Tips on what to check when picking up your campervan rental

Be prepared, take your time and make it as smooth as possible

It’s very exciting to plan a campervan holiday. There’s so much that goes into it, including figuring out your route, planning where to stay, allowing for the unexpected and packing everything you need, so it’s easy to get excited and want to get out of the depot as quickly as possible. But it pays to allow enough time at the depot to make sure you know all the ins and outs of the vehicle, you have all of the extras and accessories you need and you know what to do in case something unforeseen happens. That’s why Motorhome Republic has put together these tips for what to do and what you need to know when picking up your campervan rental.

 

 

Get a head start before you arrive

Just like preparing for a flight, there are things you can do before you go to make the experience easier. One of these is to check-in online if your rental provider allows it. That way, you’ll have time to go through any of the documents you’ve been sent and query anything that you’re unsure about. This will definitely save you time if you’re able to complete these steps ahead of arriving at the depot. If there is more than one driver, you'll all need to complete check-in.

You should also make sure that you have everything you need on you prior to pick up. You’ll need things like you driver’s licence, credit card and easy access to your insurance documents and the rental agreement. The more accessible you have these items, the quicker your pickup process will be. If your drivers licence isn't in English, you may need an International Driving Permit). Make sure you check your rental agreement for more details.

 

 

Get to the depot with plenty of spare time

The last thing you want to do when you’re at the depot is rush. You’ll most likely be accompanied by a staff member to check over the vehicle and this is not something you want to do quickly. They should have a checklist to go over with you, which will note any damage that has happened prior to your rental. If you notice something that isn’t listed, make sure to raise this so that there’s no doubt it happened before your trip. It may be a good idea to take your own photos as evidence as well. In fact, it can also be useful to take photos of the interior and included facilities/extras so that you can ensure you have everything at drop-off that you had at pickup.

 

 

Make sure everything is in working order

Depending on the type of vehicle you have hired, it may have a kitchen, toilet, shower or other amenities that you’ll need to operate. This is your opportunity to have any questions answered if you’re not sure how something works as well as to make sure it is actually working as it’s supposed to. This doesn’t just extend to the oven or shower either; make sure the indicators and lights are working, that the windscreen wipers do their job and that any internal electrics work as expected. If you’re campervan is fully self-contained, before you leave you should know how to:

• Operate the cooking facilities

• Empty and clean the toilet

• How to dispose of grey water

• Where the spare tyre is kept

• Plug in to powered sites or operate electronics off the battery

 

 

Know what kind of fuel your campervan needs

This one can be easy to overlook, but it is essential to know what kind of fuel your campervan needs. It could be petrol or diesel. It could also need costlier premium petrol, or it could be fine with cheaper regular. It’s quick to check this, either by asking a staff member at the depot, or opening the fuel cap, which should tell you what you need to know. Note that diesel vehicles may have an associated Road User Tax which you are required to pay.

 

 

Where and when to return your campervan hire

One of the last things you should know before you drive away is what time you’re expected to return your vehicle and where you need to return it to. In regards to the former, make note of any after hour procedures you need to know if you can’t drop the campervan back during business hours. And in regards to the latter, if you’re dropping your vehicle back to the same depot it should be straight forward, but if you’re travelling one-way then make sure you know where the other depot is and any requirements they have for dropping of the vehicle that might differ from your pick-up depot. As usual, it’s just about being prepared so that you are armed with all the information you need before you go.

 

 

Get on the road and enjoy your trip!

Now that you’ve done everything you need to, you’re ready to drive away on your campervan adventure safe in all the knowledge you’ve acquired before now. That means it’s time to sit back, relax and get safely to your destination. If you haven’t booked yet, Motorhome Republic has lots of great campervan rental options, including exclusive deals, so make sure to do a search to see if you can find something perfect for you. If you’re not sure what type of vehicle you need, check out our blog on the difference between self-contained and non self-contained vehicles to help with your decision. We have you have an amazing time!