Campervan Hire FAQs

In order to be insured and safe to take the campervan on an adventure there are a number of criteria set by the insurers. Provided you meet these criteria then you should be able to hire the campervan. However we reserve the right to decline any request. Failure to provide your original driver’s license, passport/photo ID or proof of address will also mean that we are unable to hire out the campervan even if already booked. Learn more about the booking process here.

Insurance Criteria:

Here are the essential criteria:

• Between 25 and 70 years of age.
• Full UK license for minimum of 3 years.
• Drivers license for manual transmission.
• Maximum of 6 points on all drivers licenses.
• Maximum of 1 claim (fault/no fault) in last three years.
• Social Domestic & Pleasure use only. You cannot use the campervan for commercial, work, re-hire or profiting from it (such as taxi, photoshoot etc).
• 25% Co-Insurance clause on theft.
• £500.00 security deposit required as part of the booking.
• Only covers driving in the UK and not abroad.

You must be a resident of one of the following and if non-UK have held your license for at least 6 years

• UK
• EU (all European Union licences)
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• USA and Canadian (Upon Referral)

Please note that if you are a non-UK resident or hold a non-UK license then you must book well in advance as there may be delays in money transfers and also in obtaining the insurance. As a rule we will normally reject non-UK bookings if they are made with less than 14 days notice.

Weddings, Proms, Hen & Stag Do’s?

You can hire the campervan for a wedding, provided it is not-for-profit, meaning you (the bride and groom) intend to use it for your own social, domestic and pleasure – happy honeymoon!. However it cannot be hired for profit, for example by a wedding organiser or photographer as part of a wedding package. If unsure, please contact us to discuss your plans, we’re always happy to help a happy bride and groom head off into the sunset in style!

Proms, Hen or Stag Do’s are not permitted. The exception is if you are hiring the campervan for your own use, rather than for transporting members of the hen or stag do to and from the event. We encourage a strict no drink and drive policy.

The process is really simple:

1. Have a look at the availability calendar and click on the date range you are interested in booking.
2. Then fill in the form with your basic details, indicating things like how many people in your party, any dogs, optional extras and options. Hit the send button and we’ll get a notification.
3. If the campervan is still available then I’ll get back to your with a quote which will include the hire, insurance and deposit.
4. I will also direct you to an insurance form to gather the details necessary to insure you. This will need to be filled in and submitted to complete the booking.
5. You have 48 hours to pay and then your booking is confirmed. After 48 hours your booking reservation is released.
6. You can cancel your booking at any time and all the details are on our Terms and Conditions page.
7. In the unforeseen event that the campervan is unavailable (worst case scenario) you will be given a refund.
8. On the day of hire I will meet you at the pre-agreed place and time and will be available for 1 hour to answer any questions, demonstrate how to use the van and orient you.
9. I will obtain a copy of all the necessary documents (drivers licenses etc)
10. We will then inspect the van together.
11. I will hand over the keys and your adventure begins!

I’ve explained the process so there’s no surprises and you have the peace of mind knowing what to expect. There’s more detail about the campervan hire process in our Campervan Hire Terms and Conditions page.

When hiring one of our campervans we have a mileage allowance of 100 miles per day of hire. So for example if you’re hiring for 8 days then you have an allowance of 800 miles for the total trip, including the return journey. If you go over this allowance then we will charge 30p/mile, which is the industry standard.

AdBlue?

AdBlue is an additive found in modern diesel vehicles which makes the exhaust even cleaner. It has its own tank and is never added to the fuel tank. If the AdBlue level gets too low then the engine will not start. The dashboard will warn you if the AdBlue level is low and depending on the vehicle, there is usually an indication of the level and range. When you hire the vehicle it will have enough AdBlue to cover the mileage allowance (usually much more). However if you go over the allowance and the AdBlue level gets low you are responsible for adding more AdBlue, just as you are responsible for adding fuel. You can purchase AdBlue at the petrol station and even at many supermarkets.

