What’s Included in Premium vs Standard Campervan Rentals in New Zealand?

Companies offering premium motorhomes for hire have a number of key distinctions that raise them well above the level of standard rental operators.

Quality of the fleet and its construction

You should expect to find a modern fleet of high-quality recreational vehicles — and these RVs will often be built with superior materials and skill.

The fleet will be well maintained, thoroughly cleaned, and have contemporary features and amenities. It may contain a range of vehicles that come from manufacturers with a reputation for:

• Excellent construction and drivability
  
  

• Durability and longevity
  
  

• High quality beds
  
  

• User-friendly layouts
  
  

• Luxurious interiors.

Well appointed design

The exterior and interior of a premium motorhome operator’s fleet will be more modern and stylish. The vehicles could feature sleek lines, high-end finishes and attention to detail to embellish their overall aesthetic.

Brand reputation

Internationally-recognised brands with a history of excellence in the industry and a record of delivering reliable vehicles are more likely to be offered by premium motorhome rental operators.

The reputation of the operator is linked to the reliability and quality of the RV brands it offers for hire — and the customer service it provides.

Customer service

Prioritising attentive customer service is a standout attribute of any premium motorhome rental company. You should expect:

• Personalised assistance — throughout the rental booking process
  
  

• A thorough orientation of the motorhome
  
  

• Time to ask questions and gain clarification — on how parts of your motorhome hire work
  
  

• Roadside assistance — from dawn until evening
  
  

• Attentive service — that goes the extra mile to help you enjoy your holiday.

Learn more about the premium difference for your motorhome hire. 

Comfort and convenience

Premium motorhome rental companies are dedicated to making every customer’s experience memorable. They’ll want you to feel supremely comfortable, and your adventure to be easy and convenient by offering:

• Made up beds — the ultimate representation of comfort and convenience in a motorhome where you won’t have to worry about organising bedding
  
  

• Luxurious features and amenities — like high-quality furniture, appliances, bedding, entertainment, lighting and fixtures
  
  

• A spacious layout — with an advanced heating and climate control system
  
  

• Technology — via touchscreen panels, smart home systems, advanced navigation and enhanced connectivity to WiFi
  
  

• Plenty of smart storage space options.

Safety

You should expect modern safety systems when hiring a premium motorhome or campervan. It should have all the driving comfort and safety features you’d get in a modern car, such as a rearview camera, an advanced braking system, stability control and a collision warning system.

The rearview camera is particularly important as reversing into obstacles is the most common type of damage from motorhome hires. Look for a reversing camera with a wide field of view and a display screen with high resolution.

For more information, read our guide to modern motorhome safety features in NZ.

Transparency

Hidden costs can be frustrating when you’re planning a holiday around a certain budget. You’ll likely find that premium motorhome operators are more transparent about their costs — including most charges in their base rates.

If you want to stay connected while on your motorhome holiday, you may want to add onboard WiFi. If you intend on riding some trails, seek out a bike rack. If you plan to ski, look for snow chains. Some rental operators keep snow chains in their motorhomes so that they're available if the weather changes — even if you weren't planning to drive in snowy conditions.

Find out whether onboard WiFi or mobile data is the best solution for your road trip.

Extra services

A rental experience can be elevated when extra or unexpected services are part of the package. Such services could include:

• Providing airport or hotel transfers
  
  

• Pre-stocking a few kitchen supplies
  
  

• Having outdoor accessories available — like camping chairs, a table and even a barbecue.

If you choose a mid-range or a budget motorhome hire, expect a lower standard of vehicle and service.

Learn more about luxury campervan hires in New Zealand and travelling in the ultimate premium motorhome — The Suite.

Regardless of which category of motorhome you choose to rent in New Zealand, there are some items that are always included, such as:

• Kitchenware — like pots, pans, cups, plates and utensils
  
  

• Towels
  
  

• Bedding — sheets, pillows, pillowcases, a duvet and a blanket.

Better quality usually comes with a more premium product. To experience a great night’s sleep in a motorhome, you’ll need exceptional quality mattresses, linen, duvets and pillows — and a premium RV should provide those.

