Cut Loose Roebuck

WE LIKED
>> Large window in the rear
>> Comfortable lounge
>> Decent-sized kitchen bench

NOT SO MUCH
>> Square edges inside
>> Minimal external bin space
>> Security door not standard

For many years, fifth wheelers were something of novelty in the Australian RV market, associated with the Ford F250/GM Silverado genre of tow tugs – vehicles not so common in Australia.

However, companies like Cut Loose RV, in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, decided a better approach would be to match the size of fifth wheelers to tow vehicles more readily available on Aussie roads – Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max – and the market starting moving along.

There are far more imported fifth wheelers on our roads than there are locally-built rigs. There are assorted reasons for this, but one of the results for your average RV reviewer is that questions of Australian compliance on matters like electrics, gas and which side the entry door is on, must be asked.

To be fair, things have improved considerably over the past few years, aided in some ways by the financial downturn, when US manufacturers started to pay much more attention to overseas market requirements.

For Nick Oliver and his team at Cut Loose RV, which bring in a good range of ute-towable fifth wheelers form the States, all compliance matters are well in hand.

NOT TOO DIFFERENT

Running on a six-inch powdercoated and railed chassis, the Cut Loose Roebuck is similar to Australian units in many ways, but shows more than a few characteristics of its country of birth.

Most notably, its chassis is actually enclosed in many places, which gives some weather protection to the underside. Torsion bar suspension is fitted to the tandem axles and a double pivot Hijacker hitch is used up front.

Above chassis, the body has an aluminium frame and an outer covering of vacuum-laminated composite walls with a Lamilux fibreglass finish.

To minimise leaks, a single-piece roof is used which, according to the Cut Loose team, is strong enough to walk on, while the fibreglass nosecone gives a very streamlined effect.

With an overall length of 6.8m (22ft 4in), the Roebuck is not a particularly long rig, especially when compared to others in the Cut Loose stable, but it does come with an offside slide-out.

Around the exterior, the storage bin space is mostly confined to the front compartment under the overhang.

Other bins are home to the gas cylinders (front offside), battery and charger (front nearside) and slide-out barbecue (mid-nearside).

Windows, of which there are plenty, are a standard US-style, with lower opening hoppers in all but one (emergency exit in the bedroom). There’s also a non-opening rear window.

The entry door does have a separate insect screen, but no security option.

LOCAL STYLE

Clambering inside the Roebuck reveals a relatively open layout. Generally speaking, the fit and finish of the cabinetry, including solid timber doors, looks to be reasonable.

Until recently, energy-efficient lighting was a noticeable absentee from many U.S.-sourced rigs. However, this criticism could not be made here – the Roebuck has both fluorescent and LED light fittings.

The air-conditioner is a roof-mounted reverse cycle Dometic unit and is controlled via a wall-mounted control panel, which also features the slide-out control and battery monitor.

With the bedroom in the overhang, and bathroom opposite the entry door, the rest of the fifth wheeler has a nice open feel about it.

Space is also aided by the large picture window in the rear and the slide-out, which is home to a three-person lounge sitting opposite a smaller one. In between the lounges is a free-standing table.

The flatscreen TV is mounted on a swivelling bracket in the rear nearside corner. It’s viewable from the offside lounge, but it struck me that if it could be practically mounted on the forward wall of the slide-out, two people could easily watch with their feet up.

The kitchen bench is fairly spacious, with room for a four-burner cooktop/grill, stainless-steel sink and drainer, and a reasonable amount of bench space.

This leaves enough room underneath for four good-sized drawers and a two-door cupboard, which is also home to a wire basket slide-out pantry. The usual overhead lockers include space for a microwave.

Fitted on the opposite side, the big Novacool 258 litre fridge looks like it’s upside down, but this system just means bending over for the freezer section, rather than the fridge, which is more practical in many users’ eyes.

One of the best achievements in the Roebuck is a bathroom which remains comfortably large, without taking up too much space in the rig.

There’s room for a moulded shower cubicle, complete with a roller-style door, as well as a Dometic cassette toilet and vanity unit, which features a wash basin and shaving cabinet.

With the bathroom on the offside and full-height wardrobe on the other, the bedroom is neatly separated from everything else. Three steps lead up to the bed, the head of which is set into the front nose cone.

Both sides of the bed feature a small cabinet and the base can be lifted to give access to the storage area underneath.

Windows on both sides, plus a small Euro-style hatch, give good ventilation in what otherwise might be a slightly confined area.

The guys at Cut Loose also told me they’re about to release their Alpha Series models, which feature Seitz windows and a unique contemporary cabinetry design.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

My tow vehicle for the Roebuck was an Isuzu D-Max, with a standard 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and optional four-speed automatic gearbox.

The auto gearbox performed well for trouble-free driving, but those who like to really drive, rather than just cruise, might prefer the extra cog of the five-speed manual.

Given the tow vehicle was a dual cab, it meant the Hijacker hitch was mounted slightly behind the axle in order to allow adequate clearance. It would also pay to keep the 165-litre water tank in mind when considering weights.

VERDICT

The Roebuck appears to be a well-built unit and constructed to Australian specifications and requirements. At nearly 6.8m (22ft 4in) in length, this fifth wheeler offers a considerable amount of interior living space, without too many compromises, and a towing package that is quite easy to handle.

All of this adds up to make this US-import a very good long-term touring option.

CUT LOOSE ROEBUCK

External length: 6.8m (22ft 4in)
External width: 2.3m (7ft 6in)
Interior height: 2.03m (6ft 8in)
External height: 3.24m (10ft 7in)
Tare: 2640kg
ATM: 3450kg
Pin weight: 450kg
Frame: Aluminium
Chassis: Powder coated and enclosed steel
Suspension: Torflex, torsion   
Cooktop: Stoves four-burner and grill
Fridge: 258 litre Nova Kool compressor
Microwave: Panasonic
Shower: Moulded cubicle
Toilet: Dometic full flush
Lighting: 12V Fluro, LED
Gas: 1 x 9kg, 1 x 4.5kg
Fresh water: 125 litres
Grey water 125 litres
Black water 125 litres
Price $97,500 (tow-away, Qld)
Supplied by: Cut Loose RV, Burleigh Heads, Qld