Auto-Trail

Auto-Trail is a British motorhome manufacturer, established by Bill Boasman and Barry Holmes in 1982.[1] As of 2022, the company employed around 200 staff members at its manufacturing site in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Auto-Trail
IndustryRecreational Vehicles
Founded1982
HeadquartersEuroparc, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK
ProductsMotorhomes
Websitehttps://www.auto-trail.co.uk/

History

After both working at Astral, Boasman and Holmes worked together at Cosalt in Grimsby, and together founded the caravan division known as Humber Caravan Co. alongside Len Funnell.[2] This caravan division was then renamed as Abbey Caravan Company. Boasman left in 1971 to begin working at Mustang.[3]

In 1982, Boasman created the first coach-built Auto-Trail motorhome, the Auto-Trail Cheyenne, with the Peugeot 504 chassis.[4]

The early 1990s found the Mohawk and Cheyenne models growing in popularity. The Cheyenne range was originally a budget build for the hire fleets, but it became popular with private buyers, so Auto-Trail developed the Rico luxury pack and Sport range.[5]

The smallest motorhome built by Auto-Trail in the 90s was the original Tracker, based on a Fiat Scudo with Al-Ko chassis extensions. At the other end of the scale, the biggest motorhome was built on a Mercedes lorry chassis.

In 1994, the Cree was the first Auto-Trail to feature an end-changing room.

Auto-Trail was bought out by A.B.I Caravans although Auto-Trail remained at its Grimsby factory. ABI went out of business in 1998 and Auto-Trail was sold to the Italian Ci Group,[1] owned by the larger Trigano Group in 1999.

In 2007, interiors were updated to include smart, modern aircraft-style locker doors and a permanent bed.

In 2013, Auto-Trail launched their V-Line range of campervans, featuring a panoramic roof light, integrated rain run-off channels, a 100W solar panel, and flush fitting, double-glazed privacy windows.

A new coachbuilt range called the Imala was launched in 2014 as an affordable range of motorhomes. Five models are in the Imala range, each built on the new generation Fiat Ducato chassis.

In 2015, Auto-Trail began an expansion for their Grimsby site. The new production lines were designed to be more efficient and roughly doubled production numbers.

Auto-Trail added the Tribute range into the main Auto-Trail line-up in 2017 after manufacturing moved from Italy to the company's main premises in Grimsby.[6]

In 2020, Auto-Trail launched its first elevating roof compact motorhome, the Adventure.

Current Ranges

Auto-Trail produces both van conversion and coachbuilt motorhomes.[7]

  • Expedition
  • V-Line
  • Adventure
  • F-Line
  • Imala
  • Tracker
  • Frontier
  • Grande Frontier

References
  1. Jenkinson, Andrew. Motorhomes: The Illustrated History.
  2. Jenkinson, Andrew. Caravans: The Illustrated History from 1960. p. 29.
  3. "caravanhistorie - Abbey". sites.google.com. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  4. "Factory Visit of Auto Trail Ltd". IMI | Institute of the Motor Industry. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. www.auto-trail.co.uk https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/our-journey. Retrieved 23 March 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Auto-Trail revises V-Line campervan range and renames Tribute". www.outandaboutlive.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  7. "Motorhome Design Awards Winners List_Design Awards Press Sheet" (PDF).
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