AlN epilayers were grown on a c-plane sapphire substrate using hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). A series of AlN epilayers were grown at $1120^{circ}C$ with V/III ratios 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5, and the influence of V/III ratio on their properties was investigated. As the V/III ratio was increased, the surface roughness (RMS roughness), Raman shift of $E_2$ high peaks and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of symmetrical (002) & asymmetrical (102) of the AlN epilayers increased. However, the intensities of the Raman $E_2$ high peaks were reduced. This indicates that the crystal quality of the grown AlN epilayers was degraded by activation of the parasitic reaction as the V/III ratio was increased. Smooth surface, stress free and high crystal quality AlN epilayers were obtained at the V/III ratio of 1.5. The crystal quality of AlNepilayers is worsened by the promotion of three-dimensional (3D) growth mode when the flow of $NH_3$ is high.