One year on: a review of my Toyota Alphard camper van (episode 8)

Join me for a one year review of owning my Toyota Alphard, a JDM MPV that was imported from Japan and converted to a camper van in 2021 by Northstar Conversions.

Since then we've used it for camping and many day trips and in this video I talk through what I like, don't like and upcoming changes to make it suit the needs of my family better.

#campervan #camping #campervanbuild #campervantour

[OperationSolitude]

I don't know if this video is useful or entertaining, but I want to apologise again for my absence on YouTube. 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!

[太郎スティック]

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.

[MyFoxworld]

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 👍

[worldhello]

@5:00 Yes, but LPG conversions are available since over 20 years by now and LPG is almost half the price of fuel.

[sophieg]

Thanks for all the videos! Very useful, plus entertaining, well done.

[Russtynailer]

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 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

[reggiesixtyseven]

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.

[Nuggetsvanlife]

I love my Alpharetta and also debating what I can do with it to make mine more suited to my style. Thanx for sharing buddy

[tnetroP]

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.

[Russtynailer]

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.

[marcandsebe]

I have seen these with elevating pop top roofs That would be a must have for me.

[carenza]

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.

[Russtynailer]

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

[yourplumbingpal]

Your videos are great thank you very much. Helps greatly in choosing vehicles.

[carrington]

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.

[allseeing]

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.

[ercj]

Anyone Hybrid Alphard owners? Wondering about the reliability of the CVT transmission. Love the videos keep it up!

[jennifermcgoo]

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.

[lesklower]

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

[johndavies]

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.