Auto Roller - The Good, The Bad or The Ugly?

Young at Heart

Young at Heart

Free Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2018
Posts
40
Likes collected
13
Funster No
55,146
Hi, Searching for our ideal Motorhome and narrowed it down (so far) to the Auto Roller 746 or 747.

The Good: It looks great and offers 4 belted travel seats and up to 6 berths if needed. What's not to like! :)

The Bad?: The interior has a lot of brown with no alternative... cannot see a Microwave... the Fridge looks very small..... and the dinette table looks very narrow, can't really see 4 eating at that... o_O

The Ugly: Well, went on the Company's chat line and the handler could not have been more unhelpful if she had tried, just bland and totally lacking in any customer skills.... (n) I just gave up and left my email address, so far have heard nothing, don't expect to.

Being in business myself staff are the window and vision of your business. It was very off-putting :(

The other possibility is the Swift Escape which looks very nice indeed. NB: Looking for a model with Maximum Weight of 3,500, full dinette (4 belts) and rear lounge (converts to double bed). The Auto Roller has all this.

https://www.rollerteammotorhomes.co.uk/range/auto-roller

Can't find any reviews, other than dealers, for the Auto Roller - there must be some owners here who can hopefully response to my comment? Good, bad or ugly ha ha!!
 
Most important thing is Payload as lots of 4 berth vans about 3500 kg with inadequate payloads for four people.
Make sure you do your research on that before buying as could be an expensive mistake.(y)(y)(y)
 
Speve said:
Most important thing is Payload as lots of 4 berth vans about 3500 kg with inadequate payloads for four people.
Make sure you do your research on that before buying as could be an expensive mistake.(y)(y)(y)
Click to expand...
Hi, Thanks for stressing that. You are right and I must keep remembering it!! Six people and your payload has probably gone in these models. Ummmm
 
Hi young at heart,
I just purchased a Roller Team T-Line 785
very pleased with it 5 travel seats & berths 2 nice singles , double drop down electric + single to make up from dinette below double. 120 watt Solar panel
rear toilet washroom with seperate shower . loads of cupboards & storage
large fridge cooker 3 gas rings . gas storage it takes an 11kg & 6kg .
But no microwave !! or roll out awning, came with no tv aireal , but had one put on included in the price.
Only had it 3 months & done 2250 miles in France last month.
Only problem we've had is the cooker hob has come off of the worktop ,being done under warrantee as soon as they can get a new hob.
We are well pleased with every thing else.
Terry

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
FIDGET said:
Hi young at heart,
I just purchased a Roller Team T-Line 785
Terry
Click to expand...
Sounds very nice!! But why no microwave?? Your model would be too heavy for me, I think I looked at it, but I'm over the dreaded age limit and can't be ar**d with the medical stuff to get the C1. So have to work within the 3,500 limit!! ha ha
 
Young at Heart said:
Sounds very nice!! But why no microwave?? Your model would be too heavy for me, I think I looked at it, but I'm over the dreaded age limit and can't be ar**d with the medical stuff to get the C1. So have to work within the 3,500 limit!! ha ha
Click to expand...
We never use Micrwave at home so do not want one in a van taking up valuable storage space. QQ if you are over 70 then why do you need 6 beds?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Young at Heart said:
Sounds very nice!! But why no microwave?? Your model would be too heavy for me, I think I looked at it, but I'm over the dreaded age limit and can't be ar**d with the medical stuff to get the C1. So have to work within the 3,500 limit!! ha ha
Click to expand...
Don't understand why you must have a microwave in a Motorhome, just adds to the weight and can only be used on an EHU, anything you can cook in it can be done by gas.

Both the models you are looking at if you keep to 3500kg they only ½ the payload you need for 6, even at 3850kg I doubt if they are workable. Kids grow and get heavier so do their clothes and the amount of food you need to carry.

Edit: Just noticed your age so I assume its grandkids you want to cart about but if adults you probably need at least 1500kg of payload.
 
Last edited:
@Young at Heart I really wouldn't worry about a microwave. Ours came with one fitted as standard but I can almost count the number of times we've used it over 9 years on my fingers! It currently is used for storage and I wouldn't bother with one as an option in any future van we bought.
 
Hi again , no it's 3500 , I'm like you over 70 & didn't keep my granddad rights .
as to microwave we only ever used it as a bread bin ( heavy item hits into overall weight limit) , as we don't do sites or electric ( unless is free ) , we mostly do France on the cheap or free aire's & in this country we use THS's or shows , as on a very moderate pension only.
 
Being realistic I think you need to get your C1 reinstated and look at 4500Kg+ vans.
 
Where are you based , if any where near Isle of Wight or Devon inthe coming weeks you are welcome to look over mine.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
We had one in the Bessacar - was used two or 3 times between 2009 and 2013 when we P/Xd it for one without a microwave LOL

If you choose any layout that dictates you have to have an under the worktop fridge then it will be small. A lot of the much larger looking fridge/freezers are fitted over the axle hence because of the wheelarch - they are only about half the depth of the fridge at home.
 
