Because some people want a basic van and because like BMW and Mercedes Hymer make their money on the options. UK van makers tell you what you must have and build every van the same to be as cheap as possible.

Eriba, Lechlade used to bring in a UK spec. Eriba range, or rather their take on the options they felt UK customers wanted but people still ordered factory order vans with less or more on them. AL bring in a standard fitout for stock but you can order what you want. Lowdhams, Becks and AdvL seem to order stock with a blindfold and a pin on the spec. sheet sand probably never have the exact van that any given customer wants.

Continental manufacturers have a different philosophy.

Both have moulded their markets to suit their preferences.

In a sense the Eriba is as the campervan whilst the UK WWB is as the motorhome

UK WWB's still have major structural problem, even Coachman, whilst the basic shell of the Touring range has been around for 60 years and doesn't have similar issues..

Many european customers dont want any of those things. We don't have hot water, in fact any running water at all in our Triton, it just had removable cold water tanks and we removed them! That was on a brand new GT spec - we wanted a silver van to go with our silver T5, the stone guard, the upgraded chassis, but none of the other stuff. We have 2 burner hob that we hardly use because we cook outside if at all possible (to keep condensation out of the van). Lots of people here have TVs but usually only for when its raining and many of us don't have TV at all. You will also see that people choose different awnings for different needs, so who wants a van to come with an awning that you are paying for but you don't like? Why should I pay for all those extras you mention that I don't want because you do?

I totally agree that defects are not acceptable but we did get everything fixed under the warranty and I got a couple of hundred pounds off the dealer to cover petrol/accom costs etc for having to return it for repairs.

I think I’ve more than answered. If you wish to bury your head in the sand in denial and continue to allow your favourite caravan manufacturer to continue to treat you with contempt and over charge you then be my guest. But I suggest you will find as more and more people join the Eriba ownership proposition, the more of us will Starr objecting when it becomes apparent that their perceived value for money and good build quality is neither of these things! And I’m bewildered why, instead of taking my (and many other people’s complaints on here about build quality/cost) criticism personally for some reason as though it’s some kind of personal slur on you, you don’t help us as a group to put pressure on the manufacturers to up their game a bit!!

Sorry - that last post of mine is for Pepe

Quote: Smilesapart wrote in post #14

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Ok, so why, just because it’s an Eriba shouldn’t my it come as standard in the U.K. with a hot water facility? A electric heater facility? more sockets, a TV/aerial socket? Draining board? Chopping board/sink cover? 3rd has hob ring? Outside accessible under sofa locker door? Carpets? I has to pay extra for all these items by getting the GT pack and then still adding some of these items! Plus the Eriba comes with no alarm, no tracker, no Alko wheel lock receiver in the chassis? A TV? An awning? None of these items make any difference to the size restrictions of the van? And yet these were all standard items in other new caravans for sale at considerably less money! And they were all standard in my previous caravan.
Of course I accept there isn’t room for a full double oven and grill, for the microwave, that the fridge is small etc. But there is lots of ‘standard’ equipment not provided in the Eriba unless you’re paying north of £26k to have them added as extras! It’s not right

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If you've paid full house £25k for a new Troll. In three years you should be able to sell it privately for about £21k because by then a new one will be nearly £30k.

So depreciation about £4k

Buy a Coachman VIP for £25k and in three years you'll be lucky to get £18k for it.

Depreciation £7k

as my pension provider continually reminds me

"Please remember past performance is not a guide to future returns"

If it helps I have two experiences of selling Eriba's:

1994 puck I sold private and I made 5% profit after owning it for two years.
2012 Familia 320 I part exchanged it with a dealer and I lost 15% after 4 years, if I had sold it private the going rate was approximately what I had paid for it initially.

Quote: Steve and Debbie wrote in post #23

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as my pension provider continually reminds me

"Please remember past performance is not a guide to future returns"

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I intend to persevere with Ethel in the hope she wins me over with her quirky charms. I want to love her. My partner is quite taken with her already so fingers crossed I’ll get the bug eventually.

We have a draining area in our 18 year old Pan.
Our van cost us £4,500 6 years ago and is worth more now.

I feel slightly insulted that someone should feel like I've been taken for a ride with the Eriba brand.
It is one of the best purchases I ever made!.

front Kitchen.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

That's my dear departed old Mum's sink you've got there DM.

Why would you feel affronted when it’s clear to anyone reading any of my posts that none of what I have been talking about concerns the older Eriba’s which I’m sure are brilliantly built and of course much more reasonably priced. Try a new one and you may not be so impressed. But anyway I’m now rather bored of people taking offence that someone has dared to criticise the precious Eriba brand or challenge the blind faith.