Moterhomes in winter

Hi, to all you lucky chaps already out there,

If we were to come in August, Sept for visit would it be too cold to hire moterhome. We think this looks like the cheapest way to get around and see places, with it being out of season too.

Will we freeze? What do you do for bedding, bring your own slepping bags? :icon_wink:

Certianly you will be able to get around, and certianly in the South Island it will be cold. I don't know how they go for heating those things, but imagine spending winter in a caravan. I think they have mains powered heaters but that requires you to be in a camp ground every night, which might remove the benefit of having a camper.

What about renting a car / swagon, and just staying in the backpackers? They will be pretty empty and much warmer.

The worst thing will be the internal dialogue that will run like a broken record "Gosh this would be fantastic in the summer!"

Maybe we will come Sept/October. Is it warming up by then?

Hello Saraian,
We travelled around for three weeks in a campervan during August in NZ years ago. It was cold, especially on the South Island, but not too cold. We only stayed in a camp ground in Queenstown for two nights. Okay, some mornings the van was frozen, but it is well equipped and we did not have a problem.
You just start the van drive off and it is getting warm!
I would do it again.
Regards,
Anita

Thanks for that guys, oh well we are up for a laugh! :043:

[jacqui]

hope this question doesnt sound too silly but when you hire a motorhome can you stay anywhere overnight or do you have to stay in a caravan park :icon_question:

[AnitaampMarco]

Hello Jacqui,

We only stayed on a camperpark for two nights and stopped wherever we liked to spend the night. It was 9 years ago - no problem at all!!!
When you go there in the tourist season, I think you might have problems doing so in certain areas. But we also camped on places where it was signposted 'no camping' and have not been in any trouble.
Regards,
Anita

[netchicken]

Jacqui, in the south Island especially you can park anywhere unless it says explicitly not to stop. (and even then I doubt anyone would complain)

That s the benefit of having a camper, but if you need to park in a campground because its to cold, it defeats the purpose.

[jacqui]

thanks for replies

just out of curiosity has anyone come across any instances where camper vans have been broken into - just we are thinking of going over for a job hunting recce (oh is a welder if anyone knows of any jobs going) in next couple of months and trying to find best option - camper van or motel. Places we are thinking of are mainly north island ie Wanganui, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Taranaki etc if anyone has any views please let us know (we wouold also look in south island if we have time but not done a lot of homework on south island)

thanks
:icon_biggrin:

[moggy]

the most we paid for a campavan site was $14 inc electricity for two people for a night. THe campervan came provided with a fan heater. The duvet provided was more than warm enough. THe main problem we had was with condensation.