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Hi!
Feb 9, 2008 23:39:06 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Feb 9, 2008 23:39:06 GMT
Hi All
I just bought our Bedford Rascal Romahome yesterday. I'd originally been looking at Bambis, but came across this Romahome, and love the modular concept.
Marc
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Feb 10, 2008 0:35:29 GMT
Post by playallday on Feb 10, 2008 0:35:29 GMT
Hi Marc Welcome. I am a newbie too, and have found this forum invaluable, as I'm sure you will...so much first hand experience... enjoy your van
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Feb 10, 2008 7:52:49 GMT
Post by Graham on Feb 10, 2008 7:52:49 GMT
Hi Marc Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy reading the posts and contributing from time to time. Have lots of lovely trips in your "Little Rascal"
Graham
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Feb 10, 2008 10:26:17 GMT
Post by jayjay on Feb 10, 2008 10:26:17 GMT
Hi Marc!
I've got one of these too - a very old one - but I love it. It's taken me 6 months and a great deal of help and patience from the kind people on this site to get everything in order. I'm so glad I found this site!
Welcome!
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Feb 10, 2008 15:39:46 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Feb 10, 2008 15:39:46 GMT
Hi playallday, Graham and Jayjay
They are great little vehicles, I was just looking round the Rascal part of mine this morning, checking anti freeze, oil etc, and having a a look through the manual. My other vehicles are MR sports2 cars and the accessibility of some things eg spark plugs is wonderful by comparison!
This is my first campervan, I will be a bit lost until I can source a user guide for the Romahome part. I have made a start though by removing the rear door lock as it seems so stiff to use I think it may need a new lock barrel.
Marc
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Feb 10, 2008 17:44:16 GMT
Post by playallday on Feb 10, 2008 17:44:16 GMT
Hi Marc Malcolm has just sent me a copy of the manual by email. If you let me know your email address I will send you a copy Jean
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Feb 11, 2008 11:17:16 GMT
Post by jayjay on Feb 11, 2008 11:17:16 GMT
Hi playallday, Graham and Jayjay This is my first campervan, I will be a bit lost until I can source a user guide for the Romahome part. I have made a start though by removing the rear door lock as it seems so stiff to use I think it may need a new lock barrel. Marc The rear door lock might just need a squirt of WD40, Marc! The lock on my petrol tank cap never gets locked as I think it would actually break the key if I tried! Going to try a Squirt of WD40 on that and just see. I don't have a manual for the romahome part myself, I just fixed things one by one, with a lot of help from the people here - and doing searches for posts on subjects I needed to know about, also on here!. It all depends on what is wrong I suppose. Fortunately, all my electrics/lights/leisure battery/water pump work, so all I had to do was get the little fridge going, clean the cooker so that it ran properly with a blue flame, fix a few water leaks (window and gap between luton and van) find out what type of gas bottle will fit underneath the seats (small camping gaz as it turns out). I still have a few things to sort out. The battery for one - it sticks out and has no cover, which is fine unless you drive though a puddle and it cuts all the power off! The rust spots for another. The van part (engine) was put right by my local garage lads, who did an excellent job and sorted a lot more things out for me at the same time. - like the stabilzer legs, which needed straightening and mending as a previous owner had obviously driven away with them down! Apart from that, I'm looking forward to going to the meet at Wolverley in March and meeting all the folks that have given me all the help and encouragement! And I will get to try out my van and awning and see how it all goes!
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Feb 11, 2008 11:20:28 GMT
Post by jayjay on Feb 11, 2008 11:20:28 GMT
Hi Marc Malcolm has just sent me a copy of the manual by email. If you let me know your email address I will send you a copy Jean Hi Jean, can you send me a copy by email as well? I bet there's something in there I will need to know at some point! my email addy is JayJackson at dsl.pipex.com - replace the 'at with a @. And thanks in advance if you can help me too! ;D
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Hi!
Feb 11, 2008 20:10:29 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Feb 11, 2008 20:10:29 GMT
I tried wd40 but with no joy, so I've taken the lock off to take to a locksmith.
Apart from the fridge, I'm totally lost as to the romahome section. Eg there are 3 red knobs on the sink and I've no idea what they are for. Although I've the jacks, I've no idea how to dismount the home module, and safety issue in that area. I'd also just like the user guide for a full description of the different features.
