Frequently Asked Questions About 4x4 Camper Hire in New Zealand

Campsites and Caravan Parks. We strongly recommend you stay in a campsite (caravan (RV) park). New Zealand has an extensive network of caravan parks in all major tourist centres and most towns.

Powered sites enable you to connect your vehicle to electricity. The cost is listed separately on campsite websites.

Yes, most vehicles have onboard heating.

All campervans have some form of cooking. These are gas powered bench top cookers. There are not usually ovens (furnaces) However, many are equipped with microwaves that will operate when you are "plugged in" to a mains electricity supply.

Even the small low-tops or sleeper cars have cool boxes. Larger vehicles have fully functioning fridges that are powered by battery or gas or the mains. (Three way fridges)

You can sleep and eat in these campers. Some have solar showers that you can hang off the back and others offer portaloos. But you are not able to free-camp in these campers.

Two, three, four, five, six and seven berth campervans and motorhomes have built in toilets and showers.

The casette toilets are clean and easy to use. Empty them regularly by disposing of the contents at "dump stations" on campsites or in public toilets. Hose out each time and replace the blue liquid to keep the odours to a minimum. Keep the fresh water tank topped up.

Water tanks:

There are two tanks:

• Clean water tank.

• Fill this with the water from taps. Boil it for drinking. This provides water for the shower and for the sink for washing up.

• Waste water

• from the shower and the sink is collected in a grey water tank. You must empty this at a dump station on a campsite or at a public dump station.

Some vehicles have on board displays to show how much water is in the tanks.

Note: If you are in an area where the temperature drops below zero, the water tanks will automatically empty to prevent pipes freezing.

Note:

If you are in an area where the temperature drops below zero, the water tanks will automatically empty to prevent pipes freezing.

Winterising is the process of draining all water from the tanks and pipes when vehicles are taken to areas where the temperature drops below zero to prevent damage to pipes and tanks. This means that you are not able to use the shower, toilet or sinks.

The batteries provide power for between 12 - 20 hours when fully charged depending on use. There are two sets of batteries in a campervan or motorhome. One is standard that runs the engine and the other set provides you with electricity (power) for all the lights, pumps, shower, fridge etc

These batteries re-charge when you are driving the campervan. They will also re-charge when you are plugged in on a powered campsite. Idling the engine won't provide enough power to recharge the house battery.

When you are connected via a cable on a powered site, all equipment automatically runs on mains power rather than the battery. Appliances such as the television, microwave, rear air-conditioning and power points only run on mains power.

For the 12 Volt system to work, the 12 Volt main switch must be in the 'on' position. All vehicles can be connected to 240 Volt mains power via the supplied 15 Amp extension lead with large earth pin.

Each shower pump uses the battery system on board the campervan. The water is heated via the gas supply from a gas bottle stored in an outside compartment of the campervan. You will be shown this when you collect your campervan.

Please ensure that your water tanks and gas bottles are kept full. There is fresh water on all campsites and parks. Gas bottles can be re-fuelled at most garages, petrol stations.

This varies from company to company. The more expensive the campervan the more that is included. You will usually have bedding and living equipment such as cooking equipment, eating utensils, bath and tea towels included. If there are any extra charges for these, you will see them listed when you make your booking request. The will be referred to as household kit or vehicle kit. We list what is included in a note. Sometimes items such as outdoor table and chairs or bbq's cost extra.

You will need to ensure that you have child seats booked before hiring. Some companies do not supply these. Please check. Other companies have specific policies that cover child restraints. You may be asked to supply age and weight of your children if child seats or booster seats are required.

When you are driving a low-top or hi-top campervan it is just like driving a large car. Don't take the corners quickly and don't try to drive as fast as a car. You are carrying your sleeping and cooking equipment.

The campervans that have onboard showers and toilets are easy to drive too. They have big mirrors for good visibility. Get someone to watch you reverse. The vehicles are longer and higher than cars and you can't always see bollards etc.

Motorhomes with "lutons", the bed that is above the cab, are also easy to drive. These vehicles are easy to manoevre but you will find that they are slower than cars and you need to take corners slower than you would in a car. Watch out when driving close to hedges that you don't bump the overhang above the cab. Also, get someone to watch when you are reversing.

