Pritch

Going to speak to our local converter/spares guru's tomorrow, but wondered if anyone has done this. We have (I'm guessing) a pretty basic/standard pull up/drop down R&R bed, but as the years roll on its getting harder to make/unmake it. We've coated the runners in Silicon WD40 which helps, but not ideal. Seen the gas strut ones but will cost me best part of £2k to replace, match upholstery etc, too much, so thinking, can a gas strut be fitted ? Has anyone done this, and has it made life easier ? Thanks

Mike, we bought these ones, ok not the cheapest, but the front screen you can roll down during the day so light gets it in. Had them for a year, work a treat, in that keeps van cooler when in full sun, and during colder months really helps with condensation. Hope this helps. https://www.comfortzleisure.net/product/toyota-alphard-thermal-windscreen-cover/

Hi there, we have the same roll out, (your brackets look the same as ours as well did you go to HL in Liverpool ?). We have exactly the same problem, tried various 'solutions' including Fiamma rain guard (didnt work). Only way we have found that 'sort of' works, is we sourced a triangular pool noodle, cut it to the size of the gap. During the day with the door either closed or open, you can 'wedge' it in the gap and it works very well, but as soon as you open, or close the door, the noodle moves. Not perfect but best we have found so far...hope that helps. https://www.tradeinn.com/swiminn/en/leisis-octo-pool-noodle/80949/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=364245&country=uk&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn_OlBhDhARIsAG2y6zOLD10Mt5U-az2EDmHr_ddA44H2gfH0P_DbdJDeW6v3LqrDeUDJi1UaAsYZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

HazieB - apologies in lateness of reply, only just seen this (been away). If you speak with Graham at HL Campers - 07525 800347 he may be able to source/mail to you, thats who got mine sorted. Good luck

Not a non starter at all, you just need to get the brackets so they can attach. we had ours (Fiamma F45s) fitted last year by HL Campers in Liverpool. They had the brackets fabricated and they fit perfectly. We have used ours all Summer and love it. Makes setting up so much quicker. We bought sides (sheet from Outwell) which gives a bit of shelter & privacy and flexible so we can have either one or both up. Love it, love it, love it... Think we paid just over £650 for the awning, brackets & fitting with HL Campers - take a look at their website under 'Recent Works' and you'll see some roll outs fitted. https://www.hlcampers.com/copy-of-gallery Good luck

Interesting, we have just had the same - 05 3.0...was told nothing to 'worry about' but to be aware... As you, drives a treat and no obvious 'defect' in carriage/roll/suspension.

Whilst I didn't get my conversion done bu these guys (they now do more Alphards than previously), they have fitted a Solar Panel & a Fiamma roll out fixed sun canopy, inc brackets. Have to say the level of professionalism, knowledge & aftercare help I have had from them has been first class. Its so nice to find someone who is genuinely a Family concern who are prepared to walk you through what you need, why you need it, and maybe what might work better and not rip you off. If your looking for a converter/after conversion work, no hesitation in recommending them - 1st class.

Weve got a Vango Faros II Airbeam. The attachment strip (which will fit the C Rail) is approx 2.3 long, which means on your rail either 10cm each side (no issue if youuse a driveaway strip, no issue, or 10cm each end, again, no real issue. Took us ages to find one and this seems the shortest - most made for VW's... Weve used ours loads and works really well, and use the storm straps over the van just to keep a bit more secure. HTH

Thanks Chris, managed to locate the same 'plunger' and have now disconnected, so lights no longer activate when door opens. Thinking this will save a lot of unnecessary draining of the battery. Thanks

Hi Guys, Im looking to be able to disable the front footwell lights when the side door is open. Ive looked at trying to remove the bulbs, but they look permanantly fixed to the wire ? We are trying to journey off grid, but feel the lights are draining the Leisure Battery. Anyone any ideas.... TIA

Photos that might explain...

Neil, weve just picked ours up, had the Fiamma 45s fitted by HL Campers in Liverpool. There is a metal fabricator opposite his unit that made the brackets. Fits superb and christening next week. He will get the awning, brackets and fit, paid £650 Speak with Graham at HL - 07525 800347, he will see you right, and fairly local to you. Good luck Good luck007525800347

