FAQs
- What's included in the rental price?
- Are the vans suitable for children?
- How do we pick up our van?
- What time can I pick up the van?
- What time does the van need to be back?
- What happens if I have an accident?
- What happens if I break down?
- What happens if something's not working?
- Who can drive the van?
- How do I book?
- What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
- How do I pay?
- Do I have to pay the full amount up front?
- How long can I rent a van for?
- Will you take a security deposit?
- Will I need ID to pick up the van?
- Can I take the van abroad?
- Are there any mileage limits?
- What do I need to bring with me?
- Do you have bikes to hire?
- Do you have any exclusions?
- How many people could we get in a van?
- How easy are the vans to drive?
- What fuel do the vans take?
- How is the stove fuelled?
- Do we need to book campsites in advance?
- Can I bring pets?
- Can I smoke in the van?
- What are your Terms and Conditions?
What's included in the rental price?
The basic price includes rental of the van, all standard equipment, fully comprehensive insurance for one named driver and AA cover. Extra equipment as requested on the booking form will be subject to additional cost. This will be confirmed in an email once we receive your provisional booking. No deposit will be taken until you know, and are happy with, the full cost of your holiday.
Are the vans suitable for children?
Absolutely. Children love the excitement and adventure of a camper holiday. Although not strictly required by law, all of our vans have been refitted to include 3-point front facing seat belts and (where applicable) 2-point rear facing lap belts ensure that they are as safe as possible. The front facing seats will accommodate most forms of baby and child car seats (Groups 1-4). However, because the van seats do not have headrests (except for Heidi's front seats) we suggest that low back booster seats are of little benefit. Please call or email us if you'd like more information.
How do we pick up our van?
You can find our location on the About Us page. However, we'll also send you detailed instructions telling you how to find us before your holiday. Once you have collected your van, you can leave your car in covered parking with us. However, this is entirely at your own risk.
What time can I pick up the van?
You can pick up the van any time between 3pm and 6pm on the first day of rental. We need sufficient time to clean and inspect the vans before they are taken out again.
What time does the van need to be back?
The vans need to be back with us by 10.30am on the final day of your rental. This should give you sufficient time to get back to us and also allows us to prepare the vans for the next hirers. However, if for reasons outwith your control you feel you may be late, please call us - we'd rather you were late than thrashing the engine!
What happens if I have an accident?
Just call the insurance number provided in the Van Handbook, quote the reference number and await instructions. Please also give us a call to let us know what's happened.
What happens if I break down?
We make all reasonable endeavours to ensure that all our vans are roadworthy at the time of rental. However, these are old vehicles and do occasionally breakdown. Call the number for the AA, provided in the Van Handbook, and provide the membership number on the card. If the vehicle may be fixed at the roadside then you should be back on your way in no time. If not, then you will be towed back to us. If we have a spare van then you are welcome to take it to continue your holiday, otherwise you will receive a partial refund. (See Terms and Conditions for details).
However, as a hirer you are responsible for regularly checking the oil level and tyre pressure. The costs incurred from any mechanical breakdown as a direct result of hirer neglect in this regard will be borne by the hirer.
What happens if something's not working?
Again, we make all reasonable endeavours to ensure that your van is in full working order when you pick it up, but occasionally things will go wrong. In the first instance, please refer to the Van Handbook for “self help” tips. However, if you’re still stuck, please give us a call and we’ll do our best to fix the problem. If you end up out of pocket by purchasing replacement items (up to a maximum of £50), please keep the receipts and we’ll reimburse you. However, please call us to let us know before you buy anything.
Who can drive the van?
The basic rental cost includes fully comprehensive insurance for one named driver aged between 25 and 70 years. We can also arrange for insurance for over 21s, but this will incur an additional cost of around £4.50 per day per driver.
If you would like to include additional drivers, please let us know and we’ll add them to the insurance policy. This will incur an additional cost of around £2.50 per day per additional driver. There is a standard insurance excess of £750 for which the rental is liable in the event that a claim is made.
We need to check with Compucar on any exclusions e.g. foreign drivers etc.
How do I book?
The easiest way to book is via the website. Simply chose your van, select your rental dates and fill out the booking form. However, you can also call us and make a reservation over the phone. If we're unable to take your call, please let us know when would be a good time to call you back.
What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
If you cancel more than six weeks before the start of your holiday you will forfeit your booking deposit. Between six weeks and two weeks, you will be charged 50% of the total cost of your holiday, less the booking deposit. If you cancel less than 2 weeks before your holiday, then you will be charged for the full cost of your holiday.
How do I pay?
