starider

I hope those of you who are able to modify/replace the radio, achieve good results,we have decided not to spend lots of money to replace ours and are quite happy with good old Radio 2 and DVDs. We just carry our DeWalt site radio for use on camp sites.

Hi, I'm at a bit of a loss to make any suggestions, usually there is little or no difference between two and four wheel drive[except in fuel consumption]. The only suggestion may be that the rear springs need replacing with stronger heavy duty ones. We never know what or how our Alphards were used in the past, all I can confirm is that fitting HD rear springs to ours greatly improved the ride.

The problem with the cheaper catches was that some them didn't work properly,one jammed in and had to be dismantled and replaced,others worked intermittently. So they all were replaced.

PS Our Alphard is badged as an Alphard G. Any significance?

Hi, our camper has a side kitchen so unable[unless major construction]. I just feel that as the rest of the conversion is good, why the need to fit the cheapest parts? If I was asked to pass comment on the company and their workmanship,I would praise the overall work done, but fail to understand penny pinching.It's cost us around £100 to achieve a satisfactory finish.

Hi, already replaced the sub standard parts, although need stainless clip.[ex motor mechanic]. Near Newton Abbott.

Hi, Just returned from several days away and we are delighted with the vehicle and conversion, but somewhat annoyed with some of the fitments, the table leg was too flimsy, all the drawer and cupboard catches were cheap and nasty and when filling the water container I noticed the jubilee clip fixing the pipe to the pump had gone rusty as it is submerged, why wasn't a stainless steel one fitted[another job],all done I suspect to save money? I know it's a niggle but the vehicle cost enough!

I'm sure we will attend meets in the future, but unfotunately September would be out for this year. I would be happy to organise a meet at the Haynes Museum early next year if the demand is there.

Hi, many years ago we had a Mazda Bongo[Ford Freda] and we joined the owners club and although we couldn't attend any meets[wife's a church organist, so weekends are busy], the meets were extremely popular throughtout the UK. We now have a few more weekends free and would be happy to join meets down this way. I have been an active member of the DAF Owners Club for many years and continue to contribute to the maintenance issues having been a DAF trained mechanic in the cars heyday. I recently organised a visit to the Haynes Motor Museum with a guided tour which went extremely well, although when organising the visit many members expressed a firm interest, turnout was a little disappointing. My advice is give it a go. We'll help if we can!

A question, is the rail in one length or in sections? Thanks.

Thank you both, I will bear that in mind.

A question, can personalised reg. numbers be transfered to a Japanese import?

The chargers I use can be on constant trickle charge and has 3 LED lights,one to show charger on,one to indicate battery is charging and one to show battery is charged.I have one on each of my classic tractors,one on my Quad, one on my mini digger and one on my ride on mower. I've had them on charge for nearly 2 years without any problem and always a fully charged battery on each machine. The charger on the mower[12volt battery],I have on a timer because it's quite a small battery. I'm waiting for a cig.lighter plug to solder on the trickle charger leads. Once working I'll let you know if the Alphard battery will fully charge. I'll just power the charger from one of the 13amp sockets in the van via the EHU.

Hi, When our Alphard is not used for a period of time,especially during winter months, there is always a little concern about the battery discharging,so as all our farm machinery is individually conected[via a cigarette lighter socket] to a 1.5amp trickle charger, which keeps the batteries topped up when the machines are not in use, I have decided to fit a socket in the Alphard. The lighter socket fitted as standard only works with the ignition on, so I have fitted a socket in the drop down pocket to the right of the steering wheel and conected to the battery via an extra fuse box. Toolstation can supply the charger. I have 6 chargers around and just switch them on occasionally for a few days.

Hi, Just had 4 days away on the Caravan and Motorhome Club's excellent site at Merrose Farm near St Mawes, Cornwall. All went very well,the awning worked a treat and made us realise that an electric air pump would be a pointless expense, as the hand pump supplied with the awning is perfectly adequate. The magnetic awning rail worked quite well,but we're considering a fixed rail. All in all an enjoyable mini break!

Hi Rojie, Thanks for the suggestion, will post the pics you suggest in the next week or so. To add a little more info, the socket has a rubber cover which says AUX.

Hi some of the diagrams are a little small, but the overall handbook is very accurate and very useful. There is a good chance there could be a workshop manual this year!?

Hi, have found what I believe is the socket for plugging in my MP3,but cannot get any response. There is a socket on the radio facia left hand side which will accept a lead & plug, but when pressing the display which looks like the one for outside players there is no output. Any ideas please.

Hi, the first fitting went well and the magnetic awning rail worked well. Now we have fitted it once all should be well with future fittings. The one thing we did do wrong was not ensuring all the air was expelled from the inflation tubes as it would not fit in the carrying bag, but quickly finding the inflation valves and releasing the trapped air all was well so it's all packed away ready for our forthcoming mini break. We did wonder whether an electric pump might be a good idea, but the hand pump supplied worked extremely well and inflated each "tube" in very few pump strokes.

Hi again,can't find the details i.e. the company who supplied, but I did find the fitting instructions and the footnote says if any problems phone 07817565952, so I'm sure help is at hand and they will know which models their sets fit. I seem to remember these curtains were the ones the factory fitted. Hope this helps.

Hi, not sure,I'll post the contact details for the supplier and you can check with them. We started with the "stick on" blinds but they took up extra storage space and were not as convenient to use as curtains. we also went for the outer all in one windscreen and front doors cover.

Hi, we are going to have a dry run in one of our fields tomorrow and put up our new drive away awning, We have in the past owned caravans and awnings, but see these inflatable "drive aways" somewhat different so will make all the mistakes/dithering out of public view!! Will post a report on our labours.

Hi and welcome, our Alphard wasn't fitted with either curtains or rails. My wife purchased a set as a kit with rails and matching curtains. They fitted well and work well as they were manufactured specifically for the Alphard. If you are interested,reply to this and I'll ask her where she purchased them from.

Hi,just found another company who supply kits[again in North Devon] Alphard Campers, Bideford. tel.07989582863. I can't offer any recommendations, but worth a try.

Hi, the company we have dealt with in the past are Camper Conversions in Barnstaple, North Devon. We had a rear kitchen fitted to our Ford Freda many years ago. I'm not sure if they do any work on Alphards, worth a phone call 01271 373853. I've also seen a list of companies who supply kits,but for the life of me I can't remember where. If it comes to me I'll post on these pages.