I don't know if this video is useful or entertaining, but I want to apologise again for my absence on RU-vid. Moving forward my aim is to post at least once a month and hopefully it'll be interesting content. If you have any suggestions, please do feel free to share them as I'll take all the inspiration I can get. Thanks!
Hello. I am japanese. I'm glad you drove a Japanese car. Because In Japan, the government has decided that driving an old car is a "bad thing" for the environment. For example, the rate of heavy taxation after 13 years has passed since new registration is much higher than automobile tax, and is about 40% heavier. Furthermore, for cars that have been registered for 18 years, the tax will be levied approximately 10% heavier than for cars registered after 13 years. The additional tax levied on old cars is used to subsidize people who buy electric cars. For this reason, most old cars are scrapped. I would like you to export and drive Japanese cars like you overseas. Penalties for old cars are a shameful system in Japan.
If it could be mounted to the van, those car roof tents that have become so popular in the last few years would probably be a great addition to something like this. Two kids and an adult could easily sleep in the tent and two in the van. Good informative video 👍
Loved the videos. We are thinking about buying an Alphard camper van. Also recognised all of your camping stopovers as we live a few miles down the road from Ferriby.
Hi Tracy, thank you very much for the kind words. Good to hear from someone local. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and you're welcome to take a look around mine if it helps.
Great vid. I am interested buying one doing what you have done with yours. I have to admit I have not read all the comments or everyone of your videos so apologise if you have covered them but have some questions you could cover in a future video. Many of the Alphard are imported from Japan. I know you can change the media head unit to get sat nav in English but how difficult is it to service and get parts. Do UK obd readers work in English for fault codes is the CPU etc in Japanese. We’re you able to get a full hpi on any previous damage and check mileage is correct.
Just to say thanks for your videos.They have been a big help in my decision to buy an Alphard. I went for the side conversion as like you, it was a trade off...narrower flat bed rather than wider chair bed( only 2 of us though) , but does allow room for a toilet. Can recommend curtains,even with the tinted windows. Also privacy curtain behind front seats. I was also dubious re pop top but so glad I went for one. Not neccissarily for sleeping but being able to stand up when cooking etc is priceless. So glad you are still happy with your Alphard after a year. Only had ours a month but so pleased we got one. Can I finaĺly ask what awning you have? Our rail is only just over 2m long and most awnings seem a lot bigger than that. Kind regards Russ
Thanks for the kind words Russ and for the information regarding a curtains and a poptop. Regarding the former, we definitely could do with sorting out a privacy curtain between the front and the back. That would make more stealthy use of the camper easier. Regarding our awning, I believe it is a Khyam Kamper XC driveaway air awning. We looked at quite a few from other brands too, such as Kampa and Vango, but most of them were out of stock at the time so opted for this one. I do think some of the Vango ones look impressive, though. I hope you enjoy your Alphard for the foreseeable future too! I'm sure it will take you on many memorable adventures.
I think you can get little pop up tents for hanging showers and a toilet. Assuming you are staying at camp sites you could add one of those, although I guess if you are at a camp site they may have those facilities anyway.
Hey Nugget! I subscribe to you on my normal account and I've just subbed on this one too. I saw your recent video relating to storage and I like the cargo net idea. I might copy you.
Many thanks for that. Will have a look at the awning. Further to the pop top question, 2 adults would definately be a squeeze....only about 90cm or so wide. I tried it with a 2ft mattress & only had about 6" either side......bit of a faff getting up there too!!!😂 Suitable for 2 children I reckon. Invaluable for extra headroom & ventilaton when its hot though. Think my message came though twice so apologies for that
There's absolutely no need to apologise for multiple messages. It happens and I'm sure it's more of a technical issue than your fault. Regarding the pop top, I think you're right. I've spoken to a few people now who have said the same so I don't think my plan is a good one at all, so thank you very much for the clarity.
Hi there. Just wanted to thank you for your videos as they have been a major influence in my decision to buy an Alphard. After much much consideration I decided to go for the side conversion as like yourself, it was a trade off....flat rock n roll bed rather than wider chair bed. Only two of us though so not a problem,( and does allow room for a toilet). Can also strongly recommend a pop top....not necessarily for sleeping but the extra headroom allowing you to stand is very welcome. Another recommendation is curtains, not just on the windows but a fitted privacy curtain behind the front seats. So pleased that you are still happy with your Aplhard after a year. Only had ours a month now and could not be happier. Just wondered what awning you have as Im looking Thanks again for your help via your videos. All the best Russ.
