2018 Auto-Trail Tracker LB motorhome

Luxury on an island

Auto-Trail announced the LB addition to its Tracker motorhome line-up for the 2018 season – which meant the range had a longitudinal island bed offering for the first time.

It’s perhaps no surprise. The Grimsby-based manufacturer has already played a significant role in the rise and rise of such bed arrangements with its larger Frontier models. Adding it to the Tracker series just helped to make it a bit more reachable.

Not that it’s particularly cheap, although you have to bear in mind a very high starting specification. It’s no lightweight, either, starting off at 3,500kg. Do check your speed limits, they differ on heavier motorhomes – 50mph is the maximum on single carriageways, 60mph on dual. And the maximum weight is 4,250kg (now check your driving licences). Consider, also, the engine options. The LB starts with the 130bhp Euro VI unit and six-speed manual transmission, but power and automatic transmission upgrades are available.

Configure all the way up to six berths, too, if you wish. There’s the Hi-Line overcab variant, plus you can ring the changes with dinette/travel seating.

The version reviewed here is a more typical two-berth offering. That means a front lounge comprising inward-facing settees (although these can be converted to a second double bed, if needed) as well as the usual cab seats on swivels. Plus, there are two tables for this area – the smaller, circular one more suited to occasional use, the other for full-on mealtimes.

Needless to say, the Tracker kitchen is particularly well endowed. It’s L-shaped, for greater space efficiency, and includes a full cooker (dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill) as well as a microwave oven. Also here are a sink and drainer, while immediately to hand across the corridor is a 142-litre narrow-bodied fridge/freezer, set off the floor for easier access.

Kitchen details range from acrylic splashbacks to electric extractor in the ceiling, to a handy loose cover/worktop for the sink, with its own travel locker. Storage includes two lockers under the sink (one housing a cutlery drawer).

Washroom facilities are beyond the kitchen area, split between a shower cubicle on the offside and toilet room nearside. Again, it’s the attention to detail that stands out – hanging rail plus places to put your soaps and shampoos etc in the former; two lockers, illuminated mirror, toilet roll holder, toothbrush mug, in the latter, where there’s also a fixed basin and Thetford swivel-bowl toilet.

From here, it’s an easy walk into that opulent bedroom. There’s a slight step up into the bed, with its soft-sprung mattress, flanked by wardrobes and over floor lockers. You can alter the bed’s upper section if you want to sit upright – there are fixings for adding a flatscreen TV to the wall of the shower cubicle. The bed itself is some 1.88m (6ft 2in) at its maximum length and 1.44m (4ft 9in) at its minimum.

As mentioned, the overall specification is nothing short of stupendous. It’s hard to see where a motorhome like this lacks, with latest additions including easy-use positive catches for overhead lockers, as well as an upgraded control system, that allows you to operate an increasing number of facilities on your vehicle via an app.

Trademark Auto-Trail features include the spar wheel carrier at the back (so much easier to access than when the spare is under the vehicle), to all manner of interior LED lighting (including dimmer functions).

An awning is standard, too, although on 2018 models it has a revised location, more on top of the body.

It’s all backed by five-year warranties for the chassis and conversion, as well as 10 years for the bodywork, a GRP-clad bonded construction that’s virtually wood-free and also uses aluminium interfaces for greater rigidity.

The Auto-Trail Tracker, Apache and Frontier motorhomes come with their Thatcham CAT 6 approved tracking system ‘Auto-Trail Connect’. Once subscribed this will get owners a huge 27.5% saving on your motorhome insurance with Caravan Guard.

Verdict: A great addition to the ever-popular Tracker line-up.

Plus: Island bed just one of many comforts, high specification

Minus: Weighty, only 6ft standing room in the shower

In-a-nutshell: Island bed luxury gets a little bit more affordable

There’s more information on the Tracker range on the Auto-Trail website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Adria Coral S 670 SC, Burstner Ixeo TL 734, Laika Kreos 4012, Swift Bessacarr 599