Buyers' Guide

There are surprising benefits to carrying a modest amount of water in a motorhome. We all know the story of Goldilocks and how she was first attracted to the biggest bowl of porridge in the house of the three bears. After sampling the two largest bowls, she eventually found that the smallest bowl suited her best. You can apply this same analogy to motorhomes and water tank sizes. 

It’s tempting to choose the motorhome with the largest tank capacity without realising how the increased weight of the larger water reservoir negatively affects other aspects of the motorhome. We need to consider the bigger picture before automatically adopting the motorhome with the largest water tank size. So, what is the optimal size for water tank storage? 

The motorhome manufacturers with the most thorough research and development and design expertise are those based in Germany. They generally opt for water tanks of 100L–120L as their experience has shown that tanks of this size range represent ‘the Goldilocks zone’. 

However, with new motorhomes on the market fitted with 200L tanks, we ask the question: Is this extra capacity handy to have, or an oversupply that has detrimental effects on other aspects of the motorhome? 

In this blog, Joe Barton, retail sales consultant at our Auckland sales centre, shares his expert insights to help you make an informed decision on the size of your water tank. We’ll delve into the smart design philosophy behind German brands' preference for smaller water tanks and explore how it enhances performance, safety, and efficiency.

Do you dream of owning a motorhome and chasing the horizon across New Zealand? But are put off by the price tags of brand-new models that make your eyes water, and are wary of private online listings that can feel like a bit of a gamble? If this sounds familiar, a refurbished, premium used motorhome from Wilderness might be for you.

But what does ‘refurbished’ really mean? For some companies, it’s a quick clean and a patch-up job. For Wilderness, it’s a meticulous, top-to-bottom process that ensures a motorhome meets a high standard of quality, backed by our comprehensive warranty for your peace of mind.

"The level of quality we're aiming for is the top end,” says our Christchurch Workshop Leader, Dale McLeish. “Some operators patch the problem, hide it, and do what they can to make the problem look good, while we properly repair and refurbish our motorhomes."

In this article, we'll talk more to Dale about our refurbishing process. Plus, we’ll explore why purchasing a premium ex-rental motorhome from Wilderness might be the ticket to freedom you've been dreaming of.

As a potential motorhome buyer, a visit to an RV show or a well-respected dealership will fill you with excitement and anticipation. There’s a myriad of choices available: different sizes, multiple body styles, a wide range of van platforms, and interior design layouts that usually range from two to six berths. 

It may be tempting to buy the flashiest, largest, best-looking motorhome that your budget will allow, such is the encouragement of the presentation and the friendly salespeople. However, bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to negotiating the serpentine New Zealand road network and the extraordinary remote camping opportunities that it leads to. 

This guide will help you decide which motorhome is best for your needs. It’ll explore different types and sizes and identify the pluses and minuses of each. It will cover everything from compact campervans to heavyweight A-class luxury liners and help you determine which is your best fit for touring New Zealand’s challenging yet rewarding roads.

If you’re looking for a leading innovator in developing German RVs with a similar standing to Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz with German automobiles, the name Bürstner stands out.

Bürstner's debut recreational vehicle, the Delfin caravan, quickly gained popularity among European caravanners. Its quality construction and innovative design details set it apart from competitors.

The original Delfin featured innovation, quality and ease of ownership — company hallmarks fully reinforced when Bürstner entered the motorhome sector in 1986. Not long after, Bürstner revolutionised motorhome design by releasing the world’s first semi-integrated model.

The innovations kept coming — with pioneering drop-down beds and double floors in motorhomes. More recently, there’s the space-expanding inflatable alcove above the cab of some models, and Bürstner became one of the first RV manufacturers to put a fully electric campervan into series production.

Bürstner isn’t a motorhome maker prepared to rest on its rich history or laurels. In this blog, we highlight nine reasons why Bürstner owners are so loyal and why the brand's reputation continues to be a magnet for those who aspire to own one.

Does it feel like the right time to own a motorhome, but your savings aren’t quite where they need to be?

