starider

I covered the fitting of a tow bar 2021 with a recommended supplier, but all seems to have been covered in these recent posts. I tow a Sprite caravan with no problem. The camper does slow a little on long inclines, but I don't thrash the engine in lower speeds.

Hi, Discussions, recommendations, suppliers etc. were covered by myself and others last year. Like myself you probably find difficulty in finding old topics. I find the only way is to keep searching or give up and sort myself.

Hi, not sure about a tool to help replace the bush, I'm sure there will be advice on it's way. I decided the purchase the complete bush in it's new bracket. However you decide to replace, the advice is to replace both sides. spring-loaded.co.uk supplied mine.

Further to my post yesterday I realised I just gave a name and phone number for suspension parts,so below is the full info:- Mike Oakes, Company: Spring Loaded, 07761700770. I have used Spring Loaded on several occasions for Toyota and Suzuki suspension parts and found Mike extremely helpful with sourcing parts at sensible prices. I have met Mike as his brother lives about half a mile down our road and found him to be very knowledgeable about his products.

The problem is that the tester does not have access to individual vehicle specs. and judges what he/she considers in his expertise,as in my case,the movement needs to be noted. I have always taken note of the advisories and ensured new parts are fitted before the next MOT. Recently I have ordered the parts needed, to be fitted prior to the next MOT[June]. Alphard suspension parts, Mike--07761700770. Have your chassis type at hand[not the chassis number,just the letters and number before the actual series of numbers].

PS Forgot to mention, my Alphard has one of these mirrors. At my age if I got down low enough to use for shaving ,would have to get the wife to help me up!!

Your comments about these mirrors take me back many years when teaching Motor Vehicle Studies to Years 10,11 and 6th Form. I had on VHS Tape a BBC program about parking in Japanese cities which always fascinated the students. If you lived in a city and wanted a car, you couldn't buy one until you had an authorised parking space. The film was quite funny as once you had found a suitable space, a permit was applied for and a little man turned up on a push bike and took the appropriate measurements. If the size was suitable for the car you wanted to purchase, a permit was issued and you could purchase your new car. I can't remember which city it was filmed in, but so obvious parking was at a premium. The next restriction was that everyone who owned a car was only allowed to keep it for a certain number of years when it had to be replaced with a new one. The "old" usually immaculate vehicle was either scrapped or moved into grey exports, hence our Alphards. Japanese motor cycles were also on the same scheme. The point of this little tale is that the extra wing mirror was especially useful for getting your vehicle into very! confined parking spaces. Several years ago I had a grey import Australian spec. Toyota Hylux which had one of the extra wing mirrors[it also had an Altimeter??]. If anyone knows where I could get this VHS onto disc, I would "dig" it out of where ever it's stored?

Hi Sal, sounds as though you've found the towing points. The little panels may need a screwdriver to lever them out. I wouldn't worry about popping the panel out,the important part of this post is to make sure there is a screw in towing eye in with the jack/wheel brace etc. I haven't tried to remove the panel[s] on my Alphard,just hope I never have to use my towing eye. Hope this helps.

Hi, just got in from dragging a parcel delivery van out of a ditch with a tractor, which leads to the reason for this post. The job was more difficult because we couldn't find the front towing eye. For anyone who hasn't been towed before, there is a small square panel low down in the front trim on the N/Side. When there is a need to tow the vehicle forward, the panel pops out and the towing eye is screwed into place[the eye screws into a strong part of the sub frame/chassis]. Please check that the eye is in your Alphard tool kit. If you haven't got this item,it may mean finding somewhere under the front to tow from and could mean the tow rope severely damaging the front"skirt". Look on Ebay for replacement.

Hi, Have posted pictures of awning rail and fitment on another series of discussions about fitting awnings[managed to call the rail to figure of 8 joiners by the wrong name,known as KADOR strip]. Apologies!!

Just ordered one from Amazon. We often travel home towards the low winter setting sun and the dash reflexion makes driving uncomfortable.

Hi, check the actual blades make sure the rubbers are OK and not some Mickey Mouse material. Also did you use the washers at the same time it could be the fluid needs changing. I would not use white spirit for cleaning glass ,the best is Methylated Spirit[Meths] as it evaporates quickly and does not damage paintwork or wiper blades.

Agreed!

Just the other side of Newton Abbot me thinks.

We've had our converted Alphard for 18months and have realised how good the conversion is. There was a small issue with draw and cupboard catches not being of a satisfactory quality, but once sorted we have come to enjoy it's comfort,finish and reliability. We would like to mention the company who did the conversion and dealt with us in a professional and friendly manner. The company is Riveria Motors of Totnes.

