Rimor Koala 48

 

FAMILY FAMILIAR

Words & photos by John Page

Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire is home to a lively purveyor of Motorhomes that has the simple but immediate nom de plume of MotorHomesltd.com. A family concern of Camping enthusiasts they combine used vehicle sales with new from Hobby, Rimor, Elddis and Movano.

“Would we like to test a true family four-berth from Rimor of Sienna?”

“Absolutely.” So after a thorough briefing from one of the enthusiastic apprentices we loaded our gear, pointed the bonnet NW towards York and the welcoming Beechwood Grange Caravan Club Campsite some three miles due NE of the famous city. Rimor have been building Motorhomes now for more than thirty years and currently Overcab, Profile and A-Class vehicles are part of their line-up. Koala is an Overcab design to comfortably sleep four, with elbow room at the table and with four lap and diagonal belted seats for travel. It looks big but in reality is only 7.25m in length with flowing lines that superbly blend the overcab bulge into one of the best looking Overcabs you’ll see anywhere.

 

Construction

A five-year body warranty with no mileage limits is a good place to start the description and explain that the body shell is an all GRP build with its consequent resistance to scratches and minor contact with the flora. Good design is tangible and if you study our Forty-eight pic’ you’ll notice the way the different window shapes, the curve and colour of the skirt and that body outline is all of a very pleasing piece of coachwork. Forty-eight’s particular floor plan has a large rear garage under the fixed rear double bed and a second double above the cab. Between them, from the front, there is the lounge/diner, followed by the galley, then the washroom and shower cubicle opposite the splendid wardrobe. And from this point there is a sliding hatch for access to the garage without going outside.

Insulation is of high-density foam to the floor, walls and roof and notable at night time was how effective were the  detachable screens to inhibit condensation on  the windscreen and cab door windows. Rimor go further with the substantial full-length curtains for additional insulation. Notable furniture features were locker doors that released as the handles were grasped – using a mind blowing utterly simple but effective mechanism. Lighting, an eclectic mix of LED with conventional, was plentiful if a trifle quirky of operation in that you were offered a plethora of lighting effects to please the gadget minded among us. One way or another there was never a dark corner. We don’t carry bicycles or even motor cycles but what a boon to use the garage for all the bulky tackle that would otherwise clutter up the floor space – and it’s accessible from outer doors on both side and the interior hatch.  In late March a brief but welcome sunny spell was followed by clear but decidedly cool nights – countered with the ever reliable Truma heater on blown air mode at whisper speed.

 

Six Wheeler Special

For traction and stability especially in muddy conditions six wheels and rear wheel drive have a definite edge. There is also the long wheelbase chassis to make the going great. Surprising too that although there is tyre noise under way, the airflow effect was minimal. Altogether a sedate carriage for your average gentleman driver. Suspension is of ubiquitous Mac strut at front and sturdy three leaf pattern for the rear end. Bridgestone’s R623 tyres are the boots and Ford’s amazing 2.4-litre turbo diesel mill at 140bhp through six-speed transmission pushes the machine along at a brisk pace when demanded. In the cab Ford’s traditionally uncomplicated dashboard is a lesson in clarity complete with cab air con and airbags for two. The radio also is of the non-distracting type

 

Living Style revealed

Overcab design Motorhomes are essentially family vehicles – hence the bedroom above the cab for the little people or mum and dad elevated and children downstairs. Koala 48 though goes one better with a second bedroom above a garage. Thus, with beds separate, the remainder of the space can concentrate on really comfortable seating for the sprawl, the snooze and mealtimes. On either side of the table those of maturity will inevitably prefer one of the rotated swivel chairs from the cab with bench seat accommodating the pair opposite. Extend the table sideways for a guest to join the party sat on the couch. All would benefit were the table height to be just a touch lower. This is a pleasant light, airy and spacious lounge from which to watch the local fauna of which there is plenty on the Beechwood site – where squadrons of nesting rooks share the Fly Zone with pairs of wood pigeons, lone tits and finches. The occasional turbo powered Tucanao at 400kph doesn’t disturb them but a Chinook will. No TV provision, no problem – we prefer the excellent Ford radio while savouring the best sunset seen this year (late March). To be in Yorkshire then was a rare privilege.

