If you’re planning your next trip to the wild green yonder of New Zealand, then this is an exciting time! Packing the family into a campervan is a wonderful way to see the sights, connect with the journey, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Because we provide campervan rentals in Auckland and Christchuch, we speak to many first timers. Driving a self-contained campervan (motorhome) is much easier than most people think. You can absolutely hit the open road in these beauties!
That said, we can offer a few campervan driving tips and tricks to make your journey a bit smoother. New Zealand roads are some of the safest in the world, but there are a few things to be aware of when you’re behind the wheel of a caravan. Keeping these in mind as you put the pedal to the metal ensures you drive as safely as possible. All while enjoying the stunning scenery that makes Aotearoa one of the best camping destinations in the world!
Read on as we review how to drive a campervan in New Zealand, including some general tips and more specific guidelines for driving Aotearoa’s roads.
General Tips for Driving a Campervan
Get in Touch with Your New Ride
First, get to know the campervan you’ve chosen to rent. Whether you’re going on a week-long tour or spending months travelling the country, getting comfortable behind the wheel is a vital part of being a good campervan driver. We offer private motorhome hire in Auckland to campers of all experience levels, and this is the most important tip we offer to everyone!
Establish how your new ride feels on the road, figure out the turning circle, and get comfortable with how the van’s size and length should change your driving style. If you need tips on this, our staff is on hand to help you when you pick up your van.
Drive with a ‘Big Vehicle’ Brain
Most campers are used to driving smaller vehicles, but campervans are a little bigger! That’s why it’s important to remember you’re driving something bigger than your usual vehicle on the open road. This will affect how you reverse, measure your following distance, and take corners.
Make Sure Everyone is Strapped In
Motorhomes and campervans are exciting and usually novel for anyone not used to driving in one! That said, it’s important to make sure everyone is safely strapped in while you’re on the road.
If people are moving freely, they could be thrown into hard countertops or unexpected directions if you must come to an unexpected stop. Here’s a great rule of thumb: when the van is moving, it’s a vehicle, and when it’s stationary, it’s a home.
What to Expect on the Road in NZ
Country Roads Are Curvy!
When you hit New Zealand’s country roads, the views are unbeatable. Another classic characteristic of Kiwi country roads? They’re really curvy! Since campervans are larger than standard vehicles, it’s important to slow down for the corners and take them gently. This is especially true if you’re driving a 3 or 4-berth model.
Rain, Shine, or Snow
Regarding Kiwi campervan driving tips, this is one of the most important: expect it to rain! At least once on your journey, you’ll probably encounter some rain while driving. New Zealand is always ready to bring the downpour. Slow down on wet roads and increase your following distance, especially if you tow something!
If you’re driving in cold regions, you might also encounter sleet or snow. Consider putting chains on your tyres for snowy places to combat icy roads and slippery snow (but only if needed). We will provide these with your campervan rental on request.
NZ-Specific Road Rules to Be Aware Of
Have the Right License Class
In New Zealand, you can drive a standard motorhome on a regular Class 1 Driver’s License. Any motorhome with a combined vehicle and towing weight of 6,000kg will require a Class 2 License. Luckily, every single one of our private motorhomes for hire falls into the Class 1 category. However, if you’re driving a motorhome exceeding that weight, you’ll need to look into a Class 2 License.
Know Your (Speed) Limits
Finally, speed limits! Any campervans in our rental range easily fall into the ‘light’ motorhome category. You’re good to go if you’re driving it without towing anything! Simply follow the posted speed limits on your journey around the country.
However, towing changes things a bit. Light motorhomes or campervans towing a trailer are restricted to a maximum speed of 90 kilometres per hour (even in 100km/h zones). If you keep that in mind, you’ll be ready for the holiday of a lifetime.
At the end of the day, if you’re wondering how to drive a campervan, the most important thing is to drive carefully. As with any new vehicle, getting comfortable behind the wheel will stand you in good stead for the journey ahead. If you’re unsure about driving this class of vehicle, talk to the team at Kia Ora Campers! We’ve put many happy customers behind the wheels of our two-, three-, and four-berth campervans for rent in Auckland.
When you rent from us, we’re on hand to offer specific campervan driving tips based on our team’s years of collective experience. Don’t hesitate to get in touch and enjoy your journey across this beautiful country!
Start your next journey with a great campervan rental in Auckland.
Kia Ora Campers offers a great range of 2-berth, 3-berth, and 4-berth campers. So, no matter how many people are hitting the open road with you, there’s plenty of room! Explore our full range of campervan rentals in Auckland, or get in touch to figure out which of our options is best for you.