Recreational vehicles

Want to earn extra cash from renting your caravan? Or maybe you'd like to dip your toes into the towing world by hiring a caravan before buying?

Whatever the case, you’ll want to read on…

We’ve partnered with Camplify, Australia’s largest campervan, motorhome, and caravan-sharing community.

In this Q&A, we spoke with the Camplify team about the tangible benefits its platform can have for all caravanners. 

Note: The article has been broken up into two sections: answers for those interested in renting out their caravan and those who would be keen to hire a caravan.

Introduction to Camplify

Firstly, who are you?

We're a peer-to-peer van-sharing service developed by a team of camping and caravanning lovers with a strong vision.

Founded in Newcastle, NSW, Camplify was the brainchild of our CEO and founder, Justin Hales, who wanted to revisit his childhood love of caravanning. When searching for the perfect van to hire, he was struck by all the un-used caravans and campers sitting on driveways around his neighbourhood.

A stack load of entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for making camping holidays more accessible, and investment from a local business allowed us to make our mark in Australia in 2015.

Five years later, Justin’s moment of nostalgia has led to a global community of thousands of van owners in Australia, the UK, Spain, and New Zealand boosting their income by sharing the joys of caravanning with others.

How does it work?

We connect owners of RVs – caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, 4WD campers, and campervans – with people wanting to hire one for their holidays.

The listings on our site are owned by everyday RV owners who love camping and wish to make money by sharing their van safely and securely. Many owners are earning thousands of dollars a year by hiring out their vans.

Camplify allows everyone to transact safely and securely by providing comprehensive insurance for hire, managing payments, holding bonds, and verifying owners and hirers before each booking.

1. Renting my caravan

How much could I earn by renting my van?

Every year, thousands of Australian caravan owners are earning up to $20,000 through Camplify by hiring their motorhomes, caravans, and campers.

With the average Australian owner using their van only four times a year, sharing it on Camplify is the perfect way to help cover expenses and turn your RV into an income source. On average, owners earn $710 from their first booking.

Try our income estimation calculator here. 

How do caravan owners get started?

The first step is to join our site, for free, and set up your caravan’s profile. As an owner, you stay in control by choosing your pricing, availability, and who you wish to hire your van to.

What about insurance?

Unfortunately, accidents can happen when you’re on the road. At Camplify, all our vans are comprehensively insured against accidents and damage during the hire period, offering protection for all parties.

As Australia’s leading motorhome, campervan, and caravan hire platform, we work with Australia’s leading rental insurer, Rentsure, to give all parties peace of mind. If issues arise, our Australian-based support team is available to ‘walk’ you through the process. 

And every hire comes with 24/7 nationwide breakdown cover from NRMA, providing you with extra assurance and protection.

How do I know my caravan will be looked after properly?

Firstly, we hold a security bond for all hires. Then, we also ensure the owner and hirer complete a pre-hire checklist and take photos of the van to verify its condition at the time of handover.

In addition, we verify each hirer’s driver license before the booking and operate a review system.

List your van and earn a $100 BIG4 voucher

LEARN MORE

2. Hiring a caravan

How do you hire a caravan on Camplify?

To hire a van, simply head to our website and start by searching for a location. Select your preferred dates via the calendar and the type of van you wish to hire. You can even use our filters to find vans that are pet friendly.

Discuss your holiday plans with the van owner, who should be able to provide useful recommendations about what to bring and where to go. Once both of you are happy, you can pay your deposit and secure the van.

We support all types of RV holidays. So, whether you wish to drive, tow, or even have a van delivered to your chosen holiday park, we have something for you.

All vans on our site are comprehensively insured and come with 24/7 NRMA roadside assistance, should any problems arise throughout your journey.

I want to hire a van but have never towed one. Is this a problem?

If you have not towed a caravan before, our van owners will ask you questions about your experience towing other vehicles, such as boats or trailers. They will also determine whether your vehicle is suitable to tow a caravan of its particular size. Providing they are happy with your experience and vehicle; they can approve the booking.

Those who can’t or are not confident to tow, or simply don’t have the right vehicle, can use our ‘deliver’ option. In these instances, the van owner will tow their caravan or camper trailer to a holiday park of your choice, set everything up, and have it ready for your arrival.

What happens if there are any issues with the van I’m staying in or renting?

Each booking comes with 24/7 NRMA roadside assistance in case you have any mechanical issues on the road. And with our Australian-based support teams, we have the resources to deal with issues if and as they arise.

Can I hire a caravan all over Australia?

We have thousands of vans for hire across the country. Choose from local caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, or campervans.

Where can I find out more?

To learn all about Camplify and how our platform might benefit you, click here.