My wife and I have just been to look and possibly purchase a 2023 542. We like to read in bed or have a cup of tea. The new fixed beds are too high because our heads bang into the lockers above, we are not tall. If the bed was 100mm(4") or so lower it would be the same height as our 2018 530 which would be ideal. The dealer we went to was quite concerned and obviously disappointed because they had a no sale.
We are Eriba fans generally having had a variety for a number of years.
I wonder if any one else has comments about our problem.

Tom and Margaret

Hi Colin

No fixed beds in our present 530 that is why we were surprised at th change of head room.
You're right there is more storage but filling that volume with stuff could make the caravan a little unstable!!!

Thanks for your comments
John

Hi John,

I dont think there is any change of head room. As Colin says the fixed bed models are the same height as they always have been. It’s just that you are comparing a dinette model to a fixed bed model. The dinette models are measured from the seat pad up and therefore a larger gap between the seat/bed and the underside of the wall cupboards.

Robbie

Could it be that the bed frame etc is the same but Bad Waldsee have put in a thicker mattress on the newer vans, or that 542 beds have always been higher than fixed bed 530's?

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #7

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All fixed bed across Familia, Triton, Troll are the same height. Having owned foam and sprung mattress fixies I can also say there is no noticeable difference in the mattress thickness.

Colin

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Quote: Randa france wrote in post #8

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Hi John. The only solution that I can see is to go for a 540 instead without the fixed bed arrangement. it'll still give you the long bed but they will be lower.
Randa

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Yes that is where I'm going if we have the will to change!

Hi John we are 540 devotees with the longer beds and we absolutely love it because of it's flexibility.

We know that loads of people loved the fixed beds but for us it is so restrictive. We assemble our bed and leave it as a fixed bed for days if that's what we feel like. We don't tend to fall out but if we did we can then go to two single beds.......!

But then if the mood takes us we will put it down and put the big table back up and have a large lounge - great for having a glass of wine in the afternoon and then dozing off on our separate divans

We have become pretty good at making the bed up or taking it down. We usually get it done in about 7 minutes. We have a side locked door (as suggested above) but we don't really use it much as we store our bedding & Duvalays under that bed.

It's just down to personal circumstances and taste I guess

MikeT

Thanks Mike T

Having looked at the 540 we now think the 540 might be more flexible, as you say. Our 530 is fine but not so good if one of us wants to get out of bed. Climbing over is quite disturbing!
John

Hi Mike
How do the two different table layouts work. I can see the free standing table but not sure what the slats are all about. Hope that makes sense. I have had difernet models of Eribas for many years but haven't looked at the 540 layout.
I'm hoping to have a look at the 540 next week at our local dealer so with your comments it has given a feeling that the 540 is better than the 542 for us.

thanks
john

I've found out how the slats etc work from a friend so all is explained