Hi There. I have just bought an Eriba Eribelle VGNERIBELLE 175628. I towed it up from Wales to Edinburgh and that went OK. I thought I'd better get it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing so had an axle service at home by a local mobile service. The good news is that the chassis is sound. The bad news is that he said I should scrap the caravan. The stubs axles have been worn by the poorly maintained bearings. On one side the brake shoe has collapsed. The bloke said it will be a nightmare to source replacement parts (may take several months) and will be very pricey. Is that true - are the parts so rare and specialist? He said the trailer hitch is an antique. It works OK and is secure but he said it needs to be upgraded to an alko 1300. The clincher for him is small patches of rotten floor (wet rot) in each of the 4 corners (4 inch square max for each one). The vast bulk of the floor is sound. Lastly he was not sure about the swing arms - they sit at round the 2h.30 position - he said they should be no less than 3 o'clock.

Is he right? should I scrap the the caravan? I really love the van, as do my grand kids, and would like to get it up and running if it can be done. Anyone got any advice on any of above? I have a pal who is a skilled joiner - he will be able to help to sort the floor at a reasonable cost. Fingers crossed. Sorry if these sorts of questions have been asked before - I did a search of the threads but could not find those topics covered.

The stub axles will need to be replaced and realigned, and the swing arms will need to be reinstalled using new suspension rubbers.
This can only be done at either Al-Ko's workshop in Warwickshire or a 3rd party repairer such as Fraser Brown near Inverness.

If the coupling hitch is in a serviceable condition I see no reason why it needs to be replaced, although a modern stabiliser hitch like the AKS1300 would be better.

Hi both swing arms were at the same level and he didn't make a fuss of that in the end. Is there any way of knowing what they should be set at, so I know if there is a problem of not? Thanks

Thanks

Think I'll have trip out there to chat to them. Thanks for the advice

Roseisle at Whitecraig (near Dalkeith) have just started dealing in Eribas too. Even if you live closer to there, the best advice is still to go to Jandi - there is nothing they don’t know about Eribas. If you can, take your ‘van with you - it’ll be far easier than trying to explain problems.

In my opinion, you will be better to replace the whole axle/suspension unit rather than have the existing refurbished. (You are going to have to get the existing removed/refitted by “someone” anyway, and have it shipped, and I expect the overall cost will turn out to be much the same - repair V replace. I doubt you’ll see much change out of £2,500 either way.)

Sorry this sounds a bit gloomy, but I hope it’s of some help.

(As far as I recall, Jandi is closed on Sundays and Mondays.)

Colin

Gulp! I'm taking the Eribelle to Jandi on Wednesday. Fingers crossed.

How did it go at Jandi?

Stewart

Couldn't go in the end as my car was in getting fixed. It's been a week if mechanical mishaps! Rescheduled for the end of April.

Lucky white heather? Sandy will at least give you an honest opinion. Good luck.

Stewart