Life on the Road with the Auto-Sleepers Corinium RB

If you are looking for a motorhome that actually feels like a home rather than a cramped van, the auto-sleepers corinium rb usually ends up right at the top of the list for most people. It is one of those vehicles that manages to strike a really nice balance between being a manageable drive and offering a level of luxury that makes you forget you are parked in a field somewhere.

The "RB" in the name stands for Rear Island Bed, and honestly, that is the star of the show here. For anyone who has spent years clambering over their partner in the middle of the night just to get to the loo, having a proper island bed feels like a massive upgrade. But there is a lot more to this motorhome than just a comfortable place to sleep. It is built on a Peugeot chassis with an Al-Ko wide track, which sounds a bit technical, but in plain English, it just means it is more stable and smoother to drive than your average boxy van.

The First Impression: Space and Light

Walking into the auto-sleepers corinium rb for the first time, the thing you notice immediately is how much space there is. Because it sits on that wider Al-Ko chassis, the interior feels noticeably broader than many of its competitors. Auto-Sleepers has always been known for that "Best of British" vibe, which basically means high-quality woodwork, plush fabrics, and a layout that actually makes sense for how people live.

The front lounge is the perfect spot to kick back after a long day of driving or exploring. You have got two long side-facing sofas that are incredibly comfortable—none of that stiff, upright seating you sometimes find in continental motorhomes. If you swivel the cab seats around, you have suddenly got a huge social area. It is the kind of space where you can easily have four or five people sitting around with plenty of room for drinks and snacks without feeling like you are sitting in each other's laps.

One thing I really appreciate is the lighting. There is a massive skyview window over the cab that lets in a ton of natural light during the day. When the sun goes down, the LED spotlighting and ambient strips give the whole place a really warm, cozy glow. It doesn't feel like a vehicle; it feels like a high-end apartment.

Cooking on the Move

Now, let's talk about the kitchen. In some motorhomes, the "kitchen" is basically a microwave and a prayer. Not so in the auto-sleepers corinium rb. They have managed to pack in a full-sized cooker with three gas burners and one electric hotplate, which is great if you are hooked up at a campsite and want to save your gas. There is also a separate oven and grill, so you aren't limited to just heating up soup.

The fridge is a decent size too—a large tower-style fridge-freezer that can hold enough food for a week-long trip. There is a decent amount of workspace, especially with the flip-up worktop extension, and plenty of drawers for your cutlery and pans. It is a very practical setup. You can actually cook a proper Sunday roast in here if the mood takes you, though most of us would probably settle for a decent fry-up or a quick pasta dish.

The Clever Bathroom Setup

The way they have designed the bathroom in the auto-sleepers corinium rb is actually quite clever. Instead of one cramped room, the facilities are split across the middle of the van. On one side, you have a dedicated shower cubicle that is big enough for a grown adult to actually move around in. On the other side, there is a separate room for the toilet and a vanity sink.

The brilliant part is how the doors work. You can use the toilet door to shut off the back of the motorhome from the front lounge. This creates a sort of "en-suite" feel for the bedroom and gives you a private dressing area in the middle. It also means if one person wants to go to bed early, they can be tucked away in the back while the other person stays up in the lounge to watch TV or read.

The Star Feature: The Island Bed

We have to talk about that bedroom. The auto-sleepers corinium rb is all about that rear island bed. It is a permanent, fixed bed, which means no more faffing around with cushions and slats every night when you are tired. You just pull back the duvet and jump in.

Because it is an island bed, you have walking space on both sides. This is a game-changer for long-term touring. Each person gets their own wardrobe on either side of the bed, plus there are overhead lockers for things like t-shirts and socks. Underneath the bed, there is a massive storage area that you can access from inside or outside, which is perfect for stowing away folding chairs, levelling ramps, or extra bedding.

The mattress itself is usually a high-quality memory foam or sprung affair, depending on the specific year and spec, but they are consistently comfortable. There is even a dedicated space for a second TV at the foot of the bed, so if you fancy a lazy morning watching the news under the covers, you are all set.

Driving and Performance

Despite its size—it's over 7.7 meters long—the auto-sleepers corinium rb is surprisingly easy to handle. Most models come with the 160bhp Peugeot Turbo Diesel engine, which has plenty of grunt for getting up hills even when you are fully loaded with water and gear. The six-speed gearbox is smooth, though many people opt for the automatic version if they can find one, just to make those long motorway hauls a bit more relaxing.

The Al-Ko chassis really is the secret sauce here. It lowers the center of gravity and widens the rear track, which makes the van feel much more planted on the road. You don't get that "boaty" feeling when a large truck passes you on the motorway, and it handles corners with a lot more confidence than you might expect from something this size.

Practicalities and Winterization

If you are thinking about year-round touring, the auto-sleepers corinium rb is built for it. It features Grade 3 insulation, which is the highest rating for motorhomes. This means even if it is freezing outside, the heating system (usually a Whale or Truma system) will keep the interior at a steady, comfortable temperature.

The water tanks are also insulated and heated, so you don't have to worry about your pipes freezing if you head off for a skiing trip or a late autumn getaway in the Highlands. It's a solid, well-built bit of kit that feels like it's made to last for years, not just a few seasons.

Final Thoughts

Is it the cheapest motorhome on the market? Definitely not. But with the auto-sleepers corinium rb, you really do get what you pay for. It is a luxury touring machine designed for couples who want to see the world without leaving their creature comforts behind.

Between the massive lounge, the functional kitchen, the clever split-bathroom, and that wonderful island bed, it's hard to find much to complain about. It's the kind of motorhome that makes you want to sell the house, pack your bags, and just keep driving until you run out of road. If comfort and build quality are your main priorities, this is one vehicle you absolutely have to see in person.