"This is new territory for the RV Super Centre," he explained. "We now have a European built product in our line-up."
Roller Team motorhomes are built by the Italian manufacturer Trigano, one of the major RV manufacturers in Europe, producing more than 1000 RVs each month.
Together we looked at four models on offer as they sat gleaming in the morning sunshine. The smallest, the three-berth Scout T200 is built on a Ford Transit chassis. The other three, the Zefiro, the Trekker and the T-Line 740 are on Fiat Ducato chassis'.
Each can accommodate up to five adults in two doubles and one single bed. Two – the Zefiro and the T-Line 740 – have fixed rear beds and the other, the Trekker, has a U-shaped rear lounge.
The T-Line 740
The model I chose to review was the T-Line 740. Not because it was the biggest, but because it was the most unusual.
It has a very popular layout with a fixed north/south island bed at the back, a split bathroom amidships alongside the kitchen and a dinette/lounge at the front. Nothing unusual there, until you wonder, "Where is the second double bed?"
The answer lies above the dinette. The ceiling is actually the base of a double bed that, at the press of a button, lowers to bench height. It is not a new idea but still surprises those unfamiliar with the arrangement.
Subsequent to my review while at the Auckland Covi Show I spent an hour or so sitting in the T-Line 740 and found most people viewing the interior had no idea there was a bed in the ceiling until it was pointed out to them.
Lowering the bed, I climbed aboard to test the comfort and stability. I had reservations about how stable a bed supported by seat-belt webbing could be. I need not have worried. It was as stable as the fixed bed at the rear of the van, and just as comfortable.
With a maximum load capacity of 250kgs, 1875mm-long and 1330mm-wide, the wind-down bed is a genuine 'extra bed' option.
Master bedroom
If I was to sum up the main bedroom in a word, pragmatic is the word I would use. And for me, that is a plus. Slightly raising the height of the mattress has made the rear garage tall enough to stow a bicycle.
Tall hanging lockers either side of the bed allow room for shoes and other items below the hanging garments. Small personal items have a home on the narrow shelf across the headboard. At 1900mm-long, the bed should suit most people but those over six-feet-tall may need to try it first. There is room to sit up in bed, lights to read by and side tables on which to rest your bedtime cocoa.
Bathroom
Entering through the sliding door from the kitchen, the toilet and hand basin are on the left behind a curved sliding door that looks like a roller shutter door on its side. It runs in tracks – top and bottom – that keep it securely located in place and is very effectively held closed by a full-length magnetic strip.
When open, the vanity end of the compartment is light, airy and user-friendly and, while closing it obviously restricts the space, there is still more than enough room to do what is necessary. Above the toilet is an opening window (excellent) and above that, an overhead cabinet with a white lacquer door that matches those throughout the motorhome.
Alongside is a generously sized vanity and mirror. All the small but important details have been attended to – a towel rail, pipework under the basin that leaves the shelves clear for use, LED lights and a roof funnel vent.
On the other side of the entrance behind a pair of translucent doors is a shower cubicle. Again, the detailing is good. A seat moulded into the sidewall of the shower allows one to sit while showering.
Kitchen
As in many European RVs, the kitchen is compact, especially the available bench space. There is a glass lid on the three-burner hob and a sink cover board but it is not always convenient to deploy these when cooking. However, everything needed is there albeit in a confined space.
The cupboards are of useful size and shape and the large 149-litre Thetford fridge/freezer certainly offers more 'cool room' than is usually available in an RV in this price range. A small grill oven is located above the fridge/freezer but there is no microwave.
In the kitchen cupboards, carefully wrapped in cling-wrap were all the crockery, wine glasses and cutlery needed for four people, plus utensils, pots and pans, a kettle and a toaster.
Dinette/lounge
There is spacious seating for five in the dinette/lounge – two on the dinette seat, two on the cab seats, and one on the side settee.
The table is a very clever design, able to be moved sideways and front-to-back on slides as well as rotating and it can then be locked into position so everyone at the table can eat comfortably. Grey and white 'eco-leather' covers the seat cushions and in the vehicle reviewed they were in pristine condition.
The verdict
I drove about 30 kilometres north of Auckland for the photo shoot, on motorways, main roads and winding side streets. The Fiat was a pleasure to drive and although it has the smaller 2.3-litre turbo-diesel driving the front wheels through the six-speed AMT gearbox, it coped with all conditions effortlessly.
The T-Line 740 is simple in concept, and includes many thoughtful details. It was so well presented I had to keep reminding myself I was reviewing a used vehicle – not a new one – and to judge it accordingly.
As reviewed the Roller Team T-Line 740 retails for $109,000. For more information, call 0800 52 00 55.
