T6 and a Tiny Caravan...

[Keith Smith]

Sorry that was supposed to be convert it into a bathroom.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Home - Opus Camper

More liberating than a camper van, more practical than a tent OPUS is a stylish and innovative folding camper. It is compact and easy to tow, while also being spacious and superbly equipped. It is rugged and versatile, while also being comfortable and fun. We think you’ll love it. All-Road or...

www.opuscamper.co.uk

 

[RetroRed5]

A problem can arise on some sites where it is not possible to have both a caravan and a campervan/motorhome on the same pitch if using both for accommodation.

I wouldn't class an Eriba 530 as Tiny. 3xx range as small. Compared to most of todays huge caravans I understand your logic.

That's something I didn't know; I just assumed that if we rocked up to a site in the Cali towing a tiny little caravan that we would be able to put both on a single pitch. Hmm, this might mean that getting a caravan is not especially a great idea

I will go take a look at the 3xx range though - thanks

 

[Jodalo]

Yes, I think you might be right, the Eriba Troll might be a little too big for what I'm after - thanks.

If your’e after tiny, the Puck is the one and I think they do a GT version which is slightly bigger.

 

[RetroRed5]

I tow an Eriba Triton when I travel with my Sister and dogs. It is her bedroom and our dining room. Beautiful little van. Like the Cali, initial cash outlay high, but ownership cost relatively low as they hold their prices very well. We are on our third: when we used to travel away together Jo would be in an hotel and me parked up somewhere with the dogs. The money we have saved on hotel costs alone have more than paid for the costs of ownership.

Tows beautifully, can forget it's there on motorways and at just a couple of inches wider than theCali you know that where the Cali can go through then so can the caravan.

Both main camping clubs have no problems with sharing a pitch providing one is not used for cooking in ( The cali in our case) and only one hook-up used. I've had no problems either on other sites.





View attachment 59836View attachment 59844

Your Eriba Triton looks really great with your two-tone Cali (are both pics a Triton?)

Do you know if they do that model with the lower part in red like they do on the Troll Rockabilly?

And having both on a single pitch is good; if we had a caravan in tow that had a kitchen, we'd only cook in the caravan (prefer to keep the Cali clean). From what I read higher up this thread I was beginning to think that having a caravan was not such a good idea if they always had to be on separate pitches.

Thanks

 

[Seaview]

Have you looked at Go Pods? We saw a lot of them on campsites last summer. Pretty sure they would have to be used in conjunction with a Porta Potti but compact unit to tow.

We‘ve owned a couple of Eriba‘s including a 530 and not too sure we would own another with the choice of other units around including the basecamp. The seating isn’t nearly as comfortable in an Eriba as a Cali, so ultimately an expensive small washroom.

 

[RetroRed5]

Which is a perfectly valid view based on your particular circumstances. But for others, there are circumstances where it can make perfect sense to have both.

We have an Eriba Familia 320. It’s for use by our disabled daughter (26) who often needs to be left alone in bed and to have an accessible space of her own with a toilet and shower. So the rest of us use the campervan and she uses the caravan. We can leave her undisturbed in her own familiar safe space. Sometimes she can go for days without moving. Other days, she’s well enough to get out and about. It was the smallest Eriba with toilet facilities we could get. It's small enough to live on the driveway when not in use.

We use the campervan when we visit our other children, who don’t have enough extra space to put us all up. So we use the campervan for that. It’s more comfortable than sleeping on the floor!

I use the campervan for work stopovers rather than using hotels.

We use the campervan for short breaks when my daughter stays home. We would have been touring Devon and Cornwall last week had it been possible. We have used it to travel Europe without our daughter. We have trips planned for the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Romania, and Norway without her. We have trips planned for the UK, Switzerland, France, and Italy with her. What we use and how we use it will be determined by the circumstances.

