My Camper
What camping equipment and bedding do the campervans have on board?
Can a child seat be fitted to the campervan?
Are the campervans automatic or manual?
How old are the vehicles?
How long will my batteries last?
Is there heating in the motorhome?
How much water do I have on board?
Where can I empty the toilet and grey water?
How long does the appliance LPG last?
Bookings and Payment
How and when should I make my campervan bookings?
What do you mean by calendar days when we book?
I have submitted my booking form and credit card - what happens now?
Is there a refund if I shorten my hire while on holiday?
Driving in New Zealand
Do I need a special drivers licence to drive a motorhome in New Zealand?
How old do I need to be to drive a Pacific Horizon Motorhome?
Do I need snow chains in New Zealand?
Is there a minimum hire period?
Are there any roads I can't drive on?
What is the safe travel speed for driving the campervans?
How much diesel does each campervan hold?
How much does diesel cost in New Zealand?
How much fuel am I likely to use on my campervan holiday
Do I have to pay for road tax?
What type of luggage do we use?
Staying in your Camper
Can I park and sleep in the campervan wherever I want, or do I have to stay in a campground?
Can you suggest places to stay or what to see?
Does Pacific Horizon Motorhomes supply a list of campgrounds around New Zealand?
Do I have to pre-book camping parks?
Where are your offices located?
Free Transfers
Can Pacific Horizon deliver a vehicle to our hotel/motel?
How do I arrange the free transfer?
Ferry Bookings
Do I have to pre-book the ferry service across Cook Strait?
Is there a supermarket/petrol station near to the office?
Do you charge fees for one-way campervan hires?
I am starting my hire in Auckland and dropping off in Christchurch, should I swap vehicles between the North and South Island?
Breakdowns
What happens if I break down or need assistance during my driving holiday?
Insurance
Am I insured for windscreens and tyres?
What does the insurance cover?
If I have a road accident and I am at fault, will I lose my entire Excess
How do I cover the Vehicle Security Deposit (VSD)?
I have Travel Insurance, which covers damage to the vehicle. Do I need to pay the Pacific Horizon Motorhome vehicle insurance as well?
What happens if I have an accident and it’s not my fault, say a third party caused it?
If we have not covered your question above, please feel free to call us toll FREE within New Zealand 0800 808 881 or FREE from Australia 1-800 630 972
What equipment and bedding do the campervans have on board?
All campervans are fully equipped with cooking equipment, duvets, sheets, pillows/cases, towels, bathmats, cutlery, crockery, electric appliances, gas appliances, refreshments pack, regional guides, road atlas. For the full list of campervan accessories, please click here. You may wish to bring a torch, beach towel, face cloth and first aid kit.
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Can a child seat be fitted to the campervan?
Yes, you can fit any of the 3 different sized child seats to our Pacific Horizon Campervans. It is law in New Zealand that a child under 5 is required to be in an appropriate child seat whilst travelling. Each motorhome is different so when booking please let us know the ages of your children and if a car seat is required.
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Are the campervans automatic or manual?
Our Eclipse 2+1 campervans are automatic, but as New Zealand roads are very undulating, our large family sized vehicles cope better being manually operated, so do not have the automatic option.
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How old are the vehicles?
Our fleet has a maximum age of 5 Years, with an average age of just over 2 years. The vehicles may have travelled from 0km's to in excess of 100,000 km's plus.
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How long will my batteries last?
All Pacific Horizon Motohomes have a dual battery system. It has a house battery, which is independent of the engine batteries and charges whilst driving or if plugged into mains power. Using the house battery will not run the engine battery flat. This house battery, depending on usage, can last up to 48 hours without driving or being plugged into mains power. If the battery starts to lose power its just a matter of running the engine for a while or moving to a powered site to recharge it. The 12V house battery will power the fridge, water pump and lighting. For long stays it may be advisable to go to a holiday park and plug into 240V. The inbuilt inverter will insure that all 12V functions continue uninterrupted. Since the engine battery is separate, if you flatten one of the house batteries, you will still be able to start the engine and drive.
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Is there heating in the vehicle?
Yes, all Pacific Horizon’s campervans have diesel or gas-operated heaters. Refer to the vehicle page for full details of individual models. Click here to view vehicle pages
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How much water do I have on board?
This depends on the model of campervan you have.
The Eclipse 2+1 and 4 Berth holds 80 litres
The Eclipse 6 holds 120 litres
The fresh water tank can be refilled at holiday parks and often a service station when you refuel the vehicle.
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Where can I empty the toilet and grey water?
Dump stations are located in campgrounds and various tourist sites around New Zealand. We provide a list of where these are.
How long does the LPG last?
If you are free camping and using the gas fridge, central heating and hot water often, you may use a 9kg gas bottle every 10 days with average use, maybe more in winter. We recommend you check the bottle every 4-5 days to avoid running out at an inappropriate time.
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How and when should I make my bookings?
