The Different Types of Motorhomes for Rent in New Zealand

Walking through a New Zealand campsite can feel like visiting a showroom of RV choices, from tiny vans to bus-sized luxury rigs. Choosing the wrong one to rent doesn't just mean bad nights’ sleep awaits — it can also affect where you're legally allowed to stay and how much you enjoy the drive.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned motorhome traveller in NZ, knowing the difference between a Luton and a low profile recreational vehicle will help you book the right RV.

In this blog, we shed some light on the different kinds of rental motorhomes and campervans in New Zealand. We discuss the right number of berths for your group, the difference between premium and budget RVs, and the major trade-offs you’ll encounter.

What’s the difference between a campervan and a motorhome in New Zealand?

Motorhomes offer purpose-built living spaces with permanent beds and bathrooms, while campervans are more compact van conversions with basic amenities.

In New Zealand, the terms motorhome and campervan are often used interchangeably although there are distinct differences between each.

Motorhomes are built on van or truck chassis allowing for spacious living areas, comfy beds with proper mattresses and well-equipped kitchens — while often being certified self-contained (CSC) so you can freedom camp legally. They come in a range of different layouts and sizes.

Campervans are usually converted vans which have their interiors outfitted with make-up beds and small kitchenettes. Although they’re relatively easy to park, the usable interior space is often less than that of most motorhomes. 

What types of campervans can you rent in New Zealand?

You can choose from a basic sleepervan if you want something simple and cheaper, or a high-top campervan that offers more headroom and basic facilities.

Sleepervans

As the most basic recreational vehicle on the road, a sleepervan may be the right option if you’re a minimalist. Often based on small vans like the Toyota Hiace, they’re simple, affordable and easy to drive and park — with a bed and basic gear.

If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, and are conscious of your budget, plus you intend to spend most of your time outdoors while only using the RV for sleeping, consider a sleepervan.

High-top campervans

This kind of campervan comes with an extended roofline — offering a more spacious interior feel than low-roof models like sleepervans. Often featuring more storage space than standard vans and a portable toilet, high-top campervans make cooking and getting changed slightly easier.

What kinds of motorhomes can you hire in NZ?

Common motorhome types include aerodynamic semi-integrated models, family-friendly cabover designs and luxury integrated bus-style motorhomes with seamless interior spaces. You should expect the comfort of premium features like insulation, heating and a separate shower space.

When you step into the world of motorhomes, you’re looking at recreational vehicles designed for living — not just sleeping. Knowing more about these motorhome classes in NZ will help you understand why they’re more comfortable than campervans.

Semi-integrated motorhomes

Sleek and aerodynamic, semi-integrated or low profile motorhomes often feature drop down and permanent beds — making them ideal if you plan to travel as an individual, couple or small family.

Semi-integrated motorhomes have an easy transition from the cab to the living area, which is usually quite spacious with any drop down beds stored in the ceiling.

Cabover motorhomes

With its iconic additional space above the cab, the Cabover or Luton motorhome is perfect if you’re a family needing a maximum number of sleeping spots.

This type is easily recognisable by its large bulge that extends over the cab. It’s a design which can offer six sleeping berths without being excessively long — or free up floor space in the living and kitchen areas.

Integrated motorhomes

The luxury bus style of the integrated motorhome comes from the cab and living area being one seamless space — with a focus on panoramic views and extra interior width. This can make the interior space feel like a small studio apartment.

A rarity as a hire vehicle on New Zealand roads, the integrated motorhome may be your ultimate choice if you’re seeking a glamping experience on wheels. However, you’ll need to be very comfortable driving a longer vehicle down narrow, winding roads.

The right number of berths for your travel group

Choosing the right number of berths ensures everyone in your travel party has a legal seatbelt and a comfortable, dedicated space to sleep.

In recreational vehicle terms, a berth means a sleeping space inside a motorhome or campervan — so an RV with four berths can sleep four people. Certain numbers of berths are more common than others in motorhomes in New Zealand.

Two berth motorhomes

If you’re a single traveller or couple, a recreational vehicle with two berths is all you’ll need. However, not all two berth RVs are equal, as:

• A budget two berth campervan will likely have a table that needs dismantling so you can make the bed every evening
  
  

• A premium two berth motorhome will probably feature a fixed double bed enabling you to rest or sleep without any work setting it up.

Two berth RVs are also likely to be shorter in length than four or six berth motorhomes — making them easier to drive and park.

Check out our Compact for 2 motorhome — the perfect one for couples.

Four berth motorhomes

Often considered a versatile option for families, two couples or small groups, the four berth motorhome typically has two double beds — or a king and a double.

You’ll enjoy the spaciousness of both a permanent bedroom and living area, with a privacy door to separate the two spaces.