And we use the campervan for day trips. After a trip to e.g. a National Trust house, we can then set the bed up and our daughter can have a lie down while we continue with more of the visit. She has access to a fridge, kettle and heating in the winter. If you see a silver Ocean parked with a pink wheelchair left outside, it's probably us.

So we use both.

I realise our particular circumstances are perhaps unusual.

But there are occasions when it makes perfect sense to have both.

I can certainly see why some might feel that if we go to the trouble of buying a caravan, then why keep the Cali but for me, it makes perfect sense, just as it does for you; and by the sounds of it, you make great use of both, the perfect mobile home for your daughter

For the most part, when in the Cali, it's just me, the Mrs and our 8 years but one of our other sons (we have 6 boys, 5 of which are now in their 20's) would love to come with us from time to time but, there is no way he would want to squeeze in the Cali with us all and so the caravan would solve that problem too.

 

[RetroRed5]

If I had to tow one, I'd tow this one.
Twin axle is the most stable solution, you see these speeding (illegally) at 80mph, with the twin axle it is like on rails. It can carry a lot, it can have a shower, lots of space.
Food for thoughts.
https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/caravans/deseo/interior/

Just had a look at this, thanks for the link

It does look to be a pretty awesome caravan for sure!

Although this one might be just a little too big I think; it's the width that is a problem in my case (narrow driveway to get to our house)

 

[RetroRed5]

Those are the rules. However you will find most wardens / owners / managers fairly relaxed provided you do not take the proverbial. We cook in the caravan, suits us as that is where we eat and it's also a bit more roomy in the kitchen area, not much ... but It works.

We have also met quite a flexible attitude with the hook-up. No objections between swapping from caravan to Cali for a couple of hours to top batteries up and on two occasions winter camping been actually told we could use an extra lead for a day if we were staying in.

That is how I think we would use it if we do end up buying a caravan.

So it really a case of just not pushing it too far with what you do on-site; i.e. no cooking in both, no double hook-ups...etc.

 

[RetroRed5]

Have you looked at Go Pods? We saw a lot of them on campsites last summer. Pretty sure they would have to be used in conjunction with a Porta Potti but compact unit to tow.

We‘ve owned a couple of Eriba‘s including a 530 and not too sure we would own another with the choice of other units around including the basecamp. The seating isn’t nearly as comfortable in an Eriba as a Cali, so ultimately an expensive small washroom.

I did take a look at the GoPods, thanks for the suggestion - although they didn't make the shortlist because they don't have a loo/washroom on board and it is the loo that is the main reason for wanting a caravan.

 

[WelshGas]

I did take a look at the GoPods, thanks for the suggestion - although they didn't make the shortlist because they don't have a loo/washroom on board and it is the loo that is the main reason for wanting a caravan.

Portable luxury bathroom trailer: what you need to know about the Vanl

A proper shower and toilet - complete with total privacy - are luxuries few camper vans or motorhomes can boast. But here at Vanlifer, we’ve designed the solution - read on to find out about the Towable Bathroom.

vanlifer.com

No bed unfortunately.

 

[RetroRed5]

Portable luxury bathroom trailer: what you need to know about the Vanl

A proper shower and toilet - complete with total privacy - are luxuries few camper vans or motorhomes can boast. But here at Vanlifer, we’ve designed the solution - read on to find out about the Towable Bathroom.

vanlifer.com

No bed unfortunately.

Ha, I never knew such a thing existed

Looks like it is still in development so no prices or availability yet but it's a neat idea for sure.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Home - Opus Camper

More liberating than a camper van, more practical than a tent OPUS is a stylish and innovative folding camper. It is compact and easy to tow, while also being spacious and superbly equipped. It is rugged and versatile, while also being comfortable and fun. We think you’ll love it. All-Road or...

www.opuscamper.co.uk

@Ch1pbutty that’s truly awful...
The only thing worse than a tent/awning. Is a tent or awning that needs to be towed...

 

[soulstyledevon]

Pulling a caravan, I get it...
Even with a Cali it works because a California is no bigger than your average estate car. Plus you gain the positives of the Cali application.

