Windsor info

The arrival of a second grandchild is prompting me to consider changing my Autosleeper Executive. The current van sleeps 4 but we can only take one grandchild and even then either the wife or me has to sit in the back without a seat belt.

So three Autosleepers are in prospect - Windrush, Neuvo ES or a Windsor. The first two are easy to get info on but the Windsor I'm struggling with. I'd like to know:

The width with mirrors in and out?
Does the heater warm the passenger side? it doesn't on the Executive!
What is the maximum weight that can be towed?
What is the weight of kit that can be carried?
Is the storage box on the near side of useful size? ramps, bucket etc
Did Marquis market a Windsor under a different name?

Any comments about the Windsor or Nuevo - good or bad - also welcomed.

I think Marquis did the equivalent under the Hampshire name. One left the site we are on this morning. I assumed it was a Windsor by another name as it was built on the Transit. Roli is your man for other info on the Windsor although there are one or two other members with Windsors.

The Hampshire was the Rienza Paul

I am at the Knutsford Show but will quite happily post details on Monday. We changed from an Exec to this in 2004.
The underfloor box holds our wheel pads, chocks, water carriers, long hose and this year wellies and more. You will find the bathroom much bigger than the Execs and it drives a lot better than the Pugeot. We had this one reconfigered the same layout as the Exec. Technical details later. The cab heater does work well compared with the Pug. When we ordered this van we had it supplied with the Truma heating system as I am no fan of the Eberspatcher diesle heaters.

Battery in lappy going flat will post details Monday or you can pm me for more info

Thanks Roli. Look forward to more info on Monday.

Regards

Billy

Overall Length 6300mm / 20'7"
Width Mirrors Out 2530mm / 8' 3"
Mirrors In 2260mm / 7' 5"
Overall Height 2885mm / 9' 5"
Max Perm Loaded Mass 3500kg
Max User Payload excluding essential habitation eqt 528kg
Essential Habitation Eqt 165kg
2.4td 140ps engine (very rapid - well ours is anyway)

Regarding max towing limit I cannot tell you this and its possible that AS cant or wont either - what do you have in mind ?
you could use the 80% of of the MLW formula but I personally would go lower than this due to the hangover from the rear axle. I have seen them towing Smart Cars and similar . May be Mike or Tony or another member with a Windsor may have more info than I do.

Regarding the loading allowance this is as supplied new. Ours for example is higher than this as we had it converted a couple of years ago to a TB layout and the removal of the steel framework/seatbelts on the nearside seat would have given me a few extra kgs to play with.

You cannot really compare it with a Nuevo as the Windsor is a larger van.

IMO the Ford Transit is a better chassis than the old Boxer or the current X250s and should you need spares Ford is definitely cheaper than Pugeot

I am content with mine and have no plans on changing it, we have had it from new.

I watched with interest all the FWD vans being towed off the Knutsford Showground yesterday and thought of the benefits of my RWD Tranny

Thanks for all the info Roli

I frequently tow a sailing dinghy circa 400kgs but occasionally a caravan.

Regards

Billy

Hmm, would not think the caravan was a good idea with the Windsor, it has the power ok but ideally the axle should be closer to the back of the van.

That's a pity. May rule it out as an option for me.

Thanks for your help.

Keep looking and as a guide your Executive is about right from the rear axle to the rear of the van so if you measure that.
The other thing bear in mind is engine size and weight to power ratio when pulling an average sized caravan say 900 to 1100 kg