Automatic?

[kitts]

Hi

I'm currently looking around at small, cheap motorhomes and the romahome keeps coming up. It looks to be just what I'd want, but I can only drive automatic. Has an auto version ever been made?

If not, is there anything similiar I could look around for?

Thanks!

Dawn

[Dabs]

Hi

I'm currently looking around at small, cheap motorhomes and the romahome keeps coming up. It looks to be just what I'd want, but I can only drive automatic. Has an auto version ever been made?

If not, is there anything similiar I could look around for?

Thanks!

Dawn

Not sure about an automatic Romahome,but Mazda Bongos are automatic(well the majority are!) and are a great buy!!There are other Japanese Imports too that are automatic that can be converted to campervans.

Dabs

[kitts]

I've seen the Bongo's but was a little worried about insurance on imports. They also tend to be larger engines, don't they? I'm not bothered about driving something bigger, but I want to keep costs to a minimum.

[glenw]

Dabs beat me to it, I was going to suggest looking at the japanese import market as the majority of them are auto. I also have no idea if any romahome has been auto although I suppose you could probably remount one of the early demountable romahomes onto an auto chassis - presuming you can find one!!

[marymary]

hi - I got my Bongo in november, 2.5 td was auto, 2 wheel drive, 1995 and ins was £201 with 22% discount due to joining owners group (£13 to join) I love driving it - the actual footprint is not as big as the S Maxx my husband had downside is they aren't nearly as economical.....

[karenw]

If it's of any interest, my Renault Kangoo is automatic and quite a few of these conversions are. They're sometimes available from www.jcleisure.co.uk

Personally, I don't like automatic at all and would prefer manual any day along with the greater fuel economy. I get about 35mpg from its 1.6 petrol engine. Out of interest, how does this compare with a diesel Romahome?

[baldybantam]

mileage

We've kept a note of our R20 since new last year,
we are getting 45 mpg and are delighted with that -
compared to around 25 - 28 mpg with the Trigano Tribute.

Also much warmer.

Good luck in your search,
baldybantam

[jayjay]

Hi Dawn,

I looked around for one and also asked the q. at the garage... If it's a late model, it's *possible* to convert to auto. However, the one I bought (Bedford Rascal demountable) could not be converted. I don't think there are many that can, so best to find something automatic in the first place!

Having said that, the garages that convert for the disabled could (technically) convert to automatic by putting in hand controls, but it costs a fortune.

Nissan also do an auto camper - called the Ellgrande, I think. Not cheap though!

[Dabs]

The main Jap Import campers are
Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda
Toyota Granvia
Toyota Regius
Nissan ElGrande
there are also a number of ready converted campers that were made for the Jap Market that are also making their way to these shores mostly based on the Toyota Hiace van or Nissan Urvan

the majority of any of these vehicles are automatic with engines ranging from 2.5 litres up to 3.2 litres in either deisel or petrol engines.

Each have differences from one another the Bongo for example is the only one to have electric camper roof the majority are push up types, some have column gearchange some have floor mounted gears all different and one may suit you more than others.

Insurance these days isnt a problem as there are specialised import insurance companies out there, in much the same way that parts are easily obtainable as well.

I use my Bongo as every day transport and have found it no more uneconomical to run than a lot of cars that I have owned in the past in fact for what it does I have yet to see a better all round package of a true multi purpose vehicle.

Best thing to do is get around and look at as many of the above makes as possible and take it from there.E Bay is a good start as there are usually plenty of pics to look at to get a feel for what these vehicles are.

Good Luck in your search

Dabs

[pendel]

Romahomes are made in ISLE OF WIGHT so you could always email them and ask if they ever made any automatics. At least then you would know if there were any available. Good luck with your search.

[ant]

Hi.
There was a company ( sadly now no more) in about 2001 to 2003 who did an Automatic conversion, there arn't that many about but they are out there somewhere. In 2007 I had and sold 3, I've not seen one since, so if you find one and it bonds with you don't hang about it might be a long time before you see another.
Ant

[peterholden]

A small garage with a proper engineer/mechanic might be interested in having a go at putting a Citroen engine/auto gearbox from another vehicle eg a Citroen Xantia into a C15 or a Berlingo. Citroen were one of the first to make a diesel automatic.. A few years ago we saw an early Berlingo romahome on a campsite in France that had been converted to auto box, it also had a turbo fitted.