Are you planning a trip to Los Angeles and wondering if you should hire a campervan instead of taking the traditional route and staying at one or more Airbnbs or hotels? Renting a campervan truly unlocks many potential opportunities for your holiday, but it can also be a thorn in your side if you don’t consider the right campervan. So, before you book a campervan in Los Angeles, here are some things we urge you to consider.
- Know what you need
So you know your destination, but now you need to consider the best mode of transportation for a campervan. You could hire two main types of vans: Motorhomes or a campervan. Generally, a motorhome would be slightly large with more amenities. Essentially, it’s designed to be a home on wheels. On the other hand, a campervan would be smaller, allowing you to get around more easily and providing you with essentials like a bed, sink, fridge, stove, and other items. You would need to park at a campsite for showers and laundry solutions.
- Search for campervan hires in Los Angeles
Secondly, you also want to know and trust the campervan rental agency you’re going through. There’s nothing worse than hitting the road, doing your first 50km, and then the campervan cuts out. Granted, with most reputable campervan agencies, this shouldn’t be a problem, but you never know when an issue may arise.
To avoid this, you need to do a bit of research about the rental agencies. Check their reviews (and not just the ones they choose to display on their website), ask around and see what their reputation is like with people who’ve used them. Additionally, check what their procedure is if one of their vehicles happens to break down while you’re on the road. Do they offer roadside assistance? All these factors should contribute to what agency you go through to rent a campervan.
- Consider the features of the campervan
Before you rent a camper, it’s important to consider what features you need. For example, if you’re travelling with a family, you may need a van to sleep three to five people. Or, if you plan to go over rough terrain, you may need a camper designed to handle it. Likewise, what extras do you need, like a set of camping tables and chairs or onboard wifi? These are all considerations you need to make as you book a campervan. Here’s a list of additional features that may be useful:
- Fridge
- Gas hob
- Full gas bottle
- Sink
- Water tank
- Mains hook up
- Interior lighting
- Pots and pans,
- Cooking utensils
- Crockery
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Heater
In addition to these essentials, we also recommend asking whether or not they allow you to travel with a pet. While most campervan agencies would happily let your pets tag along, some may not. So, factor this in first if you plan on bringing a pet along.
- Ask about insurance
When you hire a campervan, most agencies will have an insurance agreement that protects them in the event of an accident. Before you set out, we recommend checking what the insurance policy says. In some cases, there may be an excess payment on the insurance you would need to pay if the accident was your fault. Likewise, there may be mileage limits or other terms and conditions attached to the fine print that you may need to know. So, make a point of checking the insurance policy before signing any contract.
- Ask for a full rundown of the vehicle when you rent it
Finally, just before you take the keys, ask the rental agent to run through every aspect of the campervan so you know how everything works. Ask them to give you a detailed description of how to fill up water, fuel, etc., so you know what you’re doing. Here’s a list of things you need to know how to do:
- Switch on the gas
- Full up the water tank
- Empty the waste
- Pull out the bed if it needs to be
- Work the electronics
- Raise or pop out the roof
- Turn on and off the alarm
- Swivel the front seats
Likewise, make a note of any parts in and outside of the car that are damaged or worn so that they can’t try to reduce your deposit when you return the car.
Looking for a campervan?
Now that we’ve given you what to look for, it is a lapse in judgment if we didn’t point you in the right direction. Travellers Autobarn offers quality, reliable campervans, so you don’t need to worry about getting stuck on the side of the road if you hire a “lemon”. You can see deals on campervan rentals in Los Angeles here. Autobarn can set you up with the right campervan for your trip around Los Angeles.
Final thoughts
Travelling with a campervan offers a different experience than you would expect when you go on a traditional holiday. There is no need to pay for accommodation, no limitations on schedules and bookings, just you and the road with some planning. However, things can turn sour fast without considering the abovementioned factors. So, if you’re planning a campervan trip in and around Los Angeles, make sure that you find the right campervan and follow the other tips above.