We always suggest as soon as you know the dates you wish to have your holiday - go online and book. To confirm we need a NZ$250 deposit and then the balance is due 28 days prior to your hire. The best way to submit your credit card details is through the bookings page on the Pacific Horizon Motorhomes website. This has a secure server for safety.
To book click here
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What do you mean by calendar days when we book?
Unlike rental car companies that charge by 24-hour clock, all campervan companies in New Zealand charge by the day. So regardless of the time of collection and return, you will be charged for the day you collect and the day you drop your vehicle off.
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I have submitted my booking form and credit card - what happens now?
Your request will be processed as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 hours of receiving your booking. If a vehicle is available for the dates you specified, your booking will be finalised and your credit card will be charged a $250 deposit. If you wish to cancel your booking after this, you will incur a cancellation fee.(see terms and conditions). If a vehicle is not available, we will contact you with a suitable alternative and no payment will be incurred.
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Is there a refund if I shorten my hire while on holiday?
No, there is no refund if you return your campervan earlier than the reserved period. However your travel insurance may in some circumstances cover the unused portion.
Do I need a special drivers licence to drive a campervan in New Zealand?
No, our campervans can be driven with a standard full car licence. Each person who wishes to drive would need to bring his or her own valid and original drivers licence. If your licence is not in English, we would recommend you bring a valid international drivers licence.
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How old do I need to be to drive a Pacific Horizon Campervan?
You must be 21 years of age to drive our campervans and hold a full drivers license.
Do I need snow chains in New Zealand?
Between 1 May and 30 November it is the law to carry chains on the Milford Road. On a more general note you may require snow chains on occasion mainly in the South Island and on the Desert road in the central North Island. Pacific Horizon Motorhomes can provide chains at a cost of NZ$40/hire.
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Is there a minimum hire period?
Minimum hire is 5 days, but this is subject to other conditions which may change during peak times.
Are there any roads I can't drive on?
There are several roads recognised by the Land Transport Safety Association as being unfit for rental vehicles. They are North Island: 90 mile beach, (top of the North Island) North of Colville Township (Coromandel) South Island: Skippers Canyon (near Queenstown), Ball Hutt Road (near Mt Cook) Whole Country: you are unable to park above the lower car park on any ski field, or within 10 metres of any beach or river. You are allowed to drive on unsealed roads although we strongly recommend you stay on the main sealed roads.
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What is the safe travel speed for driving the campervans?
The open road speed limit is 100km/hour, for our large family sized vehicles it is 90kmh, but we suggest a comfortable speed for driving your campervan is 85km
How much diesel does each vehicle hold?
The Eclipse 2+1 holds 70 Litres
The Eclipse 4 Berth and the 6 Berth hold 100 Litres
You are never too far from a fuel station in New Zealand, but if you are going to remote areas always check ahead where the next fuel/LPG stop is located to avoid running out at inappropriate locations.
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How much does diesel cost in New Zealand?
Diesel is priced much lower than petrol in New Zealand. And unlike other campervan rental companies, Pacific Horizon does not charge you for road user tax at the end of your holiday. For current fuel prices, click here.
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How much fuel am I likely to use on my holiday?
It would depend on the model, how fast that you were travelling and the km’s that you were doing, but it is approx 8 -11 cents/km.
Do I have to pay for road tax?
Unlike other companies, Pacific Horizon has an all inclusive rental rates structure and pays for the road tax.
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What type of luggage do we use?
All of our vehicles differ from year to year and model-to-model, so storage in one vehicle can be very different to another. We suggest that you use soft collapsible luggage, or you can store the empty cases at our client service centres, or if dropping off at a different city, in New Zealand you are able to courier your cases forward for a small cost.
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Can I park and sleep in the campervan wherever I want, or do I have to stay in a campground?
While it is not always necessary to go to a campground every night we do recommend it every 3rd or 4th night, to empty toilet and wastewater tanks and replenish your fresh water. The rule of thumb with stopping on the side of the road or bush reserve is - so long as there are no signs saying "No Parking/Overnight Camping" then it should be OK. Of course if you do free camp please remember not to leave any rubbish or traces of your stay. There are certain areas in NZ that you are unable to free camp. These are well signposted. If free camping, we ask you to be a careful camper. Please respect the environment and leave only your footprints. For more information, click here to visit the Tourism Industry Association website.
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Can you suggest places to stay or what to see?
For travel/itinerary ideas and places to stay in New Zealand try www.purenz.com
Does Pacific Horizon supply a list of campgrounds around New Zealand?
Yes, we supply camp ground & regional guides as well as a comprehensive New Zealand road map.
Do I have to pre-book camping parks?
Not really, it is rare for powered sites to be full at camping parks. The only time it may be a problem is over the Christmas/New Year period and bookings may be wise in some of the key tourist centres.
Where are your offices located?
Pacific Horizon Motorhomes has 4 offices in New Zealand, Auckland, Wellington, Picton and Christchurch. Please click here to view our conveniently located offices.
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Can Pacific Horizon deliver a vehicle to our hotel/motel?