Your provisional booking request will be processed within 24 hours and you will receive an email confirming the total cost of your holiday. You will then be directed to a PayPal website where you will be invited to pay a deposit, which will secure your booking. You can pay by credit or debit card or via your PayPay account, if you have one. You will be required to pay the balance six weeks before your holiday, otherwise your booking will be cancelled and you will lose your deposit. But don't worry, we will send you a reminder email.
Do I have to pay the full amount up front?
Only if you make the booking less than six weeks before the start of your holiday.
How long can I rent a van for?
Our standard rental periods are:
Long weekend (Fri-Mon)
Mid-week break (Mon-Fri)
Week long (Fri-Fri, or Mon-Mon)
However, if you would like to explore any other length of rental, please contact us for availability and a quote.
Will you take a security deposit?
When you arrive to pick up the van we will take a security deposit of £800 on a credit card. This is fully refundable upon the return of the vehicle to us at the agreed time, in the condition it was let, relatively clean and with a full tank of fuel.
We do not expect you to thoroughly clean your van, but please clear out any and all rubbish, wipe down the interior surfaces and sweep the floor before you hand it back to us. We will charge £50 for any excessive cleaning that we need to undertake.
We will make a charge of £25, in addition to the fuel costs, for refuelling if you fail to return your van with a full tank.
The cost of any material damage will be directly deducted from the security deposit. Refer to our terms and conditions for details.
Will I need ID to pick up the van?
We will need to inspect the driver's licences (both card and paper copies) for the named driver(s) insured on your van. We will also require a utility bill (not more than 8 weeks old) from the lead person as proof of address. We will take photocopies of both the licence documents and utility bill. However, these will be destroyed upon safe return of the vehicle.
Can I take the van abroad?
Our standard rental insurance excludes taking the van abroad. However, you are welcome to use your van to explore the whole of the UK. If you would like to explore the possibility of taking a van to the European Continent, then please contact us and we'll do our best to accommodate you. However, this will incur an additional cost.
Are there any mileage limits?
You are restricted to100 miles per full day averaged over the duration of your rental period i.e. Long weekend - 300 miles, Mid-week break - 400 miles, Week - 600 miles. You will be charged 40 pence per mile for every mile that you are over this limit. This will be taken directly from your security deposit.
What do I need to bring with me?
The campers are fully equipped with most of what you will need (crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, etc.) Unless you rent it as an extra from us, you will need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bags work well as they are neater to store), pillows and towels.
If you intend to use the awning for sleeping you will also need to bring ground mats (thermorests or similar). We do recommend that you travel light - the less you take with you, the more space the camper can give you! Remember to bring with you driving licences (both parts) for all the named drivers, together with a utility bill addressed to the lead person.
Do you have bikes to hire?
We don't hire bikes, however, there are several options for bike hire within easy reach of us. Just ask and we will guide you based on your itinerary. We do rent out bike racks, however, at an additional cost. Each bike rack will accommodate up to four bikes.
Do you have any exclusions?
No pets.
No smoking.
Limit speed to 65 mph.
How many people could we get in a van?
Rolf and Heidi will seat 5 people whilst on the road (four front facing and one rear facing) and will sleep four in the van. "Tintop" will seat 5 (all front facing), but will only sleep 2 adults (and a small child sharing the Rock and Roll bed).
How easy are the vans to drive?
All of our campers are over 30 years old and, as such, you should not expect them to drive like a modern car. Each has its own quirks, which we'll run through with you when you pick up your van. We also have an "Idiots Guide" in the Van Handbook if you get stuck at any point. It may take you a few miles to get used to a new driving style, but you'll soon settle into an altogether more relaxing and rewarding driving experience.
What fuel do the vans take?
All of the vans run on unleaded petrol.
How is the stove fuelled?
The stoves are LPG fuelled. Each camper is supplied with an installed LPG gas bottle and a spare - this is included within the hire charge. We endeavor to ensure there is adequate gas supply for the length of your trip, but if you should run out please replace the bottle at a petrol station, camping shop or Calor Gas centre and we will reimburse you the cost on your return.
Do we need to book campsites in advance?
We would advise that you book your campsites in advance during the peak season and school holidays, particularly if you would electric hook-up which will enable you to use all the camper facilities to their full advantage. Take a look at our Useful Links page for campsite suggestions and campsite directories.
Can I bring pets?
Unfortunately we don't allow pets other than guide or listening dogs.
Can I smoke in the van?
Sorry, we do not allow smoking inside any of our vans.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Most of whet you need to know is listed here in the FAQs. However, you can find the fine print on our Terms and Conditions page.