We know you have questions. We have answers!
Renting a campervan 101
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Campervans are awesome, we think it's great! So much so that we want you to try it. Being able to pull up to your campsite and get right to the fun part without having to remember where you put the tent stakes is awesome, and having your cooking stuff ready to go is sweet, too. Campervans are not RVs, by design, and there are compromises, for example, a van that seats five simply doesn't have room inside to sleep five, unless most of those people are small kids. We do have options for adding a tent rental or a rooftop tent rental (see "How many people do your vans sleep?" below for details on that) to make room for the whole team. Additionally, campervans do not have toilets or showers built in, and staying cool on hot summer nights involves open windows, a good breeze, and use of a small fan. If you're expecting a rolling motel room, you'll be disappointed. If you're expecting a great way to explore the mountain west with comfy camping, you'll be treated to amazing sunrises right outside your door.
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-Our office is located in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, about 10 minutes from the SLC International Airport. TRAX, the local light rail, will take you from the airport to a stop about a block away from our office. SLC is also serviced by Lyft and Uber.
-We keep hours by appointment between 9AM and 6PM. There is a charge for earlier or later arrivals/returns. Please make arrangements ahead of time.
-Under special circumstances, we can accommodate one-way rentals. Because our only office is in Salt Lake City, Utah, this involves an extra fee. Previous one-way rentals have included San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver. Please contact us for details.
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We rent our campervans to guests 25 years and older.
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We understand that sometimes you can only get away for a weekend even if you would rather go for a month. However, depending on the season, the minimum rental term is 3-5 nights. Some holidays have a seven-day minimum. Send us an email for details on your trip.
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-Seasonal rates vary, and trip length discounts may apply. Please send us an email and we will respond quickly with a personalized quote which includes an explanation of how to make a reservation. Count on $99-169/night plus taxes (Sales and Use and Motor Vehicle Rental) and insurance.
-Our campervans cost approximately the same price to rent. We have several configurations and try to pair our guests with the best available vehicle for their vacation. Our "smallest campervan" isn't necessarily our least expensive vehicle. If you're taking a ski trip, we try to offer an all-wheel-drive vehicle because it's safer to drive in the snow. If you have a family, we'll send you out in a vehicle with enough seating for everyone. If you have a specific vehicle request, we'll try to make it available for your trip.
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-Think of a "campervan rental" more like a booking a hotel room or campsite than a sedan from the airport "rent-a-car".
-You can check out the vehicle as early as 9:00 a.m. on the day you arrive, possibly even earlier by making special arrangements. It's your vehicle for the "day". Arrive early, get on the road, and make the most of it.
-If you arrive in the evening, you still pay for that rental day. We don't use a 24 hour clock. The clock started ticking at 9:00 a.m. that morning whether you're here or not. If you plan on flying into to SLC super late, it may be more cost effective for you to get a hotel for the night and pick up the van early in the morning. It's your choice.
-There is no charge for your last day if you return the vehicle before 2PM. Otherwise, there is an additional charge (calculated at +$15/hr).
-This policy is very clear and straightforward. Please don't argue with us over the price on the back end of your trip if you return late. There aren't any exceptions.
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-125 miles are included with each rental "night" (see above).
-We take an odometer reading at the beginning of your trip and at the end of your trip.
-If you go over the included mileage, additional miles are $0.35/mile (0-250 miles), $0.65/mile (251+ miles).
-We don't offer an "unlimited" mileage option.
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-We do! We have had customers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. We are excited to add your home country to the list.
-If you are an international customer, we will need your passport number and an international driver's permit to process your insurance eligibility.
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Hidden fees? Never. Taxes?Unfortunately. 17.25% of total rental amount (7.75% Utah Sales Tax, 9.5% Utah Motor Vehicle Rental Tax). This money goes directly to the State and is required by law to be collected by all vehicle rental companies. We try to keep our pricing as simple as possible so you know exactly how much your rental will cost. No unpleasant surprises.
Tell me about your campervans
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Our campervans are built on the popular Ram Promaster City and Chevrolet Express platforms.
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All vans sleep at least two people on the sofa bed. If your group is larger, there are several options for sleeping arrangements:
1) There is plenty of space on the carpet next to the cabinets to inflate an air mattress and crash out.
