Hi
This is the first forum I’ve ever asked a question so please go easy on me. My wife and I looking to purchase an Eriba troll. First ever caravan, however we have had a couple of motor homes (small ish) in the past when our daughter was young. Life took over and we found ourselves hardly using it and it was quite expensive to have sat there. Our intentions to travel Europe never really happened as we also like long haul holidays mixed in so it very much became a weekender only sometimes one night and that is how we see an Eriba. Our daughter is older and not likely to join us much or with a friend/boyfriend in a tent, however 3 berth ideal. We now have a dog and much more time so see ourselves doing several weekends but perhaps not long holidays .
I can store an Eriba at home with hook up ready to go from my motor home days which is also a bonus over a larger van and another good reason to go compact.
I’m very tall at 6’5” but I can sleep across a 530 troll I reckon at about 6’6” bed. Anything less than a troll is narrower slightly I recall? The standing will be tight but it’s camping none the less. I would be very happy to pitch in at say a ten year old one but I see from other posts the pop roof changed around 2009/10 and the extra few inches will make all the difference (my wife says). Is there any way of telling when looking if I’m looking at the higher or lower roof models?
I struggle to find anything several years old at all and the nearly new ones are pretty much brand new prices so if forced down that avenue would I be best to just order a new 2021 model rather than pay 2021 prices for a 2018 model I can collect next week?

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I’ve seen one that says it’s 2009 but I think it looks more like the newer version. Could that be possible? I’ll attach a screen shot if I can work it out.

Thanks.
I shall make some enquires. It’s on autotrader as a private sale. Does that sort of money seem right or expensive? Without knowing what to look for is there an expert selling their services to do a once over before money changes hands? North West I believe

Steve

Hi Steve

Welcome to the site. We have a 540GT Troll which we love. They become quite addictive once you get one.

We have the multi function bed system. We sleep across (I'm 5ft 10ish) but this model has a smaller wardrobe and longer beds that you can have as slim singles, wider singles or a double - never measured the length so not sure of it.

We started looking in 2015 and found the same dilema as you re costly used or getting a new one. Sadly someone died but left us some money so we could order a new one, but it took over 6 months to be delivered from Germany. It turned out to be a good choice even though we also had never towed a caravan. The Troll has proved good to tow, but I am still useless at reversing despite going on a course.

Hope you get something that suits your needs

Good luck

MikeT

All encouraging stuff thanks.

I just need to take the plunge on something. If I do go down the new route do dealers discount off list prices for factory orders do we know or is it a case of list price only?
I live very close to Lowdhams in Nottinghamshire so would be the obvious choice but happy to shop around if it was worth it. They don’t have a single one in at the moment and sold out I’m told.
Are there any musts on a factory order that I should not avoid in terms of uk use and residual value? These special editions package stuff together like the 60th edition or GT packs but are they worth it?

With the 540, of course, you can sleep long ways 'down' the van, which we find has the benefit of not having to clamber over one another to get out of bed. With your height, the etra length of the bed may be beneficial. I really recommend you try out a number of different models before making a decision. Travelling to do that pales into insignificance compared to making the right decision in the first place..

best of luck with your search!

hth...

We were in a similar postion as you as I am 6ft tall. I have found the bed long enough for us poth, although I do rest my feet on the van body. We looked at the 540, but felt the compromise of a smaller seating area at the front was an issue for us as we will be travelling with the grandchildren periodically.

The Eriba kiss has been an issue initially. I hit the door frame (this was particularly painful) and over the rear seats regularly until I learnt to put up my hand when exiting the van. The area above the rear bed/seating area is more difficult to deal with, but some pipe isualtion taped in place has solved the issue initially. I am hoping I will learn to duck more often in time making the insulation uneccessary.

Alan

Thank you all. I shall try a few no doubt. Being tall I find anything low enough is fine it’s stuff that’s at scalp scraping height the issue. I’m used to ducking under things. We would have a 540 if I thought the length of the bed was better, however the stats say 190cm in length and still 198cm across. If we sleep across I’d rather keep the space in front dinette for three/four. I remember our last motor home had a fixed rear bed quite high up a ladder and it was never a problem. I think we liked just having a bed always made up. Think I’m a bit lazy.
I need to put some miles in to lie down in a few over the next few weeks.