But pulling along a toilet block...?
That makes no sense.
If you’re gonna tow something, you may as well tow something thats worth all the hassle that goes with tow vehicles...

 

[GrannyJen]

That is how I think we would use it if we do end up buying a caravan.

So it really a case of just not pushing it too far with what you do on-site; i.e. no cooking in both, no double hook-ups...etc.

It has worked brilliantly for us.

My sister and I are best of friends, we have done many things together, but our living requirements are incompatible!

She likes to stretch out for an hour in the afternoon to read a book, so the long bench seat in the 420 is ideal compared to the shorter arrangement in the 430. I am a total fidget though, if we shared together I would drive her nuts so in the afternoon/evenings I'm in the van or walking Max, she is in the caravan, each our own space which we have found to be invaluable.

Evening is wine and dine time and I am the chef so I will prepare in the van, haul it over to the caravan and cook it, serve it and eat it in there whereupon we follow dinner up with what we do best, talking for hours whilst drinking wine. Then I'm off to my bedroom leaving her alone in hers.

The Cali has a more "usable" fridge than the Eriba so I use the fridge as a freezer or for large items, and we use the Eriba for salads and stuff. We know the location of the nearest Marks and Spencers food hall wherever we go and some of their ready meals are excellent for when I don't want to spend hours on food prep and the Cali is a great vehicle for chilled food shopping!

During the day touring around we have the Cali, visit somewhere, pop the roof, have a cup of tea or lunch, then back home.

I use the Cali for everything I use it for when on my own except cooking. Electric, well, I can do without mains as long as I can get a charge into the leisure batteries which I do either via the solar panel, driving the van or in exceptional circumstances borrowing the hook-up for a couple of hours.

 

[GrannyJen]

Your Eriba Triton looks really great with your two-tone Cali (are both pics a Triton?)

Do you know if they do that model with the lower part in red like they do on the Troll Rockabilly?

And having both on a single pitch is good; if we had a caravan in tow that had a kitchen, we'd only cook in the caravan (prefer to keep the Cali clean). From what I read higher up this thread I was beginning to think that having a caravan was not such a good idea if they always had to be on separate pitches.

Thanks

As far as I know only the troll comes in two tone.

Parking on a pitch can be a hoot. We park up with Eriba nose out and Cali nose in. That means I can line both doors up so you can step from one to the other in the rain without getting wet

Edit: Both pics are tritons, the silver GT is the one we have now, a 420 with the two long bench seats which convert to a huge double bed. , My parking space for the caravan is through a gateway 2.1 metres wide so anything wider than a triton, say a troll, would not go through. I also have a mover fitted. It means arriving on site it takes about two minutes to drop the caravan off the tow hitch and my Sister can then move the caravan into place using the remote control whilst I park the Cali up and take Max for his constitutional, just a long enough walk to give Jo time to have the kettle on for when I get back

 

[Cwcltd]

As far as I know only the troll comes in two tone.

Parking on a pitch can be a hoot. We park up with Eriba nose out and Cali nose in. That means I can line both doors up so you can step from one to the other in the rain without getting wet

Edit: Both pics are tritons, the silver GT is the one we have now, a 420 with the two long bench seats which convert to a huge double bed. , My parking space for the caravan is through a gateway 2.1 metres wide so anything wider than a triton, say a troll, would not go through. I also have a mover fitted. It means arriving on site it takes about two minutes to drop the caravan off the tow hitch and my Sister can then move the caravan into place using the remote control whilst I park the Cali up and take Max for his constitutional, just a long enough walk to give Jo time to have the kettle on for when I get back

Hopefully this isn’t a bone question, but given your earlier points about vehicle separation, how do you book a site? As a caravan owner but explain that you also have a Cali? Or do you also speak with the site?

 

[GrannyJen]

Hopefully this isn’t a bone question, but given your earlier points about vehicle separation, how do you book a site? As a caravan owner but explain that you also have a Cali? Or do you also speak with the site?

