Arthur

Do you want pole or airbeam erection? Also, are you looking for wekend use only or something for longer stays? We have 2 awnings, both airbeams. The Vango Faros II is a good starter.

Standard equipment now on new motorhomes and large delivery van conversions. The 10” screens clip over the existing interior mirror and tend to have a forward facing camera attached. The rear camera is attached to the rear windscreen (or some outside of the vehicle). Better to see what is behind you directly through the rear window rather than through a crowded cab and past two grandchildren sitting on the rear seat 😂

Can anyone recommend a good quality rear facing dash cam? I want to replace my interior view mirror with a screen that continuously projects the rear facing dash cam image. There are various products on the market retailing for around £150 but user reviews are very mixed. Does anyone have actual experience of using this type of camera?

Hi Brian I had the misfortune of having a lorry flick a stone at my Alphie on the M6 in January this year. Insurance covered the replacement and the work was done on my drive within a week of me reporting the damage. Fitter said that there was generally no problem with the supply of ‘bog standard’ screens but that there may be delays where a screen has sensors. These screens have to be fitted in company workshops and the nearest workshops to me in Wirral were Chester (18 miles) or Preston (40 miles).

I always try to flash (the headlights) at other Alphards. Reciprocal waving and flashing were common when we first got ours in January 2022 but despite seeing more Alphards on the roads, return acknowledgements are happening less now. Maybe it’s me and people are keeping their heads down 😱😂

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 😄