For Practical Motorhome readers of a certain age, 59 Old Wareham Road, Poole, will be a familiar address, because it has been home to several innovative and popular motorhome manufacturers.
It was the site of the Autohomes manufacturing facility, up until the company got into difficulties in the early 1990s. The Autohomes name and manufacturing rights were purchased by Elddis and production transferred to its premises at Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham.
After Elddis, one of the best motorhome brands, had completed those Autohomes in-build at the time of the collapse, the new owners made a controversial marketing decision.
Instead of continuing with the popular Autohomes models that would have broadened the Elddis offer, it was decided to ditch them and launch a new line-up in direct competition to their own Autoquest – the ‘W’ range.
Despite that decision, or perhaps because of it, the range sold well. Unveiled shortly after the launch of the redesigned X/44 Peugeot Boxer, the range initially had two variants, but within months, it had increased to six motorhome layouts across three wheelbases – all Luton overcab coachbuilts.
Using the short wheelbase derivative and stretching the tape to 5.38m/17’ 8” were Wildwind and Windfall.
Wildwind had two face-forward travel seats behind the cab, located either side of the central aisle. Cab and lounge seats combined to provide a brace of longitudinal single beds.
Windfall shared the same layout as the (then) just discontinued Renault Trafic-based Elddis Eclipse – with a lounge of double-seat inward-facing settees at the far rear. These converted into a transverse double bed.
Medium-wheelbase Wayfinder and Wanderer both featured rear lounges. Wayfinder was an extended Windfall, with the extra length facilitating a single beds option when converting the lounge from day to night mode. Wanderer featured a more ‘open’ rear lounge, courtesy of L-shaped seating.
Wayfarer was the other mid-sizer, boasting the most popular layout of the time, a forward lounge-diner comprising an offside double Pullman dinette and a nearside three-seat inward-facing settee. Usefully, both MWB models can be considered small motorhomes, squeezing into the sub-6m ‘gang’ – actually 5.85m/19’ 2” overall length.
Finally, the range-topping LWB family favourite, the five-berth Windward. Its 6.73m/22’ 1” body placed the habitation door midway along the nearside.
On entering, turn left for the offside double Pullman dinette and nearside kitchen. Opposite the entrance was an offside wardrobe ahead of a large washroom with a separate walk-in shower compartment.
Nearside rear was home to a long inward-facing settee and a handily placed chest of drawers.
This was the first generation of SEVEL vans with power-assisted steering as standard and the first LCV at this weight with a fascia-mounted gear lever, the latter facilitating easy access between cab and caravan, thanks to an uncluttered cab floor.
All Boxers were front-wheel drive, but with a variety of engines available. All except the biggie had the (spirited and economical) 1.9-litre turbodiesel as standard, although petrol heads could opt for a 2.0-litre motor borrowed from Peugeot’s saloon car range.
Windward arrived with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre diesel engine, with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel available as a cost option.
The range was heavily revised for the new millennium. It gained the ‘Equipe’ moniker, different exterior cladding, a one-piece entrance door, refreshed interior and higher standard spec.
What to look out for in a used Autohomes ‘W’ Range/Equipe
Base vehicle
If you’re thinking of buying a used motorhome and the Autohomes ‘vans appeal, the newest is going to be 23 years old. As a result, it is worthwhile to make sure it has been cherished over this period.
Especially important is that the engine drive belts have been replaced relatively recently, regardless of the mileage. Transmissions tended to drop fifth gear, but it is a straightforward repair and doesn’t usually require the gearbox to be removed.
If buying one with a petrol engine plus LPG conversion, ensure that the engine’s gas tank and ancillaries have passed a safety test. Finally, check the motorhome tyres, likely to be past their use by date, rather than worn out.
Conversion
Even if you’re buying one of the best secondhand motorhomes, you should check carefully for evidence of water ingress and don’t buy without a recent habitation service and safety check.
The original specification was on the thin side of spartan; the following were all extra-cost options and are items that purchasers of new ’vans would take for granted today. If these are important to you, check whether they have been added by previous owners, or budget for them to be retrofitted.
Not included as part of the original spec: carpets, blinds and flyscreens, oven, Fanmaster (blown-air heat distribution), leisure battery.
Our pick
For use as an only vehicle – Wildwind. Best for solo/couples – Wanderer. Family favourite: Windward. Best (overall) power unit – 1.9TD deffo!
What to pay
Price range £10,000 to £20,000 with a sweet spot around £15,000. Motorhome Marketplace has a fully loaded 1.9TD Wayfarer with a slightly altered interior (looks well executed
in the photos), three owners, 36,448 miles. £14,995 including a 12-month warranty. Nearest equivalent new today is an Elddis Autoquest 115, which to similar spec is £62,000 OTR.
DIY dudes might wish to look at a 2000W Wayfarer Equipe, currently for sale on trade terms for £9995 at Wrightington Motorhomes.
What we like about the Autohomes ‘W’ Range/Equipe
- Wide variety of layouts
- Interiors benefit from plenty of natural light
- All available at under 3500kg
- Good payloads
- Approachable prices
What we dislike about the Autohomes ‘W’ Range/Equipe
- No automatic transmission option
Alternatives to consider
Elddis Autoquest, Swift Sundance, 2004 onwards – Compass Avantgarde.
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