roamingsue
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 68
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Post by roamingsue on Oct 15, 2009 9:55:24 GMT
First impressions it could be the ideal van for me a solo camper. The little outlook was ideal but I could not carry bikes an essential..... You cannot really tell though until you see it!
Now I have to wait a while until they become second hand.... unless I have a windfall of course!
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roamingsue
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 68
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Post by roamingsue on Oct 16, 2009 20:22:22 GMT
I went to see the R25. It was mad I did not have the time, but I had to go see.... It was the best romahome I have ever seen. I thought it was wonderful... totally obsessed now and REALLY want one. SOMEHOW I am going to manage this.... It was just exactly the one for me.
There are so many clever touches.... the way the spare wheel is hidden away, the way that bumper is in sections so that on the other side there will be a wet outside locker. The dimmer switch situated by the door, allowing you to have a low light in the van so that when you come back late at night in a dark campsite you can see your way easier. The use of LEDs and halogen low ampage lights. The way the loo is tucked away so that it does not take up gallons of space by using a whole cubicle... The large overhead luton, The large 110 amp leisure battery, the beautiful kitchen area, The beds look comfortable to me, it should be and easy to make up. It has a great lively engine which will drive easily with two air bags. A fiamma awning could be attached Romahome tell me, there are four seats the monocoque finish in the kitchen with the clean easy wipe lines.
The fabrics are exciting... not all to my taste but that is fair enough.... There are some really good combinations going which are modern without in my opinion falling into the trap of being too loud. Most of the motorhomes I looked were either very twee, beige or garish in my opinion not the Roma. Then it has a BIKE rack.. Yes a BIKE rack. BRILLIANT.
Any negatives.... well the payload is not over generous if you start to eat into it with extras. Personally I question the inclusion of a shower in most small motorhomes.... Most people who have one never actually seem to use it they generally just use the loo. The curtain arrangement needs work... but I am assured that this is going to be addressed. The fact it is brand new and of course the gremlims inherent in all new designs will need working out.
The only question now is when I am going to own one....
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Post by Graham on Oct 16, 2009 21:02:03 GMT
We had a look round the NEC today and of course had to have a look on the Romahome stand, Ant was hard at work but we managed to have a brief chat.
The R25 was very impressive and was creating a huge amount of interest, as Roamingsue says there are lots of clever touches, makes you wonder how they think them all up.
As impressive as the R25 was I don't think I would swap our Dimension, in fact we spent a lot of time looking at the R30, I think if we were in the market for a new van (which unfortunately we aren't) we would probably go for that. Very similar to our 2005 Dimension but with a few little tweeks, sliding bathroom door, redesigned bathroom making it seem roomier, no bed overlays to have to put on the seats at bedtime, smaller more manageable tables, split underfloor storage, better blinds to the front windows and of course the new base vehicle with 2.2 engine as opposed to 2.0.
Maybe look out for a good secondhand one someday.
Graham
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Post by dorsetdimension on Oct 18, 2009 8:26:59 GMT
Maybe look out for a good secondhand one someday.
Graham[/quote]
We came to the same conclusion after going to Shepton Mallet and for the same reasons !!
We love the Dimension, but some of the changes in the R30 makes it very appealing.
Gail
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roamingsue
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 68
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Post by roamingsue on Oct 18, 2009 9:36:39 GMT
I think it also a question of the size needed. Personally I think the Dimension is perfectly set up for two people. However as a lone person the R10 is just very cramped whereas the R20 and R25 give the perfect amount of space so you could actually happily be away for while. The Dimension would really feel too big for just me.
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Post by Graham on Oct 18, 2009 9:52:58 GMT
I think it also a question of the size needed. Personally I think the Dimension is perfectly set up for two people. However as a lone person the R10 is just very cramped whereas the R20 and R25 give the perfect amount of space so you could actually happily be away for while. The Dimension would really feel too big for just me. Hi Sue You say the Dimension would feel too big for you but we were surprised to find that according to the leaflet we picked up the R25 is 17ft long whereas our Dimension is only 15ft 5in. Graham |
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Post by peterholden on Oct 18, 2009 12:57:20 GMT
Had a good look at the R25 at the show yesterday and was very impressed however the layout does not suit our needs at the moment and so we shall stick with our Outlook for the time being.
However I am sure that I read earlier in this thread that the beds were short. In fact they are 6ft 2in long.
