Newbies to a camper van

[Kim]

Hi, we are in the process of buying a 2007 Toyota alphard 2.4 automatic. It’s our first one so any information about drive away awnings would be appreciated. Also, we understand it’s not an easy thing to fix a bike rack onto the back of the van, has anyone done this.

thanks,

Kim

[ThuMentaliss]

I'm sure someone here in the posts can help, personally I have never yet seen cycles suspended off the rear of Alphards probably due to not having rear doors, my fix to this issue was to fit a decent tow-bar and a movable bike rack to take our electric bikes

 

We have a small inflatable drive-away tent which is attached to the Alphards roof KADER Tube, but from our experience with the Alphard I would just buy a quality inflatable 4-person tent much better value than pop top roofs (we never used the point of the drive away tent) 

[Arthur]

Hi Kim and welcome to the forum.   Plenty of posts on this forum re the subject of awnings and how to fix them to your Alphie. We have an inflatable Vango awning and use a roof rail which we’ve had attached. You can use over the top straps or magnetic fastenings but rails are best in my opinion. I’ve never been keen on bike racks attached to tailgates and like ThuMentaliss have used a Witter carrier attached to the towbar.

[Kim]

Thanks guys, appreciated.

[EJP]

Hi Kim. Like Arthur, we’ve got a Vango Kilda drive away awning, which attaches to our fitted awning rail, under the pop top. This was purchased from Go Outdoors. We also got a tow bar fitted so that we could attach a bike rack that we purchased from Halfords. Very pleased with both additions.

[Kim]

Thanks Ed. That’s useful to know.

[pcous]

Hi Kim,

We also have a bike rack fitted to a towbar. We bought an Atera Strada Evo bike rack, which has a roller pull-out system, when unlatched the rack can be pulled away from the rear with the bikes still on to allow enough room to lift the tailgate. T'was a great find! I think there would be a problem with suspending bikes on the tailgate itself because of the additional weight, lifting it and keeping it held open.

[Kim]

3 hours ago, pcous said:

Hi Kim,

We also have a bike rack fitted to a towbar. We bought an Atera Strada Evo bike rack, which has a roller pull-out system, when unlatched the rack can be pulled away from the rear with the bikes still on to allow enough room to lift the tailgate. T'was a great find! I think there would be a problem with suspending bikes on the tailgate itself because of the additional weight, lifting it and keeping it held open.

Thank you for the information, appreciated.

[rsbeattie]

I’ve been wonder about all of the above for our camper, this is all great to know. The bike rack on the tow bar is something I had thought about but wasn’t convinced on but that looks like a great solution. 

[Clutha]

Can’t seem to find route to newbie introduction section so here I am!

A searcher for an Alphard, have wheels, will travel.

Gumtree has been studied until eyes are sore.

Former Bongo, the Burstner owner.

going back to campervan size as we moved to a flat a couple of years ago so parking/storage is limited.

 

This looks like my kind of site!

[Rojie]

55 minutes ago, Clutha said:

Can’t seem to find route to newbie introduction section so here I am!

A searcher for an Alphard, have wheels, will travel.

Gumtree has been studied until eyes are sore.

Former Bongo, the Burstner owner.

going back to campervan size as we moved to a flat a couple of years ago so parking/storage is limited.

 

This looks like my kind of site!

 

Hello Gordon,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

There is an Introduction Section. Click on the Forums button top left of your home page.

 

There is also a For Sale section, where you may find just what you need.

 

There are several specialist companies that are able to provide both converted and non converted Alphards and Vellfires.

 

You could make a good start with Funky Ram; a trade member of this Club.

 

Plenty of reading to do. Good Luck.

[Mandy Riseborough]

We have a Toyota vellfire 2.4 engine & what  sort of engine oil  would I use in this type of van can you help me please

[Clutha]

Hi Kim & welcome to the happy Alphards!

 

We got ours about 10 months ago and I love driving it.

Ours came with a Fiamma double bike rack which is really solid.

