Roller Team T-Line 590 review

The Roller Team T-Line is top-of-the-range Italian design; well-built and well-priced And since its launch in 2014, the T-Line 590 has been gradually refined each year, with the 2018 model having ironed out most of the wrinkles.

Roller Team, part of the French-owned Trigano Group, manufactures its motorhomes from Trigano’s factory in Tuscany, along with a number of other well-known brands.

A rear-end washroom, a front lounge/dinette and kitchen in between in under six metres length

The T-Line 590 is less than six metres long, with a rear end washroom and a front lounge dinette with the kitchen in between. Mounted on the latest 6th generation model Fiat Ducato cab/chassis, the graphite metallic finished cab is in striking contrast with the stark white walls of the motorhome body. Although this particular motorhome looks like new, it is not. It has just under 11,000km on the clock from its time working through the summer in the ‘Just Go’ rental fleet in the UK.

The suite of driving aids offered in the T-Line 590 is becoming the standard offering in 2018 model Ducato-based motorhomes; ESC, Hill Hold and Traction Plus along with connectivity; Bluetooth and USB ports. It requires an annual Warrant of Fitness.

Behind the wheel

A drop-down bed has the lounge serving as a bedroom at night

The Ducato is a pleasure to drive. The minimal overhang compact body mounted on Fiat’s low chassis with the wide rear axle makes for a stable driving platform. Fitted with the 130HP motor driving the front wheels through a six-speed ATM auto gearbox, it provides sufficient power for the more arduous of New Zealand roads. Road noise is average, with only the occasional onboard rattle and bang from the habitation area.

It is good to see at least one European manufacturer is willing to offer the habitation door on the kerbside. And the way they have engineered the stepwell to eliminate the need for foldout steps is a lesson to other motorhome builders. However, just in case, there is a handy grab rail beside the step-well.

It’s quite a busy place, the step-well. Alongside is a TV mounted on a swing arm that in turn is mounted on a robust vertical track. This means the TV can be viewed from almost anywhere inside the vehicle.

Control/monitor panels above the door

Above the step-well are the monitor/switchboard for most of the onboard equipment, including the house battery and the fresh/grey water tanks. Alongside is a separate switch/control board for the Truma waterheater and a separate double 230-volt power point. A couple of shelves are mounted on the back of the entry door.

Lighting throughout is LED; it’s both functional and creates a dramatic effect. One omission; there are no reading lights above the drive side settee.

Decor

Roller Team have opted for light brown timber veneer patterned cabinetry and matching floor vinyl. The dinette cushions and the cab seats are upholstered with hard-wearing faux leather in subdued shades of cream and brown. The end result is both practical and restful.

Dinette/lounge

The lounge/dinette is a great entertaining space

This dinette would do justice to a much larger motorhome. With the cab seats rotated, the cab integrates seamlessly with the dinette, which seats six with ease. The large table means everyone has their plate right in front of them, unlike some layouts where there can be quite a big gap between you and your dinner!

The table can prove problematic, however, as it blocks ready access through to the cab. No matter how easily the top slides to the side it can still be in the way. Note that to accommodate placing the door at the ‘Kiwi kerbside’, both the kitchen and the dinette had to be moved over to the driver’s side.

A panorama hatch over the cab, and a window each side of the dinette ensure there is good lighting and ventilation. Interestingly, both lounge windows are sliders, not awning hung.

This makes sense for the kerbside as it avoids conflict with the habitation door. Maybe this is a hangover from relocating the habitation door to the kerbside on RH drive models?

Storage under the seats is limited as most of the space is occupied by a fresh water tank, house batteries and the water heater. A quick rearrangement of the dinette cushions creates two belted forward facing passenger seats.

Dinette

A good-sized oven in a safe-to-use location

Through Kiwi eyes, Euro kitchens appear quite small. But careful examination often reveals hidden talents, such as the Thetford Duplex oven in the T-Line 590. Mounted beneath the cooktop, it is larger and much safer to use than ovens fitted in the ‘Euro alternative oven position’, high above the fridge freezer.

The benchtop layout has the sink to the left and the LPG three-hob cooktop to the right, with a small workspace in between. Below the sink is a large pantry with two sliding fenced trays for foodstuffs, while above the bench are a couple of very large lockers, an ideal place for crockery and glasses. Opposite the kitchen bench is a tall two-door fridge freezer.

Washroom

Behind a solid door is the washroom

Like the dinette, the bathroom is larger than you’d expect in a six-metre-long motorhome. Situated across the back of the RV it has a separate shower stall in one corner, a hand-basin/vanity in the middle and a swivel toilet in the other corner.

Rear locker can be accessed from washroom

One handy feature is in the hanging locker opposite the shower. There is access to it from the washroom as well as through a door in the outside wall. Wet jackets can go into the locker to dry before they’re put away. The locker shelves are hinged, allowing you to safely store tall items like skis.

Sleeping

The east/west drop-down bed lowers clear of the cab seats

You can’t have a large washroom and dinette in a motorhome less than six metres long without a compromise, and here what’s been sacrificed is a permanent bedroom. The main bed drops down from above the dinette, which then becomes the bedroom. At 1900mm long by 1320mm wide with a memory foam mattress over sprung wooden slats, the bed itself is certainly no compromise. It is very comfortable.

Depending on how low you want the bed to go, you may have to lower the table and fold the cab seat backs out of the way, but once that is done you just turn the key ‘on’, and press the button to lower away. Reverse the process to get rid of the bed in the morning. And you can leave it made up for the next night. What could be easier?

With the table lowered and the cushions rearranged, the dinette becomes a second double bed. In this case you’d leave the drop-down bed in a higher position; there is a ladder for you to get in and out of bed if needed. The bed is ‘east/west’, meaning you sleep across the motorhome.

Verdict

It’s good to see a European manufacturer keen to offer a kerbside habitation door

The T-Line 590 four-berth is a great two person option for those seeking a coachbuilt motorhome that will accommodate occasional guests.

It is easy to drive, store and manoeuvre. With its spacious rear washroom, accessible storage spaces and drop-down double bed, it ticks all the boxes as an entry-level motorhome. For exploring and touring, there is no question that the T-Line 590 will provide everything you need.

A storage cubby either side of the cab with a full length shelf in between

The Roller Team T-Line 590 reviewed retails for $104,990 including GST and on-road costs. For further information contact the RV Super Centre sales team on 0800 52 00 55 or visit rvsupercentre.co.nz

Roller Team T-Line 590 specifications 

Price as reviewed: $104,990

Room for four bikes

Pluses

• Love the layout, lots of room.
• Very compact with overall length under six metres.
• All the above plus a kerbside door.

Minuses

• No reading lights above the driver’s side settee.