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Here be dragons! Well, soon, anyway. Built in Wales, the Celtic Rambler will soon be seen on Aussie roads. Words and photography by Gil Schott Just off the A55 in the village of Rhuallt in Denbighshire, North Wales, you’ll find Llwyn Derw farm. Behind the stone fences and tractor bays there’s a row of large sheds containing some unusual produce. This farm grows fifth-wheelers! The Parry-Jones family build fifth-wheelers in the UK designed specifically for European sized vehicles, and these RVs will soon be gracing Australia’s highways. The Celtic Rambler is the pride of the Parry-Jones fleet and on a recent visit to Wales I managed a sneak preview of this very classy unit, towed by a 3L Nissan Navara dual-cab ute. On The Outside The Celtic Rambler is a striking RV, with a lovely curved brow and a sensational paint job. In fact, this is among the best finishes I’ve seen on an RV. Subtle decals make this a very attractive unit. The Rambler is built on an integrated systems chassis design utilising galvanised steel. The hitch is a sliding model rather than a ball mounting, providing security and an easy hook up. Air brakes are fitted and the independent, self levelling air suspension system, with an on-site levelling function, is very good indeed. Insulated, vacuum-bonded panels make up the body construction, with gel-coated GRP external cladding. The aerodynamic nose cone is GRP, as is the rear bumper and spoiler. A big slideout on the starboard side adds an enormous amount of room to the Rambler. As is usual with European RVs, the heating system is substantial. The Celtic Rambler features an Alde Compact dual fuel (LPG/electric) system with underfloor heating and concealed radiators. Heated floors? Just the thing for a winter’s cruise around Orange and Bathurst. The electrical system features a 270Ah battery, 50A charger and LCD control system. Windows are aluminium, double glazed acrylic (with pull-down blinds inside) and the entrance door is fly-screened. All electrical, and heating systems have external locker access, as do the two 9kg gas bottles. An electric Omni-step is fitted, as are a 240v power inlet and awning light. A Carefree awning was installed on the unit we looked at, though the rear arm blocked access to one of the rear (heating) access panels. It’s only a minor (and fixable) blemish, and it was easy to move to open the hatch. An electrically operated slide-out on the driver’s side increases the area in the dinette and lounge. We’ll expand on that (if you’ll pardon the pun) a bit later. In The Kitchen 7.5/10 The kitchen is positioned in the rear passenger-side corner and features a 140l three-way fridge/freezer and a SMEV stove unit with four-burner hob, grill and oven. A rangehood is fitted above the stove. A stainless steel sink with flickmixer tap is fitted against the rear wall. Windows behind the stove and sink area provide plenty of light and air, and down lights in the bulkhead above illuminate the area. Fixed bench space is limited to the area between the stovetop and the fridge, and right in the corner between the stove and the sink, but there is a fold down bench alongside the sink that adds to the food preparation space. Storage is good, with drawers and cupboards beneath bench level and lockers in the bulkhead above. Despite being positioned in a corner, the kitchen is more than adequate for knocking up a snack or preparing a major dinner. Given the extent of the interior of the Rambler, this could be a real party machine and the kitchen would handle that just fine. One added bonus is that when the slide-out is closed for travelling you can still access the kitchen easily, so if you feel the urge to pull over for a cuppa you’ll have no trouble getting at the kettle or the cups. At The Dinette The dinette/lounge area blends into the kitchen and occupies the whole rear of the Celtic Rambler astern of the steps. As you enter there is a two-seater sofa to the right, as well as a three-seater opposite. The ‘formal’ dinette area occupies the corner opposite the kitchen. Both the dinette and lounge are expanded via the slide-out. The dinette is interesting in that the rear bench seat is backed by a cushion against the wall, while the forward seat is part of the main sofa. The dinette table is a drop-down model with plenty of room, and the dinette will seat four. The dinette also folds down to form another double bed. But it’s the lounge area that’s the striking feature of this vehicle. With the slide-out open this area is enormous. The sofas along both sides can accommodate six people in comfort (and then you have the dinette!). Additionally there are four moveable ‘quadrant’ pieces – two for use as coffee tables with shelving beneath, and two pouffes (here in politically correct land we call them ‘ottomans’) with padded seats. Large screened windows all round brighten the area and allow plenty of air to circulate, as does the overhead REMIstar light and hatch. Overhead lockers and under-sofa drawers provide stacks of storage. Add in a DVD/home cinema system and it’s party time! In The Bedroom Positioned up forward, the bedroom features a king-sized bed with innerspring mattress and under-bed storage. Bedside tables and drawers occupy both sides, while at the head are mirrored storage cabinets. Bedside lights and downlights in the bedhead brighten the bedroom. A full sized wardrobe and drawers are fitted in the hall opposite the bathroom. Windows on both sides of the bed allow light and air in and there’s a REMI roof light and hatch overhead. There is plenty of room to move on either side of the bed. As with the rest of the Rambler, the bedroom is comfortable and well appointed. Keeping Clean The bathroom is positioned on the driver’s side opposite the wardrobe in the elevated forward section. It’s both a bathroom and an ensuite and is very nicely fitted out. The shower recess is quite roomy, ‘tubular’ in dimension and features a curved sliding door. It’s a functional unit that’s perfectly adequate for most folks (though Sumo wrestlers might find it a little squeezy). Alongside is a laundry bin and shelving. The Thetford toilet is flanked by storage shelves and towel racks are fitted below bench level alongside, opposite the shower. A corner basin with flickmixer tap and a nice curved vanity unit is just inside the door. Above bench level the toilet/vanity area is surrounded with mirrors and corner storage cupboards. Well placed downlights and an Omnivent roof light and fan ensure the bathroom is well lit and fresh. Worth Buying? Fifth-wheelers are slowly making inroads into the local caravanning scene and one reason is their on-road handling. They are easy to tow and handle well on the road. Mervyn Parry-Jones ably demonstrated this to us in Wales, hauling the Celtic Rambler around a big roundabout with 35mph on the Nissan speedo. There was virtually no body roll and it stuck to the road like a cat on a carpet. The Celtic Rambler is very well built, beautifully finished inside with great timberwork and stylish upholstery, and the external finish is second to none. This is a real luxury unit that will suit a touring couple who like the finer things in life, or those who really like to party. Like all things in life, you get what you pay for and in the case of the Rambler, you’ll get a very nice RV indeed. Manufacturer: The Fifth Wheel Company THANKS TO…
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