Choosing a Motorhome

There are many different kinds of people who come to work at Wilderness. Some are industry veterans, and some fell into it on a whim. Graham Skinner is a unique kind – a retired owner of a Carado motorhome who loved the lifestyle so much that eventually, he decided he wanted to work for the dealership.

Graham is part of the welcome team at Wilderness, driving guests between the airport and the base and helping them get oriented before they hit the road. But before he ever set foot in the Wilderness yard as an employee, he was a customer.

He and his partner spend significant chunks of the year travelling around New Zealand in their Carado. When he talks to guests arriving at the base, wide-eyed and full of questions, he's speaking from experience.

It's turned out to be a great fit in both directions: Graham gets to spend his days doing what he loves, and guests get someone who has owned the same vehicle and driven the same roads they're about to explore.

We spoke to Graham to find out his favourite things about motorhome travel, what brought him to the Wilderness team, and his top tips for a motorhome buyer.

Is buying a brand-new motorhome worth it? While vehicle depreciation never sleeps, the good news is that new motorhomes hold their value far better than new cars. Where a car loses a significant chunk of its value the moment you drive it off the lot, the decline for a new motorhome is much more measured. It’s like comparing the gentle descent of a hot air balloon to the sharp thump of a jumbo jet coming in to land.

Because of this resilience in residual value, the choice is often tipped in favour of splashing out on a brand-new RV instead of a used one. However, whether you are truly better off buying new depends largely on your personal circumstances and the mobile lifestyle you want to adopt.

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.

Gearing up to buy your first motorhome or upgrading to your next one? Perhaps you’re just keen to see the latest gadgets and RV must-haves — in which case, a motorhome show can be the perfect place to check it all out. 

Held across New Zealand throughout the year, these events bring together everything from the newest motorhome models to expert advice and exclusive show specials.

Motorhome shows also offer the chance to connect with New Zealand’s passionate RV community — a group always ready to share stories, advice and inspiration. Many shows include informative seminars, where you can learn from industry experts about motorhome maintenance and planning unforgettable road trips.

In this helpful guide, we walk you through all you need to know about motorhome shows in NZ. From the top events across the country to tips on planning your visit and making the most of the show day to who may not be attending, we have you covered.

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.

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.

Freedom camping is one of the most peaceful experiences you can have while owning a recreational vehicle. But if you want to camp away from commercial campgrounds, your motorhome almost always needs to be a certified self-contained vehicle.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about certified self-containment, including the current standard and most recent amendments to the regulations. We also look at the different types of self-contained certification, how to get your motorhome certified and share some maintenance tips and checks to help your RV stay compliant.

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.

French automotive magnate, André Citroën, was a man always on the lookout for a better way to make cars. Back in 1933, he asked his engineers to investigate what was then considered a radical concept — front wheel drive.

Their report came back highly positive, citing reduced manufacturing costs, more efficient use of space, greater freedom of design and better handling through a lower centre of gravity.

With the excitement of purchasing a recreational vehicle on the horizon, a choice between buying brand new, used or a premium ex-rental often emerges. Ex-rental motorhomes can be a compelling option but are they value for money?

In this blog, we explore the advantages of buying a premium ex-rental motorhome, like affordability, after sales support and lower depreciation — and the perceived disadvantages such as high mileage and reliability.

Thinking about purchasing a used motorhome and wanting to know the steps to take to get the key in your hand and drive off into the sunset? To find the right reliable RV you’ll need to carefully complete a series of checks — to gain the knowledge and confidence to buy.

In this comprehensive article, we look at your must-haves, consider ex-rentals and run through checking the condition of a used motorhome. We also talk about inspecting the exterior and interior of your prospective purchase and touch on the cost of a used motorhome.