Thinking of buying a Rollerteam 696
Discussion
Hi new to motorhomes and considering anything with fixed end bed x 4 berth. Looked at a few but fancy the Rollerteam as think the ford mechanicals would be robust , age around 19/20 reg . Bending towards an auto but not imperative. Would appreciate owners experience if anyone on here has one . . Regards. Ian
My take on auto v manual is that auto is unnecessary since for me most of the driving is motorway. My cars are both auto and I wouldn't buy a manual car, my motorhome is manual, but I don't drive it around town. Just drive it to get somewhere and that's all sixth gear motorway driving.
No comments about Rollerteam except they seem a popular budget brand. They'll have issues but nothing that can't be fixed fairly cheaply as long as the basic vehicle has been maintained properly
No comments about Rollerteam except they seem a popular budget brand. They'll have issues but nothing that can't be fixed fairly cheaply as long as the basic vehicle has been maintained properly
Johnnybee said:
The Transits suffer from injector problems although Ford do replace them under warranty. If you buy a used Rollerteam check the history as they are very popular with the hire companies.
As above, there was a lot of Roller Teams for sale a year or so ago (probably pre the Covid price hikes/availability issues etc) where the adverts stated 'available from October' or similar, which were the ex-rentals being sold once the season ended. I sell both Ford based (Chausson) and loads of fiat based vans and get less problems with the Fiat based stuff just die to the horrendous injector issues with Ford's
Shame as its a lovely quiet smooth engine but injectors and also water ingress under the bonnet rotting electrics on vans that don't move often are annoying.
The Fiat 9 speed zf auto is better than the old school 6 speed Ford auto too, nice that it is.
Ultimately its the van layout and size that makes the difference though not the base vehicle not thaythats a very PH view lol
Also it's what ypu can find at a halfway sensible price as the supply situation is desperate now on used and new
Shame as its a lovely quiet smooth engine but injectors and also water ingress under the bonnet rotting electrics on vans that don't move often are annoying.
The Fiat 9 speed zf auto is better than the old school 6 speed Ford auto too, nice that it is.
Ultimately its the van layout and size that makes the difference though not the base vehicle not thaythats a very PH view lol
Also it's what ypu can find at a halfway sensible price as the supply situation is desperate now on used and new
Johnnybee said:
The Transits suffer from injector problems although Ford do replace them under warranty. If you buy a used Rollerteam check the history as they are very popular with the hire companies.
That’s interesting ,having never owned a diesel of any type I would have thought the old transit would be built proof. Surprise so many hire companies use these if a common fault is widely known.What’s the indications of injector trouble and does it happen sporadically or at specified mileage. Many thanks for heads up so far. Cheers Ian 
te (10 quid a day in Manchester etc) is going to obliterate values of older things.I wpuld give serious thought to a Fiat instead, there have been times in the last year where it seems every ruddy Transit we have sold which is a lot has suffered the dreaded judder of failing injector doom!
A friend of mine also had a new engine at 5000 miles luckily covered under warranty on his 2018 2.0 170 Chausson that I sold him.
As said tho some people have no problems and some have had them all replaced on warranty tho this seems no guarantee
A friend of mine also had a new engine at 5000 miles luckily covered under warranty on his 2018 2.0 170 Chausson that I sold him.
As said tho some people have no problems and some have had them all replaced on warranty tho this seems no guarantee
Currently have an older Rollerteam 600G (2007) which we have only had for just over a year and tbh not done mega miles but been a great van with perfect layout for us. it was just a stop gap tbh tho as we have a new RT Zefiro Sport arriving in march and hopefully with not many transit issues 
as its very similar in layout to the 600G with a huge garage as the dog crate fits perfectly.
as its very similar in layout to the 600G with a huge garage as the dog crate fits perfectly. Polome said:
Johnny boy..Thanks for the info ,I hadn’t noticed the pickup trucks were different??. In a bit of a quandary now as I really liked the layout of the 696 …
Look at the T Line 740 also, Fiat based and same island bed, height adjustable, and awesome bathroom layout. Bit pricier though.
Well thanks for all the good and not so good info/advice. I’ve bought it…20 plate and drove it home 200 miles yesterday. First impressions is yes it’s a bit noisy but cruises well at 60 ,very smooth engine with plenty torque makes easy if sedate driving. Used just over half tank of diesel so reasonably economic too. The layout suits us ( not slept in it yet though) and the controls, heating , lights etc all simple to operate for us first timers. We both liked the vinyl type seat covers as so easy to keep clean. It’s in storage now as having a knee op but soon as able will report back . Many thanks for all feedback. Cheers. Ian
Polome said:
Well thanks for all the good and not so good info/advice. I’ve bought it…20 plate and drove it home 200 miles yesterday. First impressions is yes it’s a bit noisy but cruises well at 60 ,very smooth engine with plenty torque makes easy if sedate driving. Used just over half tank of diesel so reasonably economic too. The layout suits us ( not slept in it yet though) and the controls, heating , lights etc all simple to operate for us first timers. We both liked the vinyl type seat covers as so easy to keep clean. It’s in storage now as having a knee op but soon as able will report back . Many thanks for all feedback. Cheers. Ian
You say the seat covers are easy to keep clean….be careful, they stain terribly. Don’t wear new denims on them for example, only well washed! The best way to drive the Ford 6 speed manual (assuming it’s a manual) is to treat it like a 5 speed and only hit 6th when really flat or well up to 70. They go pretty well if you just use the first 5.
Thanks for the advice poo. My truck is an auto ( one of the main reasons I picked a ford unit) and judging by the short amount of driving so far it sits comfortable at 60mph/2500 rpm . Never owned a diesel before and at these revs it’s a very smooth quiet unit. It even has a good bit of pull from lights junctions etc so doesn’t feel vulnerable from faster traffic. A good point about the seats though , will certainly keep an eye on what I wear and be mindful of staining . Cheers. Ian .
congrats, i had an email a week or so after posting on here that our van was due to be manufactured in feb for march delivery, last week got a phone call to say its arrived, dam that was a quick feb build!!!! collection 1st march 
Congratulations! We love our Pilote, just morning not easily being able to travel at the moment.
One word of warning! Get a tracker (and a good one) on it. Your locks and ignition are not as secure as you might think (both ford and fiat have the same issue) Have a look at OutSmartTheThief as a full lock down system - they have never lost one! Which is quite a claim.
Also consider other mechnical things you can do to slow a thief down. Padlock chairs in rotated position, steering lock, peddlelocks etc.
We have ours in storage, but block her in with 3 cars when she is home.
One word of warning! Get a tracker (and a good one) on it. Your locks and ignition are not as secure as you might think (both ford and fiat have the same issue) Have a look at OutSmartTheThief as a full lock down system - they have never lost one! Which is quite a claim.
Also consider other mechnical things you can do to slow a thief down. Padlock chairs in rotated position, steering lock, peddlelocks etc.
We have ours in storage, but block her in with 3 cars when she is home.
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