The only other motorhomes that we saw that were possibilities for us were the R30 and the R40. Other manufactures do not seem to fit the bill.
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roamingsue
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 68
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Post by roamingsue on Oct 18, 2009 13:21:00 GMT
Good point Graham, although I think it is not quite as wide or tall. However I am still in love with the R25, it just seems to 'fit my brief'.
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Post by viv on Oct 18, 2009 17:58:48 GMT
Oh dear! just really want to get a new van but can't decide on the compromises. There is no doubt that the Romahomes are in a class of their own, really well built and look lovely. We have now spent some time considering a Dimension but not sure about storage space. We certainly don't need a shower but as there are two of us we would like a bit more privacy in the loo area, like a full door, particularly as we want to camp much more without any facilities on site!
Graham and Pauline,
Where do you keep your folding chairs when not in use and what about your bedding, our Romalays (which are quite bulky), chairs, sun parasols and aerial box and washing up bowls, all fit (just) in the luton of the Outlook during the day and we use the driver's seat for the overcoats and other bulky bits overnight. Even the awning fits there in its bag when we take it and don't use it.
We are surprised at how much storage there is in the Outlook and may just have to stick with it. Not really prepared to spend several thousand up grading to the new R25 when it does not offer much more except space, beauty and a few frills that we won't use like the bike rack and BBQ point. Still has only two ring hob, grill and a loo in a low cupboard in the middle of the aisle which would be a pain to use with two of us in the van - I can imagine tripping up legs trying to get out of the back door in a HURRY, which could be necessary on a no facility site, if you know what I mean!!!.
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Post by Graham on Oct 18, 2009 20:39:33 GMT
Graham and Pauline, Where do you keep your folding chairs when not in use and what about your bedding, We keep our chairs and all the bedding up on the luton which is quite big (probably bigger than your luton I would think). There are two areas of under floor storage which we keep bits and bobs in, there is a safe under one of the rear seats, which is steel and lockable and seems cavernous, a cupboard under the oven for pans, a long thin cupboard next to the fridge with knife drawer and space underneath for kettle and other kitchen things, lots of overhead cupboards for crockery, glasses, portable TV, books, clothes, food etc., etc., a pull out wardrobe for hanging clothes with shelves for socks, underwear etc. and of course a bathroom cabinet for all my pills and potions. Graham (only a slight hypochondriac) |
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Post by viv on Oct 18, 2009 22:24:40 GMT
Thanks Graham, sounds like loads of storage, wish we had paid more attention at the show but we focused on the new R25 and the Nu Venture. I did notice though that the cupboards in the Dimension were a bit high for me but hey, I could still grow a bit taller yet!!
May well reconsider our options and the cupboard for pills sounds useful.
I just wish now that I had not started looking at a new van. I blame Romahome for starting this all off with the launch of the new one!!!!
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Post by dancer on Oct 20, 2009 14:58:18 GMT
Has anybody seen the double bed lay out yet, whats used to go in between the driver and passenger seats to form the double bed. has anyone tried it yet, is it as comfy as the one in my outlook, i really need to see it before i make my mind up.
dancer
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anchorman
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 20
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Post by anchorman on Oct 20, 2009 15:18:30 GMT
Dancer
The double bed option does'nt involve the front seats, it is laterally across the middle of the van but only 5' 7" long.
The singles utilising the front folding seats are 6' 2".
Tony Anchorman
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Post by viv on Oct 20, 2009 16:23:30 GMT
You cannot make them up in a U shape like the Outlook. It makes a double bed 'side to side' or two singles by folding down the driver and passenger seats and placing the back cushion from the two passenger seats on the back of them. So you need to sleep feet pointing into cab to extend over the cab divider 'pelmet/frame' (not sure what you call it).
We are going to have another look as we would really like to try making up the beds etc before we finally decide whether we want to upgrade and which way we are going to go!!
The big plus for us is the standing height throughout and the extra space without being wider, and just a foot longer.
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Post by viv on Oct 20, 2009 19:23:17 GMT
Looking at Ant's pictures again, it looks like the front curtains would go right over your feet if you used the single bed option. My little toes could get cold in Winter!!
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Post by ant on Oct 21, 2009 7:57:52 GMT
Hi Viv.