Our Fair Fuel Policy for Returning The Vehicle

We normally provide the vehicle with at least 1/2 a tank of fuel as discussed here. When you return the vehicle you must ensure that there is at least the same amount of fuel as when you picked it up. As part of the hand over we will record the mileage, reset the trip computer so you can track your mileage easily, and record the fuel level. If, when you return the vehicle, the fuel level is too low then we will fill it up (normal pump prices), and deduct this plus £10 to cover our time from your deposit.

Misfueling

You are responsible for ensuring that you put the correct fuel in the vehicle. If you misfuel then you are responsible for putting it right. If you have misfueled then you must contact us immediately and you must not drive the vehicle until the situation is remedied as to do so could damage the vehicle. The type of fuel is clearly shown on the filler cap and any additional instructions needed are given during the hand-over.

Our fuel and mileage policies can also be found on our Campervan Hire Terms and Conditions page.

Jess is equipped with 400W of solar power capable of producing about 30 Amps of power in optimal conditions. Coupled with two 100 Ah lithium batteries and 1000W pure sine wave inverter then you have a very capable off-grid power system. If this all sounds a bit confusing don’t worry. Putting it simply Jess is able to provide power for low consumption things like laptops, phones and even the portable induction hob we provide so you can cook off-grid with electricity.

USB Charge points

Jess has a total of 10 USB charge points:

• USB cigarette lighter socket adapter in front cab (2 sockets) – only use this one while the engine is running otherwise you may drain the engine start battery.
• Dashboard: 1 USB socket – this integrates with the radio and provides charge too. Again only use when the engine is running. Ideal for charging your phone/satnav
• Behind driver’s seat – a power charge station which has 3 cigarette lighter 12 v sockets and 4 USB sockets including a high powered socket for fast charge.
• Rear console: 2 USB sockets
• Underside of reading light: 1 USB socket.

Electric Hookup on Campsites

If you want to power heavier duty appliances like microwaves, air fryers, hairdryers, eBike chargers etc. then you can always plug in at a campsite or even to a household electric socket (adapter provided). Hookup cable and domestic socket adapter are provided under the passenger bench seat.

How to get the most out of the off-grid power system

Here are some handy hints from years of experience to get the most out of the off-grid power system in Jess the VW campervan.

1. Turn off the 240v inverter when not in use, there’s a button on the back side wall above the 240 v sockets. Inverters consume energy even when they are doing nothing.
2. When camping, park the campervan with the rear door facing south. That way when you pop the top the solar panels are angled towards the sun!
3. Only use the induction hob on settings 1 to 3. If you turn it up too high you’ll strain the battery bank. Setting 3 is ideal for frying, boiling water etc.
4. When you run the engine it will recharge the batteries at approximately 20Amps/hour. Knowing this you can plan your day better. If you know you need to drive somewhere then do it after you’ve cooked your lunch. That way you can cook on the induction hob knowing that you’ll be recharging the battery when you drive.
5. The battery monitor is really helpful. It will show you how much charge you have (SOC = State of Charge). It will also show you the real-time amps being drawn from the battery: a positive number means the battery is charging, a minus number means it is draining. When it’s draining it actually gives you an estimate of how much time the battery can support the current power draw before it is flat.
6. When the battery is at about 95% or more charged then even if it is really sunny you will only see about 1 amp going into the batteries from the solar panels. This is normal because the system is just keeping the battery bank topped up.
7. You do not need the fridge on full. Typically the fridge freezer will keep things chilled even on setting 1 or 2. Furthermore, the fuller the fridge, the more economical it is. The reason is that things in the fridge like a bottle of water or food store the cold so when you open the door, even though the cold air escapes, the cold in the items remain. If the fridge is empty then each time it opens the cold air escapes and there’s nothing left in the fridge that is cold. Whereas when it is full, then although the cold air escapes, all the cold things remain, helping retain the cold.

How long will the leisure batteries Last?

