I am in the process of buying a 2016 540 Troll, however it's a "base" model, so comes with steel wheels and wheel trims. Our current Triton has alloy wheels and we use a Milenco Wraith wheel lock that attaches to a special wheel nut. This is not easy with wheel trims. On collection I will just use it without wheel trims, but I much prefer the look of alloys. And, particularly, the plain 5 spoke ones used as standard from 2014 on until???

I'm assuming they are 14"? And the tyres are 195/70 R14 XL? It has a 1300kg axle.

Does anyone know of a pair of alloys for sale? Or an Eriba being broken for spare? Or the actual wheel size/offset/etc. to obtain aftermarket ones (not my ideal scenario)? I seem to remember reading of a Dutch or German company that supplies compatible wheels. Do other caravan makers' wheels fit the same axle? I assume it's an Alko - or is that a risky assumption?

Any information glad received, Simon

Hi Simon

If 15" alloys will be suitable then one of my trade suppliers has these on special offer - £50 each + vat & delivery.

They're 5 stud 112mm pcd which should fit your drums, it's just a question of whether 15" will fit without fouling.

www.

leisureplus.co.uk/search.php?searchterm=alloy+wheels.

Stock Code: T806

John

Looks interesting - thanks for that. I'll have a think. I have found out that the standard 14" wheels now sold as retro-fit by Hymer (£235 each!) are:

Alloy rims 14" Chrystal silver
Thanks to their unusual appearance, the high-class alloy rims add to the chic overall impression of the ERIBA caravan. In addition, in spite of their light weight, they have a substantially higher payload than conventional steel rims.
Colour: Chrystal silver
Size: 6 X 14
Bolt circle: 5 X 112
Offset depth: 30
Load bearing capacity: 1,100 kg

Thanks Colin,
I will have a look at that tomorrow. Definitely a good price option for those wheels, John! I had some gel Eriba wheel centres made up on Etsy for my Triton - I have some spares and hope they will fit.

I'll be almost down to Devon on Thursday to check over our potential new Troll. At Highbridge Caravans in Somerset, just off the M5. Am hoping all will be fine. It is, apparently, also missing its folding rear table, but, as Hymer quoted me £500 for a replacement, I shall instead buy, or make, a similar table to match the interior. Clearcut Campers have a wide range of tables that look good -which would also give me an excuse to visit Barnstaple again - and Bideford and Appledore where I spent many happy weeks over the last 30 years...

Once I get the new 'van I'll fit the rear bike rack I bought last year, but never fitted to my Triton as it wasn't an easy fit on the 2005 model. For the Troll i can just copy your Triton installation (I have the same CarryBike Pro C you adapted), so thanks for posting that. Did you cut the rear grab bars down, or buy shortened ones? I seem to remember it was the former.

Cheers, Simon

Yes, I had hoped to have an advantage when I visit tomorrow! It's hard trying to diagnose any issues with a caravan via relatively low resolution photos on a website, but, I think, it looks pretty sound. It has been at their south Devon site for a while, but has just been moved to the Somerset branch. There's a possibiilty the table's in the underbed locker, but I'm told it's just missing. If that's true I'll need to find out the freestanding table's original dimensions so I can match it before we go to pick it up. I'm definitely not paying the Hymer replacement price...
It's also advertised as cold water only (how we like it), but no mention of the motor mover (which it definitely has from the photos) or if it has an onboard water tank or not.

I'll also need to get a bigger winter cover I assume. The one I am using is the Kampa I bought from you, Colin, and i presume there's a size up from that one. It has been excellent and still looks like new after two wet, cold winters...

Thanks Colin - I will do my best! They've already knocked £500 off the asking price, so there's clearly some room for negotiation!

Back on the wheels hunt - despite the very attractive price, I will give the 15" wheels a miss I, as I am getting two brand new tyres on the 14" steel wheels and I can swap those over to some 14" alloys. Difficult call, but not sure whether I'd easily sell two steel Eriba wheels with brand new tyres on...

So I have received and now tried out an ex-Lunar 14" wheel and tyre combo - it fits exactly the same as the steel Eriba wheel (similar offset, then) and looks good, I think. I was surprised that the Eriba alloys are 6J width, as many, apparently bigger, caravans run on 5.5Js. The new wheel is also rated to 1100kg, which matches the Eriba one I've seen. Off to get the tyres swapped over (the Lunar one is ten years old) and then I can fit the alloy wheel lock properly. Well worth all the research. I am quite surprised by the level of corrosion on the "old", original steel wheels - I reckoned it had lived its life by the sea and that seems born out the more I investigate; we bought a Mini Cooper S a few years ago that lived in Brighton and it, too had the same levels of surface rust all over, although the Eriba is mostly on one side.

I also have some tapered alloy wheel bolts and locking bolts on order, as the standard bolts are conical ones for steel wheels only. Interestingly, the originals are chromed finish, which goes against most posts I have read that say the Eriba steel wheel bolts are unchromed because they are always behind wheel trims, or under nut caps (ours originally had both of those)...

Hi Simon

glad to see you found a good looking wheel. I'm in the same position and searching for a pair of alloys. Are the Lunar ones you have 6J and 30 mm offset. Like yourself I have found a range of second hand caravan wheels at 5.5J, and no details of offset and load rating.

Likewise, I am a bit reluctant at the moment to pay Hymer/Eribas price for new. Did you find any other makes or brands that were equivalents/

Ian

I think some of the modern Baileys will fit. But they're not cheap. Most of the Swifts - even looking exactly the same as the ones I got - are 5.5J. I knew anything running on an Alko chassis should be OK, but finding out offsets is difficult unless it's embossed on the back of the wheel. These Lunar ones fit bang on the same as the 5.5J standard steel wheel. I really like the look - and the weight ratings are the same as a standard Eriba alloy. Made in Germany too. I'll put the fully finished photo of my first one installed below - plus a rear shot with the maker data on. Only drawback is that my Milenco Wraith 2 wheel lock doesn't fit on the special wheel nut as the wheel recesses are too deep - I have ordered a longer bolt and will see if that works (I have since found out that Lunar wheels were a known problem for this lock). Nemesis locks may be OK, but don't take my word for it. Nothing is ever simple!

There is an original Eriba alloy (6Jx14") in great condition (fitted from mid to late 2000s) on Ebay - being sold by "e-dive" on Ebay (I think it's an alter ego of Dom Fox in north Norfolk). But there's only the one... I did find someone selling the latest Eriba alloys (in either black and silver, or all silver) at cheaper prices than main dealers, but can't remember where I saw it now! And I don't like that look greatly.

Thanks for replying, the search continues for me. I had already been int ouch with the E bay seller of the eriba ones as I thought they had 3 but apparently its just one at different prices!!

In the rear of the Lunar wheel picture you posted is that 5J or 6J? it was bit hard to see. I do like the simplicity of them and am not a fan of the diamond cut style that Eriba sell in the anthracite.