Camper vans are becoming increasingly popular. The relentless rise of this industry, which has seen a 120 percent increase in registrations in recent years, demonstrates that people prefer to take a vacation while still having their home with them.
The increasing popularity of this type of recreational vehicle is reflected in an unprecedented demand for camper van rentals, as people want to experience this world before making a commitment to purchase one. In this section, we will go over the most important considerations when renting a camper van or van conversion.
There are several important factors to make when hiring a campervan:
There is one consideration that must be made while hiring a campervan, and that is the fact that we will be living in a very limited area at our residence. Camper vans with full bathrooms are common, although there are also others that don’t have them. There are versions available that do not have an inside shower or do not have a shower at all. There are outdoor showers, solar portable showers, wet wipes, and not showering as often as you would like to be.
1. Cleaning
Cleaning might be a hindrance for certain users, as well as an additional work to do. Showering in a camper (whether indoors or outdoors) requires that the levels of both the clean and grey water tanks be maintained at a constant level. A simple blunder might result in you being unable to shower.
And, while we’re on the subject of unclean water, another topic that might be crucial for certain people is the use of a chemical restroom. There are a variety of options, ranging from complete toilets to vans with nothing to meet your needs, to the convenient portable chemical toilets. There are no differences between the cassette and portable systems: a tank where water and human waste are housed, into which water must be poured beforehand, and a liquid responsible for chemically controlling waste.
It is necessary to empty the residues and search for disposal sites for these wastes. It is also necessary to clean the tanks if necessary. A logistical and, to a certain extent, eschatological work that has nothing to do with the pleasant “I close my cup and toss my chain” from home, but which is above all a necessary one. If you are certain that you are interested in hiring a camper van, we can move on with the process.
2. How many people are going to be travelling in the camper?
When hiring a campervan for a vacation or weekend break, the first thing to ask yourself is how many people will be travelling with you and your vehicle. And this is true since the number of people will decide the sort of van that we will select, but we must distinguish between places to go and places to sleep when making this decision.
A camper van, depending on its type and configuration, can have up to nine places to travel listed in the data sheet, all with their seats and approved seat belts. When it comes to sleep, the distribution of the bed or beds will be restricted to the space and distribution chosen for the interior and, in some cases, will condemn a significant portion of those locations. Alternatively, a camper van with two seats suitable for travel and two beds to accommodate four people during the night can be used as a vehicle.
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3. Making the right choice for your adventure buddies is even more critical
Obviously, having a reliable travelling companion is essential to the success of any adventure. The need of privacy becomes apparent when discussing the prospect of spending many days living together in a very, very small environment with little or no private…
Communicate your requirements, preferences, and expectations in plain language. Make certain that everyone wants the same thing and that you are aware of any potential limits or difficulties associated with such a journey before you embark on it. Nobody wants to spend their vacation in a van with someone who wakes up at the least sound and becomes grumpy when they haven’t gotten enough sleep.
Alternatively, with someone who is unable to keep a bare minimum of order in a situation where storage space is limited and widespread. It’s possible that your friend who can’t spend a day without showering is also the perfect partner, depending on the situation. As a result, specify the type of travel thoroughly and refine the filtering process.
4. When it comes to insurance, the cheapest option might be the most expensive
The majority of van rental firms provide extremely minimal insurance with a rather large deductible. Increasing or decreasing coverage normally entails an additional financial outlay, although it is frequently well worth it. It should be rated based on your previous driving expertise, the type of terrain you will be driving on, the condition and age of the car.
And, before you go, double-check everything to ensure that you are not being held responsible for harm that was already present. And if you are renting between people, it is preferable to do it through a platform that provides you with assurances and always has contracts in place between the parties.
5. Information is power
Accumulating as much knowledge as you can before departing will help you to improvise more effectively once you arrive. You are not need to have everything tied before you go, but you must be aware of the possibilities available to you. Investigation: Find out all you can about the route you intend to take, including road conditions, available overnight accommodations (if you are traveling to another nation), and any laws that may apply to sleeping in public places.
On the other hand, make an effort to anticipate and resolve any technical issues that may develop in advance of them occurring. Learn how to connect the power, how to operate the gas, if there is any, how to operate the heating, how to charge the water tanks, how to empty the black and grey water, and other important information about your home.
Remember that these deposits may only be emptied at locations that have been designated for this purpose, and that this will not be the most scenic portion of the journey. Of course, another alternative is to avoid it entirely by refraining from utilizing the restroom facilities provided in the van.
6. Driving a van is a very different experience from driving a vehicle.
Practice driving one if you’ve never done it before getting on the road. Please keep in mind that because of their larger height, they are less stable. When passing, parking, or turning, keep in mind that the vehicle is far longer than you are accustomed to.
