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NZ Help Centre

Hirers

Booking Information for Hirers

Booking Information

Getting Started

Do I need an account to make a booking?

Yes. To begin, head to our website and create an account. Click on the "Sign up" button and follow the prompts to set up your profile. Once that's done, you'll be ready to explore the wonderful world of RV holidays. You can find out more about us, and how to get started on our ‘How It works’ page.

Do I need any special qualifications to hire an RV?

For most RVs, you'll need a standard driver's licence. However, some larger vehicles might require a special licence. Always check the specific requirements listed for each RV. Also, keep in mind that you generally need to be between 21 and 84 years old to hire, and hold a full unrestricted licence.

I've never driven an RV before. Can I still hire one?

Absolutely! Many of our hirers are first-timers. When browsing listings, look for owners who welcome beginners. They often provide extra guidance during the handover. Just be upfront about your experience level when making a booking request. If towing a caravan, verify your vehicle's towing capacity.

What types of RVs can I find on Camplify?

We've got a diverse range! You'll find motorhomes, campervans, caravans, camper trailers, and even some unique options like converted buses. Each type offers a different experience, so think about what suits your travel style best. Explore our blog post about different RV types.

How far in advance should I book?

It's best to book as early as you can, especially for popular periods like school holidays or long weekends. Many of our most sought-after RVs get booked months in advance. However, if you're flexible, you might find some great last-minute deals too.

Can I hire an RV for a one-way trip?

Most hires require you to return the RV to its original location. However, some owners might be open to one-way hires. If you're interested in this, message the owner before booking to discuss the possibility.

Can I take an RV to a festival or special event?

Some owners allow their RVs to be taken to festivals or events, while others don't. Always check the RV listing or ask the owner directly before booking if you're planning to attend a specific event.

Searching for RVs

How do I find a vehicle?

To find a suitable RV for your next adventure, type your destination into the search box. You can find it at the top of the screen with a message saying 'My adventure starts in'.
Use our search function and enter your type of hire from the options;

Drive - When you are going on a road trip in a drivable vehicle
Deliver - When you have a destination in mind and the owner delivers it to site to remain stationary there, they'll also pick it up at the end of the booking
Tow - When you are going on a road trip and want to tow your accommodation behind you!
Stay - When an owner has a site ready for you, all you need to do is turn up and enjoy your holiday
Drive to Tow - When you have something you want to tow, but nothing to tow it with, you can hire a tow vehicle that suits your needs

Note: owners decide on their delivery fees based on the booking details and the vehicle must remain stationary for the entire duration of your holiday. You can get a van delivered and then move it after drop off, but the correct option would be to tow or drive.
Select the dates for travel. Camplify works on days, not nights, so the first date you enter is your pick-up date, and the last is your drop-off date.
Remember prices might change based on the dates you put in, as a peer-to-peer platform owners can raise and lower their prices to reflect peak periods, most owners also have a minimum number of days for bookings.
Select the number of guests. If you have a lot of people going with you make sure you search for a vehicle of a suitable size.
Select the van type. Owners with vehicles of all different shapes and sizes are listed on the platform, make sure you check the type of vehicle that suits your holiday.
Once you have found the perfect van, you can submit a booking request.
This doesn't lock you into the booking but allows you to send messages to the owner and ask any questions you might have. If the vehicle isn't suitable, you can cancel the request before you pay a deposit without penalty.

How do I know if an RV is suitable for my needs?

Read the listing carefully. It should provide details about the RV's features, capacity, and any restrictions. Don't hesitate to message the owner if you have specific questions – they're usually happy to help!

Can I filter search results based on pet-friendly RVs?

Yes, you can! Use the filters on the search page to show only pet-friendly options. Keep in mind that even for pet-friendly RVs, you should always confirm with the owner about any specific pet policies they might have.

How do I know if an RV is available for my dates?

When you enter your desired dates in the search, the results will show RVs available for those dates. You can also check the availability calendar on each RV's listing page to see which dates are free. During peak periods, it’s common for owners to set a ‘minimum days’ on booking duration, please keep this in mind when entering your booking dates.

Booking Requests

How do I make a booking request?

Select the type of hire you would like on the listing page.
Select the excess you prefer. You can select from "Risk Taker," or "Happy Camper." They have different costs and different excess, we recommend you read about them here.
Once you have entered all the required details into your booking, the total cost will appear. The pricing breakdown for each booking will include:
Daily Fee - This is set by the owner and may vary depending on the time of year
Service Fee - This fee is set by the owner and accounts for general maintenance on the vehicle
Booking Fee - This fee is set by Camplify and is 10% of the daily fee, and any option extras, but not the service fee
Extra Products - These are selected by you if available
Delivery Charges - Set by the owner in the event you are having the vehicle delivered
Accident Excess Reduction - This is our damage coverage fee and includes 24/7 roadside assistance
Select Request to book. This will move you to the next page. You'll be able to chat with the owner before you're charged.
The next page outlines all other information in regard to your intended booking, this page will ask the following:
- If there are any extra products you may need
- Confirmation of the number of guests who will be present
- The country you licence originates from
- Additional information on what is included and the van's cancelation policy will also be outlined.
Some owners will have vetting questions for their hirers. This page provides a message function so you can start communicating with the van's owner. (clear messages will increase your approval rate).
Select Request to book. The owner will receive your request to book and will let you know if their RV is suitable for your experience.

