I use mine in winter and if the weather is not ideal have the pop top down, but I cranks the window just on the catch. I also bought a £39.00 Aldi small condenser unit for boats and caravans. This collects about a cupful of water at night and I have noticed the difference on the windows and the drip stops from the rim.

Hymer make camper vans smaller than Eribas with lower roofs with beds. No advice about sleeping risks ? Paul

But if you drop the roof, leave a couple of windows on vent, you're not going to die of poisoning. It's not a hermetically sealed box. There's probably more ventilation than you have in your bedroom at home with the window shut LOL

I knew this would create a reaction here is the official Hymer blub. I am not going to advise either way.. interestingly it does mention the condensation problem as well

Ventilation
The oxygen in the vehicle interior is used up by breathing and the use of gas operated appliances. That is why the oxygen needs to be replaced on a constant basis. For this purpose, forced ventilation options (e.g. skylights with forced ventilation, mushroom-shaped vents or floor vents) are fitted to the vehicle. Never cover or block forced ventilations from the inside or outside with objects such as e.g. a winter mat. Keep forced ventilations clear of snow and leaves. When staying in the vehicle, open the lifting roof. There is a danger of suffocation due to increased CO2 levels. The lifting roof is fitted with ventilation zips which can be opened for additional ventilation

Although sufficient ventilation is provided, in certain weather conditions, condensation can form on metal objects (e.g. screwed connections in the floor). Z Additional cold spots can occur at thermal "bridges" (e.g. lifting roof edges, mushroom-shaped vents, skylight edges, sockets, filler necks, flaps, etc.).


Condensation:
Ensure that there is a continuous exchange of air by providing frequent and efficient ventilation. This is the only method for ensuring that condensation and resulting mould is not formed during cool weather. During the colder season, a pleasant living climate is created if heating output, air distribution and ventilation are synchronised. If the vehicle is laid up for a longer period, occasionally ventilate it well, especially in summer as heat accumulation can occur. Do not only air the interior, but also the storage compartments which are accessible from the outside. Air the parking place as well if the vehicle is parked in a closed space (e.g. garage). The occurrence of condensation could lead to the formation of mould.

I don't see why people are struggling with this issue if its down to breathing.

I'm sure the BBC will cover it and explain

It's all down to breathsit



Ian

The official Hymer blurb applies to All caravans and motorhomes including the Eriba. So, theres no problem with sleeping with the pop top down. Paul.

Quote: Pauloswald wrote in post #21

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The official Hymer blurb applies to All caravans and motorhomes including the Eriba. So, theres no problem with sleeping with the pop top down. Paul.

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Well, all I can say is that I AM alive
Seriously, though, we close the roof for lots of reasons. If it's very windy or people are being a bit noisy. Last summer we were camping right on the beach and the waves were really noisy
Having said all that, we heat with an electric oil-filled radiator as the gas was removed by the previous owner.

All this fuss over a bit of condensation! Some of us can remember putting a piece of cotton around a screwhead where the condensation forms, the cotton would encourage the droplets to slide down into a well placed jam jar, in the morning the collected water could either be thrown away or drunk, and we had real single glazed glass in the windows, fold into the wall beds etc.

If you buy an Eriba an don't appreciate that they are different you need SPECSAVERS! Fwiw, we only had the roof down about 3 times (apart from travelling!) In our 10 years of ownership, but then we are wussy southerners

If you want all the mod cons with no anonimity, expression or individuality get a white box, if not get an Eriba and improvise, adapt and overcome!

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I think my conclusion from what people have said will be to put the top down when it gets really cold and to try out a small fan heater to circulate some warm dry air. However the idea of a thermal blind from Poptop.320 warrants a bit of further thought as we want to use our Troll in all seasons.

Eriba is not the only one with a pop top. There a many others including thousands of VW camper vans with pop tops with gas heaters etc which sleep 4 persons and use them with roof up and down and no issues. But expect elf & safety police would have something to say about it. Paul