Inside:
Value does not have to mean cheap looking – the interior is bright, modern and functional, with wipe-clean surfaces (including the floor). As well as the dinette table, there is a high level worksurface over the fridge cabinet which will double up as a TV position. Sure to please a lot of potential buyers is the fact that this is a 6 seatbelt motorhome, with the potential to sleep 5 adults. The dinette bed extensions have a simple mechanism to make the double base and the overcab bed is generous, as is the window in this area. Headroom up here may not be best in class, but pretty good. The overcab bed can also be raised to allow easier movement in the cab area.
For storage, there is space under the dinette seats and a variety of overhead lockers, while at the rear, you will find a decent number of high and low level cupboards in the kitchen and a slide-out rack by the fridge. The 100 litre inboard fresh water and 10 litre hot water tanks are under the long bench on the nearside, so no storage available there. Facilities include a three burner hob and combined grill/warming oven (not a full oven, but big enough to put ready meals in), although a full width freezer box in the fridge would have been better than the small square one specified. In the washroom, you will find a good sized, three quarter lined shower with a curtain across the front. The vanity sink is a little awkward to get to, due to the Thetford cassette loo base. For heating, Auto-Roller use the Truma gas powered system with blown air, which makes the distribution of heat much better than just the heater on its own and arguably extends use into the colder season.
Summary:
There aren’t many 5 berth, 6 seatbelt motorhomes around at the £30,000 price mark, and the Auto-Roller has some noteworthy features, such as the bed extensions, good internal storage and blown air heating. Despite its relatively short length, the layout offers good family lounging space, but be prepared to make up the dinette bed if there are more than 3 of you. If you feel that you would like more family separation at bed-time, also consider the bigger sister models Auto-Roller 600 and Autoroller 700.
The Ford cab is easy to live with and drive, but if you want music you will have to pay extra. Other ‘nice to have’ items would include a larger freezer box, some external storage access and maybe a full size oven, but the priorities on everyone’s wish list are different and as the list gets longer the price goes higher.
For a competent all-rounder on a budget, the Auto-Roller 500 is hard to beat for value versus facilities.
Uploaded 14.04.2008.
Roller Team: Official Website
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