"The Royale is a beautiful big beast"
Don’t drive off with the slide-out open. Lift up the bed, push the button and slide it in, then make sure the bed is down to drive. Skylights must be closed. Water pump off and gas off at the tanks. Lock the TV back into place and wind the antenna down. Make sure the windows are closed, blinds open and the door is locked — and that’s before I sit in the driver’s seat.
But wait, make sure you’ve unhooked from power, detached the water, put the hoses and awning away, and pushed in the step.
If you’re new to motorhoming, the list of things to remember to do before driving off is daunting.
Even if you’ve done it all before (like most of us) it’s still daunting, especially if you’re in a different motorhome.
I’m reviewing a hired Jayco Conquest Royale from the Adelaide fleet of Let’s Go. Why? Because I might be in the market for a bigger, better new RV. Or I might want to downsize to a weekend getaway version. What a great way to try other models before I buy.
I’m used to driving old Boof, my 2006 Jayco. At 7.2m long and 3.2m high, he’s like a smaller, older brother to this big boy.
I’m travelling with a food writer known for her great cooking skills so testing the kitchen will be a breeze (for her).
Let’s see how the Royale rates.
DRIVEABILITY
The Royale is a beautiful big beast of an RV — 8m long, 3.2m high and wide enough to make you feel like you’re filling the whole lane.
The all-important undercarriage
But, apart from the extra length, anyone who has driven an RV will quickly get used to these dimensions.
The Royale is easy to drive — even for a shorty like myself — and you don’t need a special licence.
Fully adjustable seats mean you can get as close or far away as you need, though it is a little annoying not being able to adjust the height on the steering wheel. The automatic manual gearbox means you have a choice of cruising or working through the gears. Cruise control is, as always, a blessing on open roads. We drove up hills (without struggling), around fairly tight curves (easily without clipping anything), through orchards (with a great view from high in the cabin) and along river banks (avoiding overhanging gum trees).
It’s a clean cabin
We even tested a river ferry crossing. The steep descent had me worried, but the ferry driver guided the beast in on an angle without anything scraping. I did refuse two other ferries, though, as the drive on and off was even steeper.
Reversing is a little nerve-wracking, made more so with the ridiculous hand signals of the passenger.
These antics gave our neighbours a giggle. Ignoring her and relying on the mirrors and the very nifty camera set-up, was a much better option. To be fair, it’s the passenger’s first time in an RV.
Gadget-wise, the reversing camera that replaces the centre mirror is a winner. It’s like having a big window in the back of the motorhome.
I also like the gimmicky two-phone holder that lifts up in the middle of the dash, though it is huge.
For storage, there are large compartments in the doors, a smallish glovebox, plus another large hidey-hole in the top of the dash.
Cup holders are in an ideal position at the bottom of the front console. If anything spills, it won’t affect electronics, and they are big enough for drink bottles.
Remember to slide in the slide-out before taking off
There are handy gadgets like the reversing camera
INTERNAL SET-UP
Tall people rejoice. You won’t have to duck and weave, except for around the bed when it’s up. That’s when us shorties can just slide under.
We do, however, need help with the microwave, TV antenna and most overhead cupboards — cue the fold-out step.
The Royale layout means there is room to move in the living area. Some people complain about having to lift the bed up and down to get into the bathroom, but I didn’t find it annoying.
Décor is neutral without being boring and leather upholstery means it’s easy to keep clean. The dining setup hasn’t changed from my old Jayco — it’s straight opposite the door. But the window is higher, and the seats feel lower so it’s harder to enjoy the view.
The TV slides in alongside the fridge so it’s more secure but can only be seen from one side of the table. It does swivel enough to watch from the slide-out bed, if you move your pillows to the other end.
The solid screen door is both a blessing and a curse. It’s much stronger than the old flimsy doors but does not open far enough. I fear it’s a broken door just waiting to happen.
You’ll find plenty of power points everywhere, except by your bed where they would be handy to plug in phone chargers.
