Do you dream of hitting the road and exploring Auckland in a campervan? Picture this: you, your mates, and the wide-open Auckland road in a vehicle that caters to your every need. Yes, staying in hotels is great, but in a campervan, you can cut down your accommodation costs to next to nothing. But having the right campervan for your trip makes all the difference.
When choosing the right van for your trip, there are a few specifics you should never overlook, as they will impact your experience. So, to help you, we’ve compiled a list of things you need to do before hiring a campervan.
1. Find a reputable campervan rental company
When you’re searching for campervans, no matter how good the deal looks, always check the company’s reviews before booking. While most companies are straightforward with their offers and policies, nothing beats getting advice from people who have experienced their services first-hand.
2. Choose the right size campervan
Go big or go home is what we’d like to say when renting a campervan – or at least as big as you need to be comfortable. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in a vehicle, so the last thing you want is to feel cluttered. The size of the campervan you choose will depend on your budget, how long you’ll be travelling for, how many people are coming along for the ride, and what items you’re bringing. The more space you have, the more comfortable you’re going to feel, so if your budget allows for it, rather take the bigger option.
3. A campervan with a bathroom is a MUST-HAVE
When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go! While some people’s bodily functions are set like clockwork, others are less predictable. With this in mind, you should always go for a campervan with a bathroom on board – especially if you’re travelling with kids. Bathrooms are also brilliant for freshening up because sitting inside a vehicle, it’s highly likely you’re going to start smelling some BO. Having a bathroom on board also means you can avoid using public restrooms.
4. Check what extra facilities are included
What makes renting a campervan such a wonderful experience is that they are usually kitted out with everything…including the kitchen sink. Some extra things to look out for to show that you’ve got a good deal on your campervan rental include bedding, a heating system, kitchen equipment, outdoor tables and chairs, and a GPS navigator. This way, you’ll be prepared for almost anything on your road trip.
5. Check the specifics of pick-up and drop-off
Hiring a campervan to travel around Auckland is a popular holiday activity, which means the company must check its vehicles after every rental to ensure they’re in good order for the next rental. This is why almost all campervan rental companies have designated pick-up and drop-off times and locations. Not checking the specifics means you arrive to pick up your vehicle and find it won’t be ready for hours, or if you drop it off too late, you may face penalties.
6. Check driver age restrictions
Always confirm if there is an age restriction for drivers, as most companies will only allow drivers who are 21 and older. Some campervan rental companies may require drivers under the age of 25 to pay a young driver surcharge as there is a perceived higher risk associated with young drivers.
It’s not common to find restrictions for older drivers, but for those over the age of 75, you should check the rental requirements, just in case. Some companies may require you to provide a medical certificate along with your valid driver’s license to ensure you’re fit to operate a campervan.
7. Check your cancellation policy
Always check the company’s payment and cancellation fee policies before hiring. Usually, companies will require a deposit to secure your rental. There will be a cancellation fee if you cancel your booking. There is generally a grace period, but if not cancelled within a certain time frame, you will probably be charged the full amount.
8. Always know your mileage restrictions
Another important thing to consider when hiring a campervan to travel around Auckland is that most companies have daily mileage restrictions. The daily mileage allowance for most campervan rentals is typically between 160 to 250 kilometres. Should you exceed your daily mileage stated in the rental agreement, you will be charged accordingly. If you’re going to be travelling a lot throughout your road trip, consider a campervan without the mileage restriction – it may be more expensive initially, but it’ll save you in the end.
9. Know the insurance details
Anything can happen on a road trip, so before booking, you should always ask about insurance. Be as thorough as possible. You need to enquire about exactly what insurance covers and what it excludes before you sign anything. The good news is that most credit cards will provide insurance when you use them to pay for the rental, but you must familiarise yourself with all the policies.
10. Book your van well in advance
Once you’ve found the van you want – book it straight away! Waiting until the last minute to book your campervan almost always ends in disappointment as they’re always in high demand, especially during peak seasons. As a bonus for booking far enough in advance, some companies like to sweeten the deal by offering significant discounts.
Final Thoughts
Your perfect Auckland road trip requires the best campervan available, and by keeping these tips in mind when you’re looking for a rental, you can avoid getting a dud. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, so might as well make sure it’s a good one.