The double bed option is either across the vehicle for the shorter person or down the length for the 6 footer plus person, I couldn't photo it as the final infill was not ready for the show. Also the lack of photo of the shower tray was by design as it too was in prototype form and may well be larger on the production vehicles ( Although those who want them in a hurry may get the same as the show vehicle).
If you have cold toes with the curtain set up as it is, you could cure the problem with silver screens ( once they are developed) or socks!
Ant
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roamingsue
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 68
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Post by roamingsue on Oct 21, 2009 17:37:00 GMT
Ant at the show, is it Brian at Freeborn said they were going to devise a more neat solution... ditto they plan to put in a little outside locker where the bumper hinges opposite the spare wheel. That is what I was told anyway.
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Post by dancer on Oct 21, 2009 23:12:44 GMT
so you cant have a double bed made up length ways only width ways, and you can only have single beds length ways, thats a bad design, why didnt they make the units a few inches shorter to accommodate the taller person, im over 6 foot so it would be a little bit of a squeeze, and i dont fancy single beds, unless the wife and me have a fall out, i will still have to have a look at it in the flesh before i make my mind up and decide weather to buy one or keep my outlook, are there any caravan and motorhome shows on in the near future where the R25 will be on show?
Dancer
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brougham
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 30
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Post by brougham on Oct 22, 2009 6:42:27 GMT
Hello Dancer, The 5'7" is across the van and the width of the double is the length of the bench seats, shortening the (base) units wouldn't give you a long double bed unless you shortened the units by about two feet. Looking at Ant's photo at www.avonmotorcaravans.co.uk/moreImages.php?pid=141954#. Perhaps the way forward is to provide a base and cushion which would fit between the driver and passenger seat, thus enabling a lengthways double as well as the shorter cross van double option. The gearstick could be slightly in the way but shouldn't be a big problem. The extra cushion could be created by sectionalising one of the bench seat back rest cushions and the extra piece of base required could be stored in the luton or similar. I'm assuming that the driver's seat armrest will fold down out of the way when the driver's seat is folded. Romahome wannabe - Neil Evans. |
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Post by ant on Oct 22, 2009 7:43:52 GMT
Hi all,
You're not paying attention re the double bed arrangements. There is a short double across the van OR a long double down the length. My pictures don't show it as the long double as time ran out for Romahome to produce the infill prior to the show. Neils' observation regarding the large double was always the intention but time ran out.
Ant
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Post by dancer on Oct 22, 2009 15:21:52 GMT
Thanks Ant for giving us the facts on the bed situation, sounding better everytime, will romahome be at the g mex motorhome and caravan show in january? or will i have to wait for the newark show in march, will you put a post on the website when you get the R25 at your place, i may make a weekend of it to come down and view.
Dancer
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Post by ant on Oct 23, 2009 7:40:07 GMT
Dancer.
As soon as I get my stock vehicle I'll photo it in all its various set ups and post them on my website in place of the ones I took at the NEC last week. I may even register my first one and re-start my "Try B 4 U Buy" scheme, that way I wont be tempted to sell it straight away and will have one on show for longer. With the number sold at the show I don't think dealer stock will be very easy to get hold of in the first half of the year as Romahome rightly prioritise sold orders.
Ant
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anchorman
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 20
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Post by anchorman on Oct 23, 2009 19:54:18 GMT
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Post by wendywaugh on Oct 25, 2009 22:55:46 GMT
Hi Barry, So this is where you lurk. Yes we did get back safely from Losely Park, and with reference to your posting of 3rd October, John says less of the 'old' acquaintance. We went to the Birmingham show to check out all companies and bit the bullet and ordered a new R25 for March. Posted our Outlook on this Forum for sale and in other mags. Crossing fingers. Wendy  |
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Post by viv on Oct 26, 2009 9:04:24 GMT
There is no doubt about it, Romahome quality is second to none. So glad that they are doing well they deserve success.
People certainly do tend to hang on to their vans and stick to Romahome when they change, I could not find many second hand Outlooks for sale on internet. Maybe there will be a few more now!
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anchorman
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 20
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Post by anchorman on Oct 26, 2009 18:17:13 GMT
Wendy
Congrats on your purchase. We have also ordered for March, what decor did you choose? We went for the red option, but would not have chosen this from the swatches on the wall until we saw it in the van.
Being Romahome Virgins, will be asking lots of questions till then.
Tony Anchorman
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