Renting a motorhome is a great way to discover whether you want to own one. For Jacqui and David Williams, it was more than just a test run — it was the moment they knew they had to buy a new Carado T459.
Read on to learn how this couple discovered that owning a motorhome was the ultimate way to explore New Zealand, and why they chose an affordable brand like Carado.
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The opportunity to explore
The couple’s previous two motorhome trips had shown them the ample recreational opportunities that owning their own RV would offer.
“We did two tours in rental motorhomes before buying our Carado. The first was back in April 2009 when our girls were aged eight and nine.
We took off around the South Island for a week — it was so much fun! We did an extended loop from Christchurch to Nelson down the West Coast, over the Haast Pass, via Arrowtown and back through the middle. We freedom camped with views of Mount Cook, then headed home.
Then, during Covid, when the motorhomes were easy to rent, we went for a week or so with another couple down the East Coast — then on to Milford Sound and back through the Mackenzie Country,” says Jacqui.
We asked the Williamses how their rental experiences compared with owning a motorhome, as Jacqui explains.
“It’s so much nicer to have your own. You’re free to travel where and when you want — as you’re no longer tied to a set schedule. You don’t have to hand the keys back at a specific time and place.”
The best way to see New Zealand
David works in the travel industry, and he believes touring New Zealand in your own motorhome is the ultimate way to experience it.
“It's all about the freedom that motorhome ownership enables. It gives flexibility to your day by being able to stop for refreshments and not having to worry about firm plans for your accommodation.
As an amateur photographer, it’s great to have my lodging accompany me. Being able to be in those special places for sunrise or sunset photography is fantastic — as is being able to wake up, step outside and do some astro-photography. Or capturing images of the spectacular hoar frost on a winter’s morning in Central Otago.”
Choosing a value for money motorhome
The Williamses decided that a Fiat Ducato-based four berth 2025 Carado T459 at 7.4m long would give them the best value for their money.
Carado may be a more affordable brand within the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG), but it builds motorhomes to the same standards as other brands in the group. As David highlights, Carado also has the same flair for interior design.
“The layout was just as we wanted — with a large garage out back and gallery seating in the lounge upfront. There’s plenty of room for our two Labradors, Willow and Kaia, and a spacious bathroom area with a separate shower on one side and a washbasin and toilet on the other.
It’s everything you need without being over the top, and a lovely motorhome to drive with nine gears, lane departure and a reversing camera. On the roof, there’s a 190W solar panel — plus a 1000W inverter, good radio, swivel seats and loads of storage inside.
The big thing is having two 9kg gas bottles and twin 95Ah batteries, so we can really go off-grid for longer."
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The garage is enormous, with enough room for all our outdoor needs. We can pack in our outside furniture and two sets of golf clubs — and there’s still more room. David Williams |
Making the decision to buy
Jacqui and David only recently purchased their new motorhome, so they’re still becoming familiar with it.
The couple lives on a lifestyle property near Christchurch and travelled up to Auckland to pick up their Carado — before driving it back on its maiden voyage. This gave them the opportunity to experience Wilderness’ customer service on both islands.
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Manus from the Christchurch branch and Joe from the Auckland branch were both extremely helpful. We made the decision to buy from Wilderness purely because of their helpfulness and support — and love of motorhoming. Unlike other companies, they even got back to us and followed up. Everything was explained well, and the test drive was at our leisure without a time limit. Jacqui Williams |
As newbies, the Williamses took it easy on the drive back to Christchurch and stayed in commercial campgrounds. They wanted to get used to the on-grid parts of their Carado before exploring its off-grid capabilities.
Compare the costs of buying versus renting a motorhome.
An issue quickly fixed
The one hiccup they experienced so far was when not being aware of the frost protection system built into the Carado’s Truma 6E gas-electric boiler for water and cabin heating.
When Jacqui and David were about to go away for a wintry weekend together, they discovered the frost protection system had dumped all the freshwater on their driveway. The system is a safety mechanism that protects the Truma and its pipes from freezing.
“At first, I freaked out — but a quick call to Manus assured me that there was nothing to worry about. We soon got it sorted,” remarks Jacqui.
Understand more about preventing your heating system from freezing.
A future full of short road trips
The Williamses will use their new Carado T459 mainly for short tours around the South Island, as Jacqui outlines.
“We’ll use our motorhome for four to five day trips, and to go to events that we can stay at afterwards — and not have to worry about driving.
David’s a very good photographer, and if the aurora or hoar frosts are about, then we can just take off. He can shoot till his heart’s content, and I’ll have a hot coffee and warm cabin for him to come back to.”
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Our dogs, Willow and Kaia, are waiting in the wings to join us because everything is still so new. We just need a couple more times away to get an idea of what we’re in for first. With two big dogs, we’re waiting for the sides for our awning to arrive before we take them along — as it’ll give them their own secure space outdoors. Jacqui Williams |
It’s still a time of orientation for the Williamses and their new Carado T459. However, Jacqui is keen for Wilderness to check in with them again in a few months’ time — when there’ll be lots of travelling with the dogs stories for them to tell.
David will have clicked plenty of accompanying photos by then as well.
Find out more about the 2025 Carado T459 and all the incredible features that make it the ideal motorhome for Jacqui and David Williams.
