In 2024, we took a new opportunity and bought our next brand new motorhome. This was not the plan and was a bit of an impulse, but a recent visit to the Swift Group factory to see the Escape being made and a clear idea of what we wanted helped us narrow down what would be the next incarnation for us. Same layout but additional features were key this time. We opted for the trusted Don Amott to handle this purchase.
The Purchase Experience
A visit to Don Amott in March 2024, led to us looking at a new Swift Escape 694. We had recently seen these and other Swift models and caravans being made during a factory tour we took in early March. This gave us some assurance of the build process, quality assurance processes they have and get to see the vehicles for ourselves. We had in mind the Kon Tiki range but soon concluded that they were just not worth the additional expense compared to
Why this particular motorhome? Andy is a fan of Swift and Jamie has always liked the Auto Trail. We provisionally ordered a Swift from the motorhome show in the February 2022 but long delays at that time meant that we cancelled that and went with the Auto Trail Tracker last time! This time there was a chance to go for a Swift and there were discounted models available on the dealer forecourts
Why switch again? Simply an opportunity once again and thinking that we wanted to keep as new as we could. The new one is also under a full Swift warranty and this is proving invaluable in the shake down trips to identify any faults and reparations especially the rougher roads that tested it out in Northern Spain! Andy’s parents have dealt with Don Amott in the past so we were very comfortable in giving them a try this time. A solid part exchange price helped secure the deal too.
Collection and Handover
Arrival at Don Amott saw our part exchange taken for final appraisal and checks and was described as ‘immaculate’ as they signed off. This was then taken to sales forecourt of the site where customers on the show ground could see it straight away – we did not expect that.
Handover was very thorough in the dedicated section of the dealership. Every detail of the Swift motorhome is explained and demonstrated with a knowledgable member of the Don Amott team. We liked that they took their time and nothing was too much trouble. The new motorhome was already waiting and registered up, EHU plugged in and ready for demonstration to us.
Shakedown Trips…
We chose to take two trips to test everything out, shakedown and identify any potential warranty issues from the outset – both of these at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough. Following multiple blogs, Facebook groups and Instagram accounts and groups you get to hear of some stories but we have learned over the last few years to read some of these with caution and research well for yourself. Now, we are not the sort to be put off by another experience, but any advice or experience is useful to know. Getting to know our new motorhome quickly was important, and very essential as we had a European trip planned for the summer break so we needed to be assured that anything that didn’t feel right could be addressed.
After leaving Don Amott we went home and loaded all our kit back in and decided to head straight to Ferry Meadows CAMC for a night and test out at our leisure. How did this go?
From here we had already got booked a reservation at Great Yarmouth CAMC for a couple of nights later in the month so this was a perfect opportunity to fully test the motorhome and give it a good drive. What did we learn from this experience?
Once again the operating systems were totally new and different to the control panel we had in the Auto Trail but there was some familiarity with the Swift controls we had in our previous caravan. The Aldi heating control was however the same as that we had in the Bailey – just a newer version, so at least we could get heat and hot water! We are delighted to have the fixed island bed again.
Initial impressions have been good.
Warranty Items to date…
The simple list of items identified at this stage: habitation door was not closing properly and needed the stays adjusting and tightening plus a small wooden panel had dropped down under a cupboard. Both of these were fixed quickly by the dealer and in time for our Europe trip
Summer Tour – France and Spain
Our great adventure for the summer came shortly after getting the new motorhome. A chance for a good drive and explore almost 3000 miles around France and Spain so really helped us in getting comfortable with the new motorhome and its features and differences from the last one.
Some additional warranty items became apparent at this stage and this included: the water tank needing the Swift identified additional straps on the water tank – known issue but noticeable as were away.
Two Guys, Two Dogs, Four Wheels 