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Original poster

Would you hire my camper van?

62 replies

james79 · 14/07/2010 08:42

I love camping and have wondered for some time now about setting up my own Camper hire company. I would start with one new Brazilian water cooled Camper van (2007 onwards)and go from there. I've done some research but would like to know what the mumsnet jury think! I am based in East Anglia. What would you be willing to pay for a week in peak time (June, July, Aug) and non-peak times? Or indeeed for a long weekend? Any ideas or advice greatly appreciated...or am I living in cloud cuckoo land??

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MisSalLaneous · 15/07/2010 20:31

I know you won't easily get one so cheap, but realistically I won't pay more than £200 max for a 3 night weekend. I don't mind so much paying a little more for a week, but for a weekend it should be cheaper than a yurt / cottage / b&b.

I think that is one of the main problems - the running costs are quite high.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/07/2010 20:39

We've looked into hiring camper vens, but they were around £1.5k for a 5 berth for a fortnight, and that's not including diesel! We'd need it to be a lot cheaper to be interested, but appreciate the cost of insurance etc.

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 20:42

All brilliant thanks so much for all your input. It is something I really want to pursue should all the figures add up, so thanks so much.

Keep 'em coming!

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Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 20:43

Masie-sorry £1.5k????????????????? was that a typo?

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Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 20:45

That just sounds crazy, I know poeple do hire them for a fortnight but you'd think it would be a bit cheaper or that you'd get some sort of discount. I'm all for being business minded and am very aware that it all boils down to sales but that's outrageous! I'd be very interested to know if companies are suffering this year.

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/07/2010 20:50

No - no typo!! Link here for example, 2 weeks in the school summer holidays, and it's not the only one I've come across charging that much. It's what's put us off before - we'd love to do it, but it's just not doable.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/07/2010 20:52

Actually - just looked again. It's £1690, for 2 weeks if my maths is correct.

DwayneDibbley · 15/07/2010 20:53

This reply has been deleted

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elliemental · 15/07/2010 20:55

my fiend spent a small fortune hiring a vintage styled VW camper as transport to school prom for her kids.
Might be worth thinking about for wedding transport if it is lovely looking?

saintlydamemrsturnip · 15/07/2010 20:58

We have hired campervan twice. Paid £££££££ Don't undersell yourself & charge market rates- there's definitely a market for it, we had to book up months in advance to get our dates

Oh and the second company delivered to us for free, which was a brilliant little extra service and much less hassle than having to pick it up.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/07/2010 21:05

Really?? People would pay £1700 plus diesel (and because you're touring for 14 days, it would be more than the usual drive to the holdiay house, plus some trips out) for 2 weeks? I'm getting too frugal in my old age. I think by the time all 5 of us had spent 2 weeks in a camper van there would only be one of us left iykwim!

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:07

maisie-whoah, yikes!

Dwayne- yes that's a better idea isn't it. 2 night weekend and top up extra. Yes would much rather have week long bookings over the summer. Yes once everythingis in place I'll look into how to advertise on here and pay my fee

Ellie-yes wouldn't it be lovely! There are some real crackers out there.

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Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:13

saintly-I know, I can't believe the one we know charges £825 per week in peak season. They are almost brand new mind, and kitted out with all the lovely extras but they'd have to be wouldn't they?! I guess I know that there are people who can afford to pay so much I'm just not one of them.(sadly) We've just thought about having maybe a two tier system, a cheaper van and more deluxe one would that work do you think?

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treedelivery · 15/07/2010 21:13

I've hired a VW camper twice.

Once in Cornwall for a week, it was about £400. t was meant to be more like £500 but we got an offer as it was mid season.
That van was pristine and must have cost a fortune, a good £15k at least.
Once for a weekend in Yorkshire, it was £240.

We also had one as wedding transport, which was a friends. To hire one for this woul dhave been about £200 too.

HTH.

Oh, the company we hired off said that there are companies that you can give your details too, who will manage your bookings. That's more if you are wanting to hire out your own van, for weeks you aren't using it. As opposed to starting a business.

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:19

tree-yes that helps, thanks for that info. Was that a classic camper? I'm looking at the new ones at the moment for reliability reasons. (But they can be much more expensive hence higher hire fees)
Yes I'm aware of companies taht offer this service, not a bad idea but you know what it's like...re-inventing the wheel and all that!

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saintlydamemrsturnip · 15/07/2010 21:21

The first one we hired was an ancient battered van, the second brand new. Same sort of price.

Remember your van will lose value because of increased mileage.

We only ever hired for a week and can't afford it now, but there are certainly people who can.

If you want to hire your own van as above it could be quite cheap.

If you want to run it as a business I would hire it for a lot more.

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:21

saintly-can I ask roughly where you are based? Is there much competition in your area do you know? and why did you hire from a different company second time round? Thanks

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Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:23

Ahhh I see (crossed posts) Thanks

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saintlydamemrsturnip · 15/07/2010 21:25

I'm in Devon james79. There are surprisingly few rental companies here. The first time we hired very locally, the second company (who delivered) were based an hour and half away.

treedelivery · 15/07/2010 21:25

Yes, they were both classic ones. Type 2's.

They are actually quite reliable. If a mechanic says engine, exhaust etc is well, and they are serviced and maintained - they tend to just work. No fancy electronics etc to blow up/have a tantrum.

I imagine the newer ones are the same too. SImple engine, simple exhaust, no electrics/engne computer etc.

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 21:32

Thanks saintly good to know.

tree- right ok, yes I know things can go wrong with any vehicle, I gues I'm thinking fairly long term and most are getting a wee bit on the older side now even though I love them too! Thanks so much.

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treedelivery · 15/07/2010 21:43

Good luck!

I think you could do well, it's a growing market. Especially with festivals becoming more popular and family orientated. Weekend hire for stuff like that, plus weddings/proms and then holidays...lots of potential!

venusandmars · 15/07/2010 22:12

We hired one earlier this year. Was fantastic fun. The weather was bad on a couple of days and it was great not to be camping, and much more versatile than being in a cottage (we just moved to a sunnier/drier place).

We'd love to have one of our own but can't afford it (and probably wouldn't get enough use out of it) so hiring one for a week was a little bit like holding our dream.

These people charge about £800 in the middle of summer. We didn't pay that much, but it was still expensive.

Original poster
james79 · 15/07/2010 22:20

Venus-oooh they are my faves! But soooo expensive! Can I ask what you'd be happy to pay? Would you hire again if the price was right? It's true about being dreamy, I actually cried when mine broke down, it is very much part of the family, of course would be much tougher when it came to the 'business' camper! Thank you.

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venusandmars · 16/07/2010 10:26

We paid £650 for a week. Of course if you consider that you are paying that for an unwieldy, uneconomical van with a small bed, a small stove and no toilet facilities then you'd think I was mad.

But I was paying to have a week of freedom, away from the TV, the noise the hustle and bustle; I could go where I liked when I liked; I camped in some amazing places watching the sunset. In some moments I believed I could live like that for ever.