2000-2009 AUTO-TRAIL CHEYENNE

Each month Gentleman Jack focuses on a great secondhand mainstream motorhome, then reveals the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

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This month we are looking at the most recent generation of Auto-Trail Cheyenne coachbuilts.

Cheyenne first saw the light of day in the 1980s as a staple for the hire fleets. It was cheaper than their other (predominantly Bremen Mercedes-Benz based) ranges. They were noticed by prospective purchasers and sold in good numbers. The new millennium saw a facelift for both the Fiat Ducato and the Cheyenne conversions, raising them from entry-level models to something competing in a much higher league.

The range consisted of six models over three lengths. The sub six-metre 590s included the 590 S, featuring a forward lounge including three swivelling captain's chairs and an offside settee, ahead of a large L-shaped nearside rear kitchen and a washroom sited in the offside rear corner. The 590 LD also arrived with a forward lounge, only this one featured an offside Pullman dinette, facilitating an additional two travel seats. Standard motive power was a spirited 1.9-litre TD unit, with a 2.8-litre TD available as a cost option.

Next up lengthwise was a trio of 6.34m (20'10") 630s, powered by the 2.8 TD engine. The rear-lounge 634 model's suffix letters were declarative in that the 634 L featured L-shaped seating and 634 U featured U-shaped seating. The 635 boasted a forward lounge, plus an across the rear comfort station.