No, it is necessary for you to come to our office to collect your vehicle so we are able to complete the necessary documentation and familiarise you with the operation of the campervan, this procedure takes about 45 minutes.
How do I arrange the FREE transfer?
We like to know in advance your flight arrival details or desired pick up time. We offer a free courtesy pick up/drop off service from your hotel, motel, airport or the ferry terminal in the city central to any of our 4 locations, Auckland, Wellington, Picton or Christchurch, daily between the hours of 8am-5pm (winter) and 8am-6pm (summer) Please advise us of your arrival details if our courtesy transfer service is required at the beginning of your hire. On arrival please also reconfirm your transfer via our freephone (Use any land-line phone, no coins are required) 0800 80 8881, our courtesy vehicle will be with you in a matter of minutes.
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Do I have to pre-book the ferry service across Cook Strait?
Yes, it is advisable to pre-book ferry services in advance to avoid any disappointment and inconvenience. During the peak summer season from December to March it is strongly recommended that you do so. We would be happy to arrange this for you before you arrive. Please let us know your preferred cross date(s) and time(s) and the name and ages of those crossing on the ferry. For a sailing itinerary please click for the Interislander and the Bluebridge Ferry Services.
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Is there a supermarket/petrol station near to the office?
Yes, there are 7 days a week supermarkets open 8am-9pm and petrol stations open 24 hours close to each office, where you can park easily and purchase your supplies to start your holiday. We do provide a free starter pack for travellers with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar, milk and biscuits.
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Do you charge fees for one-way hires?
One-way rentals are available between Client Service Centre locations. A fee of $250 is applicable for hires less than 7 days during 1 October - 31 March
I am starting my hire in Auckland and dropping off in Christchurch, should I swap vehicles between the North and South Island?
With regard to seperate vehicles in the North and South islands -generally when people are thinking of hiring and rehiring on the same day, it works out cheaper to keep the same vehicle. If they dehire and rehire on the same day then there are two daily charges for both vehicles. There are also two separate bonds for each vehicle. It is classed as two separate campervan hires and you may not qualify for long hire discounts. If you have 2 short hires (less than 7 days) you are also limited to 250km/day and NZ$.35km thereafter. Our clients seem to prefer to keep the same vehicle as they become familiar and comfortable with it. Also time is a big issue, do you have a whole day to spare on your holiday with the process of dehiring/rehiring at each office?
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What happens if I break down or need assistance during my holiday?
Pacific Horizon has a 24-hour emergency freephone and a nationwide network of reputable service agents to deal with any problems that may arise as quickly as possible. We can also authorize you to spend up to $100.00 in emergency repairs so that you can deal with minor matters speedily or when convenient to you, but please produce the receipt when you return from your hire.
Am I insured for windscreens and tyres?
Yes. You are covered for multiple windscreens caused through stone chips and you are also insured for tyres, as long as you are not considered to be negligent in either situation.
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What does the rental insurance cover?
Our standard insurance covers you for up to $1,000,000 public liability damage, provided you don't break the rules of the rental agreement. It does not cover you for any personal loss or injury. We suggest taking your own personal travel insurance.
If I have an accident and I am at fault, will I lose my entire Excess?
In the unfortunate event of an accident, you will be liable for up to the amount of your excess towards the repair cost. If the damage is minor, you will only be charged the repair costs and not the entire excess. You must notify Pacific Horizon within 24 hours to report the incident. Up to your excess will be charged per incident not per hire, therefore if you ahve multiple accidents your can be charged your excess for each separate accident.
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How do I cover the Vehicle Security Deposit (VSD)?
Unlike other companies, Pacific Horizon do not deduct your (VSD) before your motorhome hire starts. We simply require a credit card imprint on the Rental Agreement. If you don't have a credit card, we require either Cash or signed Traveller's Cheques in NZ$. If there is no loss/damage or any reported incidents, speeding fines or parking tickets, Pacific Horizon Motorhomes will send the (VSD) back to you in the form of a company cheque, 3 weeks after your hire.
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I have Travel Insurance, which covers damage to the vehicle. Do I need to pay the Pacific Horizon Motorhome vehicle insurance as well?
With most bookings, insurance is included in the daily rate. If not then insurance must be purchased to cover the vehicle. A standard excess applies (which you can choose to reduce). In the event of the vehicle becoming damaged during your hire, you will be liable for the applicable excess. This may be claimed back by yourself against your travel insurance, but this agreement is between your travel insurer and yourself. And remember, with Pacific Horizon you get as standard what other companies only offer after purchasing additional cover. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully.
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What happens if I have an accident and it’s not my fault, say a third party caused it?
In the event that something happens to the campervan and you are not at fault (either a vehicle accident where someone strikes the vehicle or damage occurs while the vehicle is parked, if you are unable to supply Pacific Horizon Motorhomes with details that enable recovery of the costs, then unfortunately you will be liable.
A break in reported to the Police with a copy of the incident report from the police is not charged for.
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