Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to assist with any questions you may have regarding any of the vehicles on our fleet. We have put together some of our most frequently asked questions to assist with your rental, however if you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
All vehicles come fully equipped with: Pillows & Duvets, Sheets, Blankets & Towels, Cooking Utensils, Pots/Pans/Frypan, Plates & Bowls, Cups & Glasses, Wine Glasses, Kettle, Dish Cloth, Dish Brush, Tea Towels, Cutlery, Tin Opener, Coffee Plunger, Food Containers, Chopping Board, Clothes Line & Pegs, Bucket, Dustpan & Brush, Fire Extinguisher, Hot water bottles, Waste & Fresh Water hoses and toilet chemicals (for self contained Deluxe Sleepervan models.
Sleepervans only has the one model with only 2 seatbelts, however our sister company Sleepervans, Freedom and Tui Campers has the next size up for 3 people the Toyota Hiace Hitop.
Hard suitcases are not recommended. We recommend soft bags that can be folded and stored away under the bench seats in the vehicles. Alternatively, if you are picking up and dropping off your vehicle from the same depot, your luggage can be stored for you, free of charge, at the depot. If you are not returning to the same depot, we are happy to arrange for your empty suitcases to be transferred to another depot. The charge is NZ$50.00 per empty suitcase.
There is no safe in any of our vehicles.
Tui vehicles are not fitted with a tow-bar.
The Deluxe models are provided complimentary.
We have bike racks available for hire at $45 per rack (must be prebooked).
No. Our Sleepervans are certified self contained and a porta pottie will be inside.
No, if you leave the headlights on, radio going or the cooler box plugged it will drain the battery flat. Call the AA breakdown service who will come out to jump start you for a fee.
Yes the sleepervans has cabin air-conditioning and operates while driving.
No Sleepervans does not provide hair dryers.
Sleepervans does not provide irons or ironing boards. However you will find most camp grounds do have laundry facilities.
No; there is no 240v power in the sleepervans, therefore when you are at a campground ask for a tent site it's cheaper and you can use their kitchens to recharge any appliances.
Gas canisters are $10 each to buy and may only last 4-5 days subject to use.
House lights will run off the 12v batteries in the vehicle, also the cooler box runs off 12v while the vehicle is turned on.
All vehicles have heating in the cab which operates when the vehicle is started. However as there is no 240v power in the sleepervan there is no electric heater in the living area but hot water bottles are provided to keep you warm.
No, there is no access for wheel chairs and limited space inside.
Only if you have a 12v-240v inverter, we can hire these for $45 so you can recharge using the cigarette lighter.
Our Sleepervan fleet are automatic transmissions with an electronic overdrive for better fuel economy. Being automatic makes them even easier to drive.
Sorry all our sleepervans are petrol engine.
We always suggest as soon as you know the dates you wish to have your holiday - go online and book. To confirm we need a NZ$300 deposit and then the balance is due 28 days prior to your hire. The best way to submit your credit card details is through the bookings page on the Tui Campers website. This has a secure server for safety.
Customer service is our number one priority, therefore your request will be processed as quickly as possible, preferably within 24 hours of receiving your booking. If a vehicle is available for the dates you specified, your booking will be finalised and your credit card will be charged a $300 deposit. If you wish to cancel your booking after this, you will incur a cancellation fee (please refer to our terms and conditions). If a vehicle is not available, we will contact you with a suitable alternative and no payment will be incurred.
No reservation will be accepted or guaranteed without a part payment of hire cost made via a valid credit card number, cardholders name and card expiry date to be supplied at the time the reservation is made.
Should you wish to amend or cancel your existing booking, please contact us as soon as possible. Simply go to the Contact Us page which provides many options for contacting us, or email info@tuicampers.co.nz. Please ensure you quote your confirmation number and one of our reservation consultants will get back to you as quickly as possible.
To allow us to proceed with your booking request, we require you to submit your credit card details for part payment of hire cost so we can secure your booking. Your credit card information is strictly confidential.
Yes. We treat the security of our guest’s information very seriously. To ensure your security, all credit card transactions are secured by SSL, which encrypts the credit card number so as to make it unavailable to any other party.
We accept Visa or Master Card. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge of 2%. We do not accept American Express or Diners.
All credit card transactions be charged in New Zealand currency.
Yes, we are happy to accept payment of cash by bank transfer as opposed to credit card. The balance must be transferred into our account at least 28 days prior to pick up.
It usually pays to make the deposit payment by credit card as the bank fee is more than the credit card surcharge but for the balance of hire payment then a bank transfer works well and must be transferred into our account at least 28 days prior to pick up.
Please contact us if you wish to to make a cash bank transfer and we can forward our banking details.
