Rojie

But get your battery tested before replacing it. I had a battery that I thought had failed. I bought a new one. Now I have two good batteries ! Which, actually, is very handy, as I always have one one charge; just in case.

Hi Declan, I think you may need to do your calculation again. 4.6 km/l is 7 mpg ! Surely it cannot be that bad.

Hello Debs, Welcome to the Forum. Good luck with your search. Plenty to read about too.

Hi again Graeme, I did understand your initial situation. If your battery is tired and the voltage dips too low; and Pete gives all the voltage information, your ECU will react as though the battery has been disconnected. Starting a vehicle with a weak battery can certainly cause the battery voltage to dip severely. As Pete suggests, check your alternator too.

Hello Graeme, Do you use the vehicle regularly? I think it's time for a new battery, or a very good battery charger. Get your battery tested, Halfords or Kwik Fit, under load. I think yours is on its last legs. As Pete says, there is constant current drain, so batteries must be charged regularly, by running or by a battery charger. A normal (OK) battery will need at least 30 mins charging by engine if the charge has become low.

Hello Chris, Welcome to the Forum. This is a very recent topic. May I, respectfully, suggest you use the search facility on your home page.

Hello Greg, Welcome to the Forum Ben Hau for the Head Unit. He is in Birmingham, and somewhat difficult to reach, as he does the updates on a part time basis. Search for Ben Hau on this Forum. I think is phone number is mentioned in some of the threads. The search box is on your home page. I am sure you have a Toyota dealer in Cambridge. It is worth checking if they will service your van. Many main dealers will not touch JDM imports, but some will.

So, your sliding doors are electric ? Is your once flat battery fully charged ? Have you had it tested under load ? Are the obstruction sensors clean ?

Why would you ? Give them away to a 2wd Alphie owner. Keep them in the Community. Perhaps you should declare their size and place them in the For Sale section.

Very nice. And you have a 'Cyclist' mirror.

I know that surface mount rails can be purchased. Sorry, I don't know where from. I would try any VW outfitters. Some members install surface mount rails immediately behind the front seats for night privacy. Indeed, I believe, on some early Alphies it was an option. Black out 'blinds' can be bought that fit on the outside of the windscreen. Very effective, easy to install and remove; just a problem when stowing while wet !

I assume you have the rails fitted already ?

Just a couple of minor points. I read more about problems with Hybrids in these pages, than with the V6. I think I am correct in saying, the 2.4 timing is chain driven. The 3 litre V6 is belt, the 3.5 litre V6 is chain. These comments may, or may not, help with your decision process.

Hello Gordon, Welcome to the Forum. There is an Introduction Section. Click on the Forums button top left of your home page. There is also a For Sale section, where you may find just what you need. There are several specialist companies that are able to provide both converted and non converted Alphards and Vellfires. You could make a good start with Funky Ram; a trade member of this Club. Plenty of reading to do. Good Luck.

Hello Michael, Welcome to the Forum. Sorry to hear your early Alphie ownership has been problematic.

I can't advise on an awning. I don't have one. Many members do though, and there are lots of threads on here about their experiences. Will you need to tether the cat; to prevent it running off when you are parked up? Technical, dogs must be restrained when travelling. I assume cats would need to be also. Cooking implements. We have a Melamine table set. Simple cruets, cheap kettle for gas hob, cheap cutlery. Three good kitchen knives and a bread knife. We also have EHU (Electric Hook Up, 240v) for low power appliances. Cooking in your van is a challenge as you do not want steam or fumes inside. Salads, tinned fish and meat, make life much easier. There is an increasing number of pubs offering free overnight stays. They do expect you to eat there. Some have EHU and showers too, for a very reasonable charges. I feel sure you will have most of what you need from your caravanning days. Visit Go Outdoors and have a browse at what is available. You will be surprised.

Hello again Chris, As a solo Alpharder you should have plenty of room, but, I guess, it depends on the duration how long your trip. You will soon develop a "place for everything, and everything in its place". Presumably you have a leisure battery and split charger to power your cool box. We only 'go way' for short spells and, we find, the biggest challenge is drying wet clothes and a wet dog. We bought clothing that doesn't get wet, Goretex is shake dry and the moisture does not penetrate the surface. There are other technologies/brands that achieve the same. The dog is a different matter. We have a storage box for dry towels, and another for wet towels. Many campsites do have drying facilities. Were the middle row of seats removed a s part of your conversion ? Do you have a hard floor, or carpeted ? Where there's a will there's a way. Will you be travelling in winter ?

HelloTahir, Welcome to the Forum

Where do you intend to visit ? How well is your van equipped already ? Description or photos please.

I'm sure you will receive plenty of advice. That is what our community is all about. Help and advice, and opinion ! Can you elaborate on the type of touring you expect to do. That should help us all provide sensible advice

I believe Clearcut Campervan Design in Barnstaple do flat pack units.

Hello Chris, Welcome to the Forum. So very sorry to hear about your late wife. Acquiring an Alphie is a good choice. May you enjoy many a mile in her and reminiscing about your 15 years of caravanning.

Any MOT station should be able to test your vehicle. Taking corrective action, should any be needed, is a different matter. Many official Toyota dealers will not work on imported vehicles. However some will, so it's worth checking your local dealer. There are less expensive approaches though Any garage that is competent, and experienced, working on Toyota vehicles would, ihmo, be a far better choice than Halfords (or Kwik Fit).

Hi Alasdair, From the plan above, your bed looks very narrow. Great for one, rather tight for two ! Is that a kitchen sink / hob behind the passenger seat ? I ask as they are normally fitted behind the driver's seat. That way, ingress and egress is to the safer nearside !

Yes, good point Steve. As they are a broker, they should be open to a little haggling; as in your case