Appols in advance for my rather long 1st posting but I thought it would be nice to share some of my research back in to vanning

We live mainly in Thailand but there is only so many days of the year you can sit around your own pool drinking cheap beer

Still we thought after a long time of not vanning +20 years it would be nice to spend some extended time in Europe touring each year

We rather liked the look and layout of the Troll 550 but with rear dinette option although a close call with the 535 having a nice fridge (so we thought) and more compact heating and hot water options

One of my main and almost obsession is having factory fitted options and I very much like the Omnistor and the range of options for adding extra awning or tent mainly shown on the Thule site

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/motorhome-accessories/tents

However as the roof vent for the Truma heater on the 550 is mounted on the opposite side to all other models ie just above the door the Omnistor is not listed as a factory fitted option presumably as it would foul the vent

My 1st thoughts was is it possible to not have the Truma heater fitted (thus deleting the roof vent) and opt for the compact heating and hot water options fitted on the 535

Rick from adventure leisure (who turned out to be very helpful) 1st advises, no factory not that flexible in adhoc mods

With out being able to physically see or measure sent me off on internet searching, very annoying at times as so very few reviews show you inside cupboards or bed bases etc

However I found the correct Eriba mounting set for the Omnistor and I overlaid the dimensions

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and a nice picture with it on the roof showing the special end caps and LED

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I then merged a 550 image with the roof of a 535 to see if a smaller say 3.0m or 2.8m Omnistor could fit

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Back to Rick at AL to see if he could get the parts etc and make this work

Whilst waiting for my reply I did some more searching and found these on a YouTube video

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Rick also came back and confirmed with a price

It seems it's the Triton 2.8m rail with a 3.0 Omnistor

Now to find some info on the hose conector for on board tank that some dealers list

My remark on the 535 fridge is simply that it appears to have no EHU option other than continuous charging of the battery system, Hummmmnn

Back to my armchair daydreaming till I can see one IRL

Regards

A compressor fridge runs, when switched on, via the leisure battery at all times. The leisure battery is charged by the car's alternator when towing and by an EHU when pitched. In the rare event of no EHU a normal size battery will run the fridge for a day, maybe two (depending on conditions). A solar panel (fixed or mobile) can extend that period. I haven't pitched without EHU for the last 11 years, so it's hardly a big problem.

Quote: steamdrivenandy wrote in post #2

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A compressor fridge runs, when switched on, via the leisure battery at all times. The leisure battery is charged by the car's alternator when towing and by an EHU when pitched. In the rare event of no EHU a normal size battery will run the fridge for a day, maybe two (depending on conditions). A solar panel (fixed or mobile) can extend that period. I haven't pitched without EHU for the last 11 years, so it's hardly a big problem.

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As most continental Eriba don't have batteries, does it have to be a battery? or can it be from a the 12v unit in the caravan ?.
Dave

There are only 3-way and 1-way fridges, a 2-way doesn't exist. Don't forget the main market for compressor fridges is boating. I assume that you can connect a boat via an EHU when docked but I've no idea if it's a common occurrence.

I believe that, unlike the other models, the 535 has a battery etc fitted as standard. Whether it's wired so that the 12V power comes direct when on an EHU I couldn't say. For most users the van will always be on an EHU or being towed, so it'll be rare for the battery to be depleted.

Quote: eribanaut wrote in post #4

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As most continental Eriba don't have batteries, does it have to be a battery? or can it be from a the 12v unit in the caravan ?.
Dave

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>There are only 3-way and 1-way fridges, a 2-way doesn't exist.<

Not quite right, I have a 2 way [230v/12v] I bought in Holland, compressor on 230v and expansion with a fan assist on 12v, but its a freestanding camping fridge.
Dave

Quote: steamdrivenandy wrote in post #5

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There are only 3-way and 1-way fridges, a 2-way doesn't exist. Don't forget the main market for compressor fridges is boating. I assume that you can connect a boat via an EHU when docked but I've no idea if it's a common occurrence.

I believe that, unlike the other models, the 535 has a battery etc fitted as standard. Whether it's wired so that the 12V power comes direct when on an EHU I couldn't say. For most users the van will always be on an EHU or being towed, so it'll be rare for the battery to be depleted.

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They are one-way fridges as they run at 12V, whereas 3-way run on 12V, Mains 240ish V and gas. A transformer from mains voltage to 12V can be fitted but the motor still runs at 12V. It would surprise me if Hymer haven't fitted a transformer to the 535 so it's not always pulling power via the battery.

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #11

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Hi Steve.
Some very impressive research going on here.

My only concern with a Triton Omnistor on a 550 is that you don't get much door coverage as most "sunshades" can also give protection during rain showers.

We have seen one or two Eribas without roof chimneys and there was no trace of them being removed after manufacture. However these vans dated back to the good old days of French builds from Cernay.

Randa

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Colin

Thanks ,yes seen several postings about Rose Awnings, my only concern is if they are not using Eriba parts then you may not get the nice little endcaps, but I'm sure a quick call would sort that out.

Glad you noted the high back option that was one of the options that was confusing me re UK vs Continental spec etc