These vehicles all have power assisted steering. The seating position is higher than in a car for great views.

Normal rules apply when driving. Watch your speed limit as some restrictions apply.

Learn about driving rules in New Zealand here.

Some companies provide complimentary supplies such as dishwashing liquid, dishcloth, coffee, tea and sugar. However, we recommend stocking up soon after you collect your campervan. Ask at the desk where your nearest supermarket/shop is. Don't forget the essentials such as cooking oil, salt, pepper, butter, milk, bread.

Check with your phone provider. Turn off roaming so that you don't incur charges. It may be cheaper to hire a phone or buy a local sim card for your own phone while you are travelling. There is an abundance of internet hot spots and most campsites offer this facility.Many cafes have free wifi and campsites.

We strongly recommend you use soft bags instead of suitcases for your luggage. Soft bags take up less room and fit more easily into the storage cupboards and lockers in the vehicle.

Some larger vehicles have "garages" big enough for bikes, surf gear etc.

If you are returning your campervan to the depot that you collected it from then there is usually a locked storage area to keep your luggage while you are on your holiday.

A valid, current car driver's licence must be produced for everyone intending to drive a rental vehicle. State, overseas or international licences are acceptable.

All vehicles come with a spare tyre and equipment needed in the event of a tyre change. You should make sure you have a roadside assistance phone number when you collect your campervan in the rare event you need help.

Most campervans and motorhomes can play MP3 and CDs. Newer vehicles have usb connections.

Most cameras are now digital. You can store your photos on the cloud when travelling or buy extra sd cards. Travelling with a small lap top or notebook can enhance your journey by searching information on your destination.

These are full and comprehensive. They are listed on the booking page when you make your booking and there is a link at the bottom of the page where you put in your payment details. Read these before you make your booking. Please ask if you need anything explained further.

Some fees may apply if you cancel your rental booking.

Toll roads are roads which charge a fee in exchange for access through to your destination.

You are responsible for paying toll fees, so it is important to be aware of these roads before you travel.

Yes. You will have a dedicated staff member take you on a tour of the vehicle when you arrive at the branch. They will ensure that you are familiar with all of the features before you leave. For some basic information about operating the vehicle, please read the rental guide. Make sure you know how the vehicle works before you leave the depot. At busy times at peak season the introduction session may be quite quick. But, you can always call the depot to ask questions once you are on the road if you are unsure of anything. The vehicles have operating instructions included in the glove box usually.

Most campervan and motorhome hire suppliers provides free internet at most of the branches.

Yes bike racks are an option when you rent a campervan or motorhome in New Zealand. You must hire a bike rack if you are taking your own bikes. Bikes are not allowed to be stored inside the motorhome or camper van. If you take your own bikes then store them on the racks or in the garage area of the campervan.

This is sometimes offered as an additional option to rent.

This is offered as an additional option. Some companies will charge extra for this. If they do, then it is listed and you will clearly see the cost displayed before you book.

Vehicles are hired with unlimited mileage included in the hire.

Check to make sure that if there is more than one driver that you have additional insurance to cover all additional drivers.

Most companies will not hire to drivers under 21 but there are some exceptions. There is not usually an upper age limit as long as the driver has a valid driving licence.

This is sometimes offered as as additional hire option. You can take your own GPS device and download the appropriate regional maps.

Most campervans and motorhomes have air-conditioning in the driver's cab that operates when driving. Additional air-conditioning in the rear of the vehicle is offered in some cases at an additional charge. This will not operate until you are on a mains electrical supply. So, an electrical hook up in a campsite or connected to the mains supply at a house or hotel.

Book early. Some companies put the prices up the nearer you get to pick up date. Book early and those prices are fixed.

Book for longer. Check out the over 21 day rate and the over 35 day rate. It is always worth having a look before you book as you may be able to go for longer for the same amount of money.

Older vehicles are cheaper than newer ones.

Larger vehicles are more expensive than smaller ones.

Avoid one-way hires that are less than 14 days in length.

Watch out for our special discounts and offers that are updated daily on our website.

Discounts on Campervan and Motorhome Rental in New Zealand

Travel outside of high season.

Book early ( think I said that before, but it's the best way!)

Also check out our special offers and discounts here