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Self Contained Motorhome Or Sleeper Van Choosing The Right Vehicle For Your New Zealand Holiday
inding the right vehicle finished product is a modern,
for your holiday can be a easy to drive vehicle.
daunting prospect, with
many choices and differing Motorhomes on the other hand have
terminology. Review the options a cabin built on a van or light
and discover the pitfalls in truck chassis. Typically
choosing a rental vehicle for constructed from fibre glass,
independent travel through New with alluminium skin over plywood
Zealand. occasionally used, the cabin is
wider than the chassis base
With a myriad of labels used to making Motorhomes more spacious.
describe vehicles for the Driving is reasonable straight
independent traveller, such as forward and models available for
Campervan, Camper, Motorhome, rental only require a standard
Motor Home, Winnebago, RV, Combi, driver's licence.
Kombi, Class-A, Class-B and
Class-C to name a few, choosing Motorhomes and Campervans are
the right kind of vehicle can be self-contained and support you
confusing from the outset. with the comforts of home, albeit
miniaturised. Self-contained
The common terms used in New vehicles have a sink, hob or
Zealand are Camper or Campervan, cooker, fridge, toilet and
Motorhome and Sleeper Van. shower. The level of
Campers are vans that have been self-containment varies but there
converted for independent travel is a New Zealand Standard (NZS
and contain similar features to 5465:2001) developed by the New
their larger cousin, the Zealand Motor Caravan Association
Motorhome. A Fiat Ducato or Ford (NZMCA), a body that represents
Transit style of van is popular private motorhome owners. The
for these conversions and the rental motorhome companies are
starting to take their vehicle able to stand. Sleeper Vans can
though the certification process have some elements of
and it is worthwhile enquiring self-containment, such as a
about this as you research rental cooker and small refrigerator
options. The essence of the allowing lunch or a light meal to
self-containment standard states be made while out on the road.
a vehicle must be designed to Sleeper vans, like campers, are
completely meet the ablutionary easy to drive.
and sanitary needs of the
occupants for at least three What makes for the best
days, be equipped with water independent traveller vehicle
storage tanks for drinking and comes down to personal preference
cooking and have waste water and a balance between cost,
holding tanks. comfort and the type of holiday
you're after.
A Sleeper Van is a Camper that
does not meet the Perhaps the best place to start
self-containment criteria. Beware is deciding where you want to
that this definition is not overnight, as this impact on the
industry wide and it is not type of vehicle that will be
uncommon for a Sleeper Van to be suitable and also affects your
referred to as a Campervan, budget. There are four options
simply because the vehicle is a for overnighting in New Zealand.
van rather than a car. Purpose
built Sleeper Vans are frequently 1) Native Parks – is a network of
constructed from people movers, rural properties and businesses
such as Toyota's offering, and that welcome travellers. You can
from station wagons. Because of stay on these properties free of
the type of vehicle used in charge, meets the local people
construction it is uncommon to and see a bit of their lives. A
great way to see NZ beyond the campervan would make life more
beautiful scenery and they are comfortable. They are often in
not crowded. There's a real mix very scenic locations and cheaper
of people involved from large than privately operated camping
wineries to small artist plus grounds. Same situation occurs
action and adventure like diving, after Christmas as with other
limestone caving and horse campgrounds. See
trekking. You do need a http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/00
self-contained 3~Huts-Cabins-and-Campsites/Conse
motorhome/campervan. Check out rvation-Campsites/index.asp
http://www.nativeparks.co.nz/
4) Free / Wild / Freedom camping
2) Campgrounds – there are a - just parking up wherever.
large number of campground that Rarely permitted in much of NZ,
follow a traditional format. In though you can get away with it
recent years the number of if you're sensible. Rules on
campgrounds has been in decline, freedom camping vary from
so they can get very busy in peak district to district. The Native
season (Christmas they are at Parks guidebook highlights what's
capacity through to the end of permitted in each district. In
February), so it is advisable to general terms do not overnight in
book ahead. The following sites "No Camping" areas or near
might help www.topparks.co.nz or established camping grounds. It
www.familyparks.co.nz is advisable to be at least 10km
from the urban boundary of any
3) DoC Campground (Department of town or city. New Zealand is a
Conservation) - typically have pretty safe place but because
fewer facilities than other wild camping is in public spaces
established campgrounds, so a you are exposed to some risk. To
self-contained motorhome / free camp a self-contain
motorhome/camper is a must. considerations for comfort and
again it comes down to personal
If you prefer staying in camping preference. Do you need to make
grounds, but don't want the up the bed each night? Is there
hassle of a tent a Sleeper Van space to have some time out from
may be a good fit. Do bear in your travelling companion(s)? Is
mind that an established camping there an awing to provide shade?
ground costs between $30 - $40 How about appliances like
NZD per night for a couple, so it microwave and air conditioning
is possible for a Sleeper Van to (NB power hungry appliances only
cost more than a self-contained work when the vehicle is
vehicle with the use of some of connected to mains power)? These
the options above on the odd can be found in smaller vehicles
night. If you do want to get away so size shouldn't be the only
from it all, or you're looking criteria when it comes to
for more comfort, a measuring comfort. If you are
self-contained vehicle will be tall do ask about the ceiling
the way to go. height.
Past the obvious vehicle rental So there are a number of things
costs things to consider are to consider when determining what
whether extra charges for one-way will be the right vehicle for
rentals apply, what the insurance your holiday. As with any
options are and whether road user purchase it is worth seeking out
charges for diesel vehicles is a company that backs up their
included. vehicle with service and
professionalism. These won't be
The easiest measure of comfort is hard to find, but if you are
size, though it is not the full looking for a starting point
story. There are many other there are a few suggestions on
the Native Parks website.
About the Author:
Adrian Tonks is the founder and CEO of Native Parks (http://www.nativeparks.co.nz/) - a NZ business providing free overnighting sites for visitors touring New Zealand in rental campervans and motorhomes.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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