Auto-Trail is one of Britain's best-known motorhome manufacturers, with over 40 years of continuous production from their factory in Grimsby, North-East Lincolnshire. Founded in 1982, the brand has earned a reputation for practical, UK-friendly layouts with right-hand drive as standard and the habitation door on the correct side for British use.

Now part of the Trigano Group — one of Europe's largest leisure vehicle manufacturers — Auto-Trail benefits from the scale and engineering resources of a major manufacturer while retaining its British identity and workforce. The Grimsby factory also produces Chausson and Roller Team conversions, giving Auto-Trail access to a wide parts and service network.

The current range covers every segment of the market: the Tribute offers accessible entry-level coachbuilts, the Tracker is a popular mid-range choice, the Frontier/Grand Frontier sits at the premium end, and the Adventure and V-Line campervans provide compact, versatile touring options. Auto-Trail uses Cube Construction on its coachbuilt models — a modern timberless bodyshell designed for reduced noise, better insulation and a premium interior finish.

The brand has won multiple awards, including Practical Motorhome's best 2-berth (F68) and best 4-berth (Grand Frontier GF88) in 2022. In 2023, Auto-Trail launched their Refresh scheme, offering restoration of older Auto-Trail vehicles to original condition — a testament to the lasting demand for the brand.

Auto-Trail was founded in 1982 by Bill Boasman and Barry Holmes in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Both had previously worked at Cosalt in Grimsby, where they built up a caravan division known as Humber Caravan Co. (later renamed Abbey Caravan Company). Inspired by American RVs, Boasman created the first coach-built Auto-Trail — the Cheyenne — on a Peugeot 504 base vehicle.

The brand grew through the 1980s and 90s with distinctive cream coachwork and maroon stripes. Models like the Mohawk, Cheyenne and the award-winning Cree established Auto-Trail as a serious player in the UK market. In 1994, the Cree became the first Auto-Trail with an end changing room.

Auto-Trail was acquired by ABI Caravans, but when ABI went out of business in 1998, Auto-Trail was sold to the Italian Ci Group, part of the larger Trigano Group, in 1999. The Grimsby factory has remained the manufacturing base throughout all ownership changes.

In 2015–2016, Trigano invested in a multi-million pound expansion of the Grimsby site, almost doubling production capacity. In 2017, the Tribute range (previously built in Italy) was brought to Grimsby. Today Auto-Trail employs over 200 staff at the Grimsby factory and also produces Chausson and Roller Team van conversions on site.

UK-friendly design — Auto-Trail was a driving force behind making motorhomes that work for British buyers: right-hand drive, habitation door on the nearside, well-equipped kitchens, and layouts designed for the way UK owners actually use their motorhomes.

Cube Construction — Auto-Trail's modern timberless bodyshell technology uses bonded composite panels for reduced noise, better insulation and a more refined interior environment, moving away from traditional timber framing.

Wide model range — from the entry-level Tribute through mid-range Tracker to the premium Grand Frontier, plus the Adventure and V-Line campervans, Auto-Trail offers options at every price point and for every touring style.

Long-standing British heritage — over 40 years of manufacturing in Grimsby with a highly skilled local workforce. The brand has outlasted many British competitors and continues to innovate.

Award-winning layouts — consistent winners at the Practical Motorhome Awards, with designs that prioritise livability, practical storage and comfortable sleeping arrangements for touring couples and families.

If you want a motorhome designed for British touring — Auto-Trail's layouts are conceived for UK use from the outset: right-hand drive, nearside entry, practical kitchens and generous storage. This matters more than many first-time buyers realise.

If you want Trigano Group backing with a British identity — the manufacturing quality and parts supply of a European giant, combined with a Grimsby-built motorhome that understands what British tourers need. Parts availability and dealer support are excellent.

If you're looking for an entry point into motorhoming — the Tribute range offers affordable, well-built coachbuilts that represent genuine value for money. Many experienced motorhomers started with a Tribute before moving up the Auto-Trail range.

If personalisation matters to you — Auto-Trail offers extensive customisation options including fabric choices, soft furnishing schemes, and optional equipment packages, letting you tailor your motorhome to your preferences.

If you value a brand with a restoration programme — the Auto-Trail Refresh scheme shows the company's commitment to its older vehicles and their owners, offering professional restoration that can extend the life of a well-loved motorhome significantly.

Quality control inconsistencies on new builds — owner forums contain recurring reports of snagging issues on new vehicles: loose fittings, minor leaks, wiring problems and trim issues. While many owners report problem-free experiences, this is the most common criticism. Auto-Trail's factory has improved in recent years, but it remains a concern.

After-sales support can be variable — some owners report excellent service from the Grimsby factory, while others have experienced slow responses, difficulty getting warranty work booked in, and being directed between the factory and dealers without resolution.

Gas installation concerns on some models — there have been isolated reports of incorrectly installed gas fittings, which is a serious safety issue. Always have the gas system professionally inspected on any used purchase.

Dealer network can feel limited — while Trigano's network is extensive, the dealer experience can be inconsistent. Some owners report long wait times for warranty work and a lack of local specialists in certain areas.

Older models may feel dated compared to European rivals — pre-2016 Auto-Trails can look and feel less modern than contemporary offerings from Hymer, Dethleffs or Bürstner, though they often compensate with more practical layouts for British use.

Damp check is essential — as with all coachbuilt motorhomes, water ingress is the number one concern. Check all walls, ceiling and floor with a damp meter. Pay particular attention to window seals, roof panel joints and the overcab area on coachbuilt models.

Check the Fiat Ducato base vehicle thoroughly — most Auto-Trails are built on the Fiat Ducato. Verify cam belt replacement history (critical maintenance item), test for clutch judder on pre-2010 models, and check all gears engage smoothly.

Have the gas system professionally inspected — given reports of installation issues, a qualified gas engineer should check all fittings, connections and appliances. This is a safety-critical item that should never be skipped.

Inspect Cube Construction panels (newer models) — check panel joints and bonding lines for any separation or cracking. While generally robust, any compromise in the bonded panels can lead to water ingress.

Test all habitation systems thoroughly — run every appliance including fridge (gas and electric), hob, oven, water heater, space heating, water pump and all taps. Check all 12V and 240V circuits and test the leisure battery under load.

Look for a full service history — a well-documented service history with regular habitation checks adds both value and confidence. Check for cam belt change receipts on the base vehicle.

Check tyre age and condition — motorhome tyres degrade with age even if they look unworn. Tyres over 5 years old should be treated with caution regardless of tread depth.

When buying a used Auto-Trail, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. Given occasional reports of quality control issues and gas system concerns, a comprehensive warranty covering both the base vehicle and habitation equipment provides essential peace of mind.

Auto-Trail's position within the Trigano Group means parts availability is generally excellent, and many components are shared with Chausson and other Trigano brands. However, specialist coachbuilt repairs can still be expensive, making warranty cover a worthwhile investment.

OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty on their used stock, providing valuable protection on a brand where the difference between a well-sorted example and a problematic one can be significant.

When buying a used Auto-Trail, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, covering the average ownership period.