Rojie

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

As Alasdair says. The messages should be there waiting for you.

Hello Pauline, Welcome to the Forum. You have correctly put this in the Buy and Sell area. Thank you. However, please read the information you are required to provide to sell through this medium. You should also include a reasonable number of photos, to enhance your chances of interest. Please add the required information, and, hopefully, you will get some enquiries.

Hello Declan, Welcome to the Forum. The JPNZ Owners Manual is excellent, but, as you have discovered, it is pretty grim regarding 'in car entertainment'. If you still have the OEM HDD system, try eightseater.blog.com, as he covers it in English very well.

Wow. That is a good price. Their quotes seem to vary wildly. Just be a ware that Adrian Flux is a broker; you should enquire who the actual underwriter is and check them out.

Hi Ian, Have you tried your local official Toyota dealer, or Toyota Direct ?

Hi Gill, Did you receive my personal messages ?

I have sent you a PM.

Thanks for the reminder. As a BT customer we have access to the BT WiFi Hotspots, although, actually, have never used any of them. Something else for me to work on. Should be easy . I bought a second PC just for the van. I use the older Dell XPS, very robust. I have been thinking of a small sound bar, but storage on the move is a real issue as my dog takes up so much room.

Hello Gilly, Welcome to the Forum. I can recommend a rear conversion specialist who does exemplary work, at reasonable cost. BUT They are near Exeter ! If you need a 'must have' reason to use him I could send you (privately) a photo of my fully veneered Maple rear kitchen. And, btw, some members believe you cannot cook 'indoors' with a rear kitchen. You can (but not a fried breakfast). All you need is a EHU and a induction hob.