Evening

A quick hello and hope all are safe and well.

Been on here since we ordered our new Troll 542 back between Christmas and NY. I have found plenty of useful information and advice thanks. Downsizing from our Conquoror 645 I was finding it a little daunting.....but advice found on the forum has eased all that I think!

Just had an email from ALV at Tebay to say our new van is finally getting picked up in Germany next week so fingers crossed we shall be having our first night in the Costa Del Driveway in a couple of weeks!

Having said that I’m now wondering if picking our new van up is classed as essential travel. It is to us and we are extremely excited to be entering a new chapter in our caravan/camping life. It would be a trip to Tebay and back to Harrogate.

Anyway must crack on and check the wife’s ‘bits for the new van’ shopping list......not that I have much choice!

Regards all and keep safe

David and Sue

Hi Colin

Good point on the insurance. We’d paid up front for our last van so will go online and change the details and pay any difference so shouldn’t be a problem.

To be fair to ALV they said mid-April so the C19 hasn’t had too much of an effect. It’s built to spec and then ALV need it for a week to put a mover and bits on it. Suppose it’ll be ready to pick up when it’s ready. I’ll take one of the dogs with us!

Wife is a shopper. I’ve learnt to live with it for 30 years!

Regards

D

I am sure you are going to enjoy your Eriba...

Excited for it now!

Hi David

Hope you enjoy your Troll 542 as much as we enjoy our 540. Have you gone for the GT?

We live on the other side of the border in Clitheroe and have used ALV for all our servicing, even though we bought it from AL in Poole.

We have always found them good to deal with and helpful, although at some stage during the dropping off or collecting after service we know we will get a comment from them about buying it from AL.rather than from them!

What an exciting time for you.

Cheers
MikeT

Hi Mike

We’ve gone for the 542 Adventure from ALV which is really the 60th Edition with ALV enhancements such as mover, Autark battery, hot water, TV aerial, etc. They have been really good to deal with and informative.

We went from camping to a twin axle 10 years ago and our first trip was to a little campsite near Waddington so can’t have been that far from you.

Looking forward to getting it now.

Regards

David

Hi Colin

The mover being fitted is a Powrtouch Evolution Auto. Standard position on a friends 2015 (430?) was by the nearside rear dinette seat. They mentioned this so we are having it just inside the external access door that goes under the fixed bed along with an extra socket. Figure that way we don’t need to be in and out of the van to operate it or climb over anything!

Regards

David

You may find that ALV may be willing to deliver it to you. Friends of ours have one in for repair at the moment and they offered to bring it back for them. They have been delivering vans during the current situation.

Now there’s a thought. I’ll have a word once we know dates. Thanks

Regards

David

Enjoy your new Eriba they are great , we have had our 542GT 60th Edition two years now and love it , best thing we have ever done.

Martin

Thanks Martin. At least downsizing has focused on having a clear out of all the stuff you collect in 10 years of a large twin axle van!

Hi David

Ribble Valley is a popular area for campers.

The Caravan & Camping Club site at Clitheroe used to be just over the field from our back fence - that is until some developers steamrollered through a 300+ new housing estate between the site and us. They have done a lot of work to improve the site and it is now very popular indeed. It was nearly full just before the lockdown.

There are a couple of sites near Waddington so you would have been 5 minutes drive from us.The Edisford Bridge Farm Camp Site has also become really popular in recent years.

Your 542 sounds speccedx up really well and you will be shocked at how much space there actually is in a Troll with the door shut.

It is the boss Michael at ALV who can never resist making a comment.about us not buying from them. Mike the Service Mananger is great.

Hopefully not long now before you can play with it.

Cheers

MikeT

Hi Mike

Three Rivers rings a bell? I know the Waddington Arms was 5 minute drive away.

I can imagine the comments Michael would make. Quirky guy. We actually talked through extras/advice with Mike the SM. Very knowledgable chap.

Being transported from Germany in Tuesday I believe so mid-May pick up hopefully!!

Regards

D