T6 and a Tiny Caravan...

[RetroRed5]

This is my T5 pulling the Rockabilly when I bought it 14 months ago

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Looks great with your red Cali We have a white over red Cali so that would look extra cool!! Although the two of them together, look quite long; having never towed anything, ever, this makes me feel a bit nervous about towing an Eriba

 

[Jaydub]

Looks great with your red Cali We have a white over red Cali so that would look extra cool!! Although the two of them together, look quite long; having never towed anything, ever, this makes me feel a bit nervous about towing an Eriba

Travelworld in Stafford have a Erica Rockabilly in stock, I saw it yesterday

 

[WelshGas]

Looks great with your red Cali We have a white over red Cali so that would look extra cool!! Although the two of them together, look quite long; having never towed anything, ever, this makes me feel a bit nervous about towing an Eriba

The Caravan & Motorhome Club do Towing Courses which can be very helpful for the beginner.

 

[Snowball1935]

Evening all,

We are considering purchasing a caravan that will be pulled by our T6.

In terms of what we'd use it for (in order of importance)...

1. Having a toilet on board for those night time visits (I'm OK running across the grass at 3am to the nearest toilet block on-site but my Mrs is, shall we say, somewhat less keen on doing that).
2. Having the extra sleeping space in case one of our older sons decides to come along
3. Making use of the extra living space through the day (rather than using an awning)

We have an awning, portable loo and a little popup tent thingy to put it in and we'd use this for very short trips but we fancy the idea of a caravan for those longer trips.

In terms of some requirements for the caravan, there are only 3 really...

• It has to be tiny
• It has to have an onboard loo (a washroom with a loo is perfect)
• If possible, it has to look cool (to me)

I've shortlisted listed a few that both the Mrs and I like...

• ERIBA Troll 530 Rockabilly - Awesome looking (its colour scheme matches our white over red Cali); not exactly "tiny" but still quite small; expensive.
• Barefoot - Tiny, looks great but very expensive
• Freedom Jetstream Twin Sport - Tiny and modern but more like a mini version of a traditional-looking caravan; cheap when compared to the other two above.

So, my questions for you all are...

1. Has anyone got any experience with any of the caravans above? (I'm especially interested if anyone tows one of these with their California)
2. Has anyone got any more recommendations worth looking at that meet our requirements?

Also, I've been driving a very long time but I've never actually towed anything and as such, I'm perhaps a little anxious about towing a ton of steel and plastic around hanging off the back of my Cali; what advice might you give to a "towing newbie" and specifically as it relates to towing with a Cali, any particular "gotchas" I should know about?

Finally, as a towing vehicle, how well does the T6 do when towing a caravan?

Thanks,

Our caravan has an end bathroom and weighs in at a MTPLM of 1430 kg (approx. 1.5 tonnes). I previously towed it with a 1.9 TDI VW Touran without problems, but my Caravelle makes it a doddle. I have been towing/driving in France for several years. I am coming up to my 85th birthday, and we would have been going to France again this year (should be there now) if the cursed Covid-19 hadn’t come about. Hope to resume this in 2021.

Advice? Well, first the Caravelle/California is an excellent tow car - mine is a T6 150 PS diesel, and has ample reserve power.
If you are a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (or can find someone who is and who would give you an old copy of their handbook), plenty of good advice can be found in the Technical section. Getting to talk to other seasoned and sensible caravanners can give you a lot of helpful tips and advice.
When towing, you do have to remember that you have a longer and wider vehicle, give yourself a wider berth on corners. Smooth steering without sudden swerving is important. If you have to stop immediately after crossing a junction, don’t enter a yellow box if your whole outfit won’t clear the box.
And don’t forget and go under any unsuitable height barriers.
Best wishes for happy towing

 

[Borris]

I have just read this thread with interest, which has been somewhat surprising to me as previously I had always considered caravans to be the work of the devil. So what has come over me? Is it that everyone at some point in their lives starts wearing beige and lusting after fully fitted caravans? No, at least not in my case.

My change of heart, if you can call it that, has been brought about by two things:

1. Covid 19 and
2. Grandchildren.

When I say "change of heart" it could more accurately be described as a flicker of interest at this stage.

Firstly, as it seems that the new normal will involve all sorts of restrictions and measures being taken on campsites to prevent the virus spreading, any form of self contained toilet facilities has suddenly become a more attractive proposition. Since most of the methods used in conjunction with campervans are rather basic and not at all appealing, having a caravan with built in wash room has suddenly become of interest to me.

Secondly, we have eight grandchildren and a seven seat Beach. If we are to take some of them camping again then the self contained toilet and shower facilities would be very useful indeed. Also with sleeping for four in our Beach and another three in the caravan, things start to look more plausable.

Having got this far I have found that the only offering that would remotely appeal are the smallish Eriba units. One in particular interests me and that's the Eriba Troll "Ocean Drive" which I think is basically a 530 with knobs on. It looks compact, retro and well made. It would also look great behind our duo colour (white over blue) Beach.

