The main differences between a motor home and a backpackers campervan is the space inside. Backpackers campervans usually sleep up to two people comfortably, where motor homes may be able to sleep up to six people and generally have more space inside to cook and sit. Motor homes are also on the hole better equipped in side often having showers, cookers and sometimes toilet facilities.
The other main difference between motorhomes and backpackers campervans is the price. In New Zealand you can generally pick up good backpackers campervan for around 10,000 – 20, 000 NZD but a proper motorhome will cost you around 40,000 NZD and upwards.
Because of the price, people who want to travel in New Zealand in a motor home will generally rent, depending on the length of their stay. However, many dealers of such vehicles offer guaranteed ’buy back’ prices. It can often depend on the time of year that you buy and sell as to how much of your money you will get back. Rental prices vary massively throughout the year due to the defined tourist seasons.
Many people decide to compromise with a backpackers campervan, being much cheaper to buy it can cost dramatically less to buy and sell a backpackers campervan, they are often easier to re sell. Just make sure you are buying a good one by checking it out first.
For those travelling on low budgets they may decide for a converted work van. Essentially the same thing without all of the comforts that can be found in the properly set up backpackers campervans. For the same vehicle it can be half the price for a converted van, meaning that you can make the same trip without such a big initial outlay and with the same amount of risk involved. A good converted van will generally cost you around 4000 NZD and up depending on the year, make and model.
