Romini

[marc4242]

What an interesting thing this is. Shame it's in Scotland or I'd've been tempted. Think a Rascal could tow it?

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROMAHOME-ROMINI-SMALL-CARAVAN-AWNING-RARE_W0QQitemZ260217592160QQihZ016QQcategoryZ32633QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[glenw]

There was another one on ebay recently but got withdrawn, I assume someone made a private offer. According to that listing, it is light enough to be pulled by a mini! sure your Rascal would have no problem, but doubt it could be done if you were keeping the romahome body as there is nowhere to mount a towbar. The back step overhangs the rear of the chassis by some way and its all fibre glass.

I can't even have a removable towbar fitted to my Hijet for use when as pickup only because they only make a permantly fixed bar that would prevent the remounting of the 'home


cgi.ebay.co.uk/Romahome-Romini-Caravan-mini-pod-2-berth-tiny-caravan_W0QQitemZ280206784151QQihZ018QQcategoryZ32633QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[marc4242]

Oh, I was thinking of it as an add-on to having the romahome body.

A motorhome1.5. Useful to keep the jacks in eg ;-)

That's a nuisance about the towbar for the Hijet. Maybe it's for the best, for these 1 litre engine based vehicles though!

Mar 11, 2008 19:56:28 GMT glenw said:

According to that listing, it is light enough to be pulled by a mini! sure your Rascal would have no problem, but doubt it could be done if you were keeping the romahome body as there is nowhere to mount a towbar.

I can't even have a removable towbar fitted to my Hijet for use when as pickup only because they only make a permantly fixed bar that would prevent the remounting of the 'home

[glenw]

Mar 11, 2008 20:21:39 GMT marc4242 said:

That's a nuisance about the towbar for the Hijet. Maybe it's for the best, for these 1 litre engine based vehicles though!

Hey, mines the 1.3l efi I'll have you know! It means I can get upto 55mph on the motorway ;D ;D

[jayjay]

Mar 11, 2008 20:46:01 GMT glenw said:

Mar 11, 2008 20:21:39 GMT marc4242 said:

That's a nuisance about the towbar for the Hijet. Maybe it's for the best, for these 1 litre engine based vehicles though!

Hey, mines the 1.3l efi I'll have you know! It means I can get upto 55mph on the motorway ;D ;D

Edited to add: Like the look of that romini though! Sounds about as heavy as a small trailer, quite nifty!
You lucky thing, you! Spoiled, you are. I daren't even go on a motorway, mine only does 55 going down a hill with the wind behind me! She prefers tootling along at 40! Can go faster than that, but it all depends on whether you want to hear yourself think or not...

... and I have actually been overtaken on a big slow hill by a cyclist - yes - a pushbike - how embarrassing is that?? LOL ;D Mind you, the view was nice - a lycra clad young thing with legs like a chicken...

[marc4242]

55mph, huh!? Oooh, *racy*. We could pit it against my 3litre V6 car sometime! ;D ;D

[andy]

Just reading through the forums and noticed this thread. I am the proud new owner of the Romini in question!

I had been after a Romini for ages and scoured ebay etc... before seeing this one. It had already been sold once, but the buyer didn't think his old Mini could tow it so the seller put it back on ebay and I made an offer. I live in the south of England but know how hard it is to find a Romini, especially with an awning, so Easter Sunday Morning saw me driving up to Falkirk near Glasgow to pick her up. it took six hours to drive there and i was hoping the van was as good as described. Luckily it was and after checking the lights worked and with some fresh air in the tyres back down to Berkshire i headed.
She towed perfectly and i didn't even know she was on the back of my Mitsubishi Warrior, which is normally full of camping gear! There were no problems driving at the legal limit and overtaking lorries didn't affect her at all.
The layout inside is well thought out. The seating turns into a double bed, but unlike normal Romahomes or caravans you sleep across the van (Not a recommended purchase if you are over six foot though and like to stretch your legs). There is a good size 3 way fridge and double burner with grill. Opposite there is a pump tap sink and behind that a hidden full length wardrobe.Under the sink is enough room for a porta potti and plenty of storage under the seating. I haven't put the awning up yet but it is the original one and looks to be all there.
I can't wait to take her away soon with my six year old son and am sure the looks from neighbouring 20'+ posh caravans will be a treat.

[playallday]

Well done for winning the Romini, Andy, it looks so cute, and welcome to the forum. Do you have any pics of the interior? I looked on ebay, but it wasn't very clear and I would love to see more!

And as to......

Mar 26, 2008 8:18:15 GMT andy said:

There were no problems driving at the legal limit and overtaking lorries didn't affect her at all.

all I can say is you lucky thing! I struggled up the dreaded Haldon Hill nr Exeter over the Easter, not having had a chance to run up a good speed, and suffered the humiliation of being overtaken by a Reliant Robin....and it was G reg!!

[Graham]

Hello Andy

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase of the Romini as you say they are a pretty rare beast, we have seen one outside a house a few streets away but that is the only time I've ever seen one, I've never seen one at a campsite.

Bet you can't wait to get going with your son, hope you have lots of fun.

Graham

[jayjay]

Hi Andy!

I loved that Romini! It seems to have everything the Romahome does except for the luton bit!

I hope we get to see it on one of the meets!

