Size and Space in the Lunar Roadstar 786
At 7.97 metres long, 2.38 metres wide, and 2.95 metres tall, the Roadstar 786 commands respect on the road. You’ll find this translates to genuinely usable space inside, something that matters when you’re trying to accommodate six people without everyone getting under each other’s feet. The width gives you proper shoulder room, whilst that height means you won’t be constantly ducking if you’re over average height.
The downside? You’ll be thinking twice about those narrow Cornish lanes or tight Yorkshire Dales car parks. This isn’t a motorhome for spontaneous exploration of Britain’s more challenging routes, but stick to main touring areas and you’ll appreciate every centimetre of that interior space.
Driving the Lunar Roadstar 786
The Fiat Ducato 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 157bhp provides adequate motivation for the Roadstar’s bulk. You’re not going to win any traffic light grands prix, but motorway cruising should be comfortable enough, and you’ll have sufficient power for tackling hills without holding up half of Devon behind you.
That six-speed manual gearbox gives you proper control over the engine, which you’ll appreciate when manoeuvring on campsites or tackling steeper gradients. The air-conditioned cab means summer touring won’t leave you arriving at your destination looking like you’ve been through a particularly vigorous sauna session.
Living Areas in the Roadstar 786
Step inside via the electric step (a nice touch that saves your knees), and you’ll find a layout designed around family practicality rather than Instagram-worthy aesthetics. The two bench seats convert to create a double bed, giving you flexibility between daytime socialising and nighttime sleeping arrangements.
That over-cab area provides additional sleeping space, though if you’re planning to use this regularly, consider whether the people sleeping up there will appreciate the midnight toilet visits from those below. The overhead storage throughout means you can actually pack for a proper holiday rather than travelling with just the bare essentials.
Roadstar 786 Sleeping Arrangements
Six berths sounds impressive until you start working out the logistics. The double bed in the rear bedroom gives the adults a proper night’s sleep, whilst the convertible seating area and over-cab space handle the additional occupants. You’ll find this works well for families with younger children, but teenagers might have different opinions about the sleeping arrangements.
The reality is that six-berth motorhomes work best when you’re not actually using all six berths every night. Think of it as having the flexibility for occasional guests or family gatherings, with four being a more comfortable regular occupancy.
Kitchen Space in the Lunar Roadstar 786
The kitchen centres around a practical oven and hob setup, though there’s some confusion in the specifications about whether you get three or four burners. Either way, you’ll have enough cooking capacity for family meals without resorting to endless one-pot wonders. The sink and drainer provide proper washing-up space, whilst the fitted fridge freezer (reportedly 110 litres) gives you decent food storage.
The microwave adds convenience for quick meals or reheating, particularly useful when you’re dealing with different meal times for various family members. You’ll find the kitchen layout logical enough for two people to work together without constantly bumping into each other.
Bathroom and Shower in the Roadstar 786
The standalone shower represents a significant upgrade over many motorhomes in this price bracket, where you’re often dealing with shower-over-toilet arrangements that please nobody. Having a proper shower cubicle means you can actually get clean without flooding the entire bathroom area.
The spacious bathroom and toilet area suggests Lunar understood that six people need proper washing and toilet space. You’ll appreciate this attention to the less glamorous but essential aspects of motorhome life, particularly on longer tours.
Roadstar 786 Systems and Storage
With 109 litres of fresh water and 73 litres of waste capacity, you’ve got reasonable independence between service stops. The heating system (likely Truma gas/electric) should keep everyone comfortable during shoulder season touring, whilst the rear air conditioning unit means summer holidays won’t become endurance tests.
The 90-litre diesel tank gives you decent range between fuel stops, important when you’re covering the distances that a motorhome this size encourages. Storage underneath the vehicle, plus that fitted bike rack and tow bar, suggests this Roadstar 786 was specified for serious touring rather than occasional weekend use.
Roadstar 786 Payload and Practicalities
The 650kg payload sounds generous until you start loading six people, their luggage, food, water, and all the extras that accumulate during motorhome ownership. You’ll need to be disciplined about weight distribution and resist the temptation to pack for every possible scenario.
That 2,000kg towing capacity opens up possibilities for bringing a car along or towing a trailer, though you’ll need to factor this into your payload calculations carefully.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
The Lunar Premier H592 Review: Renault Master 2.5 DCI Comfort offers a more compact alternative if you’re finding the Roadstar 786 too much motorhome for your needs, whilst still keeping you in the Lunar family with familiar build quality and layout philosophy.
For a different manufacturer’s take on family motorhoming, the Bessacarr E560 Review: 4-Berth Fiat Ducato Comfort provides an interesting comparison point, potentially offering different interior layouts or specification levels.
The Swift Bolero 630 EW Review: Bright Kitchen & Lounge Design represents another approach to family motorhome design, worth considering if you want to compare different manufacturers’ solutions to similar requirements.
Final Thoughts
The 2009 Lunar Roadstar 786 makes sense for families who’ve outgrown smaller motorhomes but aren’t ready for the complexity and cost of newer, more sophisticated models. It’s honest, practical transport that prioritises space and functionality over flashy features.
You’ll need to be realistic about its limitations – this isn’t a motorhome for narrow lanes or spontaneous wild camping, and six berths work better in theory than practice for many families. But if you want proven reliability, genuine space, and the ability to tour Britain’s main holiday areas in comfort, the Roadstar 786 delivers without pretension.
The 2009 model year means you’re buying into proven technology rather than cutting-edge innovation, which many buyers will see as an advantage rather than a drawback. Just ensure you budget for the ongoing maintenance that any motorhome of this age and complexity will require.
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