Rojie

I have received your DM, thank you. As far as I can tell this company is not connected, or affiliated, to any other companies that have been reported to this Forum. However, I did find another company which appears to have close links with the now defunct Sugoi Campers. If you have gas installed I would get a Gas Safety Certificate for your van; mainly to check the integrity of the installation. There is much advice I could offer prospective purchasers, of vans and /or conversions. The main one is Do Your Homework. Companies House is an excellent resource for facts (as opposed to opinions). Trustpilot is excellent for both facts and opinions.

I agree with Paul. I don't have a hybrid, but do know unless the battery is in tiptop condition when winter arrives Gremlins will occur.

Hello Graham, Welcome to the Forum. What type of fridge is it ? Electric, Gas, Other ? Presumably electric if there is a fuse for it. Is it a compressor fridge? Does it run from a leisure battery ? We all need a little more information than you have provided to have any chance of helping you !

Hello George, Thank you for reporting this to The Membership I need to do some research on this company. We have had several complaints about certain companies in Southampton; NOT necessarily convertors. I will try to investigate this company to ascertain whether there is any connection with other 'suspect' companies in that area. My standard response on issues like this is take photos, gather evidence, and report your findings to Trading Standards; and any motoring organisations the company may claim to have membership of. You could, possibly, seek the advice of a solicitor with a view to suing the company for all your additional expense. Finally, perhaps you should have returned the vehicle to the convertor (as supplied) and demanded some form of restitution. However, I fully understand why you may not feel that is an appropriate course of action.

Hello Kevan, Welcome to the Forum. Search for Head Units, as it is a very popular topic in the Forum.

Hello Dave, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Richard, Welcome to the Forum. You could try searching for the part number on Amayama ot Toyota/Alphard/epc

Hello Iain, Welcome to the Forum.

Even new batteries benefit from a full charging. I would not be buying batteries from Costco, but you already have. A smart charger is well worth the investment, especially in winter, especially where you live. I have a Ctek (Scandanavian brand) which also can test the alternator. So check the leads to the alternator also. Yours is a much younger model than mine; but I did find the mood lights where very easy to leave on a low setting without even noticing. Check. Parasitic current drain is difficult to find, so exploring other options is worthwhile. There are battery isolator switches available but they are obviously only of temporary help.

AND check the connections at both ends of the battery leads !

Depends on where you are on Dartmoor but Snows (a Toyota main dealer) will do the work at Exeter, Plymouth or Paignton. As it is an existing Advisory by assured it will be thoroughly checked at the next MOT. As Lee, suggests, get them replaced before then. What Ian was charged is ridiculous.

Hello Wendy, Welcome to the Forum.

I agree with Lee; suspect battery. Tayna Batteries is a good mail order supplier. They will ensure the the terminals are in the correct position, the correct size, etc. Be REALLY careful when changing the starter battery, reverse polarity, even for a moment, will blow fuses. The bigger the better, ensuring it will physically fit and can be held in place. The CCA is important for our upcoming winter. The fact that the leisure battery is disconnected could be just isolation, but will prevent the alternator and split charging system from operating !

Hello John, Welcome to the Forum.

Understood, but my blower does not need refuelling, and lasts all day every day. I think your Alphard on NOS may have some traction issues, and the Black Cat has Brembos all round to aid the avoidance of trees, hedges and other obstructions Black Cat is limited to 155mph, but is happy to purr quietly along at whatever speed I wish. Some XJR owners do upgrade lower and upper pulleys, improve the intercoolers, and air intake system. 600 horses and 600 ft/lbs is achievable, mine only has 400 and 400. Me ? There is fast, and very fast; but I'm neither. I regard myself lucky to have a limousine car and a limousine van.

Hello Steve, Welcome to the Forum. I don't know much about towing; but I do know my driver's licence only allows me to drive up to 3500kg. So your van plus the caravan will be pretty close. Another issue is towing with an Alphard / Vellfire. There are differing opinions on this, but, you won't find the maximum towing weight on the vin plate. Accordingly, some believe these vehicles were not designed for towing. Who cares ? Well your Insurer might ! You do see them with tow bars fitted, but many are used for mounting cycle racks. My guess is, for towing your caravan you may also be looking at uprated rear springs and extra load tyres. Perhaps other members will be able to clarify the issue for you; not least of which should be your proposed insurer. Good Luck

Hello Arty, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Jon, Welcome to the Forum. I expect Picasso will help you on this.

Hello Wendy, I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I respectfully suggest you contact Trading Standards in Plymouth (and possibly Citizens Advice) regarding liability for these issues, and formally report the issue. The fact that you have photographs can only be helpful. Do you have any receipts from the original garage ? If so, I imagine Trading Standards will be very interested in those as it establishes a timeline. Additionally, I request that you identify the (original) garage responsible for the meltdown by PRIVATE MESSAGE (which is private) to me and not through the regular forum pages. Just following on from Lee, Picasso, I had an ECU for a Ford repaired at reasonable cost; but, from your description yours is unlikely to be repairable. However, some outlets will sell reconditioned items without a trade in.

Good idea, but there are various copyright issues to contend with.

What are your tyre pressures ? XL (Extra Load) tyre could help too. Heavier duty rear springs are available, I believe. Please send me a Private message for the location of the garage.

The Tax increases as and when the Government chooses, as most other taxes do.

Hello Gina, Welcome to the Forum. I am very close to you at Paignton. Perhaps you could send me a Private Message with your registration so I can check your MOT history. I can also advise a local garage, other than Snows, that will work on your van. You have bought a limousine version of a people carrier so it will wallow a little when compared to your 'sports' cars. Tyre pressures, and tyre wear, are a good places to start; and adopting a more leisurely driving style could all help too.

Hello Rachael, Welcome to the Forum. Are you aware whether, or not, your wheel and tyre combinations are the OEM sizes ? Has your van been lowered, by changes to the wheel tyre combination, or by a lowering kit ?

Hello John, Welcome to the Forum.