Access to the front cabin is good, and even better when you push up the top bed. But a big concern with the design is a privacy issue if you’re using the top bed. The curtain that shuts off the front cabin and means you’re not exposed to all outside, runs along a track in the roof, and you can’t close the curtain if you have the ladder attached to climb up top. Wraparound window visors would solve the problem, but I can’t imagine why they moved the rail from under the bed.
Big tick for the kitchen
It’s easy to move around the slide-out bed
KITCHEN SCRUTINY
I’m travelling with a food writer so, naturally, the kitchen is under scrutiny. The Royale gets the tick of approval, though.
The fact it has an oven is a bonus in my eyes though it’s an absolute necessity in hers, and the smaller size, she says, would take some getting used to. Bear in mind however, she has two full-size ovens at home and cooking is her thing.
The lighting is great and there is just enough bench space — if you use the table — for food preparation.
The big fridge is another necessity for the foodie on board but for me, it’s fabulous. I’m used to coping with a mini version plus heavy-duty eskies.
But the microwave causes concern. Why is it placed so high? Even tall people would struggle getting hot dishes out of this one.
Cupboard space in the kitchen also causes raised eyebrows — no under-sink cupboard at all. But there’s thumbs up for the small pull-out pantry.
The dining setting opposite the main door
At rest among the orchards
STORAGE
There are just enough cupboards inside. I would struggle on a long trip unless there were just two of us in this 4-berth RV.
Outside, it’s lacking in big storage compartments. Where would you put the fishing gear? Under the slide-out bed is already taken up with chairs and technical equipment that needs to be protected. There is room for hoses and tools, but not much more.
SLIDE INTO THE SLIDE-OUT
Dibs on the slide-out bed didn’t work. The passenger feigned stiff bones and the need to go to the loo a few times a night, so I relented and took the bed above the driving cabin.
Talk about room to move! I could actually sit up comfortably. I would like to say making the bed was a breeze, but that would be lying. It’s always awkward to fit sheets to these sleeping arrangements. However, once done, it was very cosy.
An added bonus is that the heater blows straight into this section. A minus is that you are right up near the roof and when the cold starts seeping in, no thin lining is going to stop it.
Back to the slide-out, though, and how good are they? Lift the bed, push a button and suddenly there is room to move comfortably between the living space and the bathroom.
I do worry about slide-outs getting stuck in the ‘out’ position. If the button doesn’t work, is there a way to manually draw it back in? Maybe I worry too much, but Murphy’s Law says it would happen to me.
I love the skylight above the bed, except when you forget to close the blind and the sun belts through in the morning.
THE BATHROOM
Oh, the joy of having a separate shower and toilet, and a shower that pelts out as much water as you like. Yes, you can conserve water but, if you need a regular shower, this one accommodates.
One problem for us shorties is that we can’t reach the fan switch because there is so much head room. The problem was solved though by using a can of deodorant to flick the switch.
There’s also a stylish vanity and tapware and cupboards aplenty.
The toilet is a swivelling cassette version, though it seems to hold much less than the cassette in my old Jayco. And the lever to open the loo is located in an awkward spot — on the front of the bowl and under your legs when sitting. This means getting a little too close to the bowl for my liking.
TECH TALK
There's a stylish bathroom with separate shower and toilet
Plenty of room to move in the top bed
I don’t claim to understand all the technical advances available, and I have a love/hate relationship with gadgets — I love what they offer but hate learning how to make them work.
You can imagine my joy when discovering everything from the electronic display of water pump and waste meter, hot water set-up and air conditioning to TV tuning, radio, oven and slide-out was easy.
Only the lighting caused concern, and only because there are so many options. A few buttons turn everything off even if you don’t all want to be in the dark.
SUPPORT
Thank goodness people who know what they are doing are just a phone call away. There are two emergency numbers when you hire RVs — one for roadside assistance and the other for when you just can’t figure some things out.
When the wind picks up, it’s raining and the awning won’t wind back in because you have extended it too far, who do you call? Obviously, the support line, and perhaps a lovely neighbour.