I don't propose to do anything about it until I see how things settle down on camp sites. If the current restrictions continue then it may become a stronger possibility. In which case it may move up the interest scale from a mere flicker to something more serious.

As for towing, well as has already been said, the T6 makes a great towing vehicle. I've never towed a caravan but we do have a Brian James enclosed "Race Shuttle" car transporter trailer which we have towed behind one or other if our previous Calis. Depending on which car is inside it, it can weigh nearly two tonnes. The Cali tows it with complete ease.

 

[Rogerstone]

Krause Travelino is the way forward!

 

[Rogerstone]

Krause ?
Knaus, of course

 

[AlanC]

An interesting thread which is very pertinent to our situation.

Having been adamantly against caravans for most of my driving life, we have been pondering buying a small caravan for a while now. As with others, it is the nighttime loo runs that are the main reason, and now preferring a bigger bed than the one int the Cali.

So on Monday, we took our first drive since lockdown down to Bournemouth, just to check out the various options available in the Eriba range.

The showroom was half empty as they are selling Eriba vans fast just over the phone apparently. Tim the salesman at AL said they had sold 7 on Saturday alone this way and if you want to go away to think about a purchase, the van in question will probably have been sold before you phone back.

OK, so that is good salesmanship, none the less we put a deposit down on the last remaining 5yr old Troll 530 which was in the compound. Will collect it in a couple of weeks' time.

A very expensive impulse buy, maybe, but not one we hadn’t been considering for around 2 years now.

Only time will tell if it was the right decision, but for now we are planning the next stage in our travels.
Alan

 

[AlisonF]

I have just read this thread with interest, which has been somewhat surprising to me as previously I had always considered caravans to be the work of the devil. So what has come over me? Is it that everyone at some point in their lives starts wearing beige and lusting after fully fitted caravans? No, at least not in my case.

My change of heart, if you can call it that, has been brought about by two things:

1. Covid 19 and
2. Grandchildren.

When I say "change of heart" it would be more accurately be described as a flicker of interest at this stage.

Firstly, as it seems that the new normal will involve all sorts of restrictions and measures being taken on campsites to prevent the virus spreading, any form of self contained toilet facilities has suddenly become a more attractive proposition. Since most of the methods used in conjunction with campervans are rather basic and not at all appealing, having a caravan with built in wash room has suddenly become of interest to me.

Secondly, we have eight grandchildren and a seven seat Beach. If we were to take some of them camping again then the self contained toilet and shower facilities would be very useful indeed. Also with sleeping for four in our Beach and another three in the caravan and things start to look more plausable.

Having got this far I have found that the only offering that would remotely appeal are the smallish Eriba units. One in particular interests me and that's the Eriba Troll "Ocean Drive" which I think is basically a 530 with knobs on. It looks compact, retro and well made. It would also look great behind our duo colour (white over blue) Beach.

I don't propose to do anything about it until I see how things settle down on camp sites. If the current restrictions continue then it may become a stronger possibility. In which case it may move up the interest scale from a mere flicker to something more serious.

As for towing, well as has already been said, the T6 makes a great towing vehicle. I've never towed a caravan but we do have a Brian James enclosed "Race Shuttle" car transporter trailer which we have towed behind one or other if our previous Calis. Depending on which car is inside it, it can weigh nearly two tonnes. The Cali tows it with complete ease.

Totally off topic, but I hope you do as would love to join you, @SimonB and @Loz sometime once I’ve been able to collect my Eriba Triton 430 GT

 

[Big Ron]

Totally off topic, but I hope you do as would love to join you, @SimonB and @Loz sometime once I’ve been able to collect my Eriba Triton 430 GT

They do look cool don’t they, and I’m 100% with the rationale on having space for grandchildren!

 

[Big Ron]

An interesting thread which is very pertinent to our situation.

Having been adamantly against caravans for most of my driving life, we have been pondering buying a small caravan for a while now. As with others, it is the nighttime loo runs that are the main reason, and now preferring a bigger bed than the one int the Cali.

So on Monday, we took our first drive since lockdown down to Bournemouth, just to check out the various options available in the Eriba range.

The showroom was half empty as they are selling Eriba vans fast just over the phone apparently. Tim the salesman at AL said they had sold 7 on Saturday alone this way and if you want to go away to think about a purchase, the van in question will probably have been sold before you phone back.

OK, so that is good salesmanship, none the less we put a deposit down on the last remaining 5yr old Troll 530 which was in the compound. Will collect it in a couple of weeks' time.

A very expensive impulse buy, maybe, but not one we hadn’t been considering for around 2 years now.

Only time will tell if it was the right decision, but for now we are planning the next stage in our travels.
Alan

I looked at Knaus (Sport and Fun)a couple of years ago and they do have a more modern ‘Vibe’ going on don’t they. idn’t follow thru as both the ‘but it’s a caravan’ issue and not enough headroom.
The Eriba’s are less flexible but generally more Cool/Cutie Pie(?) aren’t they and one did have a pop top roof giving 6ft 10in headroom (luvverly!) but I didn’t overcome the ‘caravan’ phobia.
I know this thread is about having a Cali and a Caravan.....but there is still a question in my mind over one or the other and it’s fueled by the (in my mind) absurd prices for new Cali’s.

