Thank you eribaMottoers. So far the only plan I have is to get the Eriba home and spend a couple off weeks setting it up on the drive! I appreciate the nudge regarding no question is a silly question. I will probably test the boundaries of that one

Corkscrew on the list

Thanks Randa,

All added to the list

Welcome to Eribafolk.

There is a lot of information on previous posts and I wish with hindsight we had trawled that info before buying everything in sight!
One or two items which have seriously improved our life would be:
Duvaley mattress toppers - the only problem is you won’t want to get out of bed.
Zip-up sheets for said toppers (basically a bag for the topper) - Topper, duvet, pillow and heh presto you have a made-up bed in 30 seconds.
In addition to your awning, a simple lightweight sun canopy for the one/two night stopovers. Doubles as a rainporch. We use an Isabella Shadow which seems to be a popular choice.
If you are using a cordless drill for you corner steadies (a good thing) get some hex head drill-in tent pegs and a matching bit. Lots of pitches have VERY hard ground and this beats hammering away at bendy pegs. This In particular has revolutionised my awning pitching and significantly reduced my post-arrival blood pressure.
If you have opted for the onboard water tank with external filler, in addition to a 10m hose for the arrival fill-up, a watering can is handy for occasional top-ups.
Good luck!
Capn C

Load of good suggestions here.

I would add to the Capn's suggestion a funnel to help fill the on-board water tank as sometimes the water taps on site are a long way away from your pitch. I have swapped my watering can for plastic jerry can to top up the water and the toilet flush.

Something that foxed me initially with the 540 was filling the water flush for the toilet. You undo the little external door for the toilet and put some blue toilet chemical in - straightforward and easy. You then swing out the grey filler for the flush and pour some pink chemical in and it seems to reach the top of this fairly quickly so you stop so as not to overflow it. You then go into the toilet to try the flush but nothing happens. You go back out and notice that the tube that indicates the flush is full is empty.

If you are slow like me you scratch your head and think what have I done wrong? What you eventually do is counter-intuitive, as you need to keep pouring the water into the grey filler tube even though it looks as if it will overflow BUT it magically doesn't. You keep your eye on the tube and it oh so slowly starts to fill and takes lots of water. Only then will your flush start to work as it is designed.

I am your go to man Offbeat because if it can be done wrong I have done it wrong........................the help I have had from other Forum members has been invaluable.

MikeT

Hi Capn,

We will check out the Duvaley option. We were undecided on what bedding to invest in. The topper makes a lot sense with a duvet. Trawling the forum pics I can see that canopy's very popular and I am keen on the idea of using one. I would never have known drill in tent pegs are a thing!. Certainly appreciate the steer regarding the hose and watering can.

Thank you!

Hi Soulbluesman68,

Funnel - check! Also, thank you for the detailed explanation regarding the toilet flush. Sharing that know-how has saved me hours of head scratching!

Tips and practical advice really appreciated!

Cheers.

Welcome, Offbeat thinker.
We had our new 550GT delivered to us in April. Smack in the middle of lockdown 😂
I posted a chat a while ago asking for essentials, and got lots of advice. You should find it in the Eriba related thread.
Hubby and I are experienced tent/trailer tent campers, but new to caravanning.
We’ll actually be doing our first trip at the end of this month, because the campsites here in NL are actually opening next week.
I’ll also be looking up the checklists people have shared. I did watch some YouTube vids too, to get some tips.

Good luck with your new caravan.

Thanks Wendy,

We will check out the thread . Good luck with your first caravanning trip!

Quote: Offbeat Thinker wrote in post #6

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I used to camp with the family many years ago but my camping equipment seems to have ended up with younger members of the family! So we're starting from scratch. I've been looking through the forum and so far I've purchased the double skillet and I brought a set of aero mirrors for when I pick it up but that is about all I have so far!

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Thanks Eribanut!

I didn't think of it at all but when I had the tow hitch fitted the chap reminded me

HI there - i am new to camping full stop! Have just bought a 2007 Puck L x

Hi jago68, good luck! Choosing an Eriba is a great way to start :)

Hi Offbeat
Just reading this thread again and the bit were I mentioned the funnel. I forgot to say that you need some tube to go into the water tank opening to attach the funnel to. Without it the funnel ends up at a funny angle and it is difficult to fill.

If my brain is still working tomorrow morning I will take a quick photo of what I mean and upload it. Without the tube you might end up with water pouring down the side of the van.

MikeT