[NewHope]

Hi,

I have a couple questions on RV (Campervan). I am going to rent a campervan for about a week. The problem is that I never drove one before and don't know the logistics involved in using one.

For example, can you really park anywhere? (at least legal and reasonable place) or do you have to stay in one of those 'Holiday Parks'? That kind of beat the purpose of having a campervan in the first place right?

What about toilet? I know that in states there are 'dumping stations'. Is it the same in NZ and how do you go about finding one? Do you have to 'clear' it often?

Thanks.

[mylesdw]

There are some places you can't camp but these are usually clearly labelled, otherwise it's pretty much where you like.

There are plenty of dumping stations and I expect your hirer will give you a book with their locations. A lot are in camping grounds but some are just on towns and on main roads.

As to how often, that really depends on how many people and how much you make use of it. It could be daily and it could be weekly!

[NewHope]

Do you have to pay to use the dumping stations? Is it kind of too cold now to use a campervan? (Early May)

[JandM]

Is it kind of too cold now to use a campervan? (Early May)
The answer partly depends on you and what you're used to, of course. Also, you need to think about which part of the country you're intending visiting - the south of South Island will obviously be quite a bit colder than farther north. In general, though, decent camper vans are fitted out to make you comfortable. The one we hired in August 2007 had insulation and a heater, and also double the amount of bedding and hot water bottles.

[mylesdw]

You don't have to pay for the public dumping stations but you might have to for one in a privately owned camp. It won't be expensive.

We toured the SI years ago in a camper in winter: snow on the ground, frosty mornings and it was fine.

[monkey tennis]

Good Q's
I was just about to ask something similar.

One of my NZ books says In remote locations, travellers can park in a rest area near the roadside...

There are some places you can't camp but these are usually clearly labelled, otherwise it's pretty much where you like.


Really, is this true ? (I hope so)
I don't want to be arrested, told off or even mumbled about behind my back.

[NewHope]

Coming from close to the equator to 1 Degree C in a day is going to be a challenge I think :D

I wonder if the heater will suck out a lot on the batteries. Nothing worst than a flat battery in the middle of nowhere.

Which company did you use?

The answer partly depends on you and what you're used to, of course. Also, you need to think about which part of the country you're intending visiting - the south of South Island will obviously be quite a bit colder than farther north. In general, though, decent camper vans are fitted out to make you comfortable. The one we hired in August 2007 had insulation and a heater, and also double the amount of bedding and hot water bottles.

[JandM]

We used Spaceships. http://www.spaceshipsrentals.co.nz/

The vans have two batteries, one for the engine and one for the facilities.:) So you won't get stuck on account of keeping warm.

[mylesdw]

Any heater almost certainly won't use the batteries. The van we hired all those years ago had an electric blower heater that only worked when the van was hooked up to the mains. On very cold mornings not on a site we sometimes ran the gas hob to warm things up a little until we got rolling and the vehicle engine heater came on.

[vectis cple]

My wife and I are planning a visit soon and found the information here to be very helpful.
http://www.wendekreisen.co.nz/info/index.html

hope you do too.

M&G