Rojie

FYI, there is a company in North Devon that, I believe, supply flat packs.

Hello Mark, Are you considering a total self build, or a flat pack type approach ?

Hello Janus, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Starider. No, I know you weren't suggesting it was Toyota; I just wanted to be clear for all our new members. Happy Camparding

Be VERY CAREFUL when attaching / detaching to leads to your cars and batteries. Observe correct polarity. Connect with both car OFF, Start the jump car, not yours; then turn on yours and try to start. Hopefully, your van will start. Remove the jump leads VERY carefully as they are still live. Then either go for a run, or let the van tick over for at least 30 minutes, 45 minutes is even better. Go to Halfords or Kwik Fit and get your battery tested (you don't have to buy from either, or Tanya Batteries for mail order).

With a Rock & Roll bed ?

Hell again, I think you have mentioned this before, or someone else has ! I agree, but the Jubilee clip was fitted by the convertor, not Toyota. It is naughty, as a pound xtra cost to the buyer, or squeeze on the margin is pennypinching Whist your comment is very valid I wouldn't accuse Toyota of penny pinching. Happy Camparding

Hi Ken, Welcome to the Forum

Hi Andy, What electric cable ? You need to charge your battery with a suitable battery charger. Do you have a camper conversion ? Plugging into an EHU will not charge your main battery unless you have a battery charger wired in to your EHU sockets. A leisure battery will not, normally, charge your main battery. Leisure batteries often use different battery technology. Will the van jump start with Jump Leads (NOT a push start).

Hello Andrew, Welcome to the Forum. Is your battery in good condition and fuly charged ? Is the starter trying to turn the engine. More detail would probably help us help you.

Looks nice and neat and tidy.

Hi Jack, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi phil, Welcome to the Forum

Hi Craig, I agree, but most of the factors you list regarding driving style also affect the long term reliability of the engine and transmission. As a rough guide, both measures are meaningful.

This is a long running debte. Teekay initiated a thread which invites owners to share their (real life) consumption data (petrol I mean). Some have recorded better mileage with E5, even when the additional cost if factored in. Perhaps you could add your findings to the tread to 'balance' the opinion.

Hi Andy, Welcome to the Forum Welcome to Alphard ownership. Happy Camparding

If you go with a rear conversion (you will lose the rearmost seats) AND if you have separate middle seats you would be able to go down the hammock route or single beds (based on flat seats). Most rear conversions have the head end at the rear with your toes being the front seats. We sleep with our heads behind the front seats In some vans the front seats will lie flat giving you another bed options. Some users use hospital type wedge shaped cushions to 'level' the seating area for sleeping. I have not seen single rock and roll beds, but they may exist. Rock and roll beds tend to be rather slim, although there are wider versions available. Hammock wise, I use an American extra wide (1.5m) heavy duty hammock for our dog while travelling. It is slung between the front and middle seats. We don't use it for sleeping, but could as my wife is a shortie. Similarly, I have seen 'adaptations' that hang from the headrests and/or ingress and egress handles. The hammock approach does not use the attachment points to carry your weight, that is caarried by the seats and mini mattresses. Your requirements are a little unusual, as were mine, so think carefully before making your choice. Good Luck

Hello Ali, Welcome to the Forum Is your van a 2010 or prior to 2002 to 2008 ?

Hello Mark, Welcome to the Forum.

Pop Tops are relatively expensive ! Campsites only, so no toilet needed, which simplifies things Probably get by with a good cooler, rather than a fridge. If you are both 'shorties' you could consider sleeping in two 'hammocks'. One across the front seats and one across the middle seats. You may not even need a conversion. Consider just stowing (safely) your camping gear in the rear with the rear seats folded upwards against the sides of the vehicle. Such a configuration yields lots of space. Good Luck

Hi Liam, I can understand that mileage indicates longevity of mechanical parts and reliability. But surely service history has a huge role to play in both too. What parts have already been replaced to achieve that recorded mileage? Most owners won't know. So I am not sure what conclusions can be drawn; other than which vehicle has the largest indicated mileage. However, I would suggest 180k km is quite low for a Toyota But then, I previously had a Jaguar that covered 250k miles before becoming uneconomical to maintain.

Hello Katt, Please tell us of your intended use(s); that info should help us help you.

Picasso, what do you think ?

Hello Both, There is a thread on this Forum about actual fuel figures.

Hello Steve, Welcome to the Forum UK