Camping in a Romahome Duo Hytop

First let us introduce you to our Romahome Duo which we owned from 2003 - 2005. Previous to that we had a Duo without the toilet option, from March 2001 - 2003.

Seen here, on the right,with the optional drive away awning, which proves to be very useful on those long stays on one site and gives extra storage space and toilet compartment if needed

"A drive-away awning gives lots of extra space on site"

The ease of camping in a Romahome has many people amazed. We quite often arrived on site, turned on the gas, lowered the steadies and by the time we have got out the chairs, the kettle was boiled and we are sitting down to a nice cuppa.

The usual comment from other campers who are still busy fetching water and setting up, is "Wow, why can't ours be that easy!"

And it is, even when using the awning and electric hook up we could still be set up within about 30 minutes.

We carried the awning behind the driver and passenger seats. Some of the later models of Romahome now have the spare wheel behind the drivers seat so it is not possible to carry the awing there. (If you are ordering a new Romahome it might be worth asking if they will leave the spare wheel under the van - we have been told that small variations on the layout are possible and that Romahome are always happy to try and meet individual needs). Otherwise you will probably have to carry the awing on the luton or in the centre between the seats/

On the luton (picture right) with the chairs we also stored the folding table, and a small black and white TV (just 7" square but a great picture) this runs off both 12 volt and mains. This leaves plenty of room for the other items you need when travelling.

Space is precious but we never felt that we had to leave anything behind that we would really have preferred to take with us.

If possible utilise every opportunity to save space - for instance my little 'Heath Robinson' invention (opposite right) for keeping the kettle on the cooker while travelling has saved us a kettle sized space in the under seat storage area (might not sound much but you would be surprised what you can fit in it!) At bit hard to see in the photo but it's simply a length of elastic with velcro sewn at each end. The elastic is folded around the cooker top and secured with the velcro, the elastic is then stretched over and around the kettle handle and then secured at the other side, again with the sewn on velcro. I put our small pan glove under the kettle just to stop it rattling as we travel. (Please do remember to remove the elastic before lighting though!).

The grill pan also travels in situ. A square of non-slip mat which you can get at many shops, including Woolworths, is placed under the grill pan and it doesn't move about. (Again it's important to remember to remove it before using the grill).

"Consider ways to save space, every little helps"

Beds and seating

The seating can be used as either two single beds or as one very large double.

There is lots of room and it is very comfortable - for taller people there is a removable bed extension which fits behind the driver and passenger seat to make the bed longer..

Three wooden slats fit between the seats and are held in place by velcro, the cushions are slid forward to the middle, then the back rests are used to fill in the side areas.

Once the bed is made up there is not a lot of room for walking about. It does pay to be good friends as the only area left for changing is between the cooker and sink unit.

It's probably easier to get changed on the bed - and after all it is camping and you can't expect all the luxuries of home!

Some people sleep with their heads towards the cab, others at the other end.

We found that when sleeping at the cab end the pillows often fell down into the gap. Another advantage of sleep with heads towards the sink/cooker end is that you have a headrest on the lift up flaps and it's also possible to have the TV on the luton and watch TV in bed!

"The bed is quick and easy to make up"

Silver Screen

To help keep warm at night it's well worth investing in a 'Silver Screen'.

These insulated covers fit either on the outside or inside of the vehicle and help keep it warm, they also help keep it cool on very hot days too.

Make sure you buy one that is designed for your vehicle as sizes and fittings do vary considerably.

"A Silver Screen will keep you warm or cool depending on the weather!"

Storage

There is lots of storage under the bench seating of the Romahome Duo and in top cupboards.

We stored the bedding in the bench behind the passenger seat

The pans and some food we stored in the bench behind the driver seat

One persons clothes, toiletries bag and towels were kept in the bench next to the sink and the other's in the bench next to the cooker. Depending on how long we were travelling then there was more or less space available.

The top cupboards were for food and one for our binoculars, books, games and other small items.

The cupboard above the sink we kept plates, cutlery (in a plastic container, coffee pot and first aid things.

Above the cooker were stored, glasses, coffee/sugar etc. storage jars and a few spices.

To save space we only travelled with enough equipment for ourselves (2 cups or mugs, two glasses etc) so if we had visitors it was a case of bring your own glass!!

Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures of the cooker and sink top cupboards before we sold it! But the pictures on the right show the underbed storage and the top front cupboards.

"Lots of cupboard space means nothing has to be left behind"

Electricity

Most Romahomes are equipped to run on electricity (240v).

