Hi all.
Me and 3 of my friends are planning a two-week trip from Queenstown to Auckland on the early March.
Cheapest self-contained motorhome for 4 people I found is JUCY Compass, which is still $223 for car and $55 for insurance daily. So 15 days rental is roughly $NZ 4100.00.
Do you know about some cheaper alternative?
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
Maybe juggle around with this https://www.imoova.com/imoova/relocations?region_id=2 and get travel insurance to cover hire car excess rather than the hirers insurance. Australia post travel insurance isn't to bad.
https://www.motorhomerepublic.com/
Used this website in June of 2017 to score a NZD$524 campervan for 9 days. It was billed as a four berth — would have been tight for 4.
I'm thinking of buying… then selling when Im finished .
Probably will go for 1 month.
It would be somewhat risky. IMO worth the risks for how much would save. If get a good deal on buying, and if fairly easy to sell for same price 1 month later, you get 1 months use free.
Of course, might have trouble selling before flight home.
And I'm not sure about how the laws work with owning and registration of a vehicle when your from another country.
I would also consider, look for adds on gumtree etc selling, then ask if they might be interested in renting it for a month or however long it's needed. Again, added risk, but reckon I would pay about quarter of what rental place charges.
There might be something like carnextdoor etc, in new zealand, where you can connect though site to rent car privately from regular person, rather than through hire company.
i thought things like that could take quite a long time to sell.
There is a risk of that. If get a great deal at purchase time, can afford to sell for a great price though.
Of course selling at cheaper price, makes it easier/faster to sell.
If it's anything like the campervan scene and backpacker scene in Australia, there is plenty of people wanting to buy.
I wonder if ebay auction is ok, as a seller of vehicle. That might be a viable option, if can't sell in time, list at auction for definite sale to highest bidder. Could have non-paying bidder though.
Lots of risk involved but rewards/savings would be worth it IMO. Don't do it unless you're good with finding bargains on cars here in Aus though.
as soon as u buy it u prob need to list it for sale haha
@bohn: Lol, this could actually work though tbh. Would have to look into whether eBay car sales is any good as seller.
Anyway, say your staying for 4 weeks, have the sale done 2 weeks before you leave, deposit left and 'sold' but with agreed delivery date and finalisation of sale to be just before you leave :)
Would have to be a decent amount deposit, so they don't bale out on final payment at last minute . And for their security of purchase, could sign a contract saying you will definitely sell them the vehicle upon receiving final payment
I have hired a camper a number of times in NZ, but all in winter as the prices are much lower and I like to ski.
The Jucy camper you are looking at is tiny, is it two couples or four friends? It will be real real cosy, are you sure you want to spend 15 days in a confined space (it will be small and it will be tight)? In addition, pack light as fitting your luggage could be problematic. (With any camper, it is always best to use a duffle type bag as they store much better).
Going one way is generally more expensive too, deals can be had on one-way rentals but timing can be unpredictable and availability only known a couple of weeks to a couple of days out. Also do you need to go in March? If you can delay until May or even June/July/August you will pay significantly less, 75% off or better than their peak rates. I have paid as little as $30 a day for a much larger 6 berth camper with toilet & shower.
As to insurance excess reduction, it is a rip off. I make sure that I have travel insurance that will cover whatever the amount of the excess is. That said the excess on campers is a lot, generally in the $5000 to $10000 range and they will want to hold this amount on a CC. (You need a card that has that amount available and that you don't need for your trip). If you do need to make a claim, it will be a pain doing it this way though. The camper company will keep the money and you need to go through the process of getting all the paper work/quotes etc. for you travel insurer, it can take a few months before you will see any money from travel insurance. Also note, overhead damage (hitting a tree or parking garage etc.) is generally not covered in a camper van.
NZ is an awesome place (especially the south island) and doing it in a camper is one of the best ways to do it, but do some price comparisons. As due to the popularity of campers, I have found that from October – March hiring a car and staying in motels is generally cheaper and with four of you, I think it would be a better option, unless you can spring for a much larger van.
Hi JmanNick,
Like your previous trips we are heading in winter, touching down up North and campervanning from Christchurch to Queenstown, the well trodden non bargain route. Hoping to get a few runs in on the slopes as well.
Do you have a preferred campervan company you tend to go with for price and quality?
I've also heard it gets pretty nippy at that time of year. I'm pretty warm blooded but my girlfriend gets cold easily and is concerned there will be no good heating in the van. Any experience or advice there from your experience?
We are considering going for a Britz Venturer Plus (https://www.britz.com/nz/en/campervan-hire/2-plus-1-berth-ve…).
Would appreciate any feedback you might have.
Thanks mate
Go to vroomvroomvroom.com select 'campervans' and search; apply a filter for 4-berth.
I saw deals from 'Budget Campers' and 'Freedom Campers' that were a lot cheaper.
I know nothing about these companies.