Take a look at our King-twin for four, Double for four and The Suite options — each with space-saving drop down beds.

Six berth motorhomes

Six berth motorhomes have extra interior capacity to safely and comfortably seat and sleep more people. Essentially small houses on wheels, they’re ideal for larger families though require you to have more confidence parking, driving and reversing due to their greater size.

See our guide to choosing a Wilderness motorhome to find out about the entire range.

Premium versus budget motorhomes in New Zealand

Recreational hire vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, lengths and layouts — from budget campervans to premium motorhomes.

Choosing between a budget and a premium motorhome affects much more than just the daily rental price. It’s also about the age of the vehicle, the quality of its onboard systems like heating and insulation, and your overall level of comfort.

Budget RV operators

While mechanically sound, many budget RVs lack insulation and are often part of fleets that are five to ten years old. They may also not be set up for legal freedom camping.

In the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn, a budget campervan can get very cold at night. Many rely on small electric fan heaters that only work when you’re plugged in at paid campgrounds.

Premium RV operators

Premium operators like Wilderness focus on newer European-built models with average ages between zero and four years. These feature full insulation, double glazing and central heating systems that run on gas or diesel — meaning you can stay toasty warm in the middle of nowhere without a power cord in sight.

Premium motorhomes can also include inverters, allowing you to charge your phone, laptop and camera directly from the house battery while camping off-grid. You’ll also enjoy better entertainment options, including optional onboard Wi-Fi and Smart TVs.

Find out about luxury motorhome hires in New Zealand.

Certified self-contained motorhomes and freedom camping

In New Zealand, the difference between a non-self-contained and a self-contained recreational vehicle is whether you can take it off-grid for at least three days and be self-sufficient.

To be self-sufficient and meet NZ’s freedom camping laws, your motorhome needs to be certified self-contained (CSC). This means that it must have a fixed toilet with a holding tank to store wastewater, fresh and grey water storage tanks and a sealed rubbish bin.

Recent law changes mean portable toilets no longer meet self-containment standards — a permanently fixed toilet is now mandatory for legal freedom camping. Fines for illegal camping have increased to upwards of NZ$400, so be sure to check the CSC status of your rental RV before committing.

Understand NZ’s freedom camping regulations for CSC motorhomes.

What trade-offs should you consider when hiring a motorhome?

Selecting a motorhome involves balancing your desire for interior space and permanent beds against the vehicle's ease of manoeuvrability. Motorhomes have a variety of internal configurations, so the model you choose will be a trade off between what you can and can’t have.

You’ll have to weigh up:

• Permanent beds versus a nightly bed set up — a fixed bed takes up space all day whereas a dinette conversion requires ten minutes of furniture Tetris every night
  
  

• The drop down bed innovation — travelling with a drop down bed that allows for four berths yet feels like a spacious two berth during the day may appeal to you
  
  

• Better manoeuvrability or greater interior space — often a more compact two berth motorhome is easier to drive but offers less room to move about inside compared to a four berth
  
  

• Off-grid capability — your rental motorhome may come with gas heating for cold nights off-the-grid, or only have plug-in or central heating that needs powered campsites to operate
  
  

• A wet or dry bathroom — where the shower and toilet are combined but everything gets wet when you shower, or features a swivel door to protect the bathroom from getting wet during showers. Some larger motorhomes contain separate showers and toilets to avoid this issue while offering more space and storage for your bathroom utensils.

Learn more about motorhome layouts to help make a smarter decision.

Choosing the ideal motorhome for your travel group

RV types, berths and trade-offs are all important aspects to think about when deciding which motorhome will best suit your family or group of friends. Also keep in mind:

• Sleeping arrangements — are you happy to share a bed, or does your group need individual sleeping spots to ensure everyone sleeps well?
  
  

• Privacy — do you need separate living zones for kid naps or to enjoy some much-needed quiet space during the day?
  
  

• Trip length — is a permanent bed and additional living space worth the extra vehicle length if you’re planning a longer holiday?
  
  

• Driver confidence — how comfortable are you driving a longer vehicle on narrower roads?
  
  

• Self-containment — does the campervan have a certificate that allows you to freedom camp in NZ?
  
  

• Budget versus value — is the lowest daily rental rate your priority, or is it worth investing in a premium motorhome that offers superior insulation, heating and off-grid power?

New Zealand has an array of different campervans and motorhomes available to rent, offering different numbers of berths with a variety of layouts, on a scale of budget to premium quality. 

Ultimately, the recreational vehicle that matches your finances, group size, travel lifestyle and holiday plans will be your best choice.

Check out our complete guide to finding your ideal motorhome rental in NZ.