Roma Caravans, who were started in 1928, has bought out another 5 th wheeler .Dennis said that while American-built fifth wheelers were becoming increasingly expensive because of the lower exchange rate of the Australian dollar, there was also a clear preference amongst local buyers for Australian décor."Ninety per cent of customers want gloss furniture and the features they are familiar with in our luxury caravans," he said. "Many see the American interiors as dated."Named the Nullarbor, the key feature of the 2.8 tonne tare weight Roma fifth wheeler is that it has been designed from the outset to be hauled by the latest crop of locally available dual cab utes, like the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Holden Colorado and Isuzu D-Max.

Roma Caravans, who were started in 1928, has bought out another 5 th wheeler .It is very lightweight, roughly 26ft long 7,700lbs. They normally weigh 8,000 to 8,300lb. Tare weight is basic weight 6200lbDennis said that while American-built fifth wheelers were becoming increasingly expensive because of the lower exchange rate of the Australian dollar, there was also a clear preference amongst local buyers for Australian décor."Ninety per cent of customers want gloss furniture and the features they are familiar with in our luxury caravans," he said. "Many see the American interiors as dated."Named the Nullarbor, the key feature of the 2.8 tonne tare weight Roma fifth wheeler is that it has been designed from the outset to be hauled by the latest crop of locally available dual cab utes, like the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Holden Colorado and Isuzu D-Max.

I don't know why anyone in Australia would want to import a trailer manufactured in the U.S. Work ethics and quality have diminished considerably. It is us who should be importing Australian made trailers. Much better designed and most likely much better quality, at least from those and other previous pictures of different models.

Those bright white shiny walls and ceiling make it look like a clinic to me....but to each his own!

3oaks wrote:I don't know why anyone in Australia would want to import a trailer manufactured in the U.S. Work ethics and quality have diminished considerably. It is us who should be importing Australian made trailers. Much better designed and most likely much better quality, at least from those and other previous pictures of different models.I agree. Maybe we need to start importing quality built RV's to get the attention of US manufacturers. It worked in the auto industry.The shiny walls do have a clinic look but, it is a nice change from the dark, dreary interiors common in US built RV's.We were at the Hershey Show and noticed the many dark interiors.

They stumble and fall , but more join the fray | Good Sam Community

Slownsy
Explorer
Nov 24, 2016
Robert last you said that Jayco could not sell because Peaple had to youse a Iveco or other truck and that they use Asian utes.
Frank.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Nov 24, 2016
Slownsy wrote:
Robert with a tare of 2.8T it only has a 700 kg payload to be able to be pulled by Australian duall cab
With 3.5T tov capasety and then they have almost no payload left what is the pin weight with GWVR. Many in Australia find that they now have to go to the larger tov vehicles than the standard duel cab pickup with the 3.5 T travel trailers if you follow any of the Australian forums.
Frank.

Differences between bumper tow and 5th Wheel capacity,quite substantial . The IVECO has a 3.5 tonne bumper tow, but 20,000lb 5th wheel capacity
Slownsy
Explorer
Oct 08, 2016
Robert with a tare of 2.8T it only has a 700 kg payload to be able to be pulled by Australian duall cab
With 3.5T tov capasety and then they have almost no payload left what is the pin weight with GWVR. Many in Australia find that they now have to go to the larger tov vehicles than the standard duel cab pickup with the 3.5 T travel trailers if you follow any of the Australian forums.
Frank.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Oct 07, 2016
goducks10 wrote:
I'm more interested in what Aussies use for plumbing connections, cabinet closures, AC, water pumps, etc. How much better or worse are they than USA built trailers? Judging from the looks of the cabinets it doesn't seem that they use those cheap pinch type cabinet catches.
Robert, what types of issues are common in Aussie built trailers.

Varies from manufacturer to manufacture, some commonality. . They do not use the cheap pinch type. You are seeing Lithium Batteries, Solar, Composites, various stabilising systems.. Issues as such vary on the type of Application,: Off Road, Touring, Pop Top, 5th wheeler
RobertRyan
Explorer
Oct 07, 2016
Slownsy wrote:
Robert not everybody thinks the same, I am now on my second Canadian FW and very happy as are many others. We will be bringing it back next year, they have issues but so do Australian build, Jayco stopped building as they obviously were not selling that great. There is also the issue that more and more peaple are finding with the Australian pickups not having a large enough payload for the size of trailers people want now. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Frank.

You Frank are the exception.They do not sell to the " exceptions" Canadian built 5th wheelers have died out. Frank they are not interested in changing their tow vehicle .
goducks10
Explorer
Oct 05, 2016
I'm more interested in what Aussies use for plumbing connections, cabinet closures, AC, water pumps, etc. How much better or worse are they than USA built trailers? Judging from the looks of the cabinets it doesn't seem that they use those cheap pinch type cabinet catches.
Robert, what types of issues are common in Aussie built trailers.
Irelands_child
Explorer
Oct 05, 2016
To me that Australian trailer, in and out has about as much warmth as an Interstate rest room. While we were not overjoyed with the upholstery selections and decor on many 5ers we looked at in all price ranges low to astronomical, we found one that has the good feel of our stick & brick 'family' room. Plus the problems on that complicated road traveling vehicle (18K in 2 years and counting)have really been minimal, about on a par with our home which is solidly moored to a foundation
RobertRyan
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
Slownsy wrote:
Robert not everybody thinks the same, I am now on my second Canadian FW and very happy as are many others. We will be bringing it back next year, they have issues but so do Australian build, Jayco stopped building as they obviously were not selling that great. There is also the issue that more and more peaple are finding with the Australian pickups not having a large enough payload for the size of trailers people want now. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Frank.

Frank, you are very much the exception to the rule. Jayco could not sell them as they implied you needed to get a different tow vehicle, dumb move on their part. Move by the Caravan sellers instead to get their customers wants and get someone to build to their needs, is a much smarter move. If this works expect to see others do the same.
Getting 5th Wheelers beyond the niche level(for US readers, they are a smaller niche than TC's in Australia) Of the 6 or 7 builders, they are gradually getting momentum, opening Facebook sites. Trying to get interest has been harder than pulling teeth.
These FBpages emphasis towability by local Asian sourced Pickups
Travelhome 5th Wheelers Facebook Page
RV Pacific 5th Wheeler
Not a small producer
Sunliner Northshore.

Not many interested when Jayco was showing this as the tow vehicle
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 04, 2016
"However, practically speaking, I'm not sure white lacquer is the way to go. I've had furniture and even kitchen cabinets in white lacquer and they aren't super durable."

Very true, it may look good for a while, but white gets dirty, no matter what it's made of. And it requires a lot of work to even try to keep on top of it so it doesn't look dingy right away. I've never been tempted to paint the walls of my house white, so why would I want my house on wheels white?

Why tear down someone else's product trying to make yours seem better? If the Aussie design works for them more power to 'em. Saying US makes are trash doesn't make the Aussie products better. I wouldn't buy one if they were offered here, not my cup of tea, har, but that's just me.
Slownsy
Explorer
Oct 03, 2016
Robert not everybody thinks the same, I am now on my second Canadian FW and very happy as are many others. We will be bringing it back next year, they have issues but so do Australian build, Jayco stopped building as they obviously were not selling that great. There is also the issue that more and more peaple are finding with the Australian pickups not having a large enough payload for the size of trailers people want now. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Frank.