Classic VW Camper van hire - why use Campers in Cornwall?

Classic VW Camper vans are the right vehicle to enjoy the coastline of Cornwall and other parts of the South West. They allow you to cruise the cliffs and beaches stopping when you feel like it to enjoy the views, or the water!. The iconic status of the VW Camper van means when you hire it you get noticed... not in a ‘pimp my ride’ way but with respect and openness, from the children on the side of the road waving to lots of people talking to you in the campsites about the vans and how you are enjoying it.

We have our own VW camper van called Nutkin (he’s a early Westfalia bay in Montana red) who doesn’t feature on our website but he allows us to enjoy the VW camper hire experience when our other vans are out. The upside of this is we have real life experience to share with you of camp sites, practicality of VW campers for your family (we have 2 small children) and to help you enjoy your holidays in the South west and Cornwall.

Did we mention the Camper vans are Right hand drive!, yes probably but it does make life easier!. Most of them are from Australia and New Zealand so they have travelled the world but it also means the climate has been kind to them and it keeps them original and solid underneath.

The split screens have modern front disc brakes and independent rear suspension for your safety and comfort. The Bay windows have 2 litre engines and servo brakes which again helps the driving experience.

All our vans are capable of long journeys but they aren’t the most comfortable or economic so we limit their hire for use in Devon and Cornwall, unless agreed with us before your holiday. We have safe off road parking for your car or will collect you from Truro station or Newquay airport to make the start of the journey as easy as possible for you.

I want to use my VW camper van hire experience as a way to see if I like them enough to buy one.

The hire of a VW camper van is a great way to try before you buy. Many of our customers use Campers in Cornwall to try the Classic VW campers before they take the plunge. As well as the using the south west for a playground with your camper van, it allows you to see if maybe your childhood memories are tainted with rose tinted spectacles. There is a bewildering array of different campers out there, splits, bays, early bays, wedges, westies, devons, dormobiles etc all subtly different, we can help explain! Often all the Camper vans are around when you collect or return and we will gladly share any experiences and views on what models and versions work for different people.

Are the vans cold?

Not really!, in the VW Camper van it is hugely different to camping as you are off the floor, but if you are worried we supply electric fan heaters to take the chill off.

What do we need to bring

To hire the Classic VW camper vans you need the paper version of your driving licence. After that the vans are fully equipped and you only need your food, clothes and bedding (which we can supply at an extra cost if required).

Bringing good weather helps, but if you don’t there are plenty of great pubs and things to do in Cornwall! (You may need wellie boots as well as sun cream.)

What’s the fuel consumption like in a VW Camper van?

Bad!, the VW camper van was born before people started worrying about this. The bays are quite heavy and are worse than the splits, probably returning approx 20 mpg, the splits will do a little more.

Are the vans easy to drive?

All our vans are right hand drive, we think that driving a classic VW is very different from driving a modern car with ABS and power steering etc so we have searched for right hand drives so that at least you are sitting in the normal position on the road.

What's the difference between a 'Bay Window' and a 'Split Screen'?

The split screens have fixed roofs and a double bed with bench seats in the front. They will sleep 2 adults inside the van. The bay windows have pop up roofs with a double bed in the roof, a double bed in the main body of the van plus a hammock which stretches across the front seats.
The bays have 2 separate front seats giving a walk through to the rear of the van and have seat belts in the front and rear (one lap belt and two shoulder belts). The splits have bench seats in the front and 2 lap belts in the rear.
The bay windows have the later type 4 engines (2000cc) as this makes them easier to drive than the 1500/1600cc splits.

Where can we go?

Our vans are for use throughout Devon & Cornwall. Please let us know if you would like to explore further. We have a map of Cornwall in the vans to help you plan your routes, we can offer local knowledge and suggest recommended campsites if you would like some help planning your holiday.

What equipment is provided in the Camper?

All our self drive camper vans are equipped with a gas burner two ring stove (gas bottle supplied), an electric cool box, a sink and 240 volts hook up facilities so phone chargers and hairdryers can be used in the vans.

We include 2 saucepans, frying pan, kettle, 2 gallon water container, basic cooking utensils, a disposable BBQ and a picnic crockery set for 4 people. We also include a welcome pack with beverages, biscuits and wine. The vans have a basic first aid kit, fire extinguisher, corkscrew and bottle opener (all vital to your health and well being!).

We provide dishcloths and tea towels. We can provide duvets, pillows, bed linen and towels for an additional £18 per person per hire period. Our vans have a modern radio & CD player with remote control included, please see the detailed page for each van for stereo spec.

Can you provide an awning?

If required our vans have a standalone drive-away awning (£30) that enables you to explore in your van for the day and return to your campsite without the need to erect the awning each night. The awnings have a separate sleeping pod as well as a central living area.

Can you provide a bike rack / body boards?

We can provide a bicycle rack for £10 per hire period.

We can also include body boards for all of your party, so if the urge takes you, you can ride the waves at a moments notice. Unfortunately we cannot provide wetsuits, but these are available for hire at most major beaches.

Who can drive?

Insurance for 1 person is included within the rates quoted provided they are over 25 and under 70yrs old with a clean UK licence, a small surcharge will be added those who have had claims or convictions. A second driver can be added for about £8 per day. All drivers must have held their full licence for at least 2 years.

What happens if we break down?

The vans have Greenflag cover and we keep a spare van if we need to swap vehicles over but if you are without a van for part of your holiday we will refund you the hire costs of the van on a pro rata basis.