You have a leisure batter? We have the same thing do we, bedford rascal with romahome? I just have the one battery. I have a spare 12v battery from a car, could I use that as a leisure battery?
Where is Wolverley? I'm based in Sussex, but my partner is in London and I'm often in Derbyshire too.
Marc
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Feb 12, 2008 8:35:03 GMT
Post by Derek on Feb 12, 2008 8:35:03 GMT
Hi Marc I tried wd40 but with no joy, so I've taken the lock off to take to a locksmith. Try Zadi for locks, a caravan spares shop should be able to help Apart from the fridge, I'm totally lost as to the romahome section. Eg there are 3 red knobs on the sink and I've no idea what they are for. Although I've the jacks, I've no idea how to dismount the home module, and safety issue in that area. I'd also just like the user guide for a full description of the different features. Try Ebay number 140206484574 or just search Ebay for Romahome for the manual I just have the one battery. I have a spare 12v battery from a car, could I use that as a leisure battery? The correct answer is that you should use a leisure battery that is designed for deep discharge but if you already have a batt give it a try. You can charge from the vehicle with one of these www.towsure.com/product/1828-Self-Switching_Combination_RelayDerek
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Feb 12, 2008 9:07:36 GMT
Post by jayjay on Feb 12, 2008 9:07:36 GMT
Where is Wolverley? I'm based in Sussex, but my partner is in London and I'm often in Derbyshire too. Marc In n. Worcester, near Kidderminster. From the south, M5 to J3, A456 to Hagley. Google Maps - get directions - type in where from and where to - to see the distance! You can also set it to avoid motorways which is what I do.
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Feb 12, 2008 23:35:10 GMT
Post by djsooz on Feb 12, 2008 23:35:10 GMT
Hi Marc, Good to see yet another new member. Hope you've got your manual by now. If not I think your three red switches are for gas control - everyone on here can correct me if I'm wrong I've got a slightly older romahome so should be the same. One for the cooker, one for the fridge and one for the heating (if you have it). Turning the switches puts gas to these once you've opened the valve at the gas bottle. Anyway, have a great time in your new wee home. I hope you'll give she/he a name ;D Sooz (djsooz)
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Feb 13, 2008 8:33:06 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Feb 13, 2008 8:33:06 GMT
Hi Derek
Thanks for the Zadi comment, that's just the thing. Are those ebay erferences a more sophisticated version of the towsure one, would you say they are the better thing to go for?
Marc
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Feb 13, 2008 8:37:17 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Feb 13, 2008 8:37:17 GMT
Hi djsooz Ah, is *that* what the red buttons are for, great! Pretty useful to know how to turn the gas on. Being a complete camping neophyte I was looking at electric consumtion for eg the fridge and it is obvious that switching the fridge on to electric and forgetting about it is going to mean I won't be able to start the vehicle, that it might be an idea to have a meter that tells me if anything's taking power and check it each time I leave the camper. Or is that paranoia? :-) What is your type of camper? Mine's 'Snowdrop' btw. Marc Hi Marc, Good to see yet another new member. Hope you've got your manual by now. If not I think your three red switches are for gas control - everyone on here can correct me if I'm wrong I've got a slightly older romahome so should be the same. One for the cooker, one for the fridge and one for the heating (if you have it). Turning the switches puts gas to these once you've opened the valve at the gas bottle. Anyway, have a great time in your new wee home. I hope you'll give she/he a name ;D Sooz (djsooz)
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Feb 13, 2008 8:47:18 GMT
Post by Derek on Feb 13, 2008 8:47:18 GMT
Are those ebay erferences a more sophisticated version of the towsure one, would you say they are the better thing to go for? Nope, copy of the manual Romahome manualDerek
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Feb 13, 2008 9:23:28 GMT
Post by playallday on Feb 13, 2008 9:23:28 GMT
I tried wd40 but with no joy, so I've taken the lock off to take to a locksmith. Marc I had to buy a complete new unit as thieves broke into my van and twisted the lock so that I could not get the key in. I tried WD40 with no luck. A locksmith couldn't free it and couldn't supply a new barrel of sufficient length. My local camping shop didn't have a barrel either. The whole unit only cost £25 and I was told the barrel would cost me £15
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jamieww
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 23
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Feb 15, 2008 11:59:36 GMT
Post by jamieww on Feb 15, 2008 11:59:36 GMT
Hi Marc, I'm sure you'll love your roma like it seems everyone else does.... Welcome to the site, you've probably already realised that everyone here is very friendly and willing to help if they can... I don't think you'll find a nicer bunch of people..
