-sided roof. Can't see it returning now, though. It definitely had its strength, although it could be a bit draughty.

@toddsholtis4470 2 года назад

Nice camper van, but, just waiting for a rock/boulder to smash off the plastic outlets underneath, you got to be crazy to locate those there! Wish Ford would make the e-brake electronic to give more space in between the front seats.

@captainblack1021 2 года назад

was thinking the same, short stay ruined.. and that BBQ gas outlet!! Boom..

@davidhollingsworth6605 2 года назад

Our Wellhouse version has a handbrake that goes flat when parking, so no need to worry about rotating the drivers seat.

@gasgas2689 2 года назад

I would certainly pay £1500 extra for the Automatic. If that is indeed what it costs, that's a lot cheaper than the Fiat Auto. The commentary is excellent but the video would be better without the ice cream van jingles between each item.

@source5729 2 года назад

Wow…when you slid that bed forward… 😃

@glenngrymes6553 2 года назад

Nice! Unfortunately we cannot get these Class B's in the U.S.

@neilmoran6692 2 года назад

This new Auto- Sleeper Air seems very similar to our 6 year old Wellhouse Leisure Ford Terrier 2 in looks and build quality. However, our Wellhouse van has none of the many habitation design faults that I have just witnessed on this video. For example, difficulties in opening cupboards and getting into them just don’t happen on the Wellhouse.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

I do prefer the Reimo seat/bed system in the Air to the one used by Wellhouse

@MamaKim. 2 года назад

As always a thorough review from you, thank you. I think on the whole it’s great just a few niggles that you’ve pointed out. The cabinetry needs reconfiguring. You really need to be able to open all the doors when the seat is in the forward position with bedding stored behind, especially the loo but the oven and fridge too as I wouldn’t want to be continually having to lift up the rear parcel shelf section, move my bedding and reorganise the boot just to move the seat back to be able to access everything. The fridge opens the wrong way too. It’s going to be accessed from the rear more than from the cab. There’s room for slim eye level cupboards above the kitchen, tin height, like Jerber do in the Cromarty, that would be great for food storage. Glad they’ve sorted the table storage as it has to be easily accessible even when the car is fully loaded. The wardrobe needs to have a full length sliding tambour door, finishing just above the parcel shelf so that it’s easily accessed when in bed mode in the mornings with an interior option of shelves or rail. Hanging your clothes up and having to feed them through a small space would be so irritating. Finally the velour seats are horrible! I like the more modern looking cabinetry (apart from flush D catches are needed so there’s no chance of them being left sticking out) but the seats just look terribly dated. Oh.. one last thing. I know they’re standard but I hate the glass topped hob/sink unit. They’re not fit for purpose, you can’t use them as a work surface or put anything hot on them and they’re likely to get stood on when climbing up to the top and get broken. In a small space everything has to do double duty and the lids would be so much better as stainless steel or wood.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

You make some good points! Auto-Sleepers have been out of this sector for quite a while, so it's a good effort but, as always, room to refine when they decide to do a "mark 2"

@Jchathe 2 года назад

Great review, thanks 👍😊

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it. Don't forget to subscribe!

@davidhayes4814 2 года назад

I wonder what the residuals will be compared with the VW. That underslung electric socket will get filthy, as I know to my cost.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Auto-Sleepers usually have a good following on the used market, but the California probably rules when it comes to resale. A VW by a lesser known converter might be hard to sell, though

@pamelahughes595 2 года назад

Good video but I think I prefer the nugget

@peterv3642 2 года назад

They are very different. I like the Nugget's twin sliding doors but not it's limited storage

@tracielawrence9310 Год назад

I can't seem to find any fuel consumption figures anywhere, looking at the manual gear box...any ideas please?

@MotorhomeCampervan Год назад

So much depends on speed, driving style, town or motorway, etc. As a guide, reckon on 35mpg from a manual

@TheMilford99 2 года назад

Been to a couple of European Motorhome/campervan shows, before lockdown. The prices for equivalent vehicles are much less, than the UK. Our buyers in Britain have been conditioned to pay more.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

But did you compare standard spec? It's quite usual for German campervans in the home market to have unpainted bumpers, steel wheels, gas-only heating, etc, etc. UK standard spec is often much higher because that's how British buyers want them. Then there's the cost (£2k+) of getting them here and all the extra admin post-Brexit

@TheMilford99 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 Being in Europe, you wouldn`t pay 2K transport. On a like for like basis, they`re far better prices. They were when i was at their shows. Because of lockdown now, prices here have gone up exponentially. But if people pay it, good luck to you.

