Verdict
Auto-Sleeper’s Trooper still appeals to traditional buyers, especially couples, but it has not evolved sufficiently from previous incarnations to stand out from its rivals such as the Reimo Triostyle, Torbay Fusion or Volkswagen California.
Pros
High specification kitchen and electric roof
Long-lasting interior.
Cons
Bumpy bed and drab interior
No roof bed, so only suitable for couples.
Living
The offside galley kitchen arrangement is still popular in elevating campers but the arrangement often means that the driver’s seat will not swivel. However, both seats in the cab swivel to allow lounge seating for five people.
The lounge in the Trooper feels less sociable than some competitors’ because its seats feel too far apart. However, the deep are comfortable thanks to their shaped backs and bases.
Dining options are flexible – you get two tables, although this is a necessity because the seats are so far apart. One sturdy table slots into the floor in front of the sofa, and stows below it, but there’s also a small swing-out table that can only be reached by the cab passenger. It means just three people can dine, but that’s not too big a problem in the two-berth Trooper.
Heating is provided from a diesel-powered blown-air system that comes as standard.
Kitchen
The Trooper has a two-burner hob, stainless steel sinks and strong, glass lid. You did read correctly there – we did say sinks. There’s an extra draining sink for, say, rinsing vegetables, and it’s very useful. There’s also a fridge with a freezer compartment, although it can be a bit noisy at night. Finally, there’s a 12V and a mains socket. Worksurface is limited to just one small section, but that’s par for the course in campers like this.
Auto-Sleeper clearly knows the importance of the kitchen to British buyers and so provides a cutlery drawer on runners, a grill under the hob and a four-person crockery set that includes a set of china plates, bowls and cups, all firmly secured in their moulded plastic unit by Velcro straps.
Washroom
N/A
Beds
Making up the bed is a cinch because the sofa drops easily. The Trooper’s bed is made up with the cushions from the front of the bench seat. They are shaped for comfortable seating, but make for a lumpy bed – it’s a cause for concern if you’re planning long-term touring, because this bed is your only choice, unless you opt for the £315 roofline bed.
Storage
Considering the overall size of this short-wheelbase campers, the amount of storage space is impressive.
The boot holds the gas locker, which frees up room in the kitchen for its plethora of cupboards. There are five in total – one of which houses the Porta Potti – as well as a wardrobe.
Space elsewhere is less impressive, because the drawer beneath the sofa is filled by the dining table and the space in the boot is compromised by a section of the assembled bed.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 599 kg |
| MTPLM | 3000 kg |
| Shipping Length | 4.99 m |
| Width | 2.05 m |
