New directions for 85 year young Roma

One of the Australian RV industry’s pioneers, Melbourne’s Roma Caravans, has come out punching in its 85th year with new models, innovations and new Euro-style construction techniques being introduced across its range during 2013.

Kicking off with the compact new Punto single-axle ensuite van first shown at Sandown’s Leisurefest in October, Roma will also add a new slide-out Elegance model later this year.

It's also swinging all its vans over to lightweight European ply interior furniture to save weight, add strength and increase payloads on its range of single, dual and tri-axle models.

Like all Romas, that in recent years have grown to become 2200kg-plus Tare weight vans, the $51,990 1880kg Tare Punto is a fully-featured RV, with even the smallest 16ft 6in internal length models built with a full ensuite, north-south double bed, café or L-shaped lounge/dinette, deep cycle battery, solar panel, TV/sound system, dual water tanks and awning.

And like its bigger brothers it features larger axles that the general industry norm, meaning that its ATM is 400kg above Tare on single axle vans and up to 600kg more on dual or tri-axle Roma models, so long-term travellers can specify more equipment and throw in the kitchen sink without fear of breaking their rig.

Roma over the past three years has embraced full CNC panel cutting, CAD/CAM design and in its most recent move to world’s best practice in the RV industry has forged a new partnership with two Italian companies to supply pre-cut plywood interior panelling and furniture. This is not only stronger than typical fittings sourced out of Asia, but stronger and significantly lighter.

Roma’s Mark Palmerini – the grandson of Victorio Palmerini who rook over the company in the 1950s and is still working in the business today – estimates that the weight-saving of ‘going Euro’ on a typical dual axle van could be up to 100kg.

Another major change in van construction now standardised across the Roma range is one-piece front, rear and roof sections, which simplify construction and offer the additional benefit of better insulation. Combined with increasing use of PVC underneath in moisture-affected areas, the aim is to create a longer-lasting product and greater customer satisfaction.

Mark Palmerini estimates there are currently around 10,000 Roma caravans on Australian roads and that 40 per cent of the 350 units produced on average each year now are repeat business.

“We’re not one of the big boys and we have never wanted to be,” he said. “The majority of vans we built over the years have been custom designs, so our customers have had a close involvement with the company and we have given them just what they wanted.

"While our warranty of nominally 12 months, in reality it’s much more generous in reality than on paper.”

The new Punto (pictured) – and the existing single axle Sovereign – are not custom-built, allowing them to sell in the current industry ‘sweet spot’ of around $50,000. 

But for those who want a special van for that big Aussie trip, Roma hasn’t abandoned its traditional market and only recently delivered a tri-axle 28ft van with an ATM of close to 3500kg.

“We have had to listen to customers and be flexible to survive in this industry for 85 years, “ said Palmerini. “Roma is an iconic and perhaps the most respected brand in the Australian RV industry. We have to be one step ahead of the game to maintain that position.”