Arthur

We joined the Caravan and Motorhome Club primarily because our insurer offered an extra discount on premium if we were members of a ‘recognised’ club. Costs £59 per year but that pays for itself after 5 nights stay on Club sites (compared to non-member site fees). The monthly magazine also provides interesting insights into other members activities/trips/ recommended sites.

I have a 2007 3.0 litre Alphard and the passenger mirror tilts when I select reverse. I thought it was a standard ‘feature’ not a fault 🤷‍♂️

I’ve looked at the Wolfbox G850 which retails around £150 on Amazon as well as a system advertised in the Caravan Club magazine for approximately £650. There are certainly plenty of systems available but I was interested to know if any forum members had any direct experience of installing/operating such things. I’m leaning towards the rear camera connecting by wifi to the replacement mirror (clipped to the existing mirror) rather than hard wiring and it may be easier to use an integrated dash cam system. I’m not interested in getting satnav on the mirror as I’m quite happy using an old I-phone connected to my Panasonic head unit which gives me access to ‘Here We Go’ mapping.

I’ve been using the Vango Faros ll driveaway awning - no problems.

You could try Calder Campers in East Calder, Livingston. They import/convert Alphards.

I have a 2007 AWD Alphard with the standard rear view mirror and have been thinking about getting a rear facing exterior camera to improve backward visibility. I’m not interested in a rear facing dashcam ie I don’t need a recording facility but would like to improve rear visibility. Rather than look through the car interior I was thinking about getting a system where the interior mirror acts as a screen for the rear facing camera. Has anyone got any experience of retro fitting the Toyota Digital Interior Mirror or a similar system? What installation did you adopt (hardwire or wi-fi) and what were the costs involved?

The key already has the chip so it will work the ignition. As it doesn’t have any buttons it doesn’t operate the locks remotely and so there’s no programming involved.

If you only want a key that works the ignition/locks ie nothing remotely, then Timpsons can provide you with a chipped key from their own range - cost about £70.

Hi Kim and welcome to the forum. Plenty of posts on this forum re the subject of awnings and how to fix them to your Alphie. We have an inflatable Vango awning and use a roof rail which we’ve had attached. You can use over the top straps or magnetic fastenings but rails are best in my opinion. I’ve never been keen on bike racks attached to tailgates and like ThuMentaliss have used a Witter carrier attached to the towbar.

Standard 2x 1 metre length ‘c’ rails, glued not screwed.

I have used straps with it but iits actually attached to a roof rail in the photo. It worked fine with the straps but when the wind blows the straps tend to ‘twang’ and keep you awake.

Hi Alasdair We use the Vango Faros Air awning. It’s quick to put up and take down and you can (in theory) use it without a roof rail being fitted. Lots of discussions on awnings if you do a search on the forum.

Hi Alasdair Try searching Bivvy Loo on Amazon. Retails about £60.00 and you won’t find anything that compacts down more - only about 3 inches deep when collapsed!

Live in Wirral. Car imported by Calder Campers, Scotland 200+ miles away!

Hi Philip I’ve got a pop top and an aluminium rail which fits under it when the roof is down. The rail is glued rather than screwed but it works fine - even in 40 mph gusts!

Timpson corporate policy is to refuse to cut customer supplied blanks. Think Rojie must have been lucky with the branch he used or their policy has changed since he had his keys cut.

Hi Katt. Congratulations on getting your Alf. Like Sunny, we only ever use the Rock n Roll bed. We tried using a double sleeping bag initially but now have Duvalay sleeping bags. These have their own mattresses and come with summer and winter duvets. Expensive but can highly recommend.

Hope the op goes well and your wife makes s swift recovery - awnings can wait.

Hi Robert. I’ve used a patio door twin fly net with magnetic couplings. The door flaps are attached to the car frame using the self adhesive velcro tabs which are easy to remove without marking the bodywork. Think I got mine from either Lidl or the Range. Cost about £7 and available in black or white.

Nice to see some blue sky in your photos and to hear that you’re not the only Alphie up there. A friend has just suggested that I should do the Yorkshire 600. Something for you to consider on your way back down South perhaps as a little detour? 😀

Tebay we know well and also Tesco Perth (friends have a cottage at Braemar) so know exactly where you are. Should be a good drive for you as the M6 quietens the further North of Lancaster you go. Hope you have your midge nets with you. Our son has just got back from Assynt and they’re out in force still pesky little things. Safe cruising.

😂 Torridon has a ‘FREE’ campsite with FREE hot showers but one major problem - tents only, no campervans ☹️. Our son is wild camping and Munro bagging at the mo. Due back tomorrow (438 mile journey) so will look to grill him on suitable sites to park up an Alphie.

Porch looks good. Hope the weather improves for you. Loch Assynt and Torridon have been very wet all week. Will you be posting your route/experiences on the forum? I’m planning to do the NC500 in May/June next year.

Hi Les. I have a Vango Faros ll Air which fits our pop-top Alphard perfectly. You’ll be able to compare the height/dimensions to the Galli Air on Vango’s website.

Hi Sam I don’t think you’ll be able to fit a 2.6m length to your Alphie. I’ve had 2 x 1m rails fitted to my pop-top which fit under the roof.