2) Some members of the group can tent camp. We rent tents, sleeping bags and pads.
3) We have hard shell rooftop tents available for an additional charge, adding sleeping space for at least 2 more.
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Seasonal rates vary, and trip length discounts may apply. Please send us an email and we will respond quickly with a personalized quote which includes an explanation of how to make a reservation. Count on $99-169/night plus taxes (Sales and Use and Motor Vehicle Rental) and insurance.
Our campervans cost approximately the same price to rent. We have several configurations and try to pair our guests with the best available vehicle for their vacation. Our "smallest campervan" isn't necessarily our least expensive vehicle. If you're taking a ski trip, we try to offer an all-wheel-drive vehicle because it's safer to drive in the snow. If you have a family, we'll send you out in a vehicle with enough seating for everyone. If you have a specific vehicle request, we'll try to make it available for your trip.
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Our vehicles are approximately 18 feet long. Special RV sites aren't necessary. Also, some of our vehicles are equipped with secondary battery system that generates extra power from the sun or the vehicles' alternator. No need for plug-ins or RV hookups.
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Most of our vehicles come standard with Yakima load bars and Yakima cargo boxes. This is where we store lawn chairs and a roll out table. They are also great for backpacks and luggage. We have a selection of premium bike racks from Kuat, Rocky Mounts, and Yakima that can be installed on the receiver hitch. If you want a bike rack, cargo rack, or any other accessory equipment installed for your rental, please check ahead of time to confirm availability.
We also have hard shell roof top tents. These guys weigh a ton and are difficult to install and remove. But they're very cool. Please ask for pricing and availability. We sell them, too.
What coverage does your insurance provide?
We offer three insurance packages:
Basic: $100,000.00 Auto Physical Damage, Statutory Minimum Liability, Windshield Coverage (after deductible).
Essential: $150,000.00 Auto Physical Damage, Roadside Assistance, Statutory Minimum Liability, Windshield Coverage (after deductible).
Peace of Mind: $250,000.00 Auto Physical Damage, Roadside Assistance, Up to $1,000,000.00 Liability, Windshield Coverage (after deductible).
There is a $1,000.00 deductible for all three insurance packages.
"Auto Physical Damage" means what is commonly understood as "Collision and Comprehensive" on your private auto policy.
You can also opt out of our insurance but you will need to provide an Insurance Binder from your insurer. You assume ALL Physical Damage and Liability. This takes time — up to a week — so plan in advance.
To the best of our knowledge, the following companies will provide an acceptable Insurance Binder: 21st Century, AAA, Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, and USAA.
The following companies cannot provide an acceptable Insurance Binder: Ameriprise, Amica, Fred Loya, Freeway, Hartford, Geico, GMAC, Liberty Mutual, Mercury, Nationwide, Progressive, Traveler, and Wawanesa. You will need to purchase one of our insurance packages to rent the vehicle.
If you do something unlawful, irresponsible, or forbidden in the rental agreement causing damage to the vehicle, you are fully responsible for damages. Please don't do that.
Any damage caused by driving, using, or operating the vehicle on unsealed or unauthorized roads is uninsurable. You are fully responsible.
We want you to focus on having a great trip; not about what would happen if something went wrong. In our opinion, this policy provides substantial coverage to our customers. However, we are not insurance agents or tort attorneys (but we know people who are). If you have a specific question, please ask and we will do our best to find an answer for you.
Insurance is provided by a third-party service and is ultimately subject to their terms and conditions.
Is off-road driving allowed?
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We realize Utah is Utah and accessing popular trailheads requires driving on improved county roads. This can be accomplished without doing damage to our vehicles by driving slowly and carefully. There is a big difference between finding a Forest Service campsite in the Uintas and driving to the very end of Hole in the Rock road.
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Driving the vehicle on unauthorized roads (i.e. jeep trails, Forest Service or BLM roads, fire roads, sand dunes, dry lake beds, and other non-paved surfaces) is prohibited and violates the rental agreement. Renters are fully responsible for all towing, repair costs, and loss of use resulting from operating the vehicle on unauthorized roads. When you return the vehicle, we will inspect the undercarriage and engine compartment. If we determine you drove the vehicle off-road, your deposit is forfeited for violating the rental agreement even if there is no damage. If there is damage resulting from driving the vehicle off-road, you are liable for all repairs.