What information do I need to provide when making a booking request?

You'll typically need to provide:

Your travel dates
Number of guests
Purpose of your trip
Your driving experience
Any questions you have for the owner

Be as detailed as you can – it helps the owner understand your needs better.

Can I book multiple RVs at once?

You can submit multiple booking requests, which is a good idea if you're flexible or if it's peak season. Just remember to cancel any requests you don't want to proceed with once you've confirmed a booking. You will not need to make payment for a booking until the owner approves it.

What is RUC (Road User Charge) and why do hirers have to pay for this?

Anyone using New Zealand’s roads contributes towards New Zealand road upkeep. Most road users pay levies when they buy fuel and these are included in the fuel price, this is not the case for diesel fuel in New Zealand. Owners of vehicles such as light diesel vehicles and heavy vehicles like trucks, will pay through road user charges (RUC). The revenue collected from road user charges is dedicated to the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). The NLTF funds road improvements and maintenance, public transport, road safety, and walking and cycling.

Vehicle owners have pre-purchased a set amount of RUC to ensure themselves and their guests are always within the legal limit while travelling, and as a guest you will need to pay back the amount of this pre-purchased RUC that you use on your trip. This amount will be calculated and charged by the owner via the post-hire checklist at the rate of $0.09 per kilometre driven ($9 for 100 kilometres).

Please note that as the levies that are included in the price of other fuels (such as petrol) are not included in the price of diesel at the pump it will appear significantly cheaper than other fuel types, this difference in price is made up by the road user charge.

Instant Bookings

What's Instant Booking?

Some RVs offer Instant Booking, which means you can book them immediately without waiting for owner approval. Look for the "Instant Book" badge on listings.

Are Instant Bookings more expensive?

No, the price for Instant Bookings is the same as regular bookings. The only difference is the speed of confirmation.

Can I still communicate with the owner if I make an Instant Booking?

Absolutely! After making an Instant Booking, you can still message the owner through the Camplify platform to ask questions or discuss details of your trip.

What if I need to cancel an Instant Booking?

The same cancellation policies apply to Instant Bookings as to regular bookings. Check the cancellation policy on the RV's listing before you book.

Can I make changes to Instant Bookings?

Yes, you can request changes to your booking dates or add extras. These changes will need to be approved by the owner. If you request a booking date extension, once the owner has approved the extension, the difference will be automatically charged to the card linked to your Camplify profile.

I've submitted a booking request, what next?

Now that you've submitted your booking request, the owner of the vehicle will be notified to respond. They will either send you a message to discuss details of the booking or, approve/decline the booking.

Keep in mind as Camplify is a peer-to-peer platform, owners might become unavailable for unforeseen circumstances, because of this we recommend you wait 48 hours for a response.

We recommend placing multiple booking requests at once to increase your chances of an approved booking. Just be sure to cancel booking requests you decide not to go ahead with!

Booking Process

How long does it take for an owner to respond to my booking request?

Owners usually respond within 48 hours. If you haven't heard back after this time, feel free to reach out to Camplify support for assistance.

What happens if my booking request is declined?

Don't be disheartened if a request is declined. There could be many reasons for this, often unrelated to you. Try booking a different RV or adjust your dates if possible. Or you can opt for an Instant Book van. Our support team is always here to help if you need assistance finding a suitable RV.

What happens once a booking is approved?

When an owner approves a booking, you will receive an email notifying you that the booking request has been approved. From there, log in to your account, and confirm the booking details by selecting “Save and Continue” to proceed to make a payment. You'll also accept the Camplify terms and conditions when agreeing to the booking.

It's recommended to make the deposit payment promptly. If payment is not received within 72 hours, the booking will be automatically cancelled by the Camplify system. If you're unable to make the payment within 72 hours, it's best to wait until you're ready to pay before submitting a booking request. If your booking is cancelled due to non-payment within the 72-hour period, both you and the RV owner will receive an email notification. You'll have the opportunity to submit another booking request if the RV is still available.

What happens when a booking is cancelled?

Sometimes bookings are cancelled for any number of reasons. A hirer may no longer be able to or want to go on the trip, the vehicle is not suitable for the trip, or for emergency or personal reasons. The owner may cancel because the vehicle was damaged and must be repaired, is being sold by the owner, or for emergency or personal reasons too.

Camplify has a cancellation policy set for owners and hirers. Owners can select between two policies for when a hirer can cancel and receive a refund.

Please refer to the cancellation policy.

