Newbie considering Roller Team 707

[2kids1mum0sense]

Hello there
I'm hoping to buy my first motorhome and take my two young kids around Europe this summer. I'll be travelling on my own with them for much of the time (gulp) so need something reliable.

I've been looking at a 2012 Roller Team Autoroller 707, but I'm concerned about a few things (amongst many!) and would appreciate some advice please:
1) The height. It's 3.2m. Is this likely to cause me any problems getting into campsites etc? We'd quite like to do a fair bit of wild camping too - again, is it likely to be too big to do that easily?
2) Some of the seats only have lap belts. What's the deal with this? It seems really strange to me, having only driven cars. Obviously the kids will go in their car seats in the full-belt seats, but who can safely use the others? Just adults? Are they safe enough?
3) Something I will really struggle to deal with on my own with two young'uns is a major breakdown while in Europe. Can anyone offer me any advice on the best way to prepare for such an eventuality? Any really good European breakdown cover/retrieval etc?

Thanks so much.
Hannah

 

[Riverbankannie]

That’s quite a big MH and I would suggest you consider taking a MH manouvering course if you are only used to driving a car. The height is not a problem for campsites but you will always have to be aware of overhanging branches on those sites that plant trees for shade. The height is an issue on French toll roads as over 3m is more expensive.

Although listed as a 3500 kg MH, it can be updated to give more payload. Do check that a previous owner has not done this as I am assuming you are not old enough to have the C1 category on your driving licence. Payload would be a big issue on this MH if being used by the advertised 7 people but you may get away with staying under 3500 kg if just you and the 2 youngsters.

Comfort insurance is well regarded and their cover includes European breakdown. Check any insurance and cover allows you to be away for the number of days that you intend travelling.

It’s always going to be harder to find places to stop with a larger vehicle but never impossible. Plenty of people do it!
Good luck

 

[tacr2man]

Quite a large vehicle to try and stay under 3500kg as @Riverbankannie says some will have been uprated to 3650kg , but you can only drive one of those if you have the relevant driving license , even then you need to be careful of numbers of people and what they can take with them . Its a 7m long vehicle so you shouldn't have much of a problem as size above 8mtr is a key length .

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Beacons]

Happy and safe travels.

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[2kids1mum0sense]

Thank you for your helpful replies and for welcoming me to the forum.
I do actually have a C1 on my driving license (just before cut off) so can drive a bigger van, though I'm conscious of resale etc. This van has actually been uprated to 3650kg, but I actually only have a shaky idea of what that means (a greater payload opportunity?) or how easy it is to reverse when it comes to resale?

I've driven 4 berth hire vans a couple of times and a fair few minibuses and tractor-trailers in the past, so while not experienced, I'm a little more comfortable with the manoeuvring than an absolute novice. Of course it may be a different matter with no one to direct me into spaces! (Not sure I can trust my 4 year old with this).

Are there any good apps etc for finding stopping places in Europe?

I will look into Comfort insurance now, thank you.

 

[gus-lopez]

https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app?fromsso=1


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.tramb.park4night&hl=en

 

[Chris Laing]

This what I use to plan my trips to Europe along with the AA route finder

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/

Thank you for your helpful replies and for welcoming me to the forum.
I do actually have a C1 on my driving license (just before cut off) so can drive a bigger van, though I'm conscious of resale etc. This van has actually been uprated to 3650kg, but I actually only have a shaky idea of what that means (a greater payload opportunity?) or how easy it is to reverse when it comes to resale?

I've driven 4 berth hire vans a couple of times and a fair few minibuses and tractor-trailers in the past, so while not experienced, I'm a little more comfortable with the manoeuvring than an absolute novice. Of course it may be a different matter with no one to direct me into spaces! (Not sure I can trust my 4 year old with this).

Are there any good apps etc for finding stopping places in Europe?

I will look into Comfort insurance now, thank you.

 

[Ashypants]

Welcome !

Make sure you check for damp; especially in the back corners - inside and underneath. We recently rejected a 2014 707 due to damp/rot in the floor. Other than that they seem a good van - plenty of space - they are classed as a budget range so depending on your budget you could get more van if you look at slightly smaller models.

 

[mitzimad]

via michelin is imho the best online map for route planning also gives some idea of toll costs if you add car and carravan

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[The Dudess]

Gosh, you're brave!