Key Points - Motorhome Rental in New Zealand
FACT is that the choice of Campervan or Motorhome Rental in New Zealand is huge. There are so many vehicles and hire companies, that I'm often left wondering how all these businesses can make a decent living when there is so much competition. During the peak summer season, however, it is obvious that New Zealand (in my eyes) is the best country for Campervan travel in the world. The infrastructure provided is second to none. Therefore, believe it or not, all campervan companies are booked out to their last vehicle! From mid December and throughout January you won't be able to find a spare campervan anywhere in NZ. So if you are planning to travel during peak season - book your vehicle well in advance!
When deciding which motorhome rental is best for you, there are a few key things to consider other than obvious ones of price and size.
BIGGER is not always better when it comes to motorhome rentals. Check out unencumbered floor space, manoeuvrability, ease of parking and travel speed before choosing.
New Zealand law restricts vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (as most full-size motorhome rentals are) to a maximum speed of 90 km/h (56mph) compared with lighter vehicles which can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Once the rental motorhome length gets over 6.5m, manoeuvrability and parking become significantly more challenging. Many of New Zealand's most scenic roads are narrow and winding. While the experienced driver of bigger rental motorhome can tackle most of these, those less confident often choose to avoid them. The long rental motorhome won't fit in a normal city parking space so you will need to find a parking area that accommodates larger vehicles. Parking at camping sites can also be tricky as you try to squeeze between other rental motorhome and obstacles such as trees and buildings.
AGE doesn't always equate to the general quality of the rental motorhome. Some brand new rental motorhomes are very basic, poorly designed and cheaply constructed. That's because the motorhome rental company saved money by cutting corners. Other companies build a new living compartment in an older base vehicle. They save money on buying campervans that may be five or more years old. Be sure to check vehicle mileage and reliability because no matter how new the living compartment is, you won't enjoy the motorhome rental if you're broken down on the side of the road.
You can save your holiday in New Zealand by choosing a motorhome rental that's not in the new category but is still young (say three to six years). A rental motorhome in this category has usually done less than 200,000km and if it's well maintained, will be reliable and present your ideal New Zealand rental campervan.
SPECIFICATIONS of each type of motorhome rental can vary widely. A motorhome rental with a build-in shower and toilet cubicle will cost more. Be sure to check that the bathroom is big enough to shower in. The alternative is a motorhome rental with a portable camping toilet and camping shower. So if you're planning to mainly stay at holiday parks then you can save by choosing a rental motorhome with a portable toilet (for emergencies) rather than a built-in bathroom. Too many extra fixtures such as TV/DVD, microwave oven and other appliances can take up valueable space in the living area. Having more is not always better.
EXTRA FEES are to watch out for! Many motorhome rental companies advertise a low daily hire rate but then charge you for all the extras such as camping tables and chairs, child seats and snow chains. In fact, some go as far as charging extra for motorhome cleaning, compulsory insurance, additional drivers, linen, beddng, full gas bottle, paying by credit card, motorhome registration, travelling one way plus many other creative ways of extracting money from you.
When comparing motorhome rental companies, be sure to check all hidden costs first.
The Team at Pro Camper are specialized in New Zealand Rental Motorhomes and Campervan Hire. They stay up to date with industry developments, vehicle quality and have in-depth knowledge of the rental terms and conditions of all NZ motorhome rental companies.
Let them assist you with your upcoming motorhome rental in NZ. Start the process now with simply filling in their Motorhome & Campervan Rental Enquiry Form. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Posted by Gigi - 21 March, 2013 at 4:54 pm, Posted in Motorhome Rental New Zealand
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