Coastal Campers Review

Editors Review

Last Updated: 28th March 2021

Coastal Campers New Zealand is a small rental company offering campervans and motorhomes from 2-6 berths. They have a depot in Whitianga but will arrange drop off and collection in Auckland for NZ$100 each way. Even if they are a small business, they seriously have a great reputation.

About Coastal Campers 

The company started some time ago in Whitianga when the family came back from a vacation in the United States, where they had used a motorhome for a year and enjoyed the convenience. Upon returning to New Zealand, they decided to explore their own country and used the same mode of transportation. Their mission is now to provide that same experience for their customers. If you’re concerned about where your dollars will be going, you can rest assured that the money will be going right to the family. They are a small, singular company, a literal “mom and pop” operation that provides affordable yet quality RV rentals. Aside from their depot in Whitianga, they service Auckland. 

Since you are renting a campervan, you will surely experience freedom camping all throughout. But you need to take note that there are different freedom camping rules in each NZ area. So, better check ahead to ensure smoother and safer campervan adventure. 

Fleet

The fleet is quite attractive for a small company. These are well-cared for and have minimum ‘signage’, which makes for a tasteful and more discreet vacation. In other words, there are not a lot of colorful logos plastered all over the sides of your rental, meaning it will be a little harder to tell “here comes a tourist!” Additionally, the fleet is enough to have a diverse variety available for choosing. It is divided into campervans and motorhomes, ranging from 2 to 6 berth units. The vehicles’ ages are not publicized, but you will be advised of the vehicle age upon booking. It appears the vehicles range from new to five years of age. 

The extras that are included in your rental are numerous and give a special, personal touch that many of the bigger companies seem to have forgotten. Extras that are included are kitchenware, cookware, utensils, crockery, towels, bedding, toilet chemicals, and outdoor equipment (tables, chairs, etc.). There are also extras available such as strollers, bike racks, and fishing kits for hire. 

Vehicles

2 Berth Campervan

With a capacity of up to 2 persons, these LDV Freestyler units still leave enough space for moving around. It comes with modern, elegant interiors that make it much cosier to relax inside the camper. This isn't most traditional campervans as it offers a shower and toilet, panoramic windows, large rear lounge, and complete cooking facilities. You can easily convert the rear area into a double bed, plus the walkthrough access makes everything more convenient. 

4 Berth Motorhome

Moving forward, they've got a great option for groups of 4. But instead of a campervan, they now offer their Mitsubishi Fuso Canter motorhome. This unit is designed for practical accommodation on the road. It has a permanent double cabover bed and a convertible king-sized bed from its rear living space. Also, there's a kitchen that is complete with all sorts of cooking elements such as range hood, gas cooker, microwave, and more. Because of its versatile layout, there's still more room inside as well as extra storage space. Also, this one got tether points for child seats, which means you can bring your kids along. 

6 Berth Motorhome

Last but definitely not the least is their 6 berth motorhomes. These are also Mitsubishi Fuso Canter models but much more functional in terms of interiors. This now comes with two living quarters―one located at the back of the front seats and the other at the rear. Both alter into sleeping areas at nighttime. But if you want more spacious sleeping space, opt for the rear area that offers a king-sized bed. Just like the two previously-mentioned units, this one also provides a shower and toilet along with other amenities like kitchen, DVD players, hot & cold running water, and more. There are also tether points inside this unit, hence a great option for families with kids. 

Insurance

There is a $16/ day requirement for the insurance, which will be taken via credit card imprint. Accordingly, the excess is $1500 ($2000 for drivers aged between 21 to 24 years old. There are no other reduction options to limit your possible liability. 

Reputation

Because they are a small company, they have a solid reputation for providing personalized customer service and immediate remedies to any problems that arise. For the majority of your trip, you will be dealing directly with the owners. They are keen on their reputation of being honest, direct, upfront about pricing, and understanding that accidents happen. The small motorhome rental company is quite good at handling problems as they arise, and ensure that hirers are fully aware of how all the equipment works prior to letting them leave on their holiday.

As far as rates and fees go, each quote is personalized on a case-by-case basis and will depend upon your duration of the holiday, type of vehicle you are hiring, and any extras you wish to add on to your service. There are rates available with each vehicle, but they do not include extras that you may wish to have. Though they only have three rental options to choose from, they work hard to provide a good service at a fair price, and the feedback they get from customers reflects their dedication.

Summary

Coastal Campers will give you a decent range of deals for a wide range of pricing―whether you are a couple, small families, or group of friends. A bit out of the way, they are definitely worth the extra kilometers.