FAQ – No Worries, We've Got You

Planning a roadtrip through Aotearoa can raise a few questions – no worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are the answers to the stuff people ask us most. And if you’re still wondering about something, just flick us a message – we’re happy to help!
Are your campervans self-contained?

Absolutely! All of our campervans are self-contained and meet the new regulations – you can freedom camp where it’s permitted.

There is no heater in the camper compartment, but there are several options for keeping warm out on your adventure. If you opt for a linen pack there is a duvet and extra blanket included to keep you cozy. If you don’t want to do that then you can pick up hot water bottles in most supermarkets or if you are planning on plugging in at a campground then pick yourself up a heater for those chilly times.
All ARV campers come with a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs.
The camper battery will generally last 2 days. All ARV campers come with solar panels attached so no need to worry your battery will be good to go for your entire trip.
Yes, most ARV camper models can be plugged in to 240V and have the required certification and leads onboard. The exception is the ARV Sleeper model – this model however does have a solar panel to keep the fridge keeping your drinks cool
With 5 different models of ARV camper as well as the vast differences in terrain across New Zealand it’s hard to pinpoint, however we would say the average fuel consumption of our campers to 11-14 litres/100km.
There is a variation between each ARV model, but all our campers hold between 55-70 litres. Emptying your grey water and refilling your freshwater tanks is a simple task. All hoses and attachments to do so are in your ARV camper.

Linen packages can be added for a fee of $100/pack/hire.
Each linen pack includes:

What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Need flexibility? We can arrange pick-ups and drop-offs outside of business hours!

Getting to us is easy! Simply take an Uber or taxi—our location is just an 18-minute
drive from Christchurch Airport. You’ll find us at 3/638 Maddisons Road, Christchurch 7675. We’re the third property up the sealed driveway.

What are the options from getting from one island to the other? If you wish to travel between the South and North Islands of New Zealand, you will need to book a ferry crossing. Over the summer holiday period this will need to be done in advance. There are 2 different companies that offer this service, and each run several crossings per day.
What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel your booking the following fees occur:

Yes, we have a minimum hire period of 2 days.
Definitely! Our campervan daily rate decreases the more days you hire. For hires over 30 days, we offer further discounted rates on a case-by-case basis. Just reach out to us with your plans!

Yes and No!
If you are planning on freedom camping you won’t be able to pre book as they are generally a first come first served basis. These often have a limit of 1 or 2 nights stay – please be courteous and move on when your time is up.
Some of the DOC (department of conservation) sites are bookable and it is advisable to do so over the summer period.

If you are planning on staying in a commercial campground it is best to
contact them ahead of time to book a spot as they are often booked out well in
advance.

Do you offer a $0 excess insurance policy?
Yes – we sure do, just click the “Stress free” insurance option when making your booking and you are set to go.
You will need to be at least 21 years of age to hire an ARV camper. There is an increased insurance excess for drivers aged 21-24 years.
If you have a breakdown (rather than an accident) you can phone the NZI roadside rescue team on 0800 694 737 and they will instruct you on the next steps.
If your matter is not urgent please email bookings.arv@gmail.com and we will respond during office hours.
If you choose the “Stress free” insurance option 2x tyres and 1x windscreen will be covered for the duration of your trip. You can also upgrade any other insurance package for $7/day to include the 2x tyres and 1x windscreen as described above.