Arthur

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 👍

1 hour ago, Rojie said:

 

Fuel Lagoon.

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!

17 hours ago, Duncan Grimmond said:

I'm impressed!

 

The rearmost boards are very useful for keeping the best skirt and blouse flat and relatively crease-free... my clothes go into whatever space I can find. 

I'm busy making a couple of aluminium drawers to go under the rearmost part of the R&R bed. I don't like to think of vacant potential storage space and did some for the Regius which proved to be extremely useful

You might find that Ikea’s storage solution for Christmas wrapping paper is a cheaper and easier alternative to making your own aluminium drawers. We can get a pair alongside each other under our R+R bed and they hold a multitude of useless equipment. With zipped covers they keep everything clean and tidy.

Calder Campers import and convert Alphards. They supplied our 2007 3.0 AWD Alphard, changed the timing belt and water pump and retro fitted cruise control for us.

1 hour ago, Rojie said:

 

Timpsons would not do my door and ignition key.

I doubt  they do 'smart' keys either.

But the smart key fobs on the Gen 1 are only for door locks; they won't start the car.

 

Furthermore, if 'their own chip' does not have the 4D67 chip, it won't operate the demobiliser !

 

I used a local automotive locksmith.

 

I think it all depends on the branch you go to - 2 years ago Timpsons in West Kirby Wirral cut me a key from their stock for £65. It operates the ignition and immobiliser so must contain the 4D67 chip but it is not a ‘folding’ key.  I can only suggest forum members enquire of their local stores to see if they can help.

9 hours ago, Graham Albert said:

Hmm, Timsons don't do imports generally. Toyota appear not to be able to, at least on the west coast of Scotland.

 

Thanks to Pete anyway.

Timpsons will supply and cut their own chip key but it is not a ‘smart’ key ie it will open the doors and start the ignition but does not have the ‘remote’ buttons. Company policy prevents them from cutting third party supplied ‘smart’ keys such as those obtained through Ebay.

Hi Thea. Does your campervan have a pop-top? If so, you’ll have to add on a couple of cms to Rojie’s 1.94m.

8 hours ago, Michael Brown said:

I tend to put my hand up to other Alphard drivers as a mark of respect that they have one. I have had a few drivers  putting a hand up and I acknowledge them. I am seeing fewer and fewer Alphards on the roads I am using. I display a club badge front and back.

You’ll have to relocate Northwards as I’m seeing more and more Alphards in Wirral. I’ve always waved to other Alphies but I have a tendency to also do it when I’m driving our other car - forum members will now know the identity of the idiot waving at them LOL 😂

I paid about £100 2 years ago to have a c rail fitted to my Alphard so I think / would hope that you could find someone cheaper than you’ve been quoted.

Fixing the awning is personal preference. Initially I used the over the top straps supplied with the awning but I now use the c rail and magnets to secure the awning sides to the vehicle.

If you intend on using the driveaway function you need to purchase the driveaway ‘strip’. This is attached between vehicle and awning. When you want to use the vehicle you simply detach the strip and leave the awning zipped up like a tent.

The Vango has proved big enough to store all our gear for camping for 10 days and robust enough to weather 50 mph storm winds in Cornwall last year.
 

I’d be happy to send you some photos of the awning and fixings to help you visualise things if you’d care to send me your email address - don’t post it on the forum but rather send it to me by personal message.

Hi Mandy

I’ve used the Vango Faros Airbeam on my side conversion with pop top for the last 2 years and am more than satisfied with its performance. Is there anything specific you’re wanting to know about using the driveaway awnings.

I have a 2007 3.0 AWD with full side conversion. Visiting Cornwall last year fully loaded for a week’s camping and 350 miles each way via M53, M6 andM5 (with a heavy foot) we returned 23 mpg.