I just check the caravan in if using either of the club sites, which we use most of the time with the caravan. Turn up, the cali is simply a tow car towing a caravan. If it's mentioned about using the Cali as habitation I just explain that we will be using it just like an awning, enjoying it's space, sleeping in it but not hooked up and not cooking in it.

If booking by phone on a non-club site I just explain when making the booking that my tow vehicle is a camper .... then exactly as above, used for some things but not cooking and not hooked up.

 

[AlisonF]

@GrannyJen thanks for all this info. Can’t wait to pick mine up (was all paid for and ready to go just before lockdown), and start camping with my best friend and the 4 gingers...

 

[RetroRed5]

It has worked brilliantly for us.

My sister and I are best of friends, we have done many things together, but our living requirements are incompatible!

She likes to stretch out for an hour in the afternoon to read a book, so the long bench seat in the 420 is ideal compared to the shorter arrangement in the 430. I am a total fidget though, if we shared together I would drive her nuts so in the afternoon/evenings I'm in the van or walking Max, she is in the caravan, each our own space which we have found to be invaluable.

Evening is wine and dine time and I am the chef so I will prepare in the van, haul it over to the caravan and cook it, serve it and eat it in there whereupon we follow dinner up with what we do best, talking for hours whilst drinking wine. Then I'm off to my bedroom leaving her alone in hers.

The Cali has a more "usable" fridge than the Eriba so I use the fridge as a freezer or for large items, and we use the Eriba for salads and stuff. We know the location of the nearest Marks and Spencers food hall wherever we go and some of their ready meals are excellent for when I don't want to spend hours on food prep and the Cali is a great vehicle for chilled food shopping!

During the day touring around we have the Cali, visit somewhere, pop the roof, have a cup of tea or lunch, then back home.

I use the Cali for everything I use it for when on my own except cooking. Electric, well, I can do without mains as long as I can get a charge into the leisure batteries which I do either via the solar panel, driving the van or in exceptional circumstances borrowing the hook-up for a couple of hours.

You paint a very detailed picture of how you use your Cali (and caravan), sounds great!!

 

[Cwcltd]

I just check the caravan in if using either of the club sites, which we use most of the time with the caravan. Turn up, the cali is simply a tow car towing a caravan. If it's mentioned about using the Cali as habitation I just explain that we will be using it just like an awning, enjoying it's space, sleeping in it but not hooked up and not cooking in it.

If booking by phone on a non-club site I just explain when making the booking that my tow vehicle is a camper .... then exactly as above, used for some things but not cooking and not hooked up.

Perfect, thank you.

 

[GrannyJen]

@GrannyJen thanks for all this info. Can’t wait to pick mine up (was all paid for and ready to go just before lockdown), and start camping with my best friend and the 4 gingers...

You're welcome Allison. Have you got a mover fitted to your caravan?

 

[AlisonF]

You're welcome Allison. Have you got a mover fitted to your caravan?

Yes... definitely thought it was necessary... fortunately it was included in the price. Insurance all paid, even paid for storage facilities from early March...

 

[RetroRed5]

After researching a bunch of caravans, I'm leaning towards one similar to yours @GrannyJen; one from the "ERIBA Touring 60 Edition" range; Adventure Leisure Vehicles do these with their own special "Adventure" pack which adds a lot of extra's (including the mover thingy) for a good price.

Thanks all for the advice/help - very helpful

 

[AlisonF]

After researching a bunch of caravans, I'm leaning towards one similar to yours @GrannyJen; one from the "ERIBA Touring 60 Edition" range; Adventure Leisure Vehicles do these with their own special "Adventure" pack which adds a lot of extra's (including the mover thingy) for a good price.

Thanks all for the advice/help - very helpful

That’s where I’ve bought mine from. I was looking at the Eriba 60 Touring Range. Ended up with something slightly different that they had in stock as it had the extra’s I wanted.