I have just bought a Alphard but can’t get a conversion done yet. When I can I’ll check out a hard top, don’t know if anyone knows who does them for an Alphard but with a hard top you get loads more storage.
A very interesting video thank you, I have had Toyota / Lexus cars for over forty years now and never had a breakdown, if I were ever to buy a Camper van it would most certainly be an Alphard, I certainly do like the layout of your camper van.
Thank you Peter. I appreciate the kind words. I don't know if you've heard it from one of my videos but our daily car is also a Toyota and it's been superb. I won't be looking elsewhere any time soon either.
Enjoy watching your videos. I have an Elgrand that I had converted over at Northstar almost a year ago. Have you been anywhere where you use your electric hook-up or just been stealth camping? If so, was it easy to get working? Do you just plug it in or is there a switch between battery and hook up?
Thank you very much for watching. We nearly went for an Elgrand. They're great and I like the look of them. To answer your question, we've used the electric hookup plenty of times and all you've got to do is simply plug it in. Definitely helpful for trips longer than an overnight stealth camp.
Love mine, but it's just me and my dog and apart from the rear kitchen I've completely rebuilt the inside of mine so I have storage, a loo and all that. Bit harder when you have five. Also, I love my poptop for the extra height moving around and the bit of storage you can use under it, but I cannot imagine two adults up there. My 15yo nephew found it a bit claustrophobic, so make sure you take a good look at the space it actually gives before you go to that expense.
That's all really good to hear, so thank you for sharing your experiences Cheska. I really appreciate it. Maybe I need to go and see a pop top in person before making a decision.
@@OperationSolitude Definitely recommend doing that to see how it might fit your needs. I think that should be a video, can we get two people in this pop top? 🤣 I'm not going to say it's not possible, I'm just not sure it would be all that comfortable! I know you mentioned a sunshade, but have you got an awning? Would that be a better (and cheaper!) option for sleeping in and extending the living space/storage maybe?
Haha, I think you're absolutely right. Regarding an awning, we have a driveaway awning for longer trips, but I'd just like something a little easier for short breaks. Perhaps I'm just being lazy as setting up the awning isn't too much hassle (it's a Khyam XC air awning). Out of curiosity, do you have one? I'm always interested in the equipment others have (although I'm not sure my wallet appreciates that).
@@OperationSolitude I don’t have an awning but I have a Fiamma roll out shade that was on the van when I got it so I just use that with a windbreak around it. My set up is super simple really, I also have a pop up loo/shower tent that is plenty big enough for me to store things in out of the way. Also comes in handy for its intended uses when I’m on sites with no facilities or can’t take my dog into them. I understand the faff of an awning when it’s just a short trip but I guess it’s weighing up the benefits it gives. A tow bar storage box probably isn’t a bad idea if you’re struggling for space, but a roof box will stop you getting under some height barriers I would think. It takes quite a bit of time to work out exactly what you need and some trial and error along the way. Also I’m away in mine at the moment and I measured the width of the pop top for you. It’s 94 cms canvas to canvas each side,so just a shade over 3ft or the equivalent of a single bed. A bit cosy for two!
I do like the idea of a Fiamma awning too. I think they're absolutely brilliant! Thank you very much for also checking the width of your pop top. That and the comparison to a single bed really puts it into perspective. You're absolutely right that it would be a very tight squeeze for two people. I hope you're having a great time away. How's the weather? Hopefully you've had a good amount of sun without the blistering heat we've all experienced recently.
Hello, friend first of all congratulations on your machine. I am writing from Chile and I have been presented with the opportunity to buy a 2004 machine. I wanted to ask you what engine and mileage your vehicle has and if you have an oil consumption problem, since in the forums it is said that it is a rather inopportune problem that comes from the factory. Greetings.
Hello! Great to hear from you. The engine I've got is the 2.4 (AZ-FE I4) one and it's currently on around 75k miles. I believe the engine in the Toyota Camry in the US is the same and it had issues, but they aren't common with the Alphard. I don't know why though. I wonder if they were made in different factories or something.