Perhaps you’re expecting a future windfall through a property sale or inheritance. Maybe you’re thinking about a lifestyle change to travel for an extended period of time. Or you may be a first-time buyer needing additional funding to cover the full cost of your dream RV.

Purchasing a motorhome is unquestionably a significant investment. However, there's a way to get the model you want sooner than you think — by buying it on finance.

Motorhoming allows you to be spontaneous, set your own schedule, and travel New Zealand on your own terms. The key to success, however, is ensuring you invest in a motorhome that's best suited to your individual requirements.

In this blog, we look closely at some common mistakes to steer clear of — like insisting on a separate bathroom, planning for part-time passengers and underestimating storage needs.

Natural renewable energy sources like wind, water flow, geothermal steam and tidal surges can all be harnessed and extracted efficiently — with the right technology.

However, the sun is the most suitable renewable for keeping the habitation battery in your motorhome charged because the infrastructure is affordable enough. Even fitting the most basic solar panel system to your motorhome will help lower your overall cost of ownership — so you can freedom camp for longer and reduce your overall camping spend.

In this blog, we examine how solar systems work, the types of solar panels available and the many benefits of owning a motorhome with a solar system. We also discuss the affordability of solar panels, the risks of installation and whether solar power is right for you.

Imagine navigating winding gravel roads to wake up to breathtaking views in remote corners of New Zealand. A four wheel drive motorhome opens up access to these incredible experiences but not to the same degree as a Toyota Landcruiser — so will it truly be worth your investment?

In this article, we assess the different kinds of motorhome drivetrains and their benefits. Plus, we discuss whether four wheel drive and all wheel drive motorhomes are the same.

We also examine the costs and practicalities of owning a four wheel drive, why you might buy one and the importance of choosing a motorhome that fits your lifestyle.

Some friendly RV salespeople prefer to paint pictures of you watching the sunset by your new vehicle, holding a refreshing beverage — rather than tell you about the challenges of motorhome ownership.

It’s important to take your time gathering the information you need and gaining a clearer view of motorhome life before signing the paperwork and taking off on your adventures.

In this entertaining and informative blog, we reveal our top ten questions to ask a motorhome dealer before parting ways with your hard-earned cash. Find out how much work a motorhome lifestyle requires, when the RV last had a water tightness test and whether you can check the roof.

Carado has shattered the notion that quality comes at a premium — and has become the market leader and best-selling motorhome manufacturer across continental Europe.

The brand’s motorhomes go to market at more affordable prices yet retain the German heritage and exceptional quality associated with the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG). This combo of value, engineering expertise and Teutonic designa style often associated with German design principles and aesthetics has made Carado a favourite choice for many private buyers and rental companies alike.

In this blog, we discuss why Carado is your best motorhome choice if you’re a budget-conscious buyer. We look at its competitive pricing, value for money, emphasis on essential features, practical design choices, long term value, after sales warranties and support, upgrade opportunities and awards.

Remember being told when you were younger that buying a secondhand car with high mileage was a bad idea? That may still be the case for pre-owned cars — but it doesn’t ring true for used motorhomes.

A recreational vehicle with a few miles on the clock can actually be a smart investment. In this blog, we explain how — by discussing what’s considered to be a high mileage motorhome, the advantages of buying one and the challenges of owning one.

We also look at factors that will mitigate your high mileage concerns, what to consider when evaluating and inspecting a high mileage RV — and how to finance one. Finally, we offer some tips when browsing used motorhomes with high mileage.

Let’s flip the script and uncover some myth busting truths about high mileage motorhomes that may save you a bundle and get you on the fast road to camping freedom.

As the point of contact between the road surface and your motorhome driving along it, tyres are the very foundation of vehicle safety. Although highly durable, they’ll need replacing at regular intervals during the lifetime of your RV.

But which tyres should you choose for your motorhome when the original factory ones wear out?

In this blog, we discuss when to replace your motorhome tyres and what to consider when choosing new ones. We also highlight some essential tips about tyre codes, load indices, tyre load capacity and speed ratings — to help you select the appropriate tyres for your motorhome.