@terrymcdonagh5439 2 года назад

Great review as always - Interested in asking you or any of your watchers for recommendation for a purely 2 person version of this type of camper - raised roof for internal space alone, all similar facilities but just for 2 people to give more internal room and maybe a tv or Ipad stand for winter only use. Lots of tought goes into these 2/4 person campers but I cant seem to find a more selfish 2 person only one like this (not a high top panelvan)

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Surely, just don't use the roof bed? Or, where possible, order the camper without it? But remember that a four-berth will be easier to sell when you want to trade it on.

@82LNA Год назад

I just came back from holidays. We were 5 in there ! 2 adults and 3 children. Driving is amazing, we drove 3000 km and it s very agile. All family preferred this one than the typical " white elephants ".

@davidmihell3611 Год назад

Stupid comment does it matter really 😡

@terrymcdonagh5439 Год назад

@@davidmihell3611 theres always a keyboard warrior around when you dont need one - thank you for calling my honest question stupid - your positive comment is appreciated

@paul._david 2 года назад

On the whole a nice camper. A few niggles need to be sorted out like the rear storage access and door catches. At this price point, I would definitely want front-fitted blinds, messing about carrying and fitting those foil blinds, thanks but no thanks.

@mattchesworth 2 года назад

Great video review as always. Can you have a look at the Westfalia Kelsey which comes in a bit cheaper and looks greater. Please consider for a future review.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Would love to look at the Kelsey. Over to you, Westfalia!

@jenniferbringman9054 7 месяцев назад

Why is it we can’t get these in the USA?

@LB-W 4 месяца назад

No match for the nugget. I pray for the nugget high top to come to the UK 🙏

@MotorhomeCampervan 4 месяца назад

Let's see if they make a high-top version of the new Nugget first. So far only the SWB pop-top has been shown

@tracielawrence9310 Год назад

I'm not very tall and a 60yr old woman, and want to be campervanning for many years to come. Autosleeper Air is on my shortlist, but I need to know I can manage to put the roof back down on my own. Do you think this is doable for me, and any tips on the best strategy 😊

@MotorhomeCampervan Год назад

Best to try one to see if you can manage it. If you're not sure, then go for a model with an electric roof, like the VW California Ocean. Reimo also offer an electric roof, so look at conversions that use a Reimo roof, such as the CMC HemBil range.

@tracielawrence9310 Год назад

@@MotorhomeCampervan thank you, I've also heard that the Bilbo side elevating roof is much easier to put down. Would you agree?

@simonbance 2 года назад

Taking price out of the equation, what would your preference be between the Air and California Ocean, particularly as a daily driver? I looked at the Air at Marquis today, and really liked it’s ‘cosiness’ and the amount of standard equipment, but the modern dashboard of the T6.1 VW seems so much more car like. I prefer the cabinetry of the Air as well, but my head tells me the VW will hold value better and just has the better heritage. I am having a really difficult time deciding which of these I should buy!!

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 года назад

That's really a decision only you can make! You need to drive them both first, I think. Storage, practicality and build quality will be more important than cosiness in ownership. I used to own a California and nothing else matches its residual values but there are lots of other great campers on both Ford and VW. I now have a CMC HemBil conversion on the VW T6. Don't rush in...

@johnlong3214 2 года назад

Lovely, just the usual little niggle for me and thats the fridge door, on a lot of the side kitchen layouts the fridge door is hinged the wrong way. It would be much better if it opened into the kitchen area rather than the cab. Good review and thank you. 👍

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Good point. I prefer the drawer-style fridge fitted to some models

@survivaltrotter-com 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 I also prefer the drawer style like Vitrifrigo has :)

@morrisvanson3015 2 года назад

Whats written on the log book vehicle i wonder, as it doesn't fulfill dvla's motorhome or campervan category or does that only count for self builders not the big boys

@peterv3642 2 года назад

It will be fully type approved, so I'm sure it'll be registered as a motor caravan. The issue mainly concerns changing the type from van to motor caravan, but this will start life as a motor caravan