Below we’ve outlined what to expect to have included in a premium motorhome — like the ones you can hire from Wilderness.

Wilderness Motorhome Inclusions *

*As of November 2024

Quantity is as important as quality. Expect two towels for each passenger plus a bathroom mat. And if you’re on the road for more than a couple of weeks, make sure you get an extra set of linen and towels.

If you decide to rent a premium motorhome, you should only have to bring your own food, clothing, personal electronics and any outdoor toys. Items like those in the table above should be included in your hire.

Learn everything you’ll need to know about motorhome power.

The world post-covid has altered what’s normal when it comes to flexibility for you as a traveller — especially when you change or cancel a booking. However, this isn’t the case in the motorhome hire industry.

Take a close look at what each rental operator is offering until you find the flexibility you need. Flexible terms to cancel or change reservations vary across the industry.

Some hire companies may charge a fee for cancellations made up to two months before your hire start date. Others may impose the fee only if you cancel within seven days before pick up. It's also important to be aware of any variations in the cancellation period between high and low seasons.

Gain a better understanding of motorhome companies’ terms and conditions.

Hiring a motorhome or campervan in New Zealand comes with comprehensive insurance cover as it’s required by New Zealand law. You can expect this to be included in your daily rental fee.

Similar to other types of insurance, like for a car, your motorhome insurance will have an excess or a deductible. This means that if there’s any damage to your RV, you’ll be liable for a certain amount — usually up to $7500 for each incident.

The benefits of choosing zero excess liability

Consider purchasing a liability reduction option or an excess waiver to give yourself peace of mind while travelling. Liability reduction options reduce your financial liability in case you have an accident or cause damage to your all-inclusive motorhome hire.

Some operators will offer complementary items when you choose their zero excess liability option.

These can include:

• Outdoor furniture — like camping chairs and a camping table
  
  

• Child seats — or booster seats
  
  

• Snow chains
  
  

• Road user charge (RUC) recovery fee — the charge levied on all diesel vehicles used on New Zealand roads.

The example below from Wilderness shows the type of insurance options that might be available when booking through a premium motorhome operator.

Wilderness Motorhome Insurance Options *

*As of November 2024

Find out which motorhome insurance option would suit you best.

You’ll know that you’re dealing with a premium motorhome hire operator if there aren’t any hidden fees or charges — ones that appear later in the booking process.

Standard motorhome or campervan rental companies often add:

• Surcharges for public holidays
  
  

• Fees for additional drivers
  
  

• Charges for one-way hires. 

This can be frustrating and significantly increase your total hire cost. Credit card fees usually have the most substantial impact on the end price of your rental — but they’re common in New Zealand and can vary widely.

If you’re choosing to book through a premium motorhome rental company, expect similar additional charges as those outlined below.

Wilderness' fees and surcharges *

*As of November 2024

When booking a motorhome holiday online, the most common add-ons you’ll encounter are the insurance and a one way fee. You’ll usually find these near the end of the booking process.

Shop around to compare which add-ons are available from each operator — but expect to be able to purchase items like booster seats, snow chains, bike racks and unlimited WiFi.

Watch out for add-ons like a full gas bottle on pickup. Although likely to be included in a premium operator’s base rate, it may be payable when hiring through a standard motorhome company.

Some motorhome rental companies prefer to promote a lower base rate to attract you to their website. They may then add compulsory charges, or fees for items you expected to be included later on during the booking process.

Other more premium operators prefer to have a transparent strategy with more inclusions and exclusive add-ons. An example of this approach is shown below with the extras that Wilderness offers.

List of Wilderness' add-ons

*As of November 2024

As you begin the process of booking a motorhome or campervan holiday, be aware that the lead-in price can influence which RV you hire. But it’s worthwhile comparing final rental prices after insurance, transfers, surcharges, fees and necessary add-ons are included. Take a deeper look into all the costs of a rental motorhome.

You may just find that a standard motorhome isn’t too different in price to a premium one.