 

Sleeping

Micro Obscuranti foil screens for the cab windows and windscreen were fine for privacy and virtual elimination of condensation. Both bedrooms have ladder access to scale the heights and the forward one not only locks in place but is also the lowest component of the exterior ladder for roof rack access. Comfort-wise the slatted beech sprung bases of the beds and firm foam mattresses in both cases invoke no criticism but a compliment for the uninterrupted slumber they provide. Each sleeping cabin has ample ventilation via side windows and roof vents adjacent – plus individual spotlights to read or drowse by and stowage for books etc. At an early hour fledgling rooks had their own dawn chorus with the deeper wood pigeon language as a mellow contrast.

 

Kitchen

European galley style tends to differ somewhat from UK thinking with generally fewer hob rings and smaller worktop areas, compensated by stronger emphasis on fridge capacity and wine storage. The fundamental difference though is that Italian, French and German campers expect to do a lot of their cooking and eating meals outdoors. No surprise because their more southerly latitudes encourage it. As ever though, habits and trends tend to modify and blend the more we travel and with a greater crossover from imports and exports. One certainty though is that angled kitchens as with Koala 48 tend to be more practical and space effective than a straight oblong one.  For instance here the bright designer here has made sure that the fridge is right alongside the work area within an arm’s length. Note the capacity of the cutlery also immediately available. Another valuable point is the amount of space given here for some of the bulky items we carry such as cool box, filtered water jug, our steamer and fresh vegetables in bulk. Spotlighting is directed down without glare and the extractor is above the hob where the steam is generated. We would have liked a top for the sink and perhaps a different location for the power point but neither of these items affected our usual Motorhome type mixed menus. Incidentally, motorhomes.com tells us that an oven and grill can be fitted as an option.

 

Washroom

Basically a compact washroom with a generous size shower cubicle equipped with useful shelves, LED lighting and an unusual shower curtain of waterproof material backed with a cotton fabric. Clever stuff and I wonder why no one has thought of that before. The washroom section has a sink and surround of decent proportion, plus lockers and towel hooks where they are most useful. More good news is the UK flat pin mains socket for those of us who shave electric. Spotlighting well placed plus ample shelf and locker space and good ventilation, it all adds up to a smallest room of unusually thoughtful design.

 

Stowage

Do you keep dogs, are you a family of cyclists, do you ride the dirt on an enduro bike or just potter on a scooter? Whichever way Koala with its garage and family accommodation can do the job. I don’t need to mention all the lockers in the lounge, galley, cab and elsewhere because you will have got the message by now.

 

Summary

Yes, We like this machine – it feels right wherever you go, steady as a tractor on those twin rear wheels yet lively enough when the throttle pedal is depressed in earnest. Particularly important is the resistance to lean on the bends and no doubt when crosswinds are around which has something to do with that slippery shape of Koala. Is it value for money? All you need to do is compare the price of a similar size and specification Overcab Motorhome and you’ll have your answer. And while you don’t buy a vehicle on looks alone this one in my eyes looks pretty good from whatever angle you choose. £36,995 on the road is the nitty gritty for Koala without the bear.

 

 

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Rimor Koala Overcab four-berth Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested: £36,995 on the road

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: MotorHomesltd.com

Clough Road, Hull, HU6 7QN

 

CONVERSION

Overall length: 7.25m

Overall width:  2.10m excl mirrors

Overall height: 2.90m

MPTLM: 3500kg

Payload:  510kg

Construction: GRP exterior with high-density foam insulation

Fresh water capacity: 100-litres

Waste water capacity:  100-litres

Gas storage capacity: 11 & 13kg capacity

Auxiliary battery:  110Ah

Refrigerator: 145-litre fridge/freezer

Water heater: Truma gas water heater

Space heater: Truma gas convection heater with ducted air

Lighting: Mix of LED and conventional spotlights

Upholstery: Duo tone brown and beige fabric

 

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Ford Transit chassis cab

Power unit: 2.4-litre turbo diesel

Maximum power: 140bhp @ 3500rpm

Maximum torque: 350NM @ 2000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual to rear wheels

Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion

Braking: servo assisted system to disc brakes

 

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: estimated 26mpg

Maximum speed:  estimated 80mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph