Looking to rent a camper van on Maui? Here are a few tips to help ensure you have a safe, pleasant and memorable camping experience:
1. Find a reputable company to rent you a safe & reliable camper van.
None of the major car rental companies offer camper vans on Maui so it is a niche market that you must seek out. Look for a company that has a reputation of good service, quality vehicles and offers insurance protection. Many independent rentals are close to 20 years old. In the case of VW vans they can be 30-50 years old so modern safety features may be lacking. Some of these older vehicles may not allow you to go up to the top of Haleakala. So do your due diligence, ask questions and be sure you are working with a reputable company that will provide you with a safe & reliable camper van.
2. Safety First.
Many of us are used to Airbnb and have had seemless and flawless room rentals. Your camping van room rental is a lot different because the condition of the vehicle is what makes it safe and suitable for your enjoyment or not. That is not so much of an issue for a room in a home but it is a huge issue for older vehicles which are not kept up to factory specifications/compliance for safety and drivability. Don’t find out the hard way!
Older camping vans lack air bags and ABS breaks that a modern car have. Other safety issues include keeping the vehicle up to drivability safety standards by having tires with ample tread left, proper wheel alignment and suspension kept to specification. Having the braking system inspected and kept up to standards is also a critical item for all renters. The big rental companies have this down and use only the newest cars, ask about the tire tread and most recent brake inspection and when was the last Hawaii safety inspection passed.
3. Convenience.
Is there an online booking system and communication system 24×7? Will the renter meet you at the airport when you arrive and receive the vehicle at the airport when you leave. Often people fly in and leave outside of normal business hours to save on airfares so will you need a hotel room when you arrive because of a late or delayed flight? What is the policy for early or late arrival? Can you get a hotel delivery or pick up? What kind of reviews has the owner received from renters regarding ease of communication, cleanliness, convenience, clarity and mechanical condition of the van and its equipment?
4. Recourse and Insurance.
What are the cancellation policies and security deposits required? The big car rental companies are very flexible in this are but this is not the same for RV rentals. Also, what is the insurance available from the renter to make sure you can walk away from any accident without liability for van damage or personal injury. Does the renter provide 24 hour roadside service if you need it?
5. Maui Camping/Vacation Equipment Options.
Does the renter offer options to meet your Maui adventure needs? If you want cooking to be part of your camping experience does the renter offer a full package to make cooking easy and convenient for you? Are there options for fresh linens, hand towels, beach towels, beach chairs, coolers, inverter to recharge your phone or power your laptop, snorkeling or boogie boarding equipment, LED lighting for headlamps, lanterns, flashlights, first aid kit? Are there seats with safety belts for child seats?
CampCar rents modern Honda Element eCampers and other vehicles with rooftop & pop-top modifications and has a full range of options with cooking packages, sleep comfort and beach sports. Vehicles meet or exceed factory performance and compliance standards and are regularly serviced and inspected. All Factory recalls for air bags have been implemented. CampCar gives you VIP service for pick up and return and has won a unique 5 Star customer service evaluation from Turo based on customer reviews.