Hello all, I am new to this forum, brilliant to find it! I wonder if you can advise?

I'm a seasoned campervanner and yurter and am now considering buying a caravan. I do not like the regular kind of caravan but love the look of Eribas. I understand they are pricey because they are cool and sought after but that they hold their price. But which would be the best Eriba to buy to serve a couple of different functions: my ma is in her mid 70s and we'd love to enjoy some simple holidays together in this country in the next couple of years. I would be towing with a high top Mercedes Vito which I have put a bed into with a double gas burner and bucket loo. Very simple.

When not touring with her I'd like something to add to my rig which gives more space, more utility and maybe even some improvements to bathroom facilities! Also my job is on the rocks atm so I may end up living in this rig for a while.

Any thoughts on the best eriba for me and how best to go about buying a good specimen? I'm looking at gumtree and ebay and am aware of 2 or 3 of the dealers names up north but I'm near Oxford. Going to see a triton 410 tomoz. Any top tips very much appreciated in particular thoughts on onboard loo/shower, questions to ask vendors, private sale or dealer. Thanks very much in advance!

It might be a good idea to look at the plans of different layouts.
Then it’s time to ask yourself a few questions.
The washroom is really only a toilet cubicle to my mind. There is a washbasin, I have heard of people who can shower in them but it is a very small space.
Will you be happy putting up and taking down beds everyday or do you want a fixed bed?
How much space do you and your Mum need? Will a Triton be big enough or will you need a Troll?
Living in a van is a whole different ball game. We did it for three months in a PuckL 225 with a toilet tent, no onboard loo in that model. You need to be organised and a minimalist, a large awning helped us
There is a lot to think about but I’m sure you will find an Eriba to suit you, good luck.

Hi Lindi & welcome to the Forum

Some good advice from Randa & Julie to start with.

Julie's point about the "bathroom" really being used as a toilet and sink by most owners is a god one. There are some people who use the shower in the bathroom but I would guess that they are in a small minority. This is partly because of the size (I can't fit in it comfortably!) but also because of the wooden structure of the walls.

If you are living in it you would probably need to ensure that it had a hot water system. A lot of Eriba vans don't have one as standard.

A lot of owners have some kind of awning or canopy to expand their space, although the vans are a bit Tardis like inside - we have a Troll.

Also Julies question about a fixed or making the bed up (and having more flexibility) is a good one. We picked our 540 because it doesn't have a fixed bed, but many members of the Forum love their fixed beds.

I guess my biggest bit of advice would e to try and go to one of the bigger dealers and try to see and sit in as many different Eriba layouts as you can andthen decide what would work best for you and your mum.

God luck in your search

MikeT

Hello and welcome. Good luck with the quest!

Thanks Randa!

Do you know of any guide to questions I should ask a vendor? And/or things I need to look out for on the famila and triton you mention? I've got a basic notion but have never bought a caravan before and it's been a long time since i spent much time in one!

I'm accustomed to spending time outside in the camper and my yurt so know what to do with awnings, got loads of camping kit and all the rest of it. I'm more thinking about whether more space is worth the extra dosh.

Anyways, seems like a good tribe to be joining!

all best
Linda

Just seen the file in the Technical section. RTFM!

Thanks for the advice! I'd love to know what you learnt while living in your Puck with a loo tent? Is it very superior to have the onboard loo experience? I know my mom thinks it's essential so maybe that's decision made! TIA

Thankyou Mike for those useful thoughts. Shame about the Lockdown and not being able to visit the dealerships! Although someone has sent me a layout guide and pointed me to youtube so going there next. Cheers!

Thanks Stan!

Thanks Islay. Is there a map somewhere of eriba owners I wonder?

Tom and Margaret

Hi Lindiloux, somewhere on the Forum Blog is a bit I wrote called “Living in an Eriba” or something very similar, it was back in 2013. We didn’t have a hot water system, I found it not too much trouble to boil a kettle. Our toilet tent had a camping shower, a Hozelock, which was fine. The Porta Potti was set up in the shed, it worked fine but it was a trek in the night, on board has its advantages. It sounds as if you have the right mindset to live in the van. We’re ex tenters, like a lot of the Forum and manage with the basics. We always joke about big caravans with “illuminated cocktail cabinets”. We did a lot of our cooking in the awning and also the washing up, easier than trying to fit pans in an Eriba sink. I personally think the individual quirkiness of Eribas outweighs any inconveniences.

Hi Julie, yes I found your piece earlier today! All good tips, thankyou!