Advertisement
Romahome R10 Solo LX (2009)
Sections:

Key Features

Model Year 2009
Class Rising Roof
Base Vehicle Citroën Nemo
Price From (£) 19,995
Length (m) 3.86
Berths 1
Belted Seats 3
Main Layout Front Lounge
See full details
Advertisement

At a glance

Romahome R10 Solo LX

Full review

MEET the first of a new generation of micro-campers: the Romahome R10 Solo, which is a tiny single-berth van conversion aimed at the truly independent traveller.

Based on Citroën’s minute Nemo microvan, the R10 is just 12ft 7in long, less than six feet wide and at around 6ft tall.

The rising roof gives headroom of 6ft 6in and Romahome has managed to cram in a single bed, sink with running water, two-burner hob, Porta-Potti and coolbag.
Power comes from a frugal 1.4HDi engine which returns around 50mpg under real world driving conditions – and almost 60mpg on a longer run.

According to Romahome boss Brian Bailey, the R10 is proving especially popular with the angling fraternity, who regard its modest accommodation as a five-star alternative to shivering away in a damp bivouac on an all-night fishing session.

On a fishing trip and with two fully charged batteries on board, I decided to dispense with the hook-up as the R10 makes few electrical demands and although there are a couple of halogen spots, the LED lighting alone is sufficient to illuminate the interior.

There are also three 12V sockets and the truly independently inclined can specify a roof-mounted 40-Watt solar panel which will charge both the leisure and main batteries. If a hook-up is available the Romahome also has a single 230V power point.

The kitchen has a two-burner hob and small sink with the 3.9kg gas cylinder located in a dedicated lined locker underneath – next to this is a polythene 5-litre water tank from which the compact electric pump pipes water to a single tap. A Porta-Potti 335 sits next to the sink.

The optional ‘fridge’ is a rather funky 12-litre soft coolbag which plugs into the rear 12V socket, but is also removable and, as well as keeping essentials like milk and beer cold, also proved very handy for keeping trout nice and fresh!

Although with the roof up, there’s ample headroom in the habitation area to stand, you quickly get into the habit of doing just about everything sitting down – primarily because everything you need is within arms-length of the settee.

After a cup of tea and a bowl of soup heated up on the hob, I packed the free-standing table away and worked out how to make up the bed. It’s a pretty low-tech sleeping solution, involving an extension which pulls out from the settee base to bridge the gap between it and the passenger seat and a couple of extra cushions, one of which sits atop said extension and the other on top of the folded passenger seat – all held in place by Velcro strips.

At 6ft 4in by a maximum of 2ft, it’s a long way from an orthopaedic mattress with memory foam top, but it’s a step up from an airbed. Insulated curtains cover the habitation windows while the cab and rear windows are covered by pieces of insulated fabric which attach to Velcro strips around the window frames.

Before bed, I thought I’d watch a bit of TV, but the only channel the system could pick up was showing ‘Jaws’. I switched off the light and turned in for the night. Five minutes’ later, I had to swap ends, opting to sleep with my head in the cab as the gentle buzz of the coolbag right under my pillow threatened to stop me from dozing off.

I slept reasonably well until the wee small hours, when I had to get up again to close the rising roof as a cold draft was blowing into the vehicle and the early April night time temperatures were hovering only just above zero. The R10’s compact proportions mean it doesn’t need a lot of heating, but we’d recommend the optional Propex gas-fired blown-air heater for serious year-round use.

Trundling homewards after a day’s fishing, I pondered the pros and cons of such a tiny camper.

Using the traditional benchmarks, the R10’s single berth, cramped space and shortage of storage means it doesn’t really stack up. But to think along conventional lines is to miss the point.

Vehicles like the R10 appeal to folk who wouldn’t identify themselves as motorhomers. If you’re passionate about fishing, wind-surfing, hiking or whatever, but hate paying through the nose for tatty hotel rooms, this is worth considering.

The initial investment isn’t much higher than the price of a saloon car and it won’t depreciate as quickly. There’s also a return on that investment in accommodation savings and the freedom it affords you to pursue your passion.

A full version of this review was published in the June 2009 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To order a road test reprint ring 01778 391187. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.
Content continues after advertisements
Advertisement
Advertisement

Expert motorhome advice to your door!

Why not subscribe to one of our fabulous magazines and get expert advice, travel ideas, technical help and all the latest news for your motorhome and your motorhome adventures!

MMM Motorhomers' Magazine

Want to know more about MMM magazine?

Every month MMM has articles written by motorhomers who have been there and done it, from great UK and European (and further afield) tours, campsite reviews, owners' reports and DIY projects among other things. MMM's tests, reviews and expert buying guides are not to be missed. MMM's technical advice is a must and includes everything from weekend jobs to longer-term DIY projects. And much more!

About MMM magazine  
What Motorhome Magazine

Want to know more about What Motorhome magazine?

Every issue of What Motorhome magazine provides essential buying advice for anyone looking to buy a new motorhome or campervan or upgrade their existing model. With a pedigree of over 30 years of offering the best motorhome and campervan buying advice, every issue of What Motorhome includes more new motorhome and campervan reviews than you will find in any other magazine.

About What Motorhome  
Campervan Magazine

Want to know more about Campervan magazine?

Campervan is the exciting monthly magazine that will give you all the inspiration you need to explore the world in your campervan. Every issue is packed with real-life campervanning experiences, inspiring travel ideas in the UK and further afield, the best campsites to stay on, campervan road tests and reviews of the latest models, and much more!

About Campervan magazine  

Our verdict

Based on the Citroen Nemo, this is one of the smallest motorhome's around at just 12ft 7in long and it can go anywhere a car can go

Advantages

Very compact camper will fit in a single garage
Frugal to run - can average 50-60mpg
Has plenty of headroom and a 6ft 6in bed
Ideal for fishermen and hobbies

Disadvantages

Very limited storage space

Sign up to our free newsletter

Join our community and get emails packed with advice and tips from our experts – and a FREE digital issue!

Sign up now!

Subscribe to the new-look Campervan

Access every published issue plus the latest edition – all fully searchable!

Discover more

More dedicated campervan content

Advertisement
Advertisement