@islaws4589 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 In what way though? It's a Ford Transit with regular passenger windows, doesn't have loud graphics that scream out "Camper Van" and it doesn't have a high top. It doesn't come close to meeting the DVLA definition, despite that just as a self converted van, it is designed for sleeping in.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

@@islaws4589 But it has full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval as a motor caravan and will never have been registered as a van

@islaws4589 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 Ah okay I understand now. It doesn't seem very fair though! Edited to add P.S. Sorry, hope I didn't come across argumentative because I didn't mean to. A work colleague who has a VW he bought used as a blank canvass had it converted, thankfully just prior to the rules changing. It went from van to being the same spec as what I now understand could be the same vehicle registered from new as a motor caravan. That seems unfair not only to self-converters, but also to businesses retro-converting vans with pop tops, standard glass side windows and fairly suburban graphics!

@Deepthought-42 2 года назад

It would be nice for you to do a review on a Mercedes Marco Polo, if you can get hold of one.

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 года назад

It's on the list but I wasn't able to get hold of the latest version in 2021. We have, however, reviewed it in print in MMM magazine and you can see all past road tests at motorhome.ma/mmmexact if you subscribe

@Nagsheadwarrior 2 года назад

It's a less good Wildax Proteus for £10k more?

@peterv3642 2 года назад

There's more spec on the Air and a better seat/bed system. If you're comparing Ford campers, take a look at the Escape from CMC, too

@Nagsheadwarrior 2 года назад

Spec for spec there's still a massive price difference even once you add alloys and webasto to a Proteus. Seat system are both sliding and triple belt tho the reimo looks better .

@goonerpomwi 2 года назад

90.s velour car seat covers £60k !!!!

@danielrichards8472 2 года назад

Little bit pricey you can get other motor homes for that where you don’t have to stoop over like the hunch back of notre dame! 😂

@TheMilford99 2 года назад

40k in Germany.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

This sort of camper always looks pricey compared with larger ones because of the cost of the base vehicle, the roof and the seat system. But if you want a daily driver, too, they win hands down over larger 'vans

@tanvanle4126 Год назад

Can I park this van at my house if I buy it, or by law I have to park it at the camping site? Please help anyone.

@MotorhomeCampervan Год назад

Yes you can normally park it at your home. If you have a driveway, it is fine. However if you park it on the road I would be much more careful - sometimes there are restrictions on what can be parked in some housing estates, so it's worth checking your deeds. But parking on the road is never advised as it is much less secure than on a drive (with posts and locks). Alternatively, look at a secure storage facility. Ask your insurance company which it recommends (it may also tell you that you can't leave your campervan on the road overnight anyway) and then, if you can't store at home, use a secure storage site instead. But these are different from campsites - do not store your new campervan on a campsite!

@davidmason1919 2 года назад

Er sorry, £63000 and everything is manual, the roof looks like a nightmare. Also those connectors under the sill aren’t going to get dirty are they, but what do I know. I can’t see how anyone would buy one of these. But good video btw.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

The SCA roof is one of the very best. Few buyers seem to want an electric roof but you can get one on the California Ocean and Reimo offers one as an option

@TheMilford99 2 года назад

4 years ago, my mate paid £53000. for a brand new VW California Ocean. The same vehicle new is now £74000. The Germans know the Brits have the money to buy at these prices. In Wolfsburg Germany the price now is a little over that, in Euros.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Prices have rocketed over the last couple of years and are still rising, not just here but in Europe, too. Brexit didn't help, but increasing emissions regs have dramatically increased base vehicle costs and now Covid-related component delays are pushing prices higher still. On the other hand, residual values are stronger than ever, so that £53k California is probably still worth £53k!

@fenflyer 2 года назад

Want a PHEV version 👍🙄

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Maybe that will come. Ford does a hybrid Transit Custom, but I've driven one of those and the real world battery range is very disappointing

@fenflyer 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 Yep, battery range is crap in the transit PHEV at the moment similar to crap 30 mile range in my Mitsi PHEV outlander ( next generation PHEV EV range is doubled). BUT the redeeming ACE card with the Transit PHEV and Mitsi outlander PHEV ( when towing a caravan) is the ability to use the vehicles engine driven 80KVA generator to supply all your electrical appliances in the van, electric cookers ,climate control heating , 8 KW shower and recharge the vehicle batteries all at the same time, making it the ideal off grid motorhome . ( this eleminiates the need to have onboard gas appliances, heavy bottles and generators ) My PHEV is the ideal off grid towing car when set up in this configuration 👍

@anniemay4547 2 года назад

How much?