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If you break something, you buy it. Please be an adult and accept responsibility for any damage you cause.
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Our vans cannot go to burning man. Please see a few sections below.
What happens if the vehicle has a mechanical problem?
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Occasionally mechanical assistance or repairs are needed even on well-maintained vehicles. We know the last thing you want to deal with on your vacation is a mechanical problem so we carefully maintain our vehicles with a trusted mechanic in Salt Lake City.
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If you experience a mechanical problem during your trip, we will pay to have it repaired and refund the rental fee for the time the vehicle is out of commission so long as the mechanical problem wasn't caused by your abuse or neglect.
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Damage to tires and to the windshield (rock chips) are considered "road hazards" and are the responsibility of the renter. Tires are inspected prior to departure and upon return. In the event of a tire problem, please contact a local professional tire service to have a replacement tire of the same size, type, and brand installed. Same thing for glass.
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If the vehicle cannot be repaired or if the repair will take longer than you care to wait, we will bring you another vehicle if available or we can part ways, hopefully as friends, and refund the balance of your rental. We don't offer any compensation for loss of use, vacation time, personal or business time, or any incidental expenses resulting from a mechanical problem.
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Malfunctions to the vehicle's climate control, cruise control, power doors/windows/locks, radio, lighting, etc. are not considered "breakdowns" and no compensation will be offered. If it rolls down the road, your trip can — and should — continue.
What happens if the vehicle has an accessory problem?
RVs, campervans, trailers—they're like mini houses on wheels. All the jostling around that goes with driving eventually shakes wires loose, causes bulbs to go out, and screws to untighten. Houses don't hit pot holes or bounce down scenic byways.
We try our best to maintain our vehicles' accessories, but we're human and sometimes we miss something or there will be a minor problem while you're on the road.
Please don't ask us to comp your rental because one of the lawn chairs has a broken leg or the cook kit is short a fork. Or the refrigerator isn't as cold as you thought it would be. But tell us about it so we can buy a replacement or find a better solution. We very rarely charge for damages and only when there's clear evidence the renter caused the damage on purpose or was really careless. We would like to think this works both ways, but there are a lot of customers out there who want a discount for every little thing.
Malfunctions to the campervan's refrigerator, heater, water pump, aux electrical system, fan, cabinets, lighting, racks, etc. are not considered trip ending events and no compensation will be offered. Overcoming small setbacks is part of the #vanlife adventure, so roll with it. Otherwise, take a cruise or play a round of golf.
If this sounds like a problem, we're probably not going to get along and please rent from a different company. We need the headache less than the money.
Do we need to clean and fuel the van before returning it?
The short answer is "yes". We detail our vehicles before sending them out with customers. We expect our customers to take care of our vehicles and return them clean and fully fueled. If you don't have time or would rather us clean and fuel the vehicle, there is a reasonable charge. Cleaning the vehicle before you return it also allows for an in-person damage inspection which protects you—if the vehicle is caked in mud and bugs, we can't fully assess for rock chips, scratches, damage to the undercarriage, etc., while you're present. We've found it's much easier to discuss damages face to face than over email. We would also very much prefer to check in the vehicle in full daylight for the same reasons.
Burning Man
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No.
Specifically, we used to have two vehicles that were permitted to go to Burning Man.
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They went to Burning Man.
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No.
Please, no.
The playa dust is impossible to remove fully from the interior and exterior, and the vehicles need to be professionally detailed as well as have full engine maintenance (filters are caked in fine white dust!). If we determine that you have taken the vehicle to Burning Man without authorization, you will forfeit your deposit and be billed for the Burning Man fees.
Nobody feels good afterwards. We are frustrated that we have to book a last-minute detail, and you are frustrated that you have to pay the fee. It's not chill. It's not in the spirit of Burning Man. Be kind to your fellow humans. Don't do it. It's not worth it.
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Enough to buy a new van, because that's what we'd have to do after your trip, see above.
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No.
We'll definitely know.