PS SORRY THE PICTURES POSTED IN THE WRONG ORDER , I'm sure you can work it out[ First is last etc].Never used pictures on this forum before!!

As promised:- Picture one and two show how neatly the rail fits out of sight,three and four the rail fitted. Five is how the awning porch rope fits to the camper using kadance strip and figure of eight joiners. Components from Right to LEFT:- Awning rail, Kadance strip, Figure of 8 joiners and a scrap length of "K" strip in place of Awning porch rope. The process is to site the camper and if using a "blow up" awning, slide the "K" strip along the camper rail [I punched and sealed a hole in each end to feed a piece of cord to easily pull the strip along]. Erect the awning close to the camper,wriggle the awning to the right distance from the camper and using the figure of 8 joiners, join the awning porch. to the "k" strip. The length of awning rail I used was 2.2m to ensure the strip fitted UNDER THE TOP WHEN LOWERED. The rail will need to be curved slightly{although not too important as it is not seen when top down or awning fitted],] as there is a slight compound curve in the roof. As I was going to use S/S self tapping screws I pre-drilled clearance holes in the rail. Whether using adhesive or drilling as well THIS IS THE TIME YOU POSITION the rail as close to the pop top brackets as possible and check the rail fits evenly when top is down it, stick it in position with double sided tape and mark along the back edge with a marker pen, removed the strip and tape, carefully squeezed sealer/adhesive in front of the marked line and began drilling[or not], into the roof with correct drill for self tappers, putting a dab of sealer in each hole before the scews. The figure of 8 joiners should come with the awning. Hope this helps,or if anyone thinks I've missed out any info please let me know ASAP.

Hi, have taken the pics, now need the wife to put onto post! I'm not a computer wiz.Hopefully today.

Hi, Had a look at the pics of the rail fitted and I will pop the top tomorrow and take some pics of my fitment together with sections of rail to Kadance and kadance to awning porch "rope".You cannot easily slide the awning"rope" directly into the awning rail,a joining section is needed[kadance and figure of 8 joiners]. This allows the awning to be quickly seperated from the vehicle to allow drive away. The rail is as you quoted for VW T4,5 etc. Before I ordered my rail I was assured by Funkyleisure it would fit an Alphard and you can see it fitted perfectly. I will add the length I purchased. I fitted the rail as far up the roof as possible otherwise the awning extension[porch] fouled the sliding door.

Hi, I fitted an awning rail I purchased from funkyleisure, it comes in a strong cardboard tube so is supplied at any length required. My 2007 Alphard is fitted with a pop top so I was able to fit the rail so that when the top is down the rail is out of sight. Some folks have used adhesive to "stick" the rail in place,but I wondered if perhaps the adhesive may soften in the heat of hot summer sun?? so I used stainless steel round head self tappers + the adhesive[supplied with the rail] which not only helps to hold down the rail but also acts as a sealer.. I have used our awning a couple of times and everything is perfect. Of course you will need a Kadance joining strip and figure of 8 joiners. When I fitted the rail last year I promised to post pictures, I apologise for not doing this and will pop the top in the coming days with pictures as promised to follow.

Hi, please let us know when and how you sorted the problem.

Hi, If you look back through earlier posts there is a proceedure for reactivating electric windows when the battery has been disconnected at some point. it is worth a try.

Hi, If you look back through earlier posts there is a proceedure for reactivating electric windows when the battery has been disconnected at some point. it is worth a try.

Hi again,ref fuses. There are several sizes of fuse and some are micro fuses which are extremely small and some are found in the Left footwell/behind dashboard fuse box and are very fiddly to remove and fit.As Rojie has said the JPNZ handbook is well worth purchasing. The handbook is very comprehensive and is a must have. Personally I would suspect the battery,the battery on one of my tractors began playing up recently and after a charge would,if left a few days would be very low on output. There was nothing to cause a discharge as it is fitted with a battery isolator.

Hi, Just a warning pulling fuses one at a time will be hugely time consuming and difficult,the fuses in the fuse location in the left hand foot well under the dash is the most difficult I've ever encountered in many years of vehicle ownership. You will certainly need the owners/drivers hand book as there are several fuse locations[3]. Just a thought,does your vehicle have any of the original Japanese card readers for payment of Tolls in Japan? They/it could be wired independently from the ignition. It's only a thought. Good luck.