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ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Santorini Black

It was going to be a roof tent...but.

Hi Guys,
Over the past few months I contemplated fitting a roof tent to my 110 SW. But reality ( and SWMBO) stepped in, did I really want to be climbing up on the roof in all weathers? What about those nocturnal visits and my dodgy knees? SWMBO said there was no way she was climbing up there. But I still wanted something which was small, easy to tow and fitted the LRs footprint so this is what I ended up with :

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

It's an Eriba Puck L, weighs in at 800kg, 4.75m long overall, 1.8m high folded with full standing head room when the pop up roof is raised. Whilst it's not an off road caravan its small enough to sneak into places you wouldn't want to take a standard type van. Since taking the first photo I've fitted a shock link to the 110 so she now rides a bit more level. Another advantage over the roof tent is that we can use SWMBOs 90 soft top to go to Spain this summer.

2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

9th Jun 2016 9:05pm

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

I like them, small enough to go up a driveway and not take loads of room up. Plus German build quality. Who needs a massive van if there's only 2 of you and you spend most of the time outside!!! Win.

9th Jun 2016 10:20pm

gabe3105

Member Since: 25 May 2015
Location: Grimsby
Posts: 237

Nice, any interior pics?

10th Jun 2016 8:55am

Stacey007

Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

Our first van was a freedom even smaller than that and I'm 6ft 2

That's great, do you know its there driving

This was it with my TD4

Click image to enlarge

10th Jun 2016 10:39am

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

Sorry Gabe3105 didn't take any inside shots but if you're interested check out www.AutomotiveLeisure.co.uk they have loads for sale with internal shots. Whats really amazing is the space inside, it's like the Tardis in there. Only downside is that the payload is rather meagre, about 110kg, but we've got Defenders to carry those little ( heavy) extras haven't we?

Stacey007, no you don't really know it's there, for the first few miles I had to keep checking the mirrors to make sure it was still attached! I towed it home from Poole to Cornwall via the A30 which is very up and down, obviously no problems at all. I've since fitted a shock link and it's now even smoother. Couldn't be happier, looking forward to our trip to Spain this summer

. I've fitted a solar controller and am getting a 100w flexible solar panel so may try and do a bit of wild camping. Or just save the 5 € a day they seem to charge for an EHU!

On that subject, our route through Spain is Santander to Estepona via Salamanca and Seville, so if anybody can suggest suitable overnight stops near this route I'd be grateful. 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

10th Jun 2016 1:17pm

Guy

Member Since: 11 Feb 2013
Location: St Eval, Cornwall
Posts: 250

Interesting post. I'm currently contemplating an Eriba. I never thought I'd own a caravan, but with kids 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 I think a small van would increase how often we get away - I'm happy in the Oztent, but I don't think my family would enjoy the Trent in anything but warm weather!

I think I'd buy a 3 berth and sleep in the awning or Oztent. I'm 6ft 3 and a friend thinks I'm a bit tall for the beds.

Looks great, good choice!

DINGO - '99 Discovery 2 V8 with 300Tdi transplant, chawton white. Repatriated from Australia and expedition prepped. **FOR SALE**
SHARKY - '06 Discovery 3 HSE Auto, bonatti grey. SOLD.
GEORGE - '99 Discovery 1 300Tdi Auto, willow green. Daily driver, travel companion, part of the family! SOLD.
PINGU - '96 Defender 110 300Tdi station wagon. SOLD.

Dream LR - 130 pop top station wagon camper.

3rd Jul 2016 10:06pm

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

Hi Guy,

I think you'd need a Familia 310 or Triton if you want 3 berth. Just a few more cms all round. I think you're right about your height being an issue with the smaller 3 berth models, 2 berths like mine and the Triton 430 where you sleep along rather than across would be fine for 6'3". But the smaller 3 berth models tend to sleep across so would be too small.
If you go onto the Automotive Leisure web site they have a page with all the layouts and dimensions.

Interesting about the Oz Tent, I've got an RV4 with the side panels and an awning connector, though I haven't had a chance to try it yet, the Eriba awning rail height should be just about perfect to use it as an awning to the Eriba, plenty of room to sleep in there, we use two King Goannas in ours, so, best of both worlds?

2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

3rd Jul 2016 10:43pm

Guy

Member Since: 11 Feb 2013
Location: St Eval, Cornwall
Posts: 250

Hi Chris. Sounds ideal! Thanks for your reply. Another reason the Eriba appeals is its small size for towing as I have never towed anything before.

I fancy another rooftent too - I only sold it because we had the children. That would make a good 2nd bedroom, but I think the Oztent is best so I can still put things like kids bikes on the roof rack.
DINGO - '99 Discovery 2 V8 with 300Tdi transplant, chawton white. Repatriated from Australia and expedition prepped. **FOR SALE**
SHARKY - '06 Discovery 3 HSE Auto, bonatti grey. SOLD.
GEORGE - '99 Discovery 1 300Tdi Auto, willow green. Daily driver, travel companion, part of the family! SOLD.
PINGU - '96 Defender 110 300Tdi station wagon. SOLD.

Dream LR - 130 pop top station wagon camper.

4th Jul 2016 8:51pm

kmac

Member Since: 07 Oct 2009
Location: Middlesex
Posts: 1309

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

There is also this

http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/other/teardrop-camper/

5th Jul 2016 8:45pm

Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5829

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey

Never thought I'd say this about a caravan,

, but that tear drop is a work of art. It's just a shame that after all that craftsmanship they simply plonked it onto a basic galvanised chassis with little wheels. Italians would never have allowed that last little detail to distract from the beauty of the wooden body.

Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

5th Jul 2016 8:51pm

Tiger

Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 2265

This is ours

Click image to enlarge

5th Jul 2016 11:02pm

Castillo

Member Since: 23 Nov 2012
Location: Tavastkyro
Posts: 41

Tiger, what is you caravan. Very interesting. I'll see more photos about it. I have now very large caravan but I have planned to buy smaller one perhaps next summer defender 110 td5 2006

6th Jul 2016 7:40am

kmac

Member Since: 07 Oct 2009
Location: Middlesex
Posts: 1309

Grenadier wrote:
Never thought I'd say this about a caravan, , but that tear drop is a work of art. It's just a shame that after all that craftsmanship they simply plonked it onto a basic galvanised chassis with little wheels. Italians would never have allowed that last little detail to distract from the beauty of the wooden body.

Yes the wood section is nice but I don't think I could sleep in one - too much like a coffin. I would prefer a tent to a caravan that small

6th Jul 2016 9:20pm

Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5829

Wholly agree Kmac. Or a bivvie bag. Or just clothes with some newspaper and leaves thrown on top and a good bottle of Whisky for warmth...ahem.

Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

7th Jul 2016 7:08am

pjb

Member Since: 08 Apr 2009
Location: Sunny Oxford
Posts: 1244

Another convert to caravanning

2020 P300 HSE

7th Jul 2016 7:55am

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