The outside plug in socket has a cover to keep out the wet - if you find it hard to lift the cover when it's closed try using the end of your electric hook-up cable socket , this has a small notch which we are sure was designed just for this job.

Inside the van - in our Duo it was under one of the bench seat - you will find the mains isolation switches, use your handbook to fully understand how these work and what each does.

The pictures show the socket on the outside of the van, both open and closed and the internal unit.

We have been told that it is important to fully uncoil your electric hook-up cable when on site and connected to the electricity as otherwise you can overload the cable and risk damage or a short circuit.

Gas

Gas is stored in an outside locker so is easy to get at and change. The locker will only hold two Camping Gaz 907 bottle and are not tall enough to take Calor or other types of bottle.

The regulator is also in the locker Although for van built after 2003 it is now compulsory for them to be fitted with fixed regulators.

The toilet

There is an on board toilet option (porta potti) available which proves to be useful but it does mean you lose the under sink cupboard. We never regretted this and found that it was well worth the loss.

It's not much fun having to get dressed and trek across the campsite in a howling wind or rain!

Although the toilet compartment in the awning is a good second best and it means again that you don't have to dress and go out.

On-board option

The on board toilet is situated under the sink. When required for use the sink lifts up and slots into an upright position above the toilet out of the way. For privacy there are curtains which divide the toilet area from the living area and the rear blind and window curtain give privacy from outside.

The pictures show a view taken from inside and outside the van, they shows the toilet in situ. Here you can see that the toilet is completely enclosed under the sink unit, it has a removable door for ease of access.

We always kept a small push button air freshener in the cupboard to keep it smelling fresh.

Although it doesn't offer the luxury of a bathroom unit it proves invaluable on long journeys, especially in France where public toilets are few and far between. It is also a boon when stuck in the inevitable motorway tail-backs which seem so common place these days! .

Toilet in the awning

If using the awning compartment for your toilet (porta potti) it is possible to hook the 'door' to the awning frame so that at night it provides a sort of curtain and you can leave the back door of the van into the compartment without being seen.

When travelling the toilet is then stored under one of the seats and can, in an emergency still be accessed for use.

"Whether you choose the onboard toilet option or the compartment in the awning it's better than a trek across the campsite"

Water

The Duo has both on board fresh water and waste water.

This helps you to be totally self sufficient and means you can stop off for cups of tea or coffee along the way without worrying about finding water. or somewhere to empty the waste.

20 litres of water can last quite a long time and we very rarely have to fill up more than twice in a weeks holiday - although if you are drinking water 'neat' and not boiling it for tea and coffee etc. then it would be better to fill your glass from the campsite mains tap as water in the tank for too long really should be boiled.

The tanks are situated out of site tucked snugly behind the seating where there is also inspection caps for checking how full they are.

Fresh water is filled from outside via a lockable filler cap and the waste is emptied via a tap just under the side of the van.

The pictures opposite are:

The outside fresh water filler cap

The waste water empty point

The inside inspection cap for the waste (fresh is identical but on other side)

The inspection cap is hidden under the cushions (fresh is identical but on the other side)

"On board fresh and waste water make you self sufficient"

A few things not yet mentioned

The windows all have blinds and flyscreens - except the lower side windows which open to about 1", these are great for letting some fresh air in at night and the bugs can't (usually!)get in because the curtains fit so tightly.

The fridge This is situated under the cooker and runs on mains electric (240v), Gas or battery while travelling.

It can hold quite a lot of things, has two shelves, door bottle storage, butter rack and a small freezer compartment.

Inside the van The picture opposite shows the full length of the van taken from the outside.

The picture of the cooker also shows the table flap in the 'down' position. Although they are not that big they are extremely useful while cooking and can be used a individual tables - there is one on each side - when not in use they fold up out of the way and have a padded head rest on the other side, great for when you are lounging on the seats.

Berlingo Door Mounted Speaker Covers If you own a Romahome built on a Citroen Berlingo it is worth checking your door mounted speaker covers as it is quite common for them to work loose and fall off. Picture opposite (courtesy of Derek) shows the type of cover that is the problem.

Citroen have made improvements on later models to make them stay put! If your covers do feel loose then it might be worth checking with Citroen as to whether they will change them to the new design.

and finally .............

The stowaway

The Romahome Duo is a wonderful invention and you might find yourself with the occasional stowaway who doesn't want to be left at home!

Our Romahome Duo enjoying the sunset at North Ledaig Campsite, Nr. Oban Scotland.

See campsite review.