Roofbars??? (specifically for 1st Gen Alphards)

[K_T]

Hi folks,

I'm currently a T4 driver but (very sadly) looking for an alternative for ULEZ compliance in London.

I'm considering an Alphard as I'm a keen kayaker but sometimes I need to transport longer sea kayaks so I will need to fit roofbars.

I can't seem to find any discussion here on roofbars - has anyone had experience of fitting these?

I've looked here on the Thule website and found no mention of Alphard.
https://www.car-roofracks.co.uk/toyota-alphard-roof-racks

But I have found these:
https://www.car-roofracks.co.uk/toyota-vellfire-roof-racks
 

which would seem to suggest that bars don't exist for the 1st and 2nd Gen Alphards which is a bit of a disaster.

Is there anyone else here in my position?

[Rojie]

3 minutes ago, K_T said:

Hi folks,

I'm currently a T4 driver but (very sadly) looking for an alternative for ULEZ compliance in London.

I'm considering an Alphard as I'm a keen kayaker but sometimes I need to transport longer sea kayaks so I will need to fit roofbars.

I can't seem to find any discussion here on roofbars - has anyone had experience of fitting these?

I've looked here on the Thule website and found no mention of Alphard.
https://www.car-roofracks.co.uk/toyota-alphard-roof-racks

But I have found these:
https://www.car-roofracks.co.uk/toyota-vellfire-roof-racks
 

which would seem to suggest that bars don't exist for the 1st and 2nd Gen Alphards which is a bit of a disaster.

Is there anyone else here in my position?

 

Hi Karina,

 

Please note note my previous reply regarding ULEZ.

 

There are many threads on here from owners facing the roof bar problem.

 

There were roof bars for some Gen 1 vans, but they were/re exceedingly rare.

 

Otherwise, you have lots of reading to do, and will face some interesting decisions.

 

There is an annual MEET early next month near Coventry.

It would be a great place for you to look and ask about what is available.

 

Good Luck

 

[K_T]

Thanks for your sage advice Rojie,

 

Yes re roofbars I've just spoken to Steve at Japautos in Southampton who sells these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154511346682?hash=item23f9980bfa:g:p0kAAOSwkaVg2us~

 

And we discussed kayaks. He says he's had kayaker customers who've been able to use these bars to transport kayaks but.... for a wide vehicle they don't look terribly substantial. They are though directly from Toyota. And £400 cash so not utterly prohibitive.

Thanks so much for the heads up about the annual MEET as yes, that's always the place to go to find improvised solutions to many of the problems I will face if buying an Alphard.
I'm also away to post on the ukriversguidebook website - about kayak transportation.

ULEZ points accepted - thank you. And that's why I'm looking at a 2007 model (if I do go for one).

Thanks for taking the time to be so thorough. 🙂