Arthur

Thanks for your recommendations. I’ve just ordered one using Smurf’s link as Amazon will deliver tomorrow in time for the weekend 👍

Thanks Rojie, they were my first port of call. My Internal blinds came from Fuel Lagoon and have been excellent. However, they don’t seem to have any External wraparounds at the moment - they’re also at the ‘budget’ end of what I’ve been looking at.

Hi. We’ve had our Gen 1 (2007) Alphie for 4 seasons and our Internal thermal blinds are now looking a bit sad for wear. I’m also fed up of peering out of a windscreen covered with suction cup marks 😂 Can anyone recommend an External windscreen wraparound (blackout) blind? There seems to be a significant difference between quality and price out there - range to date is £35 to £295 with lead-in times of up to 8-10 weeks!

Further to my previous post - I’ve discovered today that Winfields (Chester) have gone into administration - which means that I’ve been looking for an alternative awning to the Outdoor Revolution Cayman. I’m now looking at a Berghaus Telstar from GoOutdoors. With a 15% discount voucher the price comes down to £725. Big awning to match its big price! Sleeps 4 comfortably so may prove a suitable alternative option to the Vango depending on your budget. The rail attachment length is 260cm so its at the maximum. I’ve attached a Berghaus marketing photo for reference - sorry, no one seems to show photos of Alphards with awnings attached ☹️

Hi. We’ve used a Vango Faros II Airbeam driveaway for 4 years and been very happy with its performance. However it’s not big enough (2 person) for longer stays so we’re currently looking to upsize to an Outdoor Revolution Cayman. Many members choose to simply use a stand alone tent finding it an easier and more versatile choice.

Hi Philip We tried several things but settled on Duvalay luxury sleeping bags. They come with their own sewn in memory foam mattresses and winter and summer quilts. Everything rolls up like a normal sleeping bag so saves space. Expensive but we use them for about 20 nights per year and they’re still as good as new despite 3 years of use.

Hi Colin. I’m paying £30.27 pm so its probably around £350 pa if paid in one go.

Hi Colin I had a 2007 Alphie imported/converted by Calder Campers in Feb 2022. They changed the Head for a Pioneer Unit which is Apple Carplay compatible. It came with a new replacement camera and works with the existing steering controls so no wires showing - microphone is fitted to the drivers A pillar. Unit plus fitting cost me £450.

I’ve had an Alphard camper three years from new (date of import) and have not bothered previously with habitation checks. I understand that such checks are required on Mobile Homes but not Campers. My insurance does not require a check to be undertaken. I have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors fitted and will probably have a habitation check done this year for the first time.

After some indecision as to whether to put transfers on our Alphie, we went ahead and here’s the result - Marmite moment 😄

Hi Merit The shoilet shown in your video is very impressive and certainly gives the user much more privacy than we have when using a standard camping Porta Loo. However the very limited amount of available headroom means that only our grandchildren can comfortably use the facility so a shoilet would not be an economical or practical enhancement in our personal experience. Its a personal choice whether to install a shoilet obviously but I think as such you may find it difficult to find a buyer when you come to sell the vehicle in the future.

Hi Francie. We’ve had a 2007 3.0 AWD Alphie campervan for 3 years now and it’s been a delight. The AWD has given us reassurance in visiting some offgrid areas in Snowdonia, Scotland and Northern Ireland but I think what’s most important is the type of tyres you have fitted. The AWD is not an off-roader and it’s the quality of tyre and tread that you have that will determine whether you get out of a muddy field (or up a sloping forest track) 👍

Hi Jacqui I’m using a company called Caravanguard.co.uk. The premium for insuring our 2007 AWD Alphard with pop-top and side conversion was £349. They’re a specialist caravan / motorhome insurer so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a quote - and you get to talk to very nice human underwriters instead of AI computers!

Hi Francis Just had 3 days away camping in Anglesey. Fantastic weather until coming home in lightning storms and torrential rain. Looking in my rear view mirror all I could see was camping gear piled up throughout the cabin. I’m going to investigate fitting a rear view camera that projects the image on a screen which replaces the rear view mirror. They’re a bit pricey (4 figures) but I’d rather see the vehicles behind me rather than the contents/passengers of my van. I could (and do) use my door mirrors but a camera/mirror may be worth the money. Happy to help you spend your savings 😂

If the budget allows, consider getting a powered pop-top and an electric roll-out rock and roll bed. Both would be top of my nice to haves!