@peterv3642 2 года назад

Expected to be from £59,995

@pjcd7016 Год назад

Absolutely no ground clearance, I can see all those accoutrements hanging down under the body being easily damaged.

@MotorhomeCampervan Год назад

It's not unusual for a campervan to have water and gas tanks underneath but, if you want to go off-road, a model with inboard tanks may be a better bet. Uplift kits are becoming quite popular on VWs, too, although they can spoil the ride.

@padraigpost 2 года назад

I think this will go the same way as the Autosleeper Wave, a failure, to expensive, far better offerings on a VW base

@peterv3642 2 года назад

The Wave had many faults but I see the Air as a far more complete and competitive offering

@padraigpost 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 agreed it is an improvement on the wave but my choice on this type of vehicle would be the Wildax Triton, which as it is on the LWB version of the vehicle it has a toilet compartment and around £9,000 cheaper even with the auto box, granted it has not got a lithium battery or the big engine and has a different interior layout but this would be my choice but obviously others may prefer the Autosleeper air

@peterv3642 2 года назад

@@padraigpost The bed arrangement in the Triton is too compromised for me, as is storage. For a long-wheelbase with a loo I'd be looking at the Bilbo's Nexa+ (probably my choice), Devon Firefly, Rolling Homes Livingstone, or perhaps the Greenline RG500. The Plus version of the Nugget might be interesting when it eventually arrives in the UK, too

@blowduke 2 года назад

Awful seat colour reminded me of my dads ford Granada mk1

@AndyRouseCrawford 2 года назад

Tie me Kangaroo down sport!

@gerrynightingale9045 2 года назад

*2:45** in...and still showed NOTHING inside, deliberately stalling* ( *Words don't mean SHT!* *SHOWING means something* )

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 года назад

These are COMPREHENSIVE reviews of campervans and motorhomes and our subscription numbers are rising fast, so most seem to like the format. However, if you have only a passing interest, you can always skip to a quick look at the interior, if that's all you want. The video means NOTHING without the expert explanation. It's the combination of the visuals and the words that makes a good video!

@gerrynightingale9045 2 года назад

@@MotorhomeCampervan *'Comprehensive???'* *According to what mandate and from whom?* ( *'Clicks' and 'Subscribes' are one and the same...the touch of a finger and nothing more than that!* ) ____________ *What does 'if I want' mean?* *I want to see 'How this vehicle has been transformed into a 'Camper' and the features to make a 'Camper'...NOT what is already self-evident that it is a 'small Van-type vehicle'* ( *When a drawer has been pulled-out...is it smooth in action?* *Are the drawer guide-rails equipped with ball-bearings to ensure smooth action for decades of use?* ) *THAT is "COMPREHENSIVE!"*

@rubymouse6904 2 года назад

If I had £63,000 to spare, I'd buy a California rather than a velour covered Ford. If I was to buy an Autosleeper, I'd go for an old Topaz. I think they are aimed at retired folk.

@peterv3642 2 года назад

A California Ocean is now £75k, though

@josh_bfc_2769 2 года назад

Not worth the money in my opinion. Very overpriced but not as overpriced as the VW

@peterv3642 2 года назад

That's what a high spec campervan costs these days, unfortunately. When you see the cost of a proper German seat system and a top-quality roof (probably over £10k just for those two critical safety items), plus the expensive base vehicle (not a cheap Fiat), it's hardly surprising

@josh_bfc_2769 2 года назад

@@peterv3642 The practicality of it is superb but there are other more spacious vans out there that incorporate shower areas and proper toilets for around the same money. I think they got the price wrong on this one in my opinion

@TheMilford99 2 года назад

All campers are overpriced here.

@robertp.wainman4094 2 года назад

@@TheMilford99 Too true - and will often be bought by people who rarely use them. It's where you go in a campervan that counts and an old one can reach all the same places for way less money.......as proved by the many vanlifer's in far from new vehicles touring Europe - not worried about putting on the miles, getting them dirty, or a scratch or two to the paintwork. Far less stress, if you're not keeping up with the Jones's!