1

That plans sounds even more expensive. You probably get quite a good rate if you hire a camper long term (i would guess somewhere between NZD 30 and NZD 50/day, depending on the model). But i think it would be cheaper to just buy a van from a backpacker (check the notice board in hostels) or have a look at trademe: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravans-motorhomes/motorhomes and sort by price. You can probably get one for $2000 and then get it checked and fixed up for another $1500, and sell it at the end of your trip...

2

When do you plan to come to NZ? I am currently tourning NZ for five months ending early April. I bought a good camper van which I will be selling when I get back to Auckland if you are interested.

3

We still have a bit to go. We plan to be in NZ from mid September to March/April.

Well, the long-term rate of that one company we found out would apparently be 100$ per week for a caravan. That being said, I have no idea in what state those are in and if they're suitable for long term travelling.

Are you sure about that 2k figure for a campervan? We'd be looking for a vehicle to live in for half a year with a toddler.

4

Decent caravans start at about 5K - heres an example
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravans-motorhomes/caravans/13-16-ft/auction-575243749.htm
This price bracket should buy an older model with warrants/awning and no leaks. I've been looking on and off for a year myself, a good caravan will sell if priced realistically so if you bought one for 6K and sold it for 5K you've got a cheaper alternative to renting one. In fact i might buy it off you!!

5

After a 6 week tour we left our fantastic van 'Donkey' with Backpackers Car Market in Christchurch were it is currently for sale, with it being winter now, we cut the price from $6500 to $3900. It is the best van ever!! Best equipped van we could find and we looked a lot!!

I would definitely suggest you fly to Christchurch, buy there and work your way back to Auckland as everyone starts in Auckland vans are very expensive and few and far between, whereas, as everyone finishes in Christchurch and people are desperate to sell you can take your pick and get a great deal! I wish we had done this, I had even been given this advice before I went and can't believe I didn't follow it.

6

So I discovered some other rental companies that would be willing to rent out to tourists. Also, I browsed Trademe for used ones.

What I have notived is that the rental ones as well as those for sale (the affordable ones, that is) are mostly early-mid 70s built and from their appearance I have doubts that they are able to withstand extensive travelling over several months. We don't plan to go off road, but we won't stick exclusively to the flat highways, either.

I am no caravan expert by any means, so maybe my impression is wrong?

7

Yep - you are wrong. Go to any campground in NZ and most of them will be 70's type caravans. They've been pulled round Kiwi roads for decades - and think how many roads are unsealed, windy, bumpy and just plain awful. A 70's caravan is fine as long as you get a decent one. Theres always a lemon out there of course...

8

Thanks! I think we'll go with either buying a campervan or a caravan + towing car. We'll decide when we're actually there.

9

Our van is 1990 and we actually found late 80's and 90's vans to be the most common. There are also lots of 2000's vans but they are much more expensive and generally don't have much in them in terms of facilities. Trade me and Gumtree are good but requires a lot of travelling around to see them as they tend to be individuals selling them. This can be difficult when you don't know the city well, if you are lucky they will bring the van to you. Auckalnd also have a Backpackers market but they are nothing to do with the Christchurch one (even although they will tell you they are) and have a terrible reputation. As I said, because they are in the sellers market they can get away with it. You might also want to look into buying an ex rental from the likes of Wicked, they sell their vans on once they have reached a certain age/mileage. These can also be easier to sell because people recognise them as Wicked vans with their unique graffiti paint jobs.

When we were there, the Backpackers Market in CC had a caravan for sale. If you are going September, then its a couple of months before the new season starts, so you should have a bigger choice of vans before the hoards come. Also as you are finishing in April then the winter will have began, you may find it difficult to sell quickly at this time of year. The only place I know of in NZ that will keep your van and sell it for you (for $300) for as long as it takes is The Backpackers Car Market in CC but then again, the buyers are fewer as they all start in Auckland. its a vicious circle. Our van, even although its ACE, is still for sale, a year and a half now.

We kept a blog about out travels and I detailed our quests to find the right van. Some of the details might help you.

http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/blog-666180.html

10

Caravan or camper van for sale?