If you’re after a proper motorhome that doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t, the 2004 Autocruise Wentworth might just tick your boxes. This is old-school coachbuilt touring at its most straightforward – no bells, whistles, or Instagram-worthy curves, just honest British motorhome engineering from an era when manufacturers focused on getting the basics absolutely right.
At 6.81 metres long, the Wentworth sits firmly in that sweet spot where you’re getting proper living space without needing an HGV licence or a degree in reversing. It’s the sort of motorhome that would feel equally at home on a Cotswolds touring pitch or parked up beside a Scottish loch, assuming you don’t mind the looks you’ll get from owners of more modern machinery.
The 2004 model year puts this Autocruise squarely in the “proven technology” bracket, old enough to have had most of its teething troubles sorted, but not so ancient that parts become a treasure hunt.
Autocruise Wentworth Dimensions and Daily Driving
You’ll find the Wentworth’s 6.81-metre length makes it manageable for most UK touring, though you’d want to think twice about tackling Devon’s narrower lanes or attempting to squeeze into that tempting pub car park in the Yorkshire Dales. The 2.95-metre height keeps you under most barriers, but you’d still need to develop that motorhome owner’s sixth sense about overhanging branches and car park height restrictions.
The 500kg payload capacity means you’ll need to pack with some discipline; it’s not generous by modern standards, but it’s workable if you’re not the sort who travels with half of Argos in tow. When you consider that includes your personal belongings, food, water, and any outdoor gear, you’d be wise to invest in some decent bathroom scales for pre-departure weigh-ins.
Behind the Wheel of the Autocruise Wentworth
The Peugeot Boxer 2.8 HDI engine (despite what some documentation might suggest about “Boxster” – that’s Porsche territory) delivers 127 horsepower through a five-speed manual gearbox. You’d likely find this combination perfectly adequate for UK touring, with enough grunt to tackle motorway slip roads without causing traffic chaos behind you.
With fuel economy figures suggesting 27-30 mpg, you’d be looking at reasonable running costs for a vehicle of this size and age. The 51,712 miles on this particular example suggests it’s been used but not abused; about right for a 2004 motorhome that’s seen some proper touring rather than sitting on a drive gathering moss.
Living Space in the Wentworth
Step inside the Autocruise Wentworth and you’ll discover a layout that prioritises practicality over pizzazz. The two long bench seats dominate the living area, offering the flexibility to create either a proper double bed or two singles (handy if you’re touring with friends who don’t fancy sharing sleeping arrangements).
Those overhead lockers provide storage that actually makes sense, positioned where you can reach them without performing gymnastics. The big roof light above the lounge area would help combat that enclosed feeling you sometimes get in older motorhomes, particularly on those grey British touring days when natural light becomes precious.
The swivel cab seats extend your living space when you’re pitched up, creating a proper social area that doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in a corridor. It’s the sort of setup that works well for evening card games or simply spreading out with a good book and a cup of tea.
Autocruise Wentworth Sleeping Arrangements
The convertible seating arrangement means you’d have genuine choice about your sleeping setup. The double bed configuration would suit couples who don’t mind a bit of coordination when it comes to midnight bathroom visits, while the twin singles option offers independence and might prove more comfortable for those who prefer their own space.
You’d need to factor in the nightly conversion routine; it’s not a fixed bed setup, so there’s always that end-of-day ritual of transforming your living room into a bedroom. Some find this therapeutic; others consider it a chore after a long day’s driving.
Kitchen Facilities in the Wentworth
The kitchen area provides the essentials without any unnecessary complications. You’d find a sink, oven, grill, and hobs, everything needed for proper meal preparation rather than just heating up ready meals. The storage above the kitchen area would accommodate your crockery and cooking essentials, though you’d need to pack thoughtfully given the payload limitations.
The layout suggests this kitchen was designed by people who actually cook in motorhomes, with logical positioning that doesn’t require you to perform a ballet routine while preparing dinner. It’s functional rather than fancy, which often proves more valuable in the long run.
Wentworth Bathroom Space
The bathroom earns the description “spacious” in the original documentation, which in motorhome terms usually means you won’t need to be a contortionist to use it. The cassette toilet, shower, sink, and mirrors provide everything you’d need for extended touring without relying on site amenities.
The swing-wall bathroom design mentioned in the specifications suggests some clever space management; these systems typically allow the bathroom to expand into adjacent areas when in use, then fold back to maximise living space when not needed.
Autocruise Wentworth Systems and Storage
With a 90-litre fresh water tank and 70-litre waste capacity, you’d have reasonable independence from services, enough for several days of careful use or shorter periods of more relaxed consumption. The 110Ah leisure battery provides decent power storage, though you’d want to consider your electrical needs carefully if you’re planning extended off-grid stays.
The Dometic three-way fridge/freezer offers flexibility in power sources, running on 12V while driving, 240V when hooked up, or gas when you’re off-grid. The Truma blown-air heating system would keep you comfortable during shoulder season touring, though you’d want to monitor your gas consumption on longer trips.
That rear wardrobe provides proper hanging space, a luxury often overlooked until you’re trying to keep clothes presentable during extended tours. The various storage compartments throughout suggest the designers understood that motorhome life requires homes for everything from outdoor gear to emergency chocolate supplies.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
If the Wentworth’s age concerns you, the Auto Sleeper Nuevo Modern Construction Compact Motorhome Review offers more modern construction with similar layout principles.
For those wanting more space, the Bessacarr E450 Extended Length Advanced Systems Review provides additional length and potentially more sophisticated systems.
The Swift Bolero 630EW Alternative Layout Design Approach Review represents a different approach to layout design if the Wentworth’s configuration doesn’t suit your touring style.
Final Thoughts
The 2004 Autocruise Wentworth represents honest motorhoming from an era when manufacturers focused on getting the fundamentals right rather than cramming in every conceivable gadget. You’d be buying proven technology with straightforward systems that most competent mechanics could service.
It’s ideal for couples who value practicality over prestige, particularly those who appreciate the flexibility of convertible seating and don’t mind the nightly bed-making routine. The payload limitations mean it’s better suited to careful packers rather than those who travel with everything including the kitchen sink; though ironically, the kitchen sink is already included.
At nearly two decades old, you’d want a thorough inspection focusing on damp, mechanical condition, and the state of the gas and electrical systems. But if you find a well-maintained example, you’d have a motorhome that could provide years of reliable touring without the depreciation hit of newer models.
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