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We recently had to sell our Autosleeper Duetto as due to ill health my husband can no longer  drive and I  did not feel comfortable driving it especially as an everyday vehicle whilst on holiday. We missed camping and bought a tent which we used once and had a good time but realised that we really needed another van particularly as we intend to use it a lot.  We have been reading about Romahomes - can anyone tell me what they are like to drive and if there are any major issues that we need to think about. Are there any other small van makes that we could consider. Can we use one as well as the tent for extra space or does that present problems on sites.

Any places to look at them. We are in North London but don't mind a drive out? want something that gives us the freedom to drive around once we get somewhere. Something easy to drive and park that we can cook in and with a fridge and space for a loo if needed. Can they be used as a main vehicle as well?

thanks

viv

How about the Mazda Bongos?  You can get them converted from MPVs into camper vans and they are auto gearboxes mainly so easy to drive.  There is a website called bongofury.co.uk where you can read all about them and see them in the flesh.  Go to a reputable dealer though and not from A N Other car sales Incorporated as there are things that can and do go wrong and you are more likely to avoid a duff one this way.

Ali

Hi Viv,

We have got the Romahome Duo Hylo and we love it. We purchased the Movelite driveaway awning to give us more space and we can then go off site easily, leaving chairs, shoes etc. in the awning. The photos are in our gallery. You can get some with the option of the loo fitted in under the sink, which lifts up. Very clever but we felt we didn't want to lose the cupboard space. We have the porta potti stowed in locker behind passenger seat. Only used it twice but I tend to ask if we can be near the shower block when I book and generally use sites with facilities.

Its is so easy to drive. I was a bit nervous at first but OH wants me to share driving especially when we do our trip to the Lake District in September. I have driven it quite a lot now and really enjoy it. The biggest thing you have to get used to is relying on your wing mirrors more than in a car. Parking is quite easy as well, just get used to the bit of extra length. We go shopping in it and OH uses it to go to work when he doesn't ride his bike and no problems with normal car parks. It is fine to use as an everyday car and we both find it comfie.

Freeborn in Surrey might be near enough for you to have a look at some. Have a look here http://www.freebornmotorhomes.co.uk/findus.htm  

Hope you enjoy looking.

Moya   Sorry for all the edits. Couldn't get the link to work.

Hi

We have a 1993 Romahome Hytop it is based on a Citroen C15 van.  The on the road size is smaller than a normal Volvo estate.

Although we have also got a car (a Citroen Berlingo) I use the Romahome as an everyday car and it does almost 50mpg.  The downside of ours is no power steering but from 1995 it was fitted.

Motorway driving is no problem 60 to 70 mph alothough ours is fitted with spring assisters.

Newer Romahomes are buit on the Berlingo which has a cab that is much easier to get in and out of.  The driving position in the Berlingo is brilliant.

I am only able to reply now because we khave just returned from a short break in the romahome

No I am not a member yet but I avidly read their forum.

Perhaps we should recommend that Viv visits their web site at

www.romaclub.org.uk

or

http://www.sphosting.com/romaclub/

Another useful place to look is:

http://www.smallmotorhome.co.uk/

J&W

Thanks to all of you for the advice. We decided to nip over to Freeborn Motors at Guildford this morning and ended up in a most horrendous traffic jam on the M25 and we were stuck for about 2 hours for 1 mile.  Anyway we carried on to Godalming and finally arrived at Freeborn Motor homes where we were made welcome with a cup of tea and were offered fruit and biscuits for our return journey.  This trip was supposed to help us decide which one would suit us best but we liked them all, I test drove a Duo and think they are really nice.  We will be looking at a few more dealers and types of van but I know the right van will pop up just when we are giving up hope of ever finding one!!!  Then we will be off to the country!!!!

viv

Dear Viv

The Duo's are wonderful vehicles as the high second window gives lots of privacy and if you make your own silver screens for the D shaped windows that reflects heat and keeps them lovely and cool on a hot summer day. If you are looking to buy one I am just about to "trade up" and have a 2001 Duo for sale (low mileage) with lots of extras - Price is well below dealer of course and us under 26,000 with full service and new cambelt just completed (full service history) - you can contact me through here initially. I am on the coast in Poole but can meet you halfway should you seriously want to view.