THE ULTIMATE
LIONEL HAPPENS UPON WHAT COULD BE
THE BEST-EQUIPPED RV HE HAS EVER SEEN.
WORDS AND IMAGES: LIONEL MUSSELL
It's not often that you come across a rig that
ticks all the boxes but Russell and Valerie Balfour
have an outfit that would be the envy of any full-
timing RVer.
Their tri-axle Roma caravan, Fuso truck tug and
Mitsubishi run-around is as near perfect as they
can get it, though it took seven years to get it
exactly right.
With two slide-outs and lots of space, it's hard
to believe you are in a caravan when you look
from end to end inside. Sitting at the table in one
of the comfortable swivel chairs, one of the two
tellies is right there for relaxed watching. Another
telly is placed just right for watching from bed.
Of course, with the bed-head being in one of
the slide-outs, there’s plenty of distance from
the TV to bed!
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GREAT KITCHEN
RV
Besides a cooktop, the Roma has a microwave
and an electric oven. There's heaps of bench
space, making the kitchen a cook’s delight.
Except, they rarely cook in the van as there's an
external kitchen and sink, and a Weber Baby Q!
There’s plenty of refrigeration. The main fridge is
225L, augmented by a 65L Waco, a 40L Engel,
and a 40L Evakool.
To keeps the electrics running there are 600W
worth of solar panels on the roof and a 160W
loose panel as well. In case it's overcast, the solar
is supplemented by two Honda generators – one
is for the air-conditioning, and the extra one is for
an on-board welder, etc. There are two washing
machines and a dishwasher as well.