The Eriba Touring 530, with a transverse bed in the rear and a single dinette up front, is part of a special edition range whose lower half you can have finished in red, yellow or blue, with matching interiors and optional accessories.

Eriba is one of those brands that everyone, even non-caravanners, has heard of, much like Winnebago in motorhomes. But unlike the famous RV, you can often see Eriba Touring caravans on British roads. Their popularity possibly explains why they haven’t changed much in the past couple of decades. That and the fact that Eriba has a strong reputation for quality and is considered one of the leading makes of caravans: the brand took top spot for pre-owned vans at our 2024 Owner Satisfaction Awards.

But there have been attempts to jazz things up. I checked out the Eriba Touring 530 Tango Red model at Glossop Caravans.

Pitch and set-up

Eribas look classy, with metallic exterior styling and retro lettering. The peaked design of the gas bottle locker adds to the automotive feel, and I thought the red set this off. The A-frame is bare, although it seems a pity to spoil the look with a bike rack up front. That said, you could easily do so, because for its size, the Eriba has an impressive 223kg payload, and an impressive amount of space to use it, with an external door to the storage area under the bed.

You also get an awning light and, very unusually for a caravan, an entrance step – albeit one you have to pull out by hand.

Lounge in the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

With its voluminous net curtains, patterned surfaces and piped upholstery, the interior looks just as retro. I viewed it on a very hot day, so really appreciated the cool air coming in from the pop-up roof. And with that raised, there should be no problems about headroom, either, always an important factor if you’re looking at small caravans.

The lounge area
There’s a surprising amount of overhead locker storage space

The lounge is just big enough to seat four at the clip-on table, but I thought having even three sitting here for a long stretch might get a bit tiresome. However, it would be fine for two if you’re looking for a caravan for couples for instance.

There are two mains sockets in the front nearside corner, with USB and USB-C ports. The central heater is positioned to warm the whole of the interior.

Kitchen in the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

For this size of van, I thought this was a reasonable kitchen, providing a two-burner gas hob and a large sink with a cover that converts into a handy chopping board.

The area is well lit with a big window and a striplight under the lockers. The 81–litre half-height fridge is probably large enough for the food of three.

The kitchen area with a two-burner gas hob, a large sink and an extendable worktop
Kitchen provides two-burner gas hob, large sink and extendable worktop

The only nearby mains socket is on top of the wardrobe opposite, a bit of a stretch for some. But because it’s the only thing there, it leaves plenty of room to store a caravan kettle or a toaster.

Washroom in the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

No washroom in this type of caravan is going to be hugely luxurious. Still, there is good headroom here, and the area is well lit, with an opaque window and LED lighting. The basin is small, but the mirror behind it can be lifted and fastened to a higher level. The tap doubles as a shower head.

There is only one drainhole, and a single shelf. Neat touches are a branded sponge bag, and a towel of the same colour as the exterior of the van.

Sleeping in the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

The fixed double at the rear is comfortable, with the blank wall perfect for pillows if you want to turn it into a daybed.

The rear fixed double bed
Fixed double bed at rear is comfortable and can also be used as a daybed

There are lights in the corner, and from here, you have full access to the service controls. The bed comes with a branded blanket, once again colour-coordinated.

The third bed made up
Third bed is easy to assemble by lowering table and placing backrests

The third bed, in the front of the caravan, is easy to assemble using the lowered table and the backrests. It is big enough to accommodate an adult.

Storage in the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

The storage is excellent, giving you plenty of room for packing all of those luxury caravan accessories you like to tour with, as well as the essentials. First, you have that huge area under the bed, accessed from outside and by lifting the slats.

In the lounge, the space under the seat nearest the door is clear, and can be accessed through an internal flap or by removing the cushions and lifting the base. The other underseat area holds the water tank, but there is still room to store things there.

There are four overhead lockers up front and seven in the back (including three over the kitchen). The kitchen has a cutlery drawer, and below that, a big cupboard with a shelf. There is also a tall cubbyhole by the door, which would be ideal for storing bottles.

The washroom has a shallow cupboard under the sink and plenty of shelving.

Alternatives to consider

If you’re planning to tour as a two, the 2024 Coachman VIP 460 offers plenty of space, a solid build design and is a very popular tourer, although you will have to make the bed up each night. After a more budget tourer for two instead? Couples who like the idea of additional berths for occasional use could like the Swift Challenger Exclusive 580, a model with a good spec, plenty of storage and smart looks.

Technical spec of the Eriba Touring 530 (Tango Red)

  • Price: £39,080
  • Berths: 3
  • MiRO: 990kg
  • Payload: 223kg
  • MTPLM: 1300kg
  • Interior length: 4.66m
  • Shipping length: 5.99m
  • Overall width: 2.10m

Spec list 

  • Galvanised chassis
  • Extra-long drawbar with cover
  • Insulated gas bottle locker
  • Entrance step
  • Truma S 3004 gas heating
  • Three rechargeable lights
  • Two-burner gas hob
  • Height-adjustable mirror
  • 81-litre absorber fridge
  • Smoke detector
  • Mains sockets in lounge and kitchen
  • Rear double bed: 1.97 x 1.45m
  • Front single bed: 1.97 x 0.94m

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