New Zealand motorhome hire

[barge1914]

Well the daughter is finally emigrating to NZ, I guess next year we’ll have to make that trip we always wanted to do; a two month circuit of both Islands. Found quite a few threads about places to go. However we would appreciate any feedback / advice on hiring a motorhome over there, best companies to rent from to avoid hassle etc. There seems to be a lot of choice but I know quite a few folks who’ve been given really badly maintained old bangers. I’ve looked at the costs of taking a van over, but for the timescale it doesn’t really stack up. We’re looking for something reasonable, 2 berth, autonomous, decent quality. It won’t be cheap we know...but what the hell, we doubt we’ll be doing it again...the creaking anatomy doesn’t tolerate that length of flight too often!

 

[MarkJ]

Me too. Had friends who were disappointed with what they hired.

 

[dalspa]

Some friends (tuggers) of ours toured from South Island to North Island for two months starting in February of this year. They hired through Maui motorhomes and found the van very good. I read somewhere that it is a bit cheaper if you start on the South Island as most people do it the other way, so you are returning the vehicle for them.

 

[izwozral]

Don't use Adventure Vans, they are a bunch of sharks renting out death traps.

One way you could travel cheaply is to approach some of the bigger players and put your name down for transporting MH's between cities and the two Islands. We met a 21 year old German lad who was delivering a 7 berth, 1 year old MH from north to south of North Island. He was given 5 days to travel and he paid $30 which covered his insurance, he was then booked to do the reverse trip with another MH.

Iz & I will be looking to do the same next time we go.

 

[Discokegs]

As was said above I hired with Maui too but back in 2005. It was cheaper going south to north whether that be using on both islands or if just on the north renting in wellington and leaving it in Auckland.

 

[Polar Bear]

Hi.
We did all of February only doing South Island as there is so much to see didn't have time to go north.
We had a 2 berth from Britz Campervans for hire in New Zealand - Rent a campervan | Britz NZ and found it very usable.
A tip if they are still doing it? They put an alarm on the clutch pedal the goes off if you don't get off the clutch instantly so no riding it on hill starts. If you look at the clutch pedal you will see the power lead on the switch, just pull it off and no more alarm going off all the time. it’s a fab place to visit.


Looking at the site it appears that they have changed all their motors to automatics.

 

[tadpole58]

we went with Wilderness - Motorhomes & Campervan Hire New Zealand | Wilderness

they were excellent: a competitive price; good quality vans; and really helpful people.