Rojie

I think the delay is to help prevent inadvertent opening. I cannot help on the sliding doors other than to say the cable system can get 'tight' with age. Increased friction can be enough to cause issues. But it may not be the cabling. Search this forum for Sliding Doors , or similar. It is not unusual for door issues to occur. Many members have fixed their problems themselves. When opening the slide doors the handle does does need a second or two to respond. I know you have a new starter battery; make sure you keep it fully charged or little Gremlins can occur in the electrics.

An electric kettle will work if you have an EHU and are parked at a suitable pitch. We carry a fan heater for use "on site". A Jackery may work, but I don't have one so an untested idea; but they are expensive and take valuable space. Your gas hob will boil a kettle, or two if you have a dual unit. Use a thin bottomed kettle. they don't last long, and you need to check the bottom before each time you use it. There are pans that will do toast, can't remember the brand atm (something Monkey) but the van will have an aroma for quite a while ! You can toast over a gas hob, difficult but not much fun. As I said in my PM, you need to plan how you use your space carefully ! Grey water should be caught in a vessel of some kind, and not drained "roadside". When do you visit Evesham ?

Sorry for this silly question. Are your doors and tailgate powered ? I assume they are. Does the tail gate fail to open with the internal switch, the remote switch, or both ? Same question with closing ? If using a remote for the tailgate, hold the button for several seconds.

I don't believe there is. You can pay to have it tested, but if it doesn't meet the requirements.... Also getting TfL and DVLA to react can be tricky !

Hello Colin, Welcome to the Forum. There is a 'camper kit' (as in self assembly) near Barnstaple. Most conversions are performed by companies that specialise conversions.

You are proceeding with Due Diligence. IMHO, it is ULEZ compliant, but it needs to be officially recognised as such. You would even hasve some spare change from your original budget to pay for the Certificate ( if NewAcre won't). Bon Voyage, and Happy Camparding. ps. Let us all know how you get on.

Don't despair. I am sure there are other Gen 2 users that have had this problem; and resolved it. Be patient. I feel sure someone will offer you help quite soon.

Unfortunately, most official Toyota dealers will not work on Imports. Some do, but most don't ! I used a local auto locksmith, so that will not help you sadly.

Hello Kerryn, I have checked your vehicle on the TfL site (Transport for London), as anyone can. The good news is the site recognises the vehicle, the bad news is it does not confirm the vehicle to be compliant. That, in itself, does not mean it isn't compliant BUT .... it could be a problem. (Several members have reported issues with ULEZ and TfL. Much reading required). Discuss this with NewAcre. It is very important that you know whether it is or isn't. Any reassurance you get (anywhere) needs to be recognised by TfL (and possibly the DVLA). 'Non compliant' vehicles (that are compliant) can be 'certified' as compliant; but often it is a very onerous task. Maybe one NewAcre could perform prior to sale ! The age of your vehicle manufacture implies it is a Gen 1 facelifted model, as it was made in October 2005. After checking, all the Gen 1 V6 models came with a five speed auto Both the gear lever and the instrument cluster inform what gear the vehicle is in. D4, D3, etc. D (on its own) is fifth gear on your model. It was the early 4 cylinder cars that had the four speed. If you buy, when you buy, do not drive around in D4 unless you need to, fuel consumption will rocket. Most LPG installations are in the spare wheel well. So you can look for the tank. I believe motorhomes must display an LPG if they carry gas cannisters. A far as I am aware, camper conversions do not. But it is advisable to. I don't have an eight seater. I had thought the bed could be used with those seats facing either way. I am probably wrong on this point. It may depend on which end of the bed space you wish to have as the head end. Don't be put off. The ULEZ thing is very important, imho, the other issues aren't

Do you have Gen 1, or Gen 1 facelift. I think the latter is electric, not sure about the earlier model.

Most auto electricians should be able to supply cut programme and try.

I have an earlier model, so my input is a guess, and based on my unit. The lid appears to be as far forward as it can go. The lower instrument binnacle is preventing it moving any further forward. On mine, albeit an earlier model, there are small 'buttons' to push downward to release the lid. Perhaps a Gen 2 owner can comment, and solve the mystery.