If you get a chance before you go away, set up the awning and check how it goes, also if it leaks! If it's been folded up for a long time it may have perished along the folds, so just check! Although you could just pack a waterproofing spray!

Congratulations of winning - I'm green with envy! ;D

[andy]

Thanks for the replys guys.

I will take some pictures and post them soon.

I plan to check the awning tonight by setting it up in my living room!!! It does look as if it has hardley been used and hopefully will not have perished at all, even though it is 23 years old.

[Graham]

Mar 26, 2008 13:43:28 GMT andy said:

I plan to check the awning tonight by setting it up in my living room!!!

Be careful when you are hammering the pegs into the carpet, you wouldn't want to spoil it ;D

Graham

[andy]

As Promised i put the awning up in my living room and its in as new condition. Looks like an original to me just like in the brochures if anyone knows??

[marc4242]

Hi Andy

Welcome and well done! It's a fascinating looking little thing. How much does it weigh? Would it take someone 5' 7"?

Marc

[andy]

Hi Marc,
It weighs around 375Kg with a gross weight of 750KG.
The bed is about 6 feet across, the whole width of the van and around 41/2 wide at a guess.

It is very easy to manouvere and with the awning up you have more than enough room. just got to get the gas supply tested and a new regulator and its all set for summer.

[hev]

Hi Andy

I opened this website not knowing what I would find. I put Romini into the browser and hey presto, started reading the messages. I was amazed, because I was the person bidding against you that fateful night! I was SO keen to win the Romini. I had never seen anything like it and I thought my little Saxo would be able to tow it too. I am glad it went to a good home, but really sad because I may never find one for myself. I contacted Romahome and they don't make them any more. I think we should campaign for them to start making them again. There are so many of us tiny families, with tiny cars and tiny budgets. They would sell as many as they could make, I reckon.

Meantime, I hope you really enjoy the van and when you want to upgrade, remember ME!!!!!

Regards - Hev

[Graham]

Mar 29, 2008 20:16:22 GMT hev said:

Hi Andy

I opened this website not knowing what I would find. I put Romini into the browser and hey presto, started reading the messages. I was amazed, because I was the person bidding against you that fateful night! I was SO keen to win the Romini. I had never seen anything like it and I thought my little Saxo would be able to tow it too. I am glad it went to a good home, but really sad because I may never find one for myself. I contacted Romahome and they don't make them any more. I think we should campaign for them to start making them again. There are so many of us tiny families, with tiny cars and tiny budgets. They would sell as many as they could make, I reckon.

Meantime, I hope you really enjoy the van and when you want to upgrade, remember ME!!!!!

Regards - Hev

Hi Hev

Welcome to the forum, what a sad story, I'm sure there's another Romini out there with your name on, why not put a wanted ad on the forum, you never know!

Or better still get a Romahome they are the same as the Romini but they have an engine so you could sell your little car. ;D

Best of luck, glad fate brought you to our site, stick around you may be lucky.

Graham

[glenw]

Hi Hev,

welcome to the forum. although not a romini, have you seen the teardrop caravans??
a couple on ebay here 200211313709 360036298130 150229164081.

definatly got the quirky nature of the romini but without the headroom!

I agree with Graham though, get a romahome - they're the future! ;D

[Pauline]

Hi Andy

Would it be ok if I used some of your pics to do a write up on the Romini on the website?

I'd love to add something about them.

[Pauline]

Hi Hev

Hope you find the Romini of your dreams soon, what a co-incidence to end up here and meet the rival bidder!

Good luck

[marc4242]

I didn't follow the bidding. What kind of prices to they go for in general?

[hev]

Hi everyone who has read my message - Wow! the power of the internet!! I am not sure what Andy paid for the Romini in the end, but I went up to £1,200 if I remember correctly.

Yes, I have considered the Romahome and nearly bought one a few months ago, but once again, got pipped at the post!

I won't give up!

Hev

[andy]

hi guys and gals,
Nice to see such a response to the Romini. As for how much i paid i got her for £1400 plus around £150 in fuel to drive to Scotland and back! The fact is, there is no set price, people will pay whatever they think the van is worth to them. I'm confident that if i put it on Ebay for £2000 it would sell, but that won't happen for a long while !It is ideal for me as i can park it at my dads house (i live in a flat) and so save £20 a month on storage and its the perfect size, having owned "normal sized vans before and all the hassle of towing, storage trying to reverse into a pitch etc.....

[img src="img132.imageshack.us/img132/5944/24032008160wd7.th.jpg"]

[andy]

Mar 30, 2008 15:58:05 GMT Pauline said:

Hi Andy

Would it be ok if I used some of your pics to do a write up on the Romini on the website?

I'd love to add something about them.

Hi Pauline, feel free to use any photo you wish

Andy

[malcolm]

Hi Andy Just picked up on this thread. Welcome and congrats on the Romini. We once built a boat in our lounge, so I must ask the same question we were asked. Did you test your awning with water? We didn't ( well we did later in the canal). Have fun.

Malcolm

[Pauline]

Mar 31, 2008 17:09:01 GMT andy said:

Hi Pauline, feel free to use any photo you wish

Andy

Cheers Andy - now all I need is some time! ;D

[Pauline]

I've added a little bit of information and some of your photos Andy.

Perhaps if you get some more, during your travels, or would like to add more to the review we can update it at a later date.

www.smallmotorhome.co.uk/romini.html