Is there such a thing as a tailgate tent for an Alphard campervan conversion?

Yes there are some available. I looked at them a few years ago but never went any further. They were about £104 to about £300. There are loads on the internet

Don't know if by 'tent' you mean awning, but yes, there's plenty on the market, ours is an 'outdoor revolution' driveway and fits our 2003 van perfectly well.

Thanks Nigel, I'll look further into it.

I have been looking at the QUECHUA Arpenaz Base M car tent: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/6-man-camping-living-area-arpenaz-base-m/157674/c98c241m8648391

Which looks to be a good option for a side or tailgate tent at the cheap end to see if the concept works for you.

My wife finds sleeping inside the alphard to be awkward so I was thinking of that and a couple of camp beds.

The above are not what I would call "tail-gate" tents.

To me, a tail-gate tent fits over the rear hatch whille the hatch is open.

I believe they are very rare, and have never seen one.

I did come across exactly the type of unit, but it was for a Mercedes.

I concluded it would be too big, and did not proceed.

A drive away is a totally different item.

There is a lot of coverage in this forum on drive aways.

I don't have one, but understand they are very easy to drive away from, but not so easy to drive up to.

Of course, there is no shortage of conventional (if there is such a thing) camping tents.

Go Outdoors would be an excellent place to start.

I have no affiliation to Go Outdoors, but do use them.

That's Interesting Rojie, if I understand you correctly, are you referring to the rear door as the 'hatch'?, as our awning can only be used when attached to the vehicle with the door in the 'up/open' position, it's an Outdoor Revolution, Caymen model.

On 4/30/2026 at 2:32 PM, Nigel Heyward said:

That's Interesting Rojie, if I understand you correctly, are you referring to the rear door as the 'hatch'?, as our awning can only be used when attached to the vehicle with the door in the 'up/open' position, it's an Outdoor Revolution, Caymen model.

I am not familiar with the Outdoor Revoluion units.

I just checked th internet, and most seem to fit the middle doors, which is very normal.

I did not find one that fits 'over' the tailgate (rear hatch).

If it is tall enough, and you can reverse into it, then raise the tailgate (and minimise the gap between van and awning) you are all set.

Drive out, away, zip up, the opening, and off you go.

If yours achieves that I need to investigate more.

There is a review of the arpenaz which has plenty of pictures of it in place at the rear of many vehicles (though not an Alphard specifically) here: https://nimblecamper.com/arpenaz-base-m-car-camping-review/ if that is of any interest.

Mine has turned up but I don't know when I will get a chance to try a setup.

That's exactly what ours does Rojie, and it is quite easy to re-attach when returning, just have to line up carefully.

On 5/2/2026 at 10:40 AM, Nigel Heyward said:

That's exactly what ours does Rojie, and it is quite easy to re-attach when returning, just have to line up carefully.

Thanks Nigel,

I'll check it out.