How the policy affects hirers

It is important to consider even before paying for a booking where the cancellation policy sits on when you are eligible for a refund. Camplify strongly recommends that you obtain travel insurance in the event that you have to cancel outside of the policy window. Camplify can provide any necessary documentation to lodge a claim with your provider.

How the policy affects owners

Owners are required to do everything within their ability to fulfil a paid booking. This means that if they are unable to due to damage to the vehicle, where the vehicle is no longer suitable for the booking, the cancellation policy outlines they must obtain evidence of damage. If they are unable to do so, or if they fail to fulfil the paid booking for insufficient reasons, they may receive a penalty which can be used to help a hirer pay for the price difference in finding an alternate vehicle. The amounts are specified in the cancellation policy above.

Booking Messages

How do I contact an RV owner?

You can message the owner through the Camplify platform once you've made a booking request. There's a messaging feature built into your booking page.

What kind of questions should I ask the owner?

Feel free to ask about anything that will help you prepare for your trip. Common questions include:

Details about the RV's features and equipment
Pick-up and drop-off procedures
Recommended places to visit
Tips for first-time RV users

Can I get the owner's phone number or email address?

For everyone's safety and privacy, we ask that all communication happens through the Camplify platform. This also helps us assist if any issues arise.

What if an owner asks me to pay outside of Camplify?

Please don't make any payments outside of the Camplify platform. This is for your protection. If an owner suggests this, please report it to our support team immediately.

How quickly should I respond to owner messages?

Try to respond promptly, ideally within 24 hours. Quick communication helps ensure a smooth booking process and builds a good relationship with the owner.

Booking Confirmation

How do I know if my booking is confirmed?

You'll receive an email notification when the owner approves your booking request. You'll then need to make a payment to fully confirm the booking.

How can I make a payment?

Select pay now once your booking request has been approved.

If the booking is more than 30 days away you only pay a 25% deposit with the rest being deducted from the same card you used 30 days before the booking. If the booking is under 30 days prior, you will be required to make full payment.

You will be required to complete an identity verification before completing payment.

Both the hirer and owner will receive a notification of successful payment and booking confirmation. If you do not make payment Camplify or the owner may cancel the booking.

If you have multiple approved bookings, you only have to pay for the one you want, but make sure to cancel the other booking/s so the owner’s calendar is opened.

We advise you to pay the deposit within 48 hours of approval to confirm the booking, while this is not a Camplify requirement, many owners choose to cancel if the deposit is not paid in that time. If you are having trouble making a payment, contact Camplify support on live chat to assist.

What happens once a booking is confirmed and paid?

It’s time to organise a collection with the owner using the Camplify messaging service. Make sure you discuss your needs with the owner of the vehicle and organise exactly where and when you are planning to collect the vehicle.

At collection, the owner will go over a checklist with everything you need to know about the vehicle, it is important to pay attention to these details.

Remember that Camplify owners and hirers are required to act courteously to one another, if you need any advice from Camplify staff, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Booking Changes

Can I change my booking dates after confirming?

Yes, you can request to change your booking dates. Go to your booking in your Camplify account and select "Change Dates". The owner will need to approve these changes. To amend the dates:

Head to the Camplify website and sign into your account.
In the top right-hand corner of the page select “Bookings”
Under the title “Upcoming” you will see your upcoming bookings, select the booking you wish to amend.
Scroll down the page until you can see “Manage your Booking”
Select change dates
Select your new proposed dates

This will send a notification to the owner of the booking to approve for you.

How do I add extra items to my booking?

Many owners offer extra items like camping chairs or BBQs. You can add these when making your booking or later by going to your booking and selecting "Edit Optional Extras". To add or remove extra products:

Head to the Camplify website and sign into your account.
In the top right-hand corner of the page select “Bookings”
Under the title “Upcoming” you will see your upcoming bookings, select the booking you wish to amend.
Scroll down the page until you can see “Manage your Booking”
Select Edit Optional Extras
Select your new extras or deselect the ones you no longer require.

This will send a notification to the owner of the booking to approve for you.

What if I need to shorten my booking?

You can request to shorten your booking, but this may be subject to the cancellation policy. Contact the owner through the Camplify messaging system to discuss your options.

Can I extend my hire while I'm on my trip?

If you're having a great time and want to extend your hire, you can request an extension through your Camplify account. The owner will need to approve this and it will depend on the RV's availability.

When a date extension request is approved, the card linked to your Camplify account will be automatically charged. If there is any issue charging the card, the dates will revert to the original end date, before the extension request.

Pick-up and drop-off times

The owner of the RV you have booked will let you know the collection and drop-off times. It is important that both parties are punctual to ensure a smooth handover experience. If a hirer is running late, they must inform the owner to negotiate alternative arrangements. Please contact Customer Support if you require further advice.

What happens if I arrive late for pick-up?

Always try to arrive on time for your pick-up. If you're running late, contact the owner as soon as possible. Significant delays might impact your hire period or incur additional charges.