Hi all.

I am contemplating a European road trip next year possibly 4-6 weeks for my birthday, its a big one lol. I am a complete novice to this, although I have driven to the south of France and Spain for over twenty years now in cars and would value your advice and recommendations please. Looking at an Alphard / Vellfire and would love to know the following.

What manufacturer options are the most useful, unnecessary?

What accessories are the most useful

Type of awning. I am thinking a drive away is probably best for me so as can set up and then sightsee.

I think that the slimline side pod with the cooker etc behind the drivers seat so that the bed is as big as possible for a good nights sleep, there are two of us.

Is an inside cooker facility useful or is it better set up outside.

Would it be better to get already converted or buy one with a view to convert to my specifications.

Is the Toyota big enough for this duration.

Any other thoughts, recommendations and things to avoid would be greatly appreciated

Hi Appretice Camper. 😀

This is a good topic. Personally I have a portaloo in the back. the camping one. We've blacked out the back of our standard alphy and then put a sheet between the 2nd row and 3rd for privacy. then i had a windscreen cover for the rear window (fastened jacket poppers to it and put them on the trim so it's a nice private space).
Then this is where it gets interesting, I have bought an extraction fan which goes on a window and locks into position.

We did have a camping stove but got rid of. Next is a plugin fridge we use that goes onto the 120v behind the drivers and passenger console. As for sleeping, not got around to that one yet. This way it does not affect our insurance. :)

On 7/24/2026 at 1:17 PM, MonsterS said:

Hi Appretice Camper. 😀

This is a good topic. Personally I have a portaloo in the back. the camping one. We've blacked out the back of our standard alphy and then put a sheet between the 2nd row and 3rd for privacy. then i had a windscreen cover for the rear window (fastened jacket poppers to it and put them on the trim so it's a nice private space).
Then this is where it gets interesting, I have bought an extraction fan which goes on a window and locks into position.

We did have a camping stove but got rid of. Next is a plugin fridge we use that goes onto the 120v behind the drivers and passenger console. As for sleeping, not got around to that one yet. This way it does not affect our insurance. :)

I'm looking to buy a seven or 8 seater to sleep and camp with, I was originally thinking of removing the middle row and sleeping on the floor but seems a faf to remove and put back in. I have seen the 8 seater seats laid flat as a continuous bed(albeit lumpy) to then put a mattress on. I like your sheet separator idea with extraction for using the rear as a change room/toilet with extractor.

Would love a picture please, I'll be taking a portable toilet also and keeping the third row up on the sides until it's bed time as mentioned above, hopefully finding place for all the stuff under and behind the seats. Attached a pic from another post of the bed layout.

Edited September 13Sep 13 by johnny_Vellfire
Added pic