Renting Campervans

Ronanom

Does anyone know if / where it's possible to rent campervans?

Revelation Joe

Define 'campervan'
If you mean a VW style one, then I don't think there are any in Ireland.
if you mean the bigger ones, with a coachbuilt Luton body (a box over the cab)
then:
http://www.kamp-easimotorhomes.com/
http://www.motorhome.ie/Site_Rental/motorhomes.html

HTH, Del

netwhizkid

Yes you can as far as I know,

Check out Anchor Point Motor Homes I'm not sure if these rent or not.

Also see Motor Home Ireland these do rent as it says it on their homepage.

These are another crowd I have found.

I have never had any dealing with any of the aforementioned companies nor do I know anyone that has. Just got them from a quick google. It is something I would love to do and drive around Europe for a bit or even to Sydney like a few Irish lads did in a BMW 4yrs ago, see www.dublintosydney.com < coolest site I have seen in ages.

Santa Claus

I rented a motorhome for the electric picnic last year...best thing I ever did.
Got it from a place on the Naas road, can't remember the name of them....I'll see if I can dig out the booking email !

sandyg

Looking at some of those prices i might start renting out my one!!!:D

dudara

My father is seriously into camper vans, and has even starting importing them into the country for friends.

His one word of warning that he issues to everyone is to make sure that you have the correct license to drive one. Many of the people who approach him would only have the standard B-category license (up to 3,500 kg), which is fine for the smaller vans. However, most camper vans would be in excess of that, meaning that a C1-class license is required to drive them.

If you don't have the correct license, then your insurance is null and void.

sandyg

Myself and my husband both have insurance to drive our motorhome. (we are both in early 30's). Dolmen insurance cover anyone who has a full licence over the age of 27 for male and 26 for female)there is no problem and no restrictions about size of motorhome, weight etc.
Its just a standard fee across the board of all motorhomes per year ie €342.

"Dolmen Insurance Brokers has arranged an insurance scheme for Camper vehicles. This scheme, arranged with AXA, has been specially negotiated on your behalf to achieve significant savings in premium.
The summary below outlines the cover provided and the gives brief details of the policy requirements.
Insurer AXA Broker
Annual Premium (from 01/05/05) €342 including Levy & Fee
Cover Comprehensive, subject to policy conditions
Age Limits Male 27+ years (Full license required)
Female 26+ years (Full license required)"

dudara - just out of curiosity who is the name of the insurance company who is covering your fathers motorhome and where does it state that on the insurance policy regards restrictions on size

dudara

I don't think that it states it anywhere in the policy, but it's a rule of the road. You must have the correct license to drive your vehicle, otherwise insurers can and will refuse to pay out in the case of an accident.

Insurance companies don't often ask if you have the correct license. Think of all the provisional drivers out there driving on their own (with the exception of those on their second license). Even though they have insurance, they won't be covered in the case of an accident, because they were violating the conditions of their license, ie that they would have a fully licensed driver with them at all times. And yet the companies insure them. Why? Because the responsibility to have the correct license is on your shoulders.

sandyg

I have never heard personally of any insurance company not covering the person insured be it either provisional or full licence when involved in an accident or otherwise. I have contacted Dolmen and they said that my licence is fine for driving my motorhome regardless of size and weight and if (hopefully i wont) have an accident they will cover me on my full comprehensive cover as that is what i am paying the premium. The insurance company have a copy of both my husbands and my drivers licence and are fully aware of what we are entitled to drive with our licenses.

dudara

If your camper van is over 3,500 kg then a standard B-class license will not allow you to drive it. Simple as that. You may as well have no license.

Be aware of the fact that licenses are checked far more often on the continent than here, especially at ferry ports and so on.

sandyg

Im just back from a trip around france. Had driving licenses checked at various places and also at holyhead and dover. Never had a problem then or any other time we have travelled either within ireland or outside it. I or none of my other motorhome friends have or have ever heard of such a restriction on licences and a lot of them are driving large motorhomes a good few years now and some have had accidents and have made claims. I dont think a motorhome is classed as a "Goods Vehicle":rolleyes:

"Category Vehicle Type Minimum requirements Minimum Age
C1 Goods vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg Full C1 licence 18 years
C Goods vehicles over 3,500kg Full C licence 18 years
D1 Buses or passenger vehicles with accommodation for more than 8 but less than 16 people Full D1 licence 21 years
D Buses or passenger vehicles with accommodation for more than 8 people Full D licence 21 years"

dudara

If the motorhome is built on the chassis of a goods vehicle, as many of the bigger ones are, then that's the category they fall into.

peasant

When driving on the continent (or worse renting on the continent) you might indeed get into trouble with a B licence. Some countries can have very strict controls.

Also, in some countries, for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes different speed limits and road tolls apply.

Another issue is that (for the above reasons) many manufacturers keep their vehicles under the 3500 kg limit for registration purposes even though the empty vehicle already weighs in at 3300 or so. The end effect is, that with all people, food, water, etc on board the vehicle is overweight. Some countries have very strict mobile roadside weight checks ...asking you for a hefty fine and to unload excess weight before you're allowed to drive on.

At this point ...may I also point out my signature ....

dudara

My father and 2 of his cohorts recently travelled to Germany to bring back camper vans for friends of theirs. (camper van convoy!). While getting their export plates in Germany, their licenses were checked, and they were checked again at the ferry port in France.

All have C-class licenses, so no problems.