specialist vehicle hire - head to head
Auto-Trail vs Swift
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Auto-Trail | Swift | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | England (Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire) | England (Hull and Cottingham, East Yorkshire) |
| Making trailers since | 1982 | 1964 |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | coachbuilt motorhomes, low profile motorhomes, campervans | touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans, holiday homes |
| Best known for | Imala | Sprite |
Choose Auto-Trail if...
Auto-Trail is a British motorhome and campervan maker, part of the Trigano Group, which began building motorhomes in 1982. Buyers pick it for coachbuilt family motorhomes and low profile models.
Look at: Imala, F-Line, Frontier, Grande Frontier
Full Auto-Trail profile →Choose Swift if...
Swift is a Yorkshire maker of touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans, with its first caravan built in Hull in 1964. Buyers range from first time caravanners choosing a Sprite to motorhome owners choosing Voyager or Escape.
Look at: Sprite, Challenger, Conqueror
Full Swift profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK specialist vehicle hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Auto-Trail vs Swift - common questions
Is Auto-Trail better than Swift?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Auto-Trail is a British motorhome and campervan maker, part of the Trigano Group, which began building motorhomes in 1982. Buyers pick it for coachbuilt family motorhomes and low profile models. Swift is a Yorkshire maker of touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans, with its first caravan built in Hull in 1964. Buyers range from first time caravanners choosing a Sprite to motorhome owners choosing Voyager or Escape.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Auto-Trail or Swift?
Auto-Trail: Sold through dealers listed on the Where to Buy page of the Auto-Trail website. Swift: Sold through a UK dealer network listed on the Swift website, and Swift runs its own Swift Go motorhome and campervan hire.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK specialist vehicle hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.