Eriba Triton Bought

[windowwatcher]

Hi everyone

 

Just a short post to say after posting as a potential Eriba owners, we're now actually happy owners of a 2008 Triton 430GT.

 

After travelling to Automotive Leisure in Bournemouth to view the caravan we went ahead and purchased the Triton 430GT.

 

We've now had two breaks and are more than pleased.

 

We're extremely impressed with our dealings we've had with Automotive Leisure.

The caravan was beautifully turned out and all queries were answered both extremely quickly and very knowledgeably, a great example for other dealers to try and follow. Plus the the purchase itself was a pleasure to go through.

 

Also many thanks with all the help we had from this site.

 

Tombo.

[Black Grouse]

Hi everyone

 

Just a short post to say after posting as a potential Eriba owners, we're now actually happy owners of a 2008 Triton 430GT.

 

After travelling to Automotive Leisure in Bournemouth to view the caravan we went ahead and purchased the Triton 430GT.

 

We've now had two breaks and are more than pleased.

 

We're extremely impressed with our dealings we've had with Automotive Leisure.

The caravan was beautifully turned out and all queries were answered both extremely quickly and very knowledgeably, a great example for other dealers to try and follow. Plus the the purchase itself was a pleasure to go through.

 

Also many thanks with all the help we had from this site.

 

Tombo.

 

Congratulations - I've often thought about downsizing to an Eriba, probably the Triton like you.

[windowwatcher]

Thanks for that.

Sorry I haven't got back earlier but busy with grandchildren.

We've found it really easy, the surprising thing is we've not missed the aquaroll, we use the Eriba's internal tanks it's fascinating but they're balanced to tow with water in the tanks ready for use.

There's no hot water system either but we've managed fine.

Fortunately we use sites with wash facilities and up to press it's great.

It's back to quick set up and quick departures.

We've splashed out and bought an inflatable awning so we're quite comfy.

I'm not a small guy in the least but it's a great set up and tows beautifully.

We're also able to tow with a 1. 7 litre Kia Carens and fuel consumption is greatly improved.

 

Best regards Tombo

[Steamdrivenandy]

Congrats WW and mucho enjoyment.

 

I miss our Troll in many ways, although I don't think Mrs SDA does. She's likes her oven, microwave, onboard shower etc.

 

Weirdly, as some of the smallest vans around, they also feature layouts with the longest single beds (6ft 7ins) and largest double (6ft 7insx6ft 7ins) around. For those of slighter stature other layouts are available.

[Malc Edge]

Still miss my Triton, love Eriba caravans but OH wanted a "bigger van " doh! why did I give in ??

[windowwatcher]

The big thing with the Triton for us and I suppose some other models depending on date, is that they will come down our quite narrow drive.

Now the caravan is at the rear of the house we can timp around and prepare it without travelling to a storage facility.

Also they are (the Eribas) so quick and easy to set up and leave a site.

With a caravan meant to carry water etc. ready for the next stay it's brilliant, a true tourer.

With our previous Pegasus we had to fill the aquarol, prime the taps, fit the waste water etc. and then reverse the processes to leave.

Now we 'come prepared', magic.

Plus as I said we've reduced the size of the towing vehicle needed, therefore quids in all round.

Only very minor gripe is the upholstery at the front is a little tired and we get the occasional dig off a spring.

We're reviewing options on this.

 

Very best regards

 

Tombo.

[Steamdrivenandy]

An onboard tank is a cost option on Eribas, not a standard fitting.

 

The Familias, Tritons and pre 2009 Trolls were all 2m wide with post '09 Trolls going up to 2. 1m.

 

As discussed in other recent threads I'm not sure the water in an onboard tank is meant to be kept there during travel. Certainly boiler manufacturer's say they should be drained before moving.

 

Standard Eriba upholstery is foam interior though you can specify sprung seating but it costs more and reduces the available payload because it weighs a fair bit more.

[windowwatcher]

Thanks for that Andy.

 

The handbook covers travelling with 90% full containers for travelling.

We haven't got the inboard tank, I'm referring to the under sink containers in the toilet and kitchen area.

Also we have no hot water boiler as well, so no water to carry there.

From how I interpreted it the caravan can be towed with 90%full containers and so much water in the toilet.

 

An absolutely minimum is carried in the rear of the caravan and we are still struggling to get a reasonable nose weight on the gauge.

With it being a GT spec van, we have those extras plus the Reich mover and battery, we figure the mover and battery pull at the balance.

We try to carry in the car what we can safely or over the axle in the caravan and balance for noseweight.

When we enquired about the Trolls widths the actual widths seemed to be more complicated than just on dates, model types seemed to change it as well. .

Anyway we calculated we could just get a wider Troll in but the Triton comes through brilliantly and suits our requirements really well.

Up to press we're really enjoying it.

 

Anyway thanks for the kind posts,

 

Tombo.

[Steamdrivenandy]

There was one Troll layout, not the 530 or 540, that was offered with the 2. 1m wide body for a couple of seasons before 2009 when all the Trolls shifted to the wider size.

 

Our first 540 had a drainpipe on both sides, one from the sink and one from the basin. The plastic jerrycans were included and used on either side, one for each drainpipe. Rather excellently they fitted the washroom floor exactly for transit. Our second 540 had had the two drains joined together under the van and just the one exit pipe under the washroom, so we could use a Wastemaster.

 

Both had external water input points so you could use an Aquaroll. Weirdly one was Whale and the other Truma.

 

All Touring's were named 'GT' from about 2000 to 2009 and it didn't affect the spec. , someone in Eriba France presumably thought it was a cool title.

 

In the early to mid 2000's there was money to be made bringing in used Tourings from the Continent and converting them to UK required spec. , which I think usually meant swapping reversing and rear foglights and their wiring about plus changing mains electric sockets and gas connectors. The UK main dealer was Eriba UK Ltd in Lechlade and they had their own standard spec. and would factory order for those that didn't want their spec. Their vans had hot and cold running water, the silly shower fittings, sprung seating, flynet on the door, mudflaps, spare wheel, battery and charger. Their vans had a small alloy roundel on the rear panel, just below the rear window with their name, address and phone number.