Classic landlords
The manufacturers' rental portals have been established for a long time. In 1994, Deutsche Reisemobilvermietung DRM began renting out Eura motorhomes. As major manufacturers, the Erwin Hymer Group and Knaus also offer their vehicles on their own rental portals. They have a large number of rental stations via their dealer network. You can hire either via the websites or directly from the dealers. In addition, many dealers also have their own pool of hire vehicles. An overview can be found on the pages of the Caravanning Industry Association CIVD and the German Caravanning Trade Association DCHV . Also the ADAC rents out motorhomes and caravans via its website. The dealers also act as hire stations here. You do not need to be an ADAC member.
- Rent and Travel (Knaus), Tel. 08583 21266, reservierung@rentandtravel.de
- Trigano Group (Eura Mobil), Deutsche Reisemobilvermietung DRM, Tel. 08121 995-0, info@drm.de
- Rent easy (Hymer), Tel. 07562 91389-290, reservation@rent-easy.de
- McRent (Dethleffs) Tel. 07562 91389-150, reservation@mcrent.eu
- Crossrent (campervans only), Tel. 07562 91389-285, reservation@cross-rent.eu
Young rental portals
Times are changing and so are the target groups. There are some young landlords who are enriching the market with new, different concepts. There are rentals from the age of 18, fully equipped or long-term rentals. In addition to the pure rental portal, the websites often offer tips on travelling, beautiful places and adventure blogs.
The fastest growing Roadsurfer . The young company started in 2016 with the online hire of 25 VW California campervans and currently offers 5000 campervans at over 50 locations in twelve European countries. Hannes Camper is somewhat smaller, with six locations and 90 campervans. The hire company has even become a manufacturer and offers its own camper vans for sale, which are customised by a Slovenian partner. The founders of Vantopia have opened a second location near Munich in addition to Hamburg.
A clear concept with three models: Car with roof tent, bus and panel van are offered with the Vantopia full equipment. From the Microplane universal grater and freshly filled salt and pepper shakers to rubbish bags, everything is already in the vehicle for a carefree departure. Extras such as a solar panel with router, bed linen or a SUP can also be booked.
Exciting for windsurfers is the offer of Activans There are currently five campervans available for hire on the Costa Brava, perfectly equipped with windsurfing equipment of your choice from Fanatic and Duotone. This eliminates the often stressful and expensive travelling by plane or a long journey on your own. There are various packages with one board and two sails or two boards with four sails. Bike, kite and surf packages are also available. The operators Nora and Ronan speak German and are also happy to help you plan your trips!
- Roadsurfer Tel. 089 21541678, kontakt@roadsurfer.com
- Hannes Camper Tel. 05172 5889611, post@hannes-camper.de
- Vantopia , Tel. 040 36036990, info@vantopia.de
- Activans , tel. + 34 661 132 750, info@activans.com
Portals for private rentals
The concept of a portal for brokering private campervans and motorhomes appears to be working extremely well. The Australian company Camplify took over the portal founded in 2013 for just under 31 million euros Paul Camper . Over 13,000 different vans, panel vans and motorhomes are rented out by private individuals via its website. You can choose the motorhome of your choice online, get in direct contact with the landlord and inspect the vehicle. The advantage: no off-the-peg motorhomes, but personally furnished or even self-built pieces of jewellery. In the event of damage, you are covered by Paul Camper. Other portals are Campanda, Yescapa and Indie Campers. In contrast to traditional rental companies, whose fleets are usually renewed every two years, private providers also rent out older models. The disadvantage: the risk of breakdowns while travelling is higher.
Handover and return
Four eyes see more than two. If possible, come to the handover in pairs! The briefing is very extensive and important details are quickly forgotten. Notes are helpful. Previous damage inside and outside should be recorded in detail. A few smartphone photos are quickly taken. At the end of the journey, the vehicle must be returned in a clean condition. You should allow time to clear out and clean it. If the vehicle is parked outside of business hours, photos should also be taken of the vehicle at the parking location to be on the safe side. Renters do not want to buy accessories that they will only need once. The following items should already be included in the hire price or can be added on:
- First-aid kit, warning triangle, safety waistcoats (for each passenger)
- 25 metre CEE cable reel
- Camping table and chairs for each traveller
- At least one full gas cylinder (preferably two in autumn and spring)
- Kitchen utensils such as pots, pans, crockery and cutlery
Where to put the windsurfing equipment in a motorhome?
Bicycle racks are already fitted to many rental vehicles or can be booked. A vehicle with a rear garage is ideal for heavy e-bikes. Windsurfing equipment usually has to be transported on the roof of a hire motorhome. Clarify with the hire company beforehand that you need a vehicle suitable for roof transport and bring belts and padding! In vehicles with a large rear garage, it may be possible to stow smaller wave equipment there. In a van, even a SUP can lead to space problems. You should know what equipment you will be travelling with before you choose your vehicle.
In practice
As a renter, you should plan ahead and book early enough to have the best possible choice of vehicles at good prices. Some people have respect for travelling with a big box. But first-time travellers in particular have to get used to the cramped living space and quickly step on each other's toes until life in the motorhome settles down. It's therefore better to rent a size larger than planned and avoid small mountain roads and old town streets on your first trip! The car park at the entrance to the town is usually the better choice. Tip: when reversing, always have a person get out and secure the rear of the vehicle. Branches often hang lower than the side mirror or reversing camera would suggest. Retract the awning every evening and when leaving the camper! A gust of wind can be enough to tear the awning box off the roof. On campsites, it is better to inspect your pitch on foot first. Your neighbour will be grateful if you don't have to manoeuvre next to him for long. By the way: landlords regularly renew their fleet and sell their young used vehicles. Perhaps after the rental is before the purchase.
Packing tips
Renting costs money and you would rather set off straight away than spend the first day packing. Suitcases definitely don't belong in a motorhome. It is better to pack your clothes in packing cubes, which in turn can be transported to the rental motorhome in large shoppers, such as the well-known blue IKEA bag. The practical clothes bags are simply stowed away in the cupboards before departure and the shoppers are stored in a space-saving manner until the end of the journey. There are no cupboards in vans and VW buses, so soft travelling bags are best for stowing the packing cubes. It's best to do your first grocery shopping on the journey.
In contrast to a hotel holiday is cooked in the camper. So don't forget washing-up liquid, sponge, brush, tea towels and lighter. Children love sleeping bags, adults can simply bring their bedding from home. You only need half as much clothing as planned. There are washing machines and tumble dryers at almost every campsite. So it's better to do a wash while you're on the road than travelling around with large amounts of dirty laundry. There is almost always not enough space for this.
Rain jackets, towels, bathrobes and slippers are a must when camping. The most important tool is a headlamp. As a tenant, you can do without tools and repair materials. Campers are real tinkering and tool fetishists. If you need something, the person next to you will be happy to help. But you have to get used to the camper community talking shop!
The rest of the equipment corresponds to what you would pack for any other trip.