For security reasons we do not accept cash at our branches. We accept credit card and debit card for charges paid on rental pick-up and drop-off.
The open road speed limit in New Zealand is 100km per hour. All our vehicles will comfortably travel at this speed. Should you choose to travel at a slower speed, please show courtesy to other road users by allowing them to pass.
All vehicles are covered by the Automobile Association (AA) 24 hour roadside assistance service. We also supply a list of nationwide service centers and authorize you to spend up to $100.00 in emergency repairs so that you can deal with minor matters speedily or when convenient to you.
Between 1 May and 30 November it is the law to carry chains on the Milford Road. Usually snow chains are only required if you are going to be skiing, or if you are travelling in winter during bad weather mainly in the South Island and on the Desert road in the central North Island. Tui provides snow chains for a fee of $45 per rental. (Free if Reduction Option 2 is purchaesd)
Toll roads are roads which charge a fee in exchange for access through to your destination. If you are touring New Zealand's North Island, you may pass through the Northern Gateway Toll Road. When driving a rental vehicle in New Zealand, you are responsible for paying toll fees, so it is important to be aware of payment options before you travel. Visit the Northern Gateway Toll Road website (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/toll-roads/) for more information.
No we do not have depots at the Ferry terminals to be able to offer this service. You must take the vehicle on the ferry if you wish to cross the islands, saves you having to unpack and repack vehicles.
Recommended at peak times otherwise you may not get the crossing you want and at best fare. Not so important if you are planning an extended stay of over one month or out of peak season (April to October)
We would be happy to arrange this for you before you arrive. Please let us know your preferred cross date(s) and time(s) and the name and ages of those crossing on the ferry. The cost will be charged direct to your credit card details along with an administration fee of $25.
Yes all sleepervans can play MP3 CDs and are fitted with iPod jacks. Remember to bring the cable or you can purchase one from us for $10 if in stock.
NZ has very limited reception outside of the metropolitan areas due to the problem with hills. The LCD TV/DVD Players we offer to hire are ideal for DVD movie playing and limited TV viewing.
For safety reasons, watching TV while driving is not permitted in any of our vehicles.
Most parts of NZ have areas where free camping is available, provided the vehicle you have rented has toilet facilities on board. Free camping is illegal in some areas so you would need to check with the local Isite or DOC before free camping. We do ask that if you do free camp, please respect the environment, the locals and clean up after yourselves. The best rule is to obey local signage, and ask at the local information centre for suitable sites. All Tui vehicles that have toilets on board are certified self contained, which qualifies the hirer to stay over at Department of Conservation land (approx 300 sites around NZ)
Please visit www.camping.org.nz to find out more about free camping in New Zealand.
We advise to do so during peak periods such as school holidays, public holidays and long weekends.
In your Tui Sleepervan there is free information on camp ground & regional guides as well as a comprehensive New Zealand road map.
This includes information on The Department of Conservation “DOC” campsites. There are over 250 of these throughout New Zealand. They are set in some of the most stunning locations in New Zealand and have basic facilities for you to use. There is also information on the various other networks of more comfortable Holiday Parks with toilets and hot showers, powered sites, kitchens, TV rooms, Laundromats and internet.
The average cost for DOC campsites are $0-$10 a night; Holiday Park campgrounds have an average cost $15-35 for non-power campsites, $20-40 for powered sites.
We provide a selection of full colour brochures with all of the standard campsites and DOC campsites. You can also check these web pages to find more about campgrounds: www.doc.govt.nz, www.holidayparks.co.nz, www.top10.co.nz.
No. Smoking in Sleepervan vehicles is strictly prohibited, and offenders will be charged a fume removal fee of NZ$500.
No, there is no refund if you return your Sleepervan earlier than the reserved period. However your travel insurance may in some circumstances cover the unused portion.
For your peace of mind during holiday, the Bond Waiver Insurance is the best way to minimise your liability when travelling in your Backpacker Sleepervans. If you do not take the Bond Waiver Insurance you run the risk of being responsible for considerable costs associated with damage to, or theft of, the vehicle. This applies even if the damage was not your fault.
For example, you are liable if someone runs into you or if a rock from a passing car hits your windscreen and causes damage. Also, you are responsible for the subsequent costs if you are unlucky enough to puncture a tyre.
Bond Waiver Insurance gives you peace of mind in such circumstances, as you will only be liable for a limited amount unless you breach the terms and conditions of the rental contract.
In the event that something happens to the campervan and you are not at fault (either a vehicle accident where someone strikes the vehicle or damage occurs while the vehicle is parked, if you are unable to supply Backpacker Sleepervans with details that enable recovery of the costs, then unfortunately you will be liable.