We’d like to try an awning via sucker attachment points as ours has a pop up roof so drive away awning might be tricky.

[sumogogg]

On 3/22/2023 at 5:49 PM, pcous said:

Hi Kim,

We also have a bike rack fitted to a towbar. We bought an Atera Strada Evo bike rack, which has a roller pull-out system, when unlatched the rack can be pulled away from the rear with the bikes still on to allow enough room to lift the tailgate. T'was a great find! I think there would be a problem with suspending bikes on the tailgate itself because of the additional weight, lifting it and keeping it held open.

Sorry to revive an old thread but this Atera Strada Evo bike rack looks like a great option in the way it can slide out. Are you still using it one year on?

 

Also (might be a daft question) - but is a tow bar rack this like vulnerable to theft when it is on the tow bar? I've never had one before, and wasn;t sure how they are secured/locked to the tow bar. As it is nearly £600 thought it worth asking! 🙂

[pcous]

Hi Andy,

Yes, we're still using it and it works fine. My only gripe is that the slider release mechanism (which you operate with your foot) is plastic rather than metal - it could be more durable; that said it's worked fine.

Regarding security, the handle that tensions the rack on the towball has a keylock once in position. The arms which hold the bikes in position also lock (at the bike end) – at the rack end there’s no lock but, from memory, a pin in the arm itself stops the arm from being released once a bike is locked to it. I guess all locks can be broken, but then the thief would have an unusable bikerack! In addition, we normally thread an ordinary bike lock through wheels/frame for peace of mind when on the road, but I’ve not felt I needed this extra security once on a campsite.

[sumogogg]

On 5/15/2024 at 9:37 AM, pcous said:

Hi Andy,

Yes, we're still using it and it works fine. My only gripe is that the slider release mechanism (which you operate with your foot) is plastic rather than metal - it could be more durable; that said it's worked fine.

Regarding security, the handle that tensions the rack on the towball has a keylock once in position. The arms which hold the bikes in position also lock (at the bike end) – at the rack end there’s no lock but, from memory, a pin in the arm itself stops the arm from being released once a bike is locked to it. I guess all locks can be broken, but then the thief would have an unusable bikerack! In addition, we normally thread an ordinary bike lock through wheels/frame for peace of mind when on the road, but I’ve not felt I needed this extra security once on a campsite.

 

 

Many thanks for the detailed reply - very useful. I think i'll be looking at getting one of these in due course, I like the idea of adding an orindary bike lock too just incase!

[Big T]

Hi Kim,

I have just bought an Alphard (fixed Hi-top) and yhe seller gave me a new rear-door mounted bike rack with the vehicle. I just had a brief look at it and it appears to be a universal fitting that can be mounted on a variety of vehicles. There is a diagram showing how to mount it on the rear door and the guy selling the van knew what he was about , so I have no doubt it will fit but to be honest its bound to affect the balance of the door when open ( fit stronger gas struts , I suppose) and you will habe to remove bikes for access. I dont think the tow bar is any better as it sticks out a lot and, again, bikes need removed for access plus the expense if fitting a towbar. I think ,I'll just do without the bikes.  I will probably put the rack up for sale on ebay.

[Rojie]

13 hours ago, Big T said:

Hi Kim,

I have just bought an Alphard (fixed Hi-top) and yhe seller gave me a new rear-door mounted bike rack with the vehicle. I just had a brief look at it and it appears to be a universal fitting that can be mounted on a variety of vehicles. There is a diagram showing how to mount it on the rear door and the guy selling the van knew what he was about , so I have no doubt it will fit but to be honest its bound to affect the balance of the door when open ( fit stronger gas struts , I suppose) and you will habe to remove bikes for access. I dont think the tow bar is any better as it sticks out a lot and, again, bikes need removed for access plus the expense if fitting a towbar. I think ,I'll just do without the bikes.  I will probably put the rack up for sale on ebay.

 

Hello Trevor,

 

Welcome to the Forum.