It looks like it is open to me ! Is this unit between the front seats or the middle ones ? Do you mean it won't slide rearwards ?

Very neat

Me again. This is an interesting one. New Acre, by reputation, is one of the better vendors. I am trying to see if the gear gate supports a 5 speed. Judging by the manufactured date, it should. (Downloads from the site a very slow !). It would appear the machine has been 'off the road' for quite some time. I feel sure there will be a very good reason for this, but I would want to hear it. There is a missing MOT; and the kilometre difference between the 2 MOTs is only 1km ! Be sure the odometer is in miles or kilometres. MOT stations sometimes get it incorrect on imports. Check the AUCTION Sheet. The Auction Sheet will identify mileage, all dents and dings, repairs, and the classification the inspector gave to the vehicle. The tail gate could use a more thorough clean. If that is the only overlooked grime, I would not care. Toothbrush needed. Good places to look for cleanliness are around the shutting surfaces of the sliding doors. The MZ is almost top of the range, so will have plenty of 'bells and whistles'. Check they all work properly, and be sure to understand any warranty given. I'll try and check the photos again. Based on the photos, if I were looking for an Alphie camper, I would be very interested in this one. I would certainly recommend you visit Evesham to view asap. I doubt it has LPG, although I don't see a gas canister (or gas hook up) there is enough room for one. I think the sticker is for the gas for the hob. There seems to be a (blue) cooler too, although access will be interesting The gearbox is a 5 speed, which to me, is important. AND a bonus not mentioned in the description; I would expect those middle seats to rotate. A very useful feature at meal times. The only negative I see, and it is tiny, is the size of the fresh water and grey water 'tanks'.

Getting insurance for your vehicle should be quite easy; if a little more expensive than you would like. It is post conversion that the issues can occur. I was with Aviva, and very satisfied, until I had the rear conversion ! They asked me to find another insurer. which I did quite easily. Have you identified your convertor yet ? Go speak with them. Get some tips. Most convertors get to see a vehicle in the raw; in all the spaces that cannot be inspected before purchase. Having said that, my convertor who has converted many a vehicle; has only once had to refuse a conversion due to the condition of the vehicle. Getting quotes on line for an Alphie is time consuming. You will need to phone the target companies; even more so with a conversion. Be reassured though. pick the right vehicle, and the right convertor and you will enjoy your motoring like never before. Me. I would go for a Gen 1 facelift V6 (which I did). They have an extra gear compared to the 2.4 and the earlier V6. What are you finding so difficult finding a suitable V6 for conversion ?

Where were you jamming the wire ?

You may wish to view the recent YouTube video posted by Cuttothechase, a member of the Forum but not under that name, about Scams. Imho, worth watching as it raises everyones' awareness of the 'traps'.

I agree with this also. Another definite line of enquiry, preferably well in advance before you buy (which makes getting a quote even more difficult).

North Star are one of the best companies, just a little awkward to get to.

A long distance Hello to Bruno, Welcome to the Forum.

Picasso also recommends Stuart Spencer as his Alphie was bought there.

Do your kids know about the foot brake? Can they reach it ? Still best to get it fixed.

Hello Les, Welcome to the Forum

I think you are back on the right track, pun intended. You should be able to find a rear conversion for much less than 23k. If you buy commercially the vendor must charge you 20% VAT. If they are not VAT registered be wary. So almost 4k to the Tax Man ! That sum will not be, realistically, recoverable. A PopTop is likely to cost you 50% (at least) of your conversion budget. I have a top quality rear conversion which ran to 4k approx; but VAT was not payable. I think your budget is quite reasonable; just don't get carried away. Unfortunately, as with everything nowadays, prices can be silly. You will find, buried within the Forum, recommendations for most of the Top 10 converters. Perhaps a call to enquire about trade-ins may be fruitful, albeit with the dreaded VAT. I can wholeheartedly recommend a professional convertor that did my conversion. He is a small business, and not required to be VAT registered, and has a lot of experience fitting poptops. I do not have a poptop, but have witnessed his work with poptops on several occasions. Downside, he is close to my location, hence not yours ! Good Luck on your quest to join the ranks of Alphard Campers. Happy Camparding !