Hi Eribafolk,

I have had my heart set on a 530 for a while and recently visited AL to view their demo van (which they won't sell, I tried)... Anyway, the 2016 530's were all sold out as were the 550's but AL didn't have any 550 models to view and to get the feel of, so we couldn't compare the two side by side.

So now I'm thinking that I shouldn't part with my cash until I've done so. But in the meantime, are there any 530 and 550 owners out there that can share their thoughts about the two layouts? Pro's and con's...

Thank you in advance......Tonks

Hi
If you click on the above 'Picture Gallery' and then look for Eriba Layouts, that should help you. You may also find some pictures of the 550 in the gallery.
Chris

We have had a couple of Eriba Familias and found having to make up the bed every night a real pain. We now have a Triton 430 with a fixed bed. It is nice to get up in the morning with breakfast on the table (thanks to ER indoors) without the hassle of taking down the bed. So.....I would opt for the fixed bed version of the Troll (530) as shown in Randa's post. It differs from ours (I think) only in the size of the dinette/bed at the front. The other advantage is the massive storage space you will have under the bed at the rear...plus you won't have to find a place to store the bed linen as the fixed bed will always be made. Good luck. Dave and Viv

On the other hand:

We have a Triton 418 double dinette. In the summer we usually leave the rear double bed permanently made up as we are usually sitting outside or in the awning, but we still have the front dinette available, however, for winter excursions we unmake the rear double on rising and make up the front dinette as a large single with the bedding on it so that we both have a rear settee to sit/lounge on but also the option of an afternoon snooze on the front bed. To be honest making up an Eriba bed is so easy compared to most other caravans, there's no swapping seat cushions around and knee roll nonsense to get over, it takes less than two minutes to transform from dinette to double bed.
The double dinette option is more flexible and if you are considering using your van in the colder months limiting the internal living space by having almost half the van as a bed would not be my preferred option, but we Eribaists have so many layouts to choose from that there will be one to suit whichever requirement you have.

Happy hunting

Denise & Phil

Tonks

Did you try the beds at AL? If you are 6' + you might find the 540 a better fit as you sleep lengthwise. We leave the bed made up and so it is nae bother.

Charlie

Some great points so thank you to all that replied. I shall sit down with Mrs T and share and digest
the different options. Choices choices!

not sure if you have seen the Eriba Pontos
if memory serves it had a double bed at the rear with a gap at each side to tiptoe shuffle down, on left passenger side, a cupboard, washroom then the dinette at front and kitchen on right next to habitation door, there was a rear hatch to get to stuff stored under bed, or bed mattress somehow lifted up feet end to gain entry to locker space,
think this is where the fixed water tank was, on the one at Birmingham show many moons ago...

We've got the 410 and leave the bed made up, with memory foam toppers. I'm 6'7" so need to sleep lengthways. Our set up does sacrifice the bathroom but for me that's wasted space anyway as I'd never fit in it.