I've had my 2018 530 for a matter of months and have already been out a few times in this cold winter weather. The Ultraheat just doesn't cut it sometimes. So I decided to upgrade and get the thermal covers for the roof. I already know that there will be times I want to be warmer/cosier without the heater on. I'm like that sometimes.

There were many ways to do this but of course I went about it the wrong way. I was in the Lake District for other reasons and visited the dealer locally and picked it up. Getting it back to the caravan I discovered i would need to 'drill' or certainly use an electric screwdriver to mount this.

The instructions are helpful and although they are in several languages they provide pictures and some measurement guides. So of course, being a wimp in wanting to drill holes in the roof, I spoke to my local dealer; Broadlane of Alcester. I could have ordered it direct with the dealer but even when they did the work, their fitter said he hadn't done one before and actually it worked out better than he would have thought.

I have created a section in the photo gallery under 'Eriba Improvements' and 'Eriba Thermal Roof Blanket'

I have yet to try it out yet, as I've been unwell of late and work has got in the way, but soon I am sure I will get to try them ;)

The way it works is that there are small black clips mounted initially in the corners then at other places in the roof to match in with the lengths of fabric. You slot the magnetic clip into the roof mounted clip and work your way around including behind the toilet curtain and velcro each 'side' of the fabric lengths together.

It creates a full 360 cover and then you tuck the lower edge into opening of the roof, between the roof and the inner fabric and it just slots there.

To remove you undo the velcro at the front and rear then unclip from the roof clips and carefully take down and fold to put away. Then operate the roof as normal

Interesting, Broad Lane have only been Eriba dealers for a couple of years so they're unlikely to have come across it before.

Back in the day we've spent days in our 540 when the snow on the roof made one end pop down and we've been ultra toasty without a muffler and just the Truma on electric setting.

Our roof came down fully in the night due to a heavy fall of snow. Went with a heck of a bang which shot us both out of bed. We weren’t being hardy campers, just on the drive with a houseful of Christmas visitors.

Everyone has their own preferences with caravanning, and the level of warmth that they want.

I’ve slept in all sorts of places, in all sorts of vehicles and tents over the years. I often don’t like having the heater on at night as it dries the air out and affects my sinuses and asthma.

There will be some events that I’ll be going to throughout the year where the thermal covering will help with not just warmth retention, but reduction of noise from the surrounding area.

I am happy to have found a local Eriba dealer, which was a very important consideration at the time.

When I get over this lurgy, I’m hoping to go out and about again and test it out.

I've seen people over here who use that double, layered aluminium insulation material that just sits up against the canvas. It seems to do the job.

We do too. Also, if the campsite's a bit noisy it's blissful to be able to shut the roof.

At 6' tall I find the pop up roof essential - and I'd ideally have the extra height roof... After seeing how much Hymer wanted for the thermal kit I bought a roll of silvered bubble wrap and a pack of self adhesive Velcro to make my own... By making it an exact fit I don't need any fixings attached to the caravan itself

We use a roll of Thermawrap (about £12 from a DIY store) which is about 80cm wide x 10m. Folded lengthwise it is the perfect width to fit the canvas pop-top section when it's really cold outside.