Tribute T-720 (2010)

Tribute T-720 2010

FOR years Elddis had the budget coachbuilt market pretty much sewn up. Then along came Swift’s excellent Escape, followed now by the Tribute from Auto-Trail.

Think of it as a sign of the times. Buyers have less access to credit and secondhand stocks at most dealers are at an all-time low, while those cheap Italian imports are no longer cheap.

Like Swift, Auto-Trail have separate branding for their new budget range, taking the Tribute name from the popular and affordable Italian-built high-tops.

But these new coachbuilts are manufactured in Grimsby and uniquely in this sector they’re based on Ford. And not just any old Transit, but one with a new lowered chassis with a wider rear track – a first for Auto-Trail.

There are four new Tribute models, tackling popular parts of the market – rear kitchen, rear lounge, garage layout and a family ’van with both front and rear lounges. It’s the last of that quartet (the T-720) that we test here. And we have to say from the outset that this 6.96m ’van looks like a lot of motorhome for £35,995.

The styling is hardly revolutionary but the swoopy roofline and unusual grey and bronze-coloured graphics are up-to-date.

The unpainted front bumper doesn’t look like a cost-cutting measure because it ties in with the grey skirts, and there are smart Ford wheel covers to make you think this is a £45k motorhome.


Spot the exterior hatch to the nearside underseat locker and the Seitz door with deep window and you start to think that the price is a mistake.

There’s no need for an external step to get on board as this is a front-wheel drive chassis with a usefully low floor. But despite that, Auto-Trail have achieved a flat floor from the cab right through to the rear lounge (covered by a two-piece removable carpet).

There’s no cab carpet, but if you think we’ve found a chink in the Tribute’s armour, think again. Cab carpet is part of the Driver’s Pack, which also adds a heated windscreen, electric mirrors and passenger airbag for an additional £399.

And it’s not as if the cab is builder’s-van basic. You get a six-speed gearbox, cruise control, electric windows, remote central locking, radio/CD with MP3 connection, and on this T-720, the powerful 140bhp motor.

As we walk around the hugely roomy interior of this big family motorhome, we have to keep reminding ourselves of the price.

OK, so the locker doors are flat panels, but their contrasting Cappuccino colouring completes what is definitely the smartest décor around at this pricing. Metal cupboard handles extend the impression of quality and positive locking catches tell you that they’ve thought about safety too.

The boast that Tribute is built in much the same way as a £70k Frontier is far from hollow.

The T-720’s layout works well, and it avoids the corridor feeling that you get when wardrobe and washroom are placed opposite one another amidships.

The Tribute also eschews a front pullman dinette for a more continental style half-dinette and side settee. That renders it out of the question for those needing a genuine six-berth, but families of four will welcome the more sociable front lounge.

At the back, the second lounge lacks wrap-around seating but doesn’t want for comfort.

And while you might curse those caravan-style slats for bed make-up, the resultant double is a good size, flat and very comfortable. Likewise, the overcab makes a good bed, thanks to decent headroom and convenient shelves for your bedtime book.

Lighting is by LEDs throughout with four reading lights at the back, while natural light pours in through the sunroof over the forward seating group.

For families, the centre kitchen’s fridge might seem to be a bit light on capacity, but this galley makes up for that with generous worktop. A Duplex oven and grill is standard too and the mistake of Excel’s low-slung cutlery drawer has not been repeated here.

Likewise, the washroom is vastly superior to Excel’s. It has a proper separate shower, which is bound to sway family buyers in the Tribute’s direction.

There’s a familiar Auto-Trail washbasin too, and a swivel toilet with wheeled cassette. Washroom storage is a bit limited for family use, though.

If there’s one obvious area of economy it’s with the heating; the 3kW Truma fire in the centre of the ’van will really struggle to keep you cosy on a winter’s evening.

The answer, though, is the £499 Lux Pack, which adds mains power and (essential) blown-air for that heater, plus dashboard trim, cab blinds, scatter cushions and a TV aerial. Add the £935 cab air-con and winterised water tanks (ask your dealer) and we really couldn’t think of a reason to spend any more on a so-called luxury model.

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

A welcome newcomer to challenge the traditional Elddis and the Swift Escape ranges. Wide-track Transit base and great style are big plus points.