I know that’s been done to exhaustion in other threads...nevertheless, a quandary?

 

[AlanC]

I agree with you, which is why it has taken us so long to commit. Partly also due to having time on our hands now too, I suspect.

The long term plan now is to sell the van and swop the car for a more suitable one to tow with and stay with a caravan for a few years. I will be very sorry to loose the Cali as it has been a great vehicle for the last 7 years, but sometimes needs must!
Alan

 

[GrannyJen]

A caravan is a caravan. A box on a chassis towed by another vehicle.

If I'm honest My lunar 6.8 metre end bedroom felt just as secure on tow behind my Range Rover as does my current 5.3m Eriba Triton behind the Cali.

However a few other things come into play. You very rarely hear of Eriba's leaking, the aluminium framework gives it a structural rigidity not found on other "more modern" caravans, it's almost unique narrow width of 2m makes it virtually the same width as the Cali, which in narrow congested places can be quite a blessing, it's pop top gives it a low profile that makes it in theory at least less affected by air disturbances than others.

Downside to that is the cramped washrooms, the almost useless water storage and the bumping of knees if two sit opposite each other. However the bed is super-comfortable, the limited space efficiently used and the build quality ensures high residuals that in that department makes it the California of Caravans.

The big, big, upside for me is that it can sit tucked away on my drive which anything wider would not be able to and it means that my Sister and very best friend can come with me instead of me spending months away on my own which I used to do.

 

[transit 1053]

The Ocean Drive and the Rockabilly are the same but different colours When we got ours we also had a extra bunk we can fit Two infants and a Toddler into my Rockabilly Plus Two adults The beach sleeps Four at a push well impressed Mike

 

[Azteccamper]

We’ve gone from 20+ years of towing a variety of caravans with a variety of cars including a hefty Bailey Senator with a Converted T5 - you soon get used to it (even reversing which can be fun at first). I’m sure your Cali will tow whatever you choose - just make sure you get the caravan you really want and don’t get too hooked on getting a ‘tiny‘ one - really think about how you will use it. Good luck.

We had some fantastic holidays with our children over the years that we often have a bit of a laugh over.

But we love the simplicity and spontaneity of the California for the time being, can’t beat it.

 

[AlisonF]

I did it. Picked up y’day in Tebay. Camped at Kirkby Stephen and drove home today.
A very long 2 days. But am absolutely delighted with the quality of the Eriba and towing with the Cali.

 

[Jodalo]

I did it. Picked up y’day in Tebay. Camped at Kirkby Stephen and drove home today.
A very long 2 days. But am absolutely delighted with the quality of the Eriba and towing with the Cali.

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Did you choose that interior to match your dogs? Very nice.

 

[AlisonF]

Did you choose that interior to match your dogs? Very nice.

Absolutely not, but love the interior. I was going to factory order (likely a different interior), had my spec on the mechanical side of things and then was advised this might be a better option as no-one knew where CV was heading in February. Bingo! They were so right. Can’t rate them highly enough at Tebay.

 

[Gelato]

I did it. Picked up y’day in Tebay. Camped at Kirkby Stephen and drove home today.
A very long 2 days. But am absolutely delighted with the quality of the Eriba and towing with the Cali.

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Great colour choice, we own a 550 in silver - just waiting for our first California to tow it!!! Great caravans, we are on our third one, each getting slightly longer as our son has grown! Matching colours, silver, I see, we have ordered two tone white/bay leaf green. Enjoy your Eriba and adventures

 

[AlisonF]

Great colour choice, we own a 550 in silver - just waiting for our first California to tow it!!! Great caravans, we are on our third one, each getting slightly longer as our son has grown! Matching colours, silver, I see, we have ordered two tone white/bay leaf green. Enjoy your Eriba and adventures

Same as the interior ‘to match the dogs’, I didn’t order the colour. I just had my spec and was looming through what was available... and had overlooked this one several times until they pointed out it had most of the extra’s I was looking for...

 

[OGII]

Topwork using the VW towelrack

 

[BeagleMum]

I did it. Picked up y’day in Tebay. Camped at Kirkby Stephen and drove home today.
A very long 2 days. But am absolutely delighted with the quality of the Eriba and towing with the Cali.

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Looks brilliant

 

[AlisonF]

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Topwork using the VW towelrack

Only because I’m useless in technology, so thought using the dog’s bed was easier...

 

[AlanC]

Welcome to the clan. The dogs look very comfortable and I am envious of the Reflex Silver Cali matched with the silver Eriba. Our Eriba is white all over, lovely but doesn't match the Reflex Siver of our van.

We are off to a site on Sunday for our first caravan camp. Lots to learn I am sure, not least getting used to the way the handbrake works.

Alan

 

[Cwcltd]

First weekend with our new Eriba 430, bought privately last week; tows effortlessly and works so well with the Cali. Not having had a caravan before, some of the similarities made the set up easier. On board bathroom a big plus. We were going to the Alps in September, now taking them both to Dorset and West Wales instead.