Auto-Sleeper Surrey (2011)

Auto-Sleeper Surrey 2011

INTRODUCED at the February 2008 NEC show, the County range marked the re-introduction of a Mercedes-based motorhome to the Auto-Sleeper brand - these exclusive-to-Marquis models combine chassis one-upmanship with a high-spec living space and renowned Auto-Sleepers quality.

The drive of this Sprinter is a class above the average. As part of the Anniversary Pack Option 2, our Surrey has Mercedes’ fully automatic torque convertor transmission, which is smooth.

The large chromed Mercedes-Benz logo on the steering wheel sets the scene in the cab and the dashboard looks very modern – especially with its metallic-effect surround to the radio and air-conditioned temperature controls.

Outside, the Auto-Sleeper coachbuilt body blends well with the prominent Mercedes nose. The overcab luton, which contains a small double bed, doesn’t look overly bulbous (though it takes overall height to a lofty 3.13m), and the side awning is recessed into the body.

The cab windows all have concertina blinds, and the swivelling front seats have a single armrest apiece. There are also two forward-facing rear travel seats – each with headrests and three-point belts – created by easily removing part of the L-shaped settee.

Lounging around
Behind the cab is a large lounge with that L-shaped settee and another inward-facing sofa on the offside. The kitchen is along the rear wall, and is sandwiched between the habitation door and the washroom.

The décor is very old-fashioned, hailing from at least a decade ago in terms of motorhome fashions.

To dine, extract the free-standing table from its separate compartment within the wardrobe. A smaller island-leg coffee table also lives in the wardrobe.

Chef's delight
Cooking for the whole tribe isn’t a chore, thanks to the Spinflo Caprice MkIII domestic-style slot-in cooker with its three gas burners, single electric hotplate, grill, oven, pan storage and microwave.

A set of four crystal wine glasses is permanently on show in a recess below the microwave, and bottles are kept inside one of the high-level cupboards where retaining clips are fitted. There’s an 86-litre Dometic fridge below.

There’s a good amount of general storage space, with clear Perspex-fronted upper cupboards along the rear wall and a large cupboard with bi-fold door below the cutlery drawer/sink.

The sink and drainer are covered by a glass lid, while a chromed kitchen-roll holder is mounted on the wall above.

For ventilation there’s a large opening window behind the hob, a vent above, and another opening window in the one-piece door. Just inside the doorway is a recess (great for an umbrella), along with a handle to help you up the steps – one retracting electric one, one fixed step inside the door.

There’s the roof-mounted aerial piping a reasonable picture to the rather small Avtex flatscreen TV which flips down from above the passenger’s seat so that anyone sitting on the settees gets a good view.

Both settees are long enough (at around 6ft 4in) to make instant single beds, although it’s an easy enough job to pull the settees together to make an enormous double.

There’s also the overcab double bed, which despite not having masses of headroom, offers a thin but comfortable mattress, an opening roof vent (but no windows), and a reading light, as well as privacy curtains.

Half the bed base flips up to aid access to the cab but to keep all your luton-base possessions safely in situ whilst driving.

The Truma heater runs on both gas and mains and pipes warm air throughout the ’van. It’s not as powerful in its output as the top-spec Combi heater, though, and the grilles on the fire are a bit too tempting to little fingers. With underfloor water tanks this is not a ’van for extreme winter weather in any case.

Storage
This being a motorhome layout without a fixed bed, storage is a little limited, but there is a large amount of space beneath the offside settee which is accessed from both outside and an interior locker door.

There’s a small drawer below the wardrobe (above the heater) and six high-level lockers over the lounge, most of which are shelved. For outdoors gear there’s a skirt locker.

There’s a lack of storage space in the washroom. The swivel cassette toilet is just inside the compartment’s door, leaving the washbasin beside your left arm when seated. The basin is mounted onto a swivel wall, which creates a separate shower cubicle.

The showerhead is mounted onto a height-adjustable rail, which also holds a soap dish, and there’s an opening roof vent above. Two towel hooks are screwed onto the door, and there’s a towel ring and a chromed mug-holder here too.

Illumination is generous, with two large ceiling lights, and there’s an unusually generous amount of elbow room.

The only storage compartment here is behind the mirror-fronted unit above the washbasin – it’s just about big enough for a couple of shampoo bottles and toothpaste. Usefully, there’s a pull-out washing line to hang up wet clothes to dry.

A longer version of this review was published in the July 2010 issue of Which Motorhome magazine.

With an end-kitchen layout it’s a very traditional motorhome and the dated trim doesn’t do it any favours. The Mercedes base with automatic is great though.