Last week I picked up Gertrude from Tebay, spent 4 days making my way back down South stopping at various CL sites.... which was awesome despite the gale force 7 winds in the evening and the torrential rain, still had a massive smile on my face.

Gertie's my first caravan, so the journey back with two tiny dogs gave me some time to think about how she's going to be used.

Firstly, a sun-shade (always the optimist) type awning that doesn't wind-out. I intend to wander around throughout the year, so don't want to lug a Thule thats permanently attached, with my personal effects i'm already approaching on my safety margin for weight thanks to very inaccurate MRO details from Hymer. Quite a shock at the weighbridge.
I have seen quite a few photos of vans in this forum with great sunshade type things. Two poles each end and seem to attach to the gutter? any ideas where I can get one? Don't really want a full on awning.

Also, I have a spare wheel tucked underneath, no jack, not that I would attempt a roadside tyre change I still may occasionally need to lift the axel, suitable jack?

Looking at the mains electric, the fitted sockets are coupled to white 3 pin block. I would like to add an additional socket down by the door entrance and it seems a very simple process (already ordered the identical socket surround/frame and 3 pin socket, plus some additional 12v sockets as not all sites I will visit will have a hook-up), it would be preferable to plug it directly in to the spare socket already in the 240v loom instead of 'adapting', cant find them for love nor money, but not helped by the fact I don't really know what to call them!

Door bin, didn't come with one, not sure I want one after reading some of the posts, but I do need something, not sure what tho, any ideas? Has to stop two small dogs having a nosey through it. On my recent journey I tied a pedal bin bag to the interior door rail, not ideal.

Any help with the above would be greatly appreciated. Oh, she's a 430 60th ED

Thanks

alan

nice to see the Sussexs are back with an eriba

We have one of these. It goes up in about 2 minutes.
https://www.leader-loisirs.com/auvents-s...fourgon-gm.html

That looks perfect! and that will feed nicely into the guttering or will it require a separate track?

Thanks

Something like this
https://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/shop/pr...anopy-240-7873/
or this
https://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/shop/pr...anopy-300-4851/
or this
https://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/shop/pr...anopy-360-4852/
Dave

I fitted a 2nd 230v AC socket next to the existing one on the side panel of the fridge by the door (420). There was a spare connector on the block on top of the fridge. I bought a CBE square double frame (which is identical to the ones originally fitted), and two new CBE sockets which are also identical as the original one was a bit scratched.

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Erbanaut, thanks, Just been on the phone with eribaMotters (very helpful chap) who also recommended the Isabella shadow :)

Steve, looks great. I dont have a socket on the end counter....... yet

Thanks all

Under our counter I found one of these on top of the fridge. The fridge used one outlet, the original 240v socket in another and one spare, so was easy to just plug in an extra socket. They do a one in two out as well.

https://www.wago.com/gb/pluggable-connec...ctor/p/770-1716

Even better I just noticed that Wago UK is just down the road from here (Rugby). Wonder if they have a trade counter?

Thanks Steve, that’s the one!

I have done some of the modifications ;
Since I intended to use Gertie on CS/CL sites occasionally without electricity hookup, I have added 12v sockets which are fed the power distribution system

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Changed the single power socket by the dinette to a triple. Now 1x 240, 1x12v and 1x12v with antenna out (coax cable routed back to wardrobe with rest of loom and out via hookup casing)

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Change the double socket by the bed to triple, moving the 12v electrics on/off switch, now 1x double light switch, 1 x 12v supply with 2xUSB out, 1 x 240v from inverter.

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Change the single water boiler switch. Now 1x boiler switch and 1x 12v electrics on/off switch

Moving the 12v on off switch means that all the power switches are close by (the mover isolator is in the vicinity), not sure why they would have tucked it round the side, but it was awkward.
The 12v sockets are standard cigarette lighter style but with a 12v to 2x USB converter inserted, this means they can be used to power either.
Although pretty much all the electrical things I want to use whilst off grid are 12v or USB, occasionally I may need to power/charge other things (laptop), so I have installed a very light weight 400W power inverter to just one socket (bedside)

Also bought an Isabella Shadow 300 sun shade.
A fabulous little bin that’s really slim and sits next to door.
Suction cup external antenna

To do.

Add new socket near to door. (Waiting on back box)

All items purchased on ebay

As Colin has suggested the Isabella shadow is a popular choice with Eriba owners. It can easily be stored it's very light weight, excellent quality and can be put up in a few minutes.


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I love my Wigo Vision sun canopy.