Full review

ERIBAS have been around for some 50 years during which time their steel frame construction, aerodynamic shape and elevating (pop-up) roofs have remained basically unchanged.

As a result, the ‘vans have created a niche market among caravanners who want ‘vans which are easy to tow and manoeuvre, but whose shape and looks will still turn heads in 20 years’ time.

Externally, the ‘van’s bow shaped front end with its two opening windows, its rounded corners, and low height all help to make the van easily recognisable from any distance.

And adding to its unique looks is the fact that like the ‘fat controller’ it bulges slightly at the waist.

Other features which identify the Puck as being of continental manufacture include the offside entry door, long A frame, and a single 13-pin continental plug to connect to the towcar.

This latter item means that you will require an adaptor to suit the towcar’s British circuit unless the car has been wired to the continental standard.

The door to the gas locker at the front of the ‘van lifts upwards but doesn’t allow unrestricted access to the locker as it doesn’t completely clear the opening, something which slightly disappointed us.

However we were pleased to see that the front road lights are at low level while a third brakelight has been fitted above the window in the rear panel.

On the nearside, just above the wheel arch is the 230V mains socket and then, to the rear of the axle, the fridge ventilator grills followed by a small door giving access to the water container.

Poking out through the floor below the door is the waste pipe from the sink.

We can’t say that we liked this particular arrangement, preferring the British type of outlet which fits onto the underside of the sidewall skirt into which you plug a short length of pipe which then goes into the waste container.

The entry door on the offside is behind the axle and in keeping with the ‘van’s expanded waistline, is slightly V-shaped with the inner surface having several storage racks.

Running along the upper edge of the offside wall is a straight awning rail. We should however mention that there is no awning rail down either the near or offside.

When you enter the ‘van the first thing you do - literally - is raise the roof - a job which only takes seconds.

Having done so, our first impression was that the Puck had two of the longest bench seats that we ever seen in a ‘van of this size - around 6ft 2in long.

Secondly, it also has a long single leg table which we are sure will take four people in comfort when dining. In fact, if you just want to have friends in for a drink, we think the ‘van could take up to eight people without them feeling cramped in any way.

To the left of the door, in the rear offside corner is a small wardrobe with a Truma S2200 space heater mounted on the front panel below the wardrobe’s double doors.

Although the wardrobe is small, there is a good amount of space for storing shoes etc in the bottom of it, behind the space heater.

Next to the wardrobe is the L-shaped kitchen unit which takes up the remainder of the rear end and then runs down the nearside to the seat.

The kitchen equipment is basic - to say the least - comprising a stainless steel circular sink, a two burner hob and a Dometic 70-litre three way fridge with piezo ignition.
Importantly, the ‘van does not have hot water so when it comes to washing up etc it’s back to the good old days of boiling the kettle!

This is also an appropriate time to mention that, although the ‘van has a number of 230V sockets, it does not have a 12V circuit operated via a 12V battery.

Nor does it have a toilet compartment. The lack of a separate 12V system means that the ‘van’s 12V lights get their supply from a transformer.

Now back to the kitchen unit: although this is only a small van it has a huge cutlery drawer with a large cupboard for food storage below it, plus a further cupboard accessed via a lid in the worktop.

All round the top of the main body of the ‘van are roof lockers, and there’s also plenty of storage space under the two bench seats.

Interestingly, we noticed an extended cover fitted to the front of the nearside seat which, when we removed it revealed the spare wheel. We don’t think that the cover will cause any problems to anyone sitting on the seat above the wheel, and we did like the idea that it was both accessible and protected from the elements, road grime etc as well as being easy to get at when necessary.

At night the seats and table make into a double bed - the seats really being too narrow and not really long enough to be used as single bunks.

The Eriba Puck 230 GT is going to suit caravanners who want a caravan which has Tardis appeal, which is light and easy to tow and store, and who - because of its limited facilities - only use sites with full facilities.



Specification:

Price: £10,495 including VAT
Warranty: Two years extendable. Six years water ingress
Berths: 2
MRO: 650kg (12.79cwt)
Total user payload: 140kg (2.76cwt)
MTPLM: 790kg (15.55cwt)
Internal length: 3.50m (11ft 6in)
Overall length: 4.75m (15ft 7in)
Overall width: 1.80m (5ft 11in)
Overall height: 2.05m - roof elevated (6ft 9in)
Headroom: 1.87m (6ft 2in)

•    A full version of this review appeared in the August 2007 issue of Which Caravan. To order a road test reprint contact Tina Beaumont on 01778 391187.

To subscribe to the magazine, click here.