starider

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.

Hi, had a similar problem with my Ford Van, after much searching I found the heater ducts were blocked with leaves and crud, cleared out and management light went out. Also similar problem with a Vitara when the air intake filter became damp during wet weather and the filter needed changing,the dust etc in the filter became solidified, a new filter cured the problem and once again management light extinguished.We get an aweful amount of wet weather!! Hope this helps,in both cases a simple fix.

Hi, will investigate further by contacting my supplier.

If anyone needs to enter the Central London Low Emissions Zone[ULEZ] you can check if a vehicle is compliant i.e. no charge incurred go to:- tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your- vehicle/ To check for any other charges:- tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-to-drive-in-london

Hi, it doesn't appear that our Alphard has front cameras,the only front parking aid is a special mirror on the front N/S wing which has small integral mirrors to give views of the kerb and wheel which are so small, so being useless. I think I will have to put up with a pretty useless rear camera. Perhaps a rear LED floodlight??

Hi,haven't a clue about these batteries and what fits what, but cells are available on fleabay.

If you find my previous posts ref. fitting an awning rail,I explain in great detail how to fit a rail together with details of the type and sizes of rail I fitted. I know many members "glued" down the rail, but I glued and screwed[with stainless self tappers]. Modern adhesives are fine, but do deteriorate with time and temperature variations. We did try the magnetic method but found it difficult to slide the joining strips into place and never felt confident with strong winds.

Hi Rojie, Must admit,I'm not sure if ours has front cameras?? If there are' where is the switch?? Is that the button switch on the steering column with a wire from it which disappears into wiper arm void?

Hi, if you trawl back a few weeks I posted quite a number of posts on this very subject. I hope in the next week or so, to publish some pics showing how[once the awning rail is fitted] how the drive away fits to the camper.