Dear All, my partner and I are considering changing our caravan for a motorhome. We have found an Autotrail that we particularly like but unfortunately it has the old style Truma controls instead of a digital control panel. (This is a new Autotrail Imala 715). The dealer has said that a control panel cannot be retro fitted. We have experienced both forms of controlling the heating and hot water and we much prefer the digital control. Can anyone suggest a make of motorhome that does have the digital control as standard please? I have been trawling the internet, but this vital piece of information appears to be missing from the tech specs.
We are looking for something no more than 7m with a fixed bed.
Hi Sara, we have just bought a Bailey Approach compact 520 on a 2014 plate. Fixed bed and digital control, about 6m length.
Fixed bed means less living space, only been out in it once, but loving it so far!
The controls can be fitted but it depends which model heater it has. If the actually heater is coloured grey and black it will need a new circuit board which are very expensive. When I looked at changing mine it was going to cost over £500!!!!! If the heater is all black it will accept the electronic control but you still have the cost of the control unit and fitting so probably around £300.
We have a new Autotrail Imala 720 LD. We bought her new in May last year. She is not digitalised. (the same as us to be honest) Electronics are not something with which we are up to speed with. After almost a year, we prefer the good old push this button for heat (on/off) The other button for hot water etc. Our first new van 2008...was not digital, probably because digital stuff was just arriving and Elddis were not known for keeping up to speed themselves. However our next new van in 2011 an Autosleeper was in fact of up to date/speed digital type. It (ALMOST) had the option of letting you know it was time to go to the toilet/wash your hands etc. We have not missed anything with this Autotrail. I like the simplicity of it, in so far as, switch this that or the other to know how much water is in the tank, Battery condition etc. I am very happy in fact more than happy with this 'oldish' but not as old as us system. Go for it I would say, complications are for the afterlife in my books.
Thank you everyone. The OH and I have decided to take a trip to the motorhome show at Peterborough this weekend for a good browse. I may well see a van there that satisfies my digital control obsession! We are at the beginning of our search. I think I need to look at the bigger picture and not just concentrate on one feature.
I will let you all know if we find something suitable.