good luck in your adventures...enjoy
Jamie
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Feb 15, 2008 14:07:30 GMT
Post by djsooz on Feb 15, 2008 14:07:30 GMT
Hi Marc, I have a 1996 C15 Hi Top called Rhonda. She runs really well for an older high mileage van so I think I'm pretty lucky. I found out recently that the leisure battery is in good condition because I stupidly left a light on and didn't know about it until 6 days later when I returned to the van to find the light still on I usually use Electic Hook Up at sites and run the fridge from that. I use the gas for cooking and heating mainly, but I can run it on gas if needs be. Hope you have loads of fun in snowdrop. Sooz.
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Feb 19, 2008 19:07:21 GMT
Post by pendel on Feb 19, 2008 19:07:21 GMT
Hello Marc. Welcome to the best forum. Its grrreat. If you got a problem with your Roma there is always someone who can help and everyone is so friendly. We only joined a few weeks ago after buying our Romahome (named julius) just before Christmas on Ebay and have booked the site for the get together in March. Can you make it? We cant wait to meet everyone. Anyway, maybe we will meet up one day. Have fun. Penny & Derek
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Mar 10, 2008 13:16:32 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Mar 10, 2008 13:16:32 GMT
Hi Penny and Derek What kind of romahome is julius? We can't make the March meet unfortunately as we'll be in the Peak District. Also, I've a bit of a prob with the roma as I've locked myself out of the living module. I've tried emailing romahome a couple of time about it but without response. How often do you have meets? Marc Hello Marc. Welcome to the best forum. Its grrreat. If you got a problem with your Roma there is always someone who can help and everyone is so friendly. We only joined a few weeks ago after buying our Romahome (named julius) just before Christmas on Ebay and have booked the site for the get together in March. Can you make it? We cant wait to meet everyone. Anyway, maybe we will meet up one day. Have fun. Penny & Derek
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Mar 10, 2008 19:45:49 GMT
Post by pendel on Mar 10, 2008 19:45:49 GMT
Hello Mark. Our Julius is a Citroen Romahome and we love it. Sounds like you have a problem with your unit. How did you manage to lock yourself out? Is there room for a small person to climb through the space behind the seats or through a window and unlock the door from the inside? Pity you cant join us at the meet but you will be in a beautiful part of the country. We have family in the area so we are there at least once a year. If you cant get into your living area, try getting in touch with Ant. He knows most things about small motorhomes. Derek &Penny
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Mar 11, 2008 11:01:51 GMT
Post by jayjay on Mar 11, 2008 11:01:51 GMT
You mght have to take the cab window out and the headrests - you should be able to get thru then. I've just had mine taken out - what a difference! It's much better now - don't know if it will be cold at night tho, I've yet to buy some of those silver screen things.
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Hi!
Mar 11, 2008 19:12:10 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Mar 11, 2008 19:12:10 GMT
Don't ask I was having difficulty using it, positioned the door lock bar towards the *jamb*, closed the door, and then realised although it's not locked as such (ie the bar is not crossing from door across the door edge) I acn't retract the latch. Hello Mark. Our Julius is a Citroen Romahome and we love it. Sounds like you have a problem with your unit. How did you manage to lock yourself out? Is there room for a small person to climb through the space behind the seats or through a window and unlock the door from the inside? Pity you cant join us at the meet but you will be in a beautiful part of the country. We have family in the area so we are there at least once a year. If you cant get into your living area, try getting in touch with Ant. He knows most things about small motorhomes. Derek &Penny
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Mar 11, 2008 19:19:32 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Mar 11, 2008 19:19:32 GMT
I had thinking of trying to get my head and a pole thru the inspection hatch. But the cab window is a much better idea, I've just been speaking to Glen about this. What year is your luton? Was there no glass on the luton section that joins on to the cab back? Why did you have the glass taken out/? You mght have to take the cab window out and the headrests - you should be able to get thru then. I've just had mine taken out - what a difference! It's much better now - don't know if it will be cold at night tho, I've yet to buy some of those silver screen things.