Finally, keep in mind that the maximum speed for vans on ordinary routes is 90 kilometers per hour and 100 kilometers per hour on highways and motorways. In terms of speed limits on the rest of the roads, the maximum allowed is 80 km / h, with the exception of the city, where the same restriction as for passenger cars is maintained, namely 50 km / h.
7. The length of the vehicle is not as crucial as it appears (in principle)
This may be the first item to be brought up, but that is not the case in practice. There are those who travel alone or as a couple who enjoy a lot of room, and then there are families with one or two children who do just well in a medium or small camper van, depending on their needs.
From a tiny van, such as the Peugeot Rifter, where a couple may sleep in the bed in the back area and a kid on an extra bed in the front seats, with just enough space to make life inside (while always seated), to a large camper van, there is something for everyone.
There are many more possibilities available with the latter, but the most important advantage they provide is internal habitability that is comparable to that of a motorhome. Being able to cook or dress while standing up and sitting at a table, while someone else is sleeping in bed, is a wonderful luxury.
8. Interior habitability
The type of use that we intend to put the van to, both during the day and at night, must be taken into consideration in addition to the van’s physical dimensions. Camper vans offer a lot of living space, but they don’t offer a lot of storage room. This is particularly true for regular travelers. The interior layout is fairly varied.
It is preferable to have a medium or big van while travelling with family or when we anticipate that we will be spending a lot of time within. A medium or large van will allow us to remain inside with several people for several hours in comfort. If, on the other hand, the van’s sole purpose is to serve as a place to sleep, having comfy beds would suffice.
Another aspect to consider when renting a campervan is to inquire of the owner as to whether or not proper thermal and acoustic insulation of the inside has been installed beneath the panels. Summer and winter, the difference between a well-insulated vehicle and one that is not may transform nights into a sweltering experience in both.
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9. Van equipment
Camping accommodations can be outfitted in a variety of ways, from austere to luxurious, with all of the amenities of a conventional apartment, but on wheels; they can even be customized to meet specific needs.
A bed and a piece of furniture where you can store a few belongings may be found in even the most basic camper vans available for hire. From then, the number of possibilities increases in tandem with the price. A kitchen unit with a refrigerator, a small sink, and a kitchen where you can make meals is considered basic equipment by the majority of people.
A full bathroom, or a bathroom with a full-scale yet complete bathroom, with a sink, toilet, and shower is one of the most desired pieces of equipment among newbies to the camper world. Obviously, lowering interior habitability necessitates the installation of clean and dirty water tanks, as well as a heater, in addition to the reduction in interior habitability.
10. Everything you could possibly want in a camper accessory
Accessories, like equipment, may make life on board a camper more comfortable, and vice versa. Beginning with the basics, such as a second battery, moving on to a current inverter for connecting small electrical gadgets, and finally the crucial assistance of stationary heaters, which are handy even in the summer if we travel up the mountain.
Other things, such as televisions or Wi-Fi connection points, might be scrutinized by the most demanding customers. In vans that do not have a closed bathroom, it is normal that they are not rented with a portable chemical toilet (it is something too personal), so you will have to look for life in nature or resort to alternative solutions.
Overall, camper vans are a virtual cosmos, so we’ll have to be more or less specific about what we want and don’t want before picking which one to use for our next road trip or vacation.
The equipment that comes with the campervan rental is an important consideration. Overall, automobiles are provided in a ready-to-use condition, however you should check to see if they include critical components such as:
Linens.
gas cooker.
Kitchenware.
Tables and chairs to make things easier when you’re not in the vehicle.
11. The cost of renting a camper van
Last but not least, you will have to compare the rental pricing of camper vans to see which one best meets your needs, but the reality is that there aren’t many significant variations between them. The most affordable camper vans cost roughly 70-80 euros per night in low season and 100 euros per night in peak season, and they are often Volkswagen Transporter combi-type campervans with minimum camperization, such as the Volkswagen Transporter.
For something a little more complex, like as the Volkswagen California or Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, prices start at approximately 85-95 euros per night out of season and rise to 110-120 euros per night during the busy summer months. Citroen Jumper L2H2 camper vans in high demand command an average daily rate of roughly 95 euros in low season and as much as 150 euros in hot season, according to the company.
Every rental firm has its own set of terms and restrictions. Some rental companies provide unlimited miles in the price, but in exchange, they ask a minimum number of days or nights of rental. Normally, the price includes insurance with a deductible, but they have the right to charge an extra sum for cleaning if the items are not returned in excellent condition as described.
In terms of flexibility in terms of collection and delivery times and days, as well as the amount of bonds available, there is more variability. This is in addition to the services that can be contracted as add-ons, such as delivery, transportation to and from airports, towels and additional bedding, and bicycle racks.
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