Campervan hire?

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

We have been looking to hire a campervan when we come back to Oz around Christmas time and I'm genuinely taken aback by the prices that are being quoted by the usual suspects.
For a two week rental the minnimum price starts at 2 grand and goes up quickly.

I don't know maybe its fair or just the time of year but it is quite steep. It also doesn't help that there seem to be very rental cars available too.

Is there anywhere that is maybe a smaller company or private dealers that are more affordable that people may know of?

[leon]

Wow, not that i have actually looked into it but that is pretty steep alright.
What company is that, I'm sure one can do better than that, and i suppose it depends on what sort of vehicle you are requiring.

Leon

[DavidTrap (David)]

Based on my experience, that price isn't too bad especially if it includes insurance, etc. It certainly wasn't our cheapest holiday by any measure.

My hunch is the prices are set to reflect the cost of a big rental car plus motel room. Granted you still pay for site fees in addition.

You're also paying peak rates, and a lot of vans must sit idle during the low season.

DT

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Originally Posted by leon

Wow, not that i have actually looked into it but that is pretty steep alright.
What company is that, I'm sure one can do better than that, and i suppose it depends on what sort of vehicle you are requiring.

Leon

That's how I feel, whether I can find better is another question though. Like you said I have never looked into it before either and we don't need a huge one, just 2 adults and 2 kids but would like a little more room than just a pop-top van.

Basically we have checked the major companies that show up on google, Budget, Britz, etc and nothing stands out as being better than the other.

Based on my experience, that price isn't too bad especially if it includes insurance, etc. It certainly wasn't our cheapest holiday by any measure.

My hunch is the prices are set to reflect the cost of a big rental car plus motel room. Granted you still pay for site fees in addition.

You're also paying peak rates, and a lot of vans must sit idle during the low season.

DT

I think you're probably right, peak rates wont help at all and if it's the market rate then I guess there isn't much choice.
I don't find it much of an incentive though to hire one at those prices.

I'll have an ask around with my family, maybe somebody knows somebody with one.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

A lot of backpackers find it better to buy then sell but of course that takes time. There used to be (still is?) quite a used car market at the hostels. I think the cheapest hire company -may- be Wicked, just based on the vehicles. Basically they take old vans, do them up (I hope) paint them in awful colour schemes (my opinion anyway) and then hire them to young backpackers. They are pretty basic but the wheels seem to keep turning.

[madwayne (Wayne)]

Hi Jarrod

You could also look at the pricing of a one way rental. Check the respective companies websites and see what they have. For example around Xmas time they may have specials from Cairns to Brisbane or Sydney so they aren't leaving fleet in the trpoics over the wet season. Similarly they will also offer some crazy discounts from Adelaide back to Melbourne. I have seen them as low as $10/day plus they reimburse you for fuel on production of receipts. If you can pick up a bargain one way you can then fly to or from that location depending on the direction of the cheap one way.

I know this stuff because I work in the industry and it is part of what I do. Who I work for has to remain nameless but we don't do campervans.

All the best.

Wayne

[leon]

Backpackers you say, the NT is crawling with them and their Wicked Vans, you should see how many jump out of them when pulled up at a freebie.

They call em Wizz Bangs up here.

If they happen top park next to you along the road some place, all you here all night is: Wizzzz, (that is opening) Bang (when they close the sliding door.)

Hence Wizz Bangs

And they pinch all the water at free camps to wash they dishes in the toilet wash basins

Leon

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Hi Wayne,

Some interesting points there, I suspect a bit more digging might be needed and it may vary from different pick up points in the one city. I don't know until I check.
We have been checking one way as that was our idea but are flexible on that, Adelaide to Perth or Darwin was what we were looking at. Another issue that many companies want a 2 week minnimum hire, not all of them though.
Plus finding a rental car out of Adelaide is not easy, they all say sold out or contact for quote, I'm not sure if that's because it's so far a way or they are all genuinely out of cars.

I'm sure we can find one though with some crearive looking.

Those Wicked vans, as much as I'm sure they serve a purpose are not really what we are after.

[DavidTrap (David)]

If you need something to cater for 2 Adults & 2 kids, I'm surprised you are only being quote $2k for 2weeks. Check out all the add on expenses. We paid considerably more than that for 10days in Tassie last Christmas - admittedly we hired the biggest van with a dual cabin so the 6 & 4yo were in proper seats, not sitting around the dining table where we couldn't see them. Once you add in fuel and site fees, it's definitely not a cheap holiday.

DT

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

You're right about that, that's basically the starting point with the smallest van available without any extras and add ons.
For a bigger van it can go much higher.

I think just a rental car/4wd will be the way to go in the end.