Eddie, I have had a 3.0l V6 (side conversion with pop top) now for just over a year, I absolutely love it. It has 4 speeds, but only ever use 'D'. for normal driving...I have used 'L2' (have D4/3/L2) but only to get out of a field on a slight incline, and needed the lower revs, and D4 when in the Lakes on Country lane inclines, but for normal driving, it stays in 'D'. MPG wise, if I'm honest I dont have a clue, but reckon on 400+ miles off a tank (E5) on motorway/A road driving. Yes its thirsty around town, but hey, its a heavy beast... I went for the 3.0 over the 2.4 as when I test drove both, the 3.0 just felt better. At 65-68 on a motorway, laden with 2 adults I pull just over 2k revs, and she just purrs along. There will be those that tell you an X is better than a Y, but at the end of the day, its your choice. What are you using the Alph for, 2nd car / Camper only / Day car ? This very much dictates what you go for (ive been advised by an LPG conversion specialist) that for the mileage I drive it, its not worth it (do about 4-7k a year max). HTH

HL Campers in Liverpool fitted it for me... Seen a 'Rain Strip' but its about £80 and not buying only to find doesn't do what I want it -probably made to a fit a VW lol

Just had fitted a Fiamma F45s which we wanted for our shorter breaks, rather than erect the full drive away. One thing we hadn't considered, was the gap between the Fiamma and the vehicle, which is +-5cm, which will, when the driveaway is fixed, leaves a gap on entering/exiting, thus rain can get in. Anyone got one and found a work round to seal off this gap ? TIA

I have asked same question, and my garage adv the most important thing to know is, the oil in it already, is it - Synthetic, Part Synthetic, Non Synthetic, as this is the most important thing, but 5W 30 yes.

As Arthur says above, can be put up by one person and takes no time to erect. Wouldnt know consider a poled awning. Lots to chose from, but if you have an awning rail, check the attachment length on any awnings. Most are 260 cm, but not every rail is that long. The Vango attachment is around 240 max, with our rail 235, so fits nicely.

Looks great, my only question is if your fitting to the rubber strip, its obvs there for a reason, so by covering it up will this not affect something else, water run off ? Most people I have sen/heard tend to suggest Silkaflex Glue and galvanised (wont rust) screws, and affix to the bodywork (like mine) but so its sits inside, the pop top when closed. Personally, I would get an expert to fit it, but thats just me. Good luck

Have to echo Rolje & Arthurs comments. We bought ours 05 3.0l from Calder, low mileage and they did the conversion, side kitchen, pop top, heater.. Before committing we visited both Wellhouse & Calder before deciding, it was a 'gut' feel and vehicle choice which for us was Calder. We had some issues with them but essential you 'project manage', ie keep in constant contact, but THE most important thing is what do you want to use the van for...this will dictate what conversion etc you want. Good luck

Just brought back my Alph for its annual service from Calder Campers - head technician has stated :- Front 32 Rear 37 Side conversion HTH

Hi all, 2005 side kitchen conversion. we too have had problems with our water pump detaching itself from the hose. 2 things we have told that will 'help eradicate' this :- 1- Travel with the water tank either empty, or full. If half/ qtr full water 'sloshes' putting pressure on the fitting, and effectively pushing apart. 2- Clip on to the pump, we have fixed by using a plastic self locking plastic strip (our intention is to add a length of hose to the existing hose, then fix to the pump, thus giving more manoeuvre room). Fiddly to do, but also eradicates any rusting potential. Table We have basically ditched ours from the side conversion, as found it to be pretty useless. Weve replaced by using a fold up camping table, which doubles up as an outside table when needed. We have however, added a metal tube (that the table fixes to on in the kitchen unit) , to the rear storage flap, and this gives us the option of a rear table with the door up. HTH

End of the day, your Camphard, your choice.

2.3 is pretty much the max length you will get on the roof, as it starts dropping away towards the front after that. I have had 2.6 w Awnings on the rail, obvs with an overhang each side, but holds it pretty well. We bought the Vango Faros II Air, as the attachment strip is 2.4 w, so easy fits, but only with a small overhang. We tend to attach the storm strap to the front end over the front behind the spoiler, and peg on drivers side, this just holds up the overhang, but it works a treat (see pic). HTH

Cheers fella, and like you, I am not and wont be a spark....woken up too many times on the other side of a room thinking what the ....thats why they train & are Registered lol Was thinking they wouldnt sell it as an EHU if it wasn't fit for purpose. Had a caravan so know never to coil so happy there. Cheers

Now there lies a tale...... We order (prior to build) the 260 length awning they said they could fit to the van & paid accordingly. Once we got home we realised the awning was just 180cm, wont go into details of the arguments we had, but they agreed to fit the max length they could, that would stay inside the pop top once closed which was 131 cm...better. Sorry long answer to simple question, but yes it is, it has an extra 51cm extension added to fit. HTH