With most bookings, insurance is included in the daily rate. If not then insurance must be purchased to cover the vehicle. A standard excess applies (which you can choose to reduce). In the event of the vehicle becoming damaged during your hire, you will be liable for the applicable excess. This may be claimed back by yourself against your travel insurance, but this agreement is between your travel insurer and yourself. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully of your insurance.
No, unlike rental car companies that charge by 24-hour clock, all campervan companies in New Zealand charge by the day. So regardless of the time of collection and return, you will be charged for the day you collect and the day you drop your vehicle off. The above example would be an 8 day hire.
Our vehicles can be picked up or dropped off between 9:30am and 3:00pm Monday - Sunday (Remote locations is by prior arrangement). All Tui branches are closed on Christmas Day 25th December.
No extra fees apply.
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) is the sole and compulsory provider of accident insurance for all work and non-work injuries for all residents and visitors to New Zealand. The ACC Scheme is administered on a no-fault basis, so that anyone, regardless of the way in which they incurred an injury, is eligible for cover under the Scheme.
Due to the Scheme's no-fault basis, people who have suffered personal injury do not have the right to sue an at-fault party. For more details, please see the ACC website (http://www.acc.co.nz/). However Tui recommends that all visitors to New Zealand take out additional travel insurance for medical emergencies.
This will depend on many factors including the length of the hire and our availability. Contact us directly.
We offer GPS at NZ$8 per day (minimum charge NZ$75; maximum charge NZ$150). (Free is Reduction Option 2 is purchased)
Yes we do - contact us directly.
The excess can be reduced by purchasing one of the following Reduction Options:
Reduction Option 1:
Deluxe Sleepervan –
This option can be purchased by paying an additional NZ$30 per day (NZ$35 per day for drivers under 25 years) reduces excess to NZ$2,500 and only a credit card imprint is required. Maximum charge is for 50 days.
Reduction Option 2:
Deluxe Sleepervan –
This option can be purchased by paying an additional NZ$55 per day (NZ$60 per day for drivers under 25 years) reduces excess to NZ$0 and only a credit card imprint is required. Maximum charge is for 50 days.
Tui Campers strongly recommends our customers to take the bond waiver insurance to minimise excess exposure and travel with peace of mind.
Inclusions
Reduction Option 2 cover includes the following extras:
Free hire of the following accessories which are;
GPS
Baby seat and/or child booster seat (on request)
Picnic Table and Chairs (one chair for each person travelling)
Snow Chains (on request)
Zero excess (subject to exclusions below)
One windscreen replacement, multiple windscreen chip repairs and two tyre replacements
Pre-purchased LPG bottle
Road Tolls
Lost/damaged key replacement costs
Toilet chemical Starter Kit
This Excess Reduction also has a nil excess that covers any accidental damage to windscreens including replacement plus accidental damage to tyres.
Please note that Excess Reduction is completely optional and can be decided upon collection of your vehicle. This additional insurance only covers you for one incident where after your standard excess applies. You can apply to purchase this cover for the remaining days of your hire.
Tui Campers has branches close to Auckland and Christchurch Airports. Pick ups and Drop offs to/from Queenstown Airport, Dunedin Airport, Wellington Airport, Picton Ferry Terminal, Nelson Airport and the Greymouth Train Station are available on application for a relocation fee of NZ$950 prior arrangement only. Operational times are restricted by travel limitations and by bus/air/train times. This service is only available for the hire of the Tui Deluxe Sleepervan.
We offer a complimentary transfer service on the first and last day of the rental to/from Airport and surrounding Airport Hotels, Motels. Once you arrive in New Zealand and you are ready for your transfer, please call us on
0800 321 939 and advise Surname, Reservation Number, Arrival Terminal or hotel name and Number of Passengers requiring collection. Our courtesy collection is normally within 30 minutes and operates up to 1 hour prior to close.
No, it is necessary for you to come to our Depot to collect your vehicle so we are able to complete the necessary documentation, and familiarise you with the operation of the Sleepervan.
Vehicles must be picked up and dropped off at the Backpacker Sleepervans branch location.
Yes. We do need to sight all drivers actual, full, valid driver’s license (photo copies are not accepted) and all drivers do need to sign the rental agreement.
No, we do not allow pick ups after hours. If the delay is unexpected please contact your pickup depot directly for assistance. It is generally advisable to book a hotel for the first night if you will arrive after 3 pm.
Yes depending availability you can, we have yards in Auckland and Christchurch however while all care is taken we accept no responsibility or liability. There is a cost of $40 per rental period for vehicle storage.
No, we do not allow animals in the vehicles.
Yes, there are 7 days a week supermarkets open 8am-9pm and petrol stations open 24 hours close to each office, where you can park easily and purchase your supplies to start your holiday.