Hello,
We are tentatively considering buying an Eriba. We have been "campers" for 20 years although we have never owned a tent! We started off with Dandy folding campers before moving onto Rapido folding caravans (initially an Exportmatic and currently an Orline 33e). We've never had a conventional caravan and we stay on camping/mixed sites rather than caravan sites.

Over the years we have struggled with the speed of getting set up, not so much on site for our main 3 weeks in Cornwall but if we want to do a quick 1 night or weekend, or (as we travel to Cornwall at night) to set up so we can sleep in a lay-by when we arrive in the early hours. We can have the Orline roughly set up for a quick sleep in 10 minutes but it's still not ideal to be doing this at 1.00am and that's without fridge, cooker etc.

The other issue with the folders is the limited internal storage when folded down and the fact that you have to put it up and down to get at it.

We think some sort of caravan will better meet our needs, we don't like white boxes and want something compact (for towing and storage). It's not going to be like the Rapido (a tiny 1.72m wide when folded and fits right through our double ended garage and into the back garden) but should just squeeze under my sister's car port.

We've done a bit of Web research and believe a Triton is the one for us, we want a toilet and my wife will just about tow it at 2m wide, we have 2 teenage boys so will all cram in for a quick overnight stop (they'd sleep in the awning normally).

So it's a Triton, with the convertible rather than fixed bed.

We don't have the budget for anything approaching new, (and to be honest we'd be a bit concerned about the build quality having read about locker and toilet doors failing!) but we do want something modern looking in the kitchen, bathroom and upholstery departments. To this end we'd appreciate some guidance on models in the 10-20 year age bracket - any build quality issues to be aware of and an idea of when the slightly more modern style of kitchen was introduced (with the separate inset sink and hob).

We don't use site electric so gas orientated is better for us and we tend to fit fiamma canopy/awnings but if there's something that looks the part and goes up and down in 5 minutes we're open to suggestions!

We're in Manchester and although we generally buy and sell privately, if there's any dealers nearby or in the Midlands where we could see a few in the flesh it would be good to know.

Thanks in anticipation of any thoughts or suggestions.

Chris

Hi Chris & welcome

Following on from Colin's comments, although it might be too big for you in other ways, the Troll 540 might squeeze you and the teenagers in better for just a quick overnight stop. The area in the front dinette that turns into a bed is big enough for me to sleep in and I am quite big (no details!).

The convertible bed area in the back is I think longer than most other Eribas and if its family and you don't mind cosy you could get three sleeping across the van. We have spent a couple of nights with me as the largest on the front bed and my wife and daughter and her son in the rear area. Just a thought.

As to speed of getting ready for a quick nights sleep, once you have unhitched and put up the steadies all you need to do is put up the pop top which is less than a minute. If you want to put up the beds these take 5 minutes and you are ready.

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

MikeT

Hi both and thanks.

When I said lay-by, it's actually more a road by the docks and the local council have OK'd it.

I agree the troll would be better but I honestly can't take the stress of my wife towing it - the Triton is already a big step up from the current 1.72m wide Rapido so the youngest will just have to rough it on the floor.

Will definitely look for the higher payload/5 stud wheels and visit my sister with the tape measure when allowed.

Chris.

Hi Colin, while you're probably right about the towing, it's just too big for us and Cornish lanes - neither of us liked towing the last Dandy folding camper we had (2.07m) - even me and I used to drive a lorry.

Anyway, my sister's carport is 2.4m wide and she'll need 400mm to get down the side so that pretty much decides it. A quick measure shows the height at the lowest point to be 227cm!! A bit too tight a margin for me so it'll be pre 2010 we're looking for.

Chris.

Chris
We have a Triton 420 and if you use the bed arrangement as a full bed rather than 2 singles an overnight stop would be ok. We had room for two plus an overweight, hyperactive, golden retriever which equals 2 plus 2 in my book. I have to confess a brief dalliance with a white box years ago and towing an Eriba is very different. No wind effect when trucks pass you and you are only 6 inches wider than the average car. Take care with your choice of canopy / awning - loads of advice on this forum - but we wouldn’t be without our Isabella Shadow sun canopy. One person can put that up in 10 minutes.
Good luck!
Capn C

Hi Chris

Having seen the picture of the car port I get your problem.

The Capn's solution might work for you for a night........

MikeT

Our Triton 430 is 21 years old and she's gorgeous. I reckon your wife and 2 sons could manage top to tail for a short night on the double and you on the single. It wouldn't be very comfy but only 1 night.......
Then, we have a simple sunshade.....I'd put the boys in a pup tent.

Thanks. We have a couple of pop tents with our current setup - which go inside or outside the awning depending on how the site charges for them.

Looking at the prices I think we'll be looking at the 15-20 year age bracket as a first purchase - but the wife wants one that, ironically doesn't look "old fashioned" - "like we have at the moment", but what she means is not 26 years old and worn out - the Rapido has had a hard life and hasn't aged as well as the Eribas seem to.

Chris
A pre 2010 Triton 418 will give you two decent sized doubles one at the front and the slightly larger one at the rear. This would solve the sleeping problems we had one for 12 years and our two boys slept in the front double into their late teens.
but
the 418 does not have a dedicated toilet compartment so you would either have to use a toilet tent outside or slip a thetford in the gangway for night time emergencies
and
they are rare in the uk if you decide to go this route you might need to either get one from mainland europe or ask DomFox to source one for you

Denise & Phil

Unfortunately we definitely want the toilet version, middle aged bladder etc! And the boys prefer their own tents anyway.