Have a Drivelodge on ours, was already fitted by the previous owner by Northstar on the IOW. A pop top was a must for us, we'd have not bought the van without it as we needed the extra sleeping space. It's mostly excellent. Very easy to raise and lower (has a gas strut) essentially it's just held down to the vehicle by two straps and friction clamps....not massively elegant but it's simple and no electronics to fail. Only thing I'm slightly disappointed about with it is that the glue on the framing has started to give way in places, also it has two switched LED lights in it which have failed, particularly as it was only fitted in mid 2021. I was disappointed with Northstar as after asking them if they would take a look at it for us (on the basis it would also necessitate a trip to IOW), they completely washed their hands of it saying it had a 1 year installation warranty and to speak to Drivelodge - though the 5 year warranty on that likely stayed with the previous keepers and not us. Shame as I'd read and heard good things about Northstar, thought they might prove to be a little more helpful given it cost a good few grand. Note RE the side panel rubbers, I think these are black no matter the colour of the vehicle. Also the alloys are diamond cut, water eventually ingresses the lacquer and causes corrosion and delamination of the lacquer. Not a case of if but when with these finishes. Ours are doing the same but given the age it's miraculous how well they've held up. May end up getting them powder coated at some point.
I'll certainly do my best to get one for you. Is there anything that specifically interests you? The model number is 'NHZN-W57' and it's mostly in Japanese with the odd bit in English/the Latin alphabet (e.g. FM, DVD and so on) so you can work your way around the key areas. Not everything works, such as the navigation system or the radio. But I don't need either as I can use Spotify or Amazon Music via the AUX port.
Well I decided on a 3.5ltr. Vellfire but I did consider the hybrid. When I asked the importer that I'm using for advice on how easy the hybrids were to repair he simply said I don't know, we've never had one go wrong (the owners club comments seem to back that up as well)! On the fuel economy front, I've scanned the owners club and the consensus seems to be your choice should influenced by exactly how you're going to use it, it seems that they do high 20s per gallon wether it's in stop start traffic or motorways/dual carriageways whereas the 3.5 will do high teens to low 20s around town and low 30s on a run. Hope that helps.
@@simongray2533 That helps a lot and makes complete sense. I'm going to go for the Hybrid as I do a lot of stop and go traffic to commute and I want the great fuel economy as gas prices are absurd where i'm from. Enjoy your Vellfire!
@@er1cj Thank you I hope I do too (might have a look at fitting an LPG system). I'm sure the hybrid will work well for you, Toyota have been in the self charging hybrid game for a long time now and seem to have mastered it! 😁👍
I like what you have done and obviously you do like Toyotas l do too l iwn a 1997 Toyota Hilux and of course you know Toyotas are famous for there reliability and we do have tge Alphard in Australia there us one driving around were l live its used as a family vehicle and Australians like Toyotas because some of us like reliable vehicles there are plenty of other reliable Japanese brands around on one side our neighbor has two Mazdas and on the other neighbor they have a Toyota and a Mazda and we have a Suzuki and a Toyota and our family have good reliable Japanese vehicles our son owns a Suzuki Jimny and our daughter drives a Mazda 3 l could go on but you own two Toyotas very good choice
Hi thanks for the video . We have a 2008 Alphard and are looking at fitting an awning on it but having trouble finding a rail to fit. What awning and rail do have. Many thanks Roy
Hi Roy. Apologies for the late reply. I have a C rail for attaching my awning. It works well, but it could be better placed on mine (it's too far from the edge).
That sounds like the exact same kit I've got. I read good things about it online so I thought it was worth a try. Fingers crossed it is actually good for both of us.
Fuel Economy. Consimption. Are you sure you are not driving in 3rd gear. Automatic should not display 3 when driving. Its an odd strange gear knob selection unit. It should read "D" cheers from old George
I hope you are well and thanks for the tip. I honestly didn't know they sell them, so I'll definitely be getting in touch with them in the near future.
@@OperationSolitude we brought our Alphard from them and they supplied. They are a bit bulky so if you can find a strip to fill void that would save space. Also I would not put roof rack on, it restricts car parks you can go in with the height restrictions, as you mention, like us, we can park anywhere a normal car can.
@@OperationSolitude Hertford Don't sale the wedge cushions separately from their vans, but I found a solution that works really well, they are Waterproof Acid Reflux Flex Foam Large Wedge Support Sleeping Tilter Pillow-White(71cmx60cmx14cm) from Amazon. 25 quid each and you'll need two, so not the cheapest, but makes a world of difference!
Hi Paul, thanks for the suggestion. I'm definitely going to check them out. I won't grumble at the cost as I think there's a huge amount of value in having a good night's sleep!