It took ages for us to get our head around why most "foreign" vans dont have full size ovens or microwaves, like British vans have. Then the penny dropped, we didn't use the microwave in our caravan much, when we did it was to warm up "Ding Meals" which were usually horrible let downs, especially curries etc.
We never used the oven to its maximum potential either as the grill was crap and a full roast seemed over the top when you have so many carveries or pubs offering decent food, with no washing up greasy tins afterwards.
So we are happy with our 3 gas ring hob, but try and cook as much as possible outside using the BBQ point, or if we are on hook up we cook whole meals in The Remoska oven at 475 watts, 190C. we may even fit a decent Inverter one day soon, so no need for mains hook up.
Each to their own I suppose in terms of must haves, but we are now happy with our small tech tower oven which will not get used too often, and we dont even use a microwave at home,as we cook from scratch, never a ready made with the exception of good quality Pizza which we still further adorn with more veggies, capers, olives or artichoke hearts.
I,m hungry now just mentioning food is enough to get me salivating.
Good luck in your mission to find a van, there,s usually always a compromise to be made somewhere though.
Les
 
Rollerteams are on the light side, used by hire company's so I think they like to keep it light, I have the 259p fixed bed, can sleep 4 but best just for 2. Hundred free kg when loaded for 2, not sure how 4 let alone 6 could travel within the 3.5t limit. Rollerteam as far a I am aware are the cheaper end of the market, I would have no issues buying another although there was an issue with one on here just a few days ago.
 
Thanks for the many responses; the pros :) and cons o_O all help to unravel the twists and turns in finding the right answer. The microwave point is a very minor one and only mentioned because all the new and recent models have them - so puzzled why the Auto Roller didn't! As for the extra travel seats and berths that is in case some of the family and grandkids want to come along for the ride! But I'm realising that with the On The Road weight around 2,900 and the max weight 3,500 that is not going to allow for other than two + two at most extra passengers when on the move. However my other half can drive as she is much ;) younger - but doesn't want to.... ha ha.... But then we can't go over the 3,500 anyway if that is the vehicles restrictions. I think we are maybe trying to fit an elephant into a safeway bag :LOL:... We really need a payload of over 700 to make this work.... ummmm
 
Oh forgot to say the habitation door is on the british side, nearest the kerb which was ideal for me at home , as that door is opposite my front door onthe drive , ideal for loading etc ,also I can hear if anyone tries tobreak in through
that way.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Young at Heart said:
Thanks for the many responses; the pros :) and cons o_O all help to unravel the twists and turns in finding the right answer. The microwave point is a very minor one and only mentioned because all the new and recent models have them - so puzzled why the Auto Roller didn't! As for the extra travel seats and berths that is in case some of the family and grandkids want to come along for the ride! But I'm realising that with the On The Road weight around 2,900 and the max weight 3,500 that is not going to allow for other than two + two at most extra passengers when on the move. However my other half can drive as she is much ;) younger - but doesn't want to.... ha ha.... But then we can't go over the 3,500 anyway if that is the vehicles restrictions. I think we are maybe trying to fit an elephant into a safeway bag :LOL:... We really need a payload of over 700 to make this work.... ummmm
Click to expand...
Fyi
Doesnt have a TV aeriel either ( but has a tv bracket !!!)
 
trophychap said:
We had one in the Bessacar - was used two or 3 times between 2009 and 2013 when we P/Xd it for one without a microwave LOL

If you choose any layout that dictates you have to have an under the worktop fridge then it will be small. A lot of the much larger looking fridge/freezers are fitted over the axle hence because of the wheelarch - they are only about half the depth of the fridge at home.
Click to expand...
Yes, thanks for that, it is a really good point. The Swift Escape has a full size fridge. It's a real roller-coaster working out the best one, especially with the 3,500 red line o_O
 
Speve said:
Most important thing is Payload as lots of 4 berth vans about 3500 kg with inadequate payloads for four people.
Make sure you do your research on that before buying as could be an expensive mistake.(y)(y)(y)
Click to expand...
Wow! How right were you now I have had a change to research it. Are there overweight Motorhomes being driven around I am wondering??
 
Young at Heart said:
Wow! How right were you now I have had a change to research it. Are there overweight Motorhomes being driven around I am wondering??
Click to expand...

Just a few thousand, possibly more :D

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Been motorhoming about 38 years , never once been weighed
Perhaps thats pushing my luck now having said that !!
 
Speve said:
Oh I suspect loads and loads no proof of it though but better safe than sorry(y)(y)(y)
Click to expand...
Maybe it's my age, I like to think more the type of vehicle, just doesn't sound a good idea to be driving around overweight! The Payloads are very tight on these 3,500 max Motorhomes. By my reckoning they just about suit two people and all the personal and catering stuff, etc, etc.... Might have to try and get the C1 licence back after all to resolve this. The Swift Bessacarr 496 has Max 4,250 with 3412 start weight.... that solves the problem but sticks another £10K on top..... Grrrrr o_Oo_Oo_O
 
Assuming you had C1 on your licence before age 70 (i.e. grandfather rights) it shouldn't be much of a problem. All you need is a medical and providing you can pass that ( i.e. you're breathing and can drag yourself into the doctors surgery :D) you're set for 3 years when you have to do it again. If you use one of "doctor on wheels" type services it'l usually be a lot cheaper than your own GP.

With that out of the way you'll likely have a far better choice of m/h.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top