The beauty of New Zealand is unmatched. From winding coastal routes to stunning alpine passes, there's always a new vista to explore. While the views are second to none, being prepared and confident in your vehicle is the key to a relaxing adventure. Understanding the essential motorhome hire safety features will keep you safe and give you the peace of mind to fully enjoy the journey.
This guide will walk you through the crucial safety technology and onboard equipment you should expect in a quality motorhome rental. It will ensure that your New Zealand motorhome rental safety is prioritised for a trip that's memorable for all the right reasons.
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How do modern safety features make driving a motorhome easier?
Modern safety features make driving a motorhome significantly easier by acting as an intelligent co-pilot that helps you manage the vehicle’s size and weight, especially in challenging conditions.
When choosing a motorhome, it’s important to look beyond the surface at the underlying safety technology. Be aware that some brands opt for a more basic chassis to reduce costs, which often means fewer active safety features. For true peace of mind, look for models equipped with a full suite of sophisticated systems that work in the background to provide that crucial extra layer of security.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a safety feature that stops your wheels from locking up when you brake suddenly. This is important for two reasons. First, it means you can still steer the vehicle while braking hard, helping you avoid obstacles. Second, it greatly reduces the chance of the vehicle going into a dangerous skid. This added control is essential for driving safely on New Zealand's varied roads, whether you're on a wet city street in Dunedin or a loose gravel road in the Mackenzie Basin.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a sophisticated safety system that continuously monitors a vehicle's stability and the driver's steering. If it detects a loss of traction that could lead to a skid, particularly on winding roads or in strong crosswinds, the system automatically intervenes. By applying precise braking force to individual wheels, ESC actively corrects the vehicle's course to bring it back into a stable line. For a large vehicle like a motorhome, this function is a major advantage, as it helps prevent a loss of control from escalating into an avoidable incident.
What specific driver-assist features should I look for in a rental motorhome?
You should look for a suite of key technologies that make a real difference on the road. Beyond the core safety systems like ABS and ESC, many newer motorhomes are equipped with advanced driver assist features. You’re unlikely to find these safety features standard across rental RVs, so it’s worth checking motorhome hire websites and asking their customer service which ones they have.
Driver assist technologies can significantly enhance your driving comfort and safety — making long days behind the steering wheel less tiring and providing an extra layer of protection on NZ's varied roads.
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that allows you to set a specific speed for your vehicle. Once activated, it automatically manages the accelerator to maintain that speed without you needing to keep your foot on the pedal. This function offers several key advantages on long journeys. The main benefit is a reduction in driver fatigue, which leads to a more comfortable and less strenuous drive. It also helps you maintain a consistent and safe speed, reducing the risk of accidental speeding fines on New Zealand's long stretches of highway.
Lane support
Unintentional lane drift can be a real risk on long journeys, particularly on New Zealand’s single-lane state highways. Lane Support is an active safety feature designed to mitigate this by helping the driver remain centred in their lane.
The system monitors the vehicle's position between the road markings. If it detects a drift to the left or right without an indicator being activated, it provides a timely intervention. This can range from a visual or audible alert to warn the driver, to a gentle, corrective steering input that helps guide the vehicle safely back on course.
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The lane support camera is mounted at the top of the front windscreen and reads the line markings on the road. If the camera picks up your motorhome drifting towards the road markings without your indicator on, it’ll show a dashboard warning signal, often accompanied by an audible alert or steering wheel vibration. After the warning signal, it’ll gently adjust the steering to centre your motorhome in the lane. Dale McLeish — Wilderness’ Christchurch Workshop Leader |
Driver drowsiness detection
As captivating as the beauty of New Zealand’s scenery is, long drives over three hours can be tiring, particularly if you’re not used to challenging winding roads.
The driver drowsiness detection feature can be your vigilant guardian, constantly monitoring your driving patterns for any signs of fatigue. If it notices irregular steering or lane behaviour, it'll send an alert reminding you it's time for a refreshing break.
Take a look at our top ten motorhome rest spots on New Zealand roads for places to pull over when you need a driving break.
Hill holder
New Zealand is a country full of hills of all shapes and sizes, meaning you’ll be driving around, up and over plenty of slopes on your motorhome road trip. Some modern motorhomes have hill holder technology, which can be a real confidence booster if you’re not used to hill starts in larger vehicles.
Wilderness motorhomes are equipped with features such as Steep Hill Assist, which help with driving on steep hills by automatically selecting the best gears or using the engine to control speed when descending.
Read our guide to driving a motorhome in New Zealand for the first time.
Reversing camera
Manoeuvring a motorhome can be daunting, especially for first-timers. A backup camera is an indispensable tool that removes the guesswork from parking and reversing. It provides a clear view of what's directly behind you, helping you to safely navigate campsites and parking spaces without the stress of navigating a large vehicle's blind spots.
While a reversing camera is a fantastic tool, your travel companion is your best co-pilot for navigating tight spaces. We always recommend having them stand outside the motorhome, guiding you with clear, pre-agreed hand signals that you can see in your side mirrors. Most incidents happen when in reverse, so we recommend you take a moment to use a companion as a spotter and be aware of your surroundings before you move off.
Final thoughts
It's important to remember that these advanced safety features are not standard across all motorhome rental fleets. Many older vehicles, or those built to a lower price point, may not include systems like Electronic Stability Control.
Our modern German-made vehicles are engineered with the comprehensive safety features a private owner would expect, setting them apart from more basic models. This provides the highest level of protection, allowing you to navigate New Zealand's challenging roads and unpredictable weather with confidence.
How can I be sure the motorhome is safe to live and sleep in?
You can be sure a motorhome is safe to live and sleep in by verifying it has the correct legal certifications and is equipped with essential safety devices. A professionally maintained rental motorhome in New Zealand must have current Gas and Electrical Certificates of Fitness, which are your legal proof that these crucial systems have been inspected and are safe to use.
Motorhome fire safety equipment is a must. Every quality rental motorhome must have at least one easily accessible fire extinguisher. Before you start your trip, take a moment to locate it and familiarise yourself with its operation.
As part of your RV security measures, store valuables out of sight. Ensure all windows are closed and locked when you leave the vehicle.
Protecting your passengers
For the safety of everyone on board, it is important to understand that New Zealand road law requires every passenger to wear a seatbelt at all times while the motorhome is in motion. This is a legal requirement that applies to everyone in the vehicle, in every seat, not just a guideline. This law also applies strictly to children, who are required to be secured in an approved child restraint appropriate for their age and size.
When travelling with children, always ensure they are correctly secured in their child restraint for the entire journey. If you are renting a seat from a motorhome operator, confirm that it is from a reputable brand with a high safety rating. While staff may assist with the installation, it is ultimately the parent's or guardian's responsibility to verify that the seat is fitted correctly and that your child is secure before you start driving.
For a detailed guide, please see our blog on securing your child in a motorhome.
After a great day of exploration, a comfortable and safe night's sleep is essential for recharging your batteries. Whether you're freedom camping under the stars or staying in a holiday park, our blog, Tips for Safe Sleeping in Your Campervan, offers practical advice, from choosing a secure location to preparing your vehicle for the night.
Your safety on the road is our highest priority. That's why we've chosen a fleet of premium, German-made motorhomes from brands like Bürstner and Carado. Unlike many other providers in NZ, our motorhomes are designed to be owned, rather than rented out, meaning they’re built to a higher standard with more advanced safety features included.
Explore our range of premium European motorhomes and see why a safer vehicle makes for a better adventure.
See our guide to choosing a Wilderness motorhome — all designed with owners in mind to ensure a high build standard and strong focus on safety features.