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Mar 11, 2008 21:45:34 GMT
Post by jayjay on Mar 11, 2008 21:45:34 GMT
I had thinking of trying to get my head and a pole thru the inspection hatch. But the cab window is a much better idea, I've just been speaking to Glen about this. What year is your luton? Was there no glass on the luton section that joins on to the cab back? Why did you have the glass taken out/? The romahome bit is probably as old as the Beford van - nearly 21 yrs! No sign of it ever having been removed from the day it was bolted on. It didn't come with an inside window below the luton - only the cab. I emailed the Bedford Rascal romahome site and they said they didn't fit them back then as not required - all sealed around the outside (made sure with mine - on another post in the Ask Ant bit). I took the window out on the cab side (not me personally, it took a big bloke with a lot of muscle!) to get a bit more air in thru the cab bit into the romahome - for the dog really. She was cut off inside whilst I was driving and panicking. Now I can speak to her and she is acting like it's just the back seat of the car - much better, less stressed. I thought the noises from the cab might get on my nerves (hate banging, rattling, vibration) - however, the noise from the engine under me bum means I can't really hear any of that from the rear anyway! I can hardly hear the spoken directions on the satnav, even set to the loudest volume! Also thought it might be handy to post things through into the cab when they get in the way! I have screwed the headrests back on though, in case of flying objects (espeically if in a collision, god forbid). The van seems a little less claustrophobic as well somehow. I don't have opening side windows, only skylights, so in the summer I can see that opening the cab windows will give me a bit of a thru draught. The only downside I can see is that a thief could access the romahome from the cab. As it's all insured, and the locks are not that great anyway, I'm not too worried! sometimes wish my dog was a rottie though, she's no guard dog!
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Mar 19, 2008 22:29:12 GMT
Post by viv on Mar 19, 2008 22:29:12 GMT
Hi Marc
Sorry for late welcome, but welcome anyway. Happy camping.
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Mar 20, 2008 7:46:12 GMT
Post by marc4242 on Mar 20, 2008 7:46:12 GMT
Viv, thanks. The reason we've bought the camper is that we went to our first ever festival last year. It was great, but very muddy and physically pretty hard lugging all the stuff from the car to campsite.
Jayjay. I sat in the cab the other day (as that's the only bit I can get into still :}) and looked back at the glass. I *think* there's just glass in the cab, and not in the luton.
I like the idea of being able to get a bit of through ventilation from the cab, although in my case I have opening side windows.
It does seem to me that the hole in the luton, unless I can mind a *really* petite person, is far too small to clamber through - ie it looks from the cabn like it will be similar to the cab window size ie mm say 10" high. How coulda burglar get through that? Or maybe you have a larger hole on yours?
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Mar 20, 2008 10:26:53 GMT
Post by jayjay on Mar 20, 2008 10:26:53 GMT
Jayjay. I sat in the cab the other day (as that's the only bit I can get into still :}) and looked back at the glass. I *think* there's just glass in the cab, and not in the luton. I like the idea of being able to get a bit of through ventilation from the cab, although in my case I have opening side windows. It does seem to me that the hole in the luton, unless I can mind a *really* petite person, is far too small to clamber through - ie it looks from the cabn like it will be similar to the cab window size ie mm say 10" high. How coulda burglar get through that? Or maybe you have a larger hole on yours? Not sure how big my window bit is, will go and measure later today. Thinking about it though, you could shove a small child through to unlock that back door for you! I found it very handy at the weekend as I could just shove things through out of the way, instead of having to walk round and open the cab doors. The downside is that when driving, there's a constant draught from the skylights - closed but Martin said that would be where it came from as even when properly shut there's still a gap for air to get in. I had the fan heater on though, so it wasn't so bad - and a jacket with the collar turned up. At night, when I wanted to shut the van off, I found that one of the back cushions from the seating area just squashed nicely into the gap. then I shut the curtains and that was warmer - no use heating a cab if you're not in it! So pros and cons on both leaving it in or taking it out. Ideally I'm looking for a sliding window which I believe you can get for the Rascal, but you have to drop on one at a scrappy - not easy! I think if I was using it for an everyday vehicle I'd leave the cab window in, simply b/s of the down draught. If yours has only the cab window and not a romahome window as well, go in at dusk with a torch and shine it on yourself. If you can see 2 x you in the reflection there are two windows, one on each side, if only one, there's just the cab side back window. Hope you get it sorted, Marc!
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