The battery bank is 200Ah and if we keep things really simple then this means that it can deliver about 170 Amps before it is too low and switches off to protect itself. Here are some approximate examples of how much different things consume:

• Inversion Hob on power 3 for 30 mins = 20 Amps
• All lights on for 1 hour = 1.5 Amps
• Diesel heater for 1 hour = 4 Amps
• Fridge/freezer overnight = 10 – 15 Amps
• Charging your phone for 1 hour = 2 Amps
• Rear and side view cameras for 1 hour = 0.5 Amps
• Heater on cold blow in summer for 1 hour = 3 – 4 Amps

And here’s some examples of the capacity to recharge the battery:

• Driving the campervan for 1 hour = approx 15-20 Amps
• On electric hookup for 1 hour = approx 20 Amps
• Very sunny day: Solar for 1 hour = approx 30 Amps
• Typical english daytime for 1 hour = approx 10 Amps

The price depends on the time of year. We don’t charge extra for school holidays and bank holidays because we think it’s unfair on parents, instead it’s first come first served so book well in advance. We also hire out Jess throughout the year including winter as she’s more than capable of keeping you warm in winter.

Month	£ Cost per day
January	95.00
February	95.00
March	95.00
April	100.00
May	110.00
June	110.00
July	125.00
August	130.00
September	110.00
October	100.00
November	95.00
December	95.00

Security deposit: £500.00

Insurance: Approximately £20.00/day. The insurance will depend on your personal details (age, license, points etc) and so may go up or down accordingly. The actual cost of insurance will be provided once you have requested a booking and filled in the insurance questionnaire.

Optional Extras:

Full drive away awning includes bedroom and ground sheets: £200.00 per trip – takes up a lot of space only recommended if you are at a site for at least 3 days.

Diesel

When you collect Jess (or she is delivered) she will have at least 1/2 tank of diesel, that’s enough to do about 250-300 miles. The diesel tank also provides the fuel for the van heating so there is no need to fill a second tank or worry about the heating running out of fuel.

We generally advise that you never let the tank get below 1/4, which is sound advice for any diesel vehicle. The bottom of the fuel tank is where impurities and deposits found naturally in fuel settle. So if you run the tank too low then these risk being drawn into the engine. Secondly though, since the diesel heater runs off the main tank, if the main tank gets too low then the heater may not be able to draw fuel and so will stop heating.

Water

I will make sure the fresh water tank has been emptied and has at least 10 ltrs of fresh water in it.  

Complimentary Refreshments

Tea, Coffee, drinking water and milk will be provided (let me know if you prefer cow, oat, soya milk etc.). You should have everything you need to start your adventure! The vehicle will come fully equipped with the items shown in the following itinerary: https://www.myvanconversion.co.uk/ufaq/what-items-itinerary-are-included-in-the-hire-of-jess/ 

Can I customise things?

If you would rather that items be removed to free up storage space, for example removing the barBQ, levelling blocks, camping chairs etc from the rear, then please let me know in advance. Similarly if you’d rather the water tank be empty to save weight then let me know. We’re more than happy to tailor the itinerary of the campervan to your needs.  

When you return the vehicle please make sure it is in  the same condition as it was handed over, but do not worry about consumables like hand wash, or the complimentary milk, coffee, toilet roll etc. we’ll top them up.

The Porta Potti (Toilet)

If you have used the toilet please make sure the lower cassette is thoroughly emptied, cleaned and rinsed, but do not worry about putting fresh chemicals in as the toilet will be re-cleaned, disinfected and primed by us ready for the next adventure. Just leave it empty and sanitary.

Towels, Dishclothes, Sheets, Pillow cases.

Please leave all used towels, hand towels etc. on the rear seat.  Leave the pillow cases and sheets on as I will remove them to clean when the vehicle is returned.

Should I Wash the Vehicle?

Please do NOT wash the vehicle and never take Jess into an automated car wash as it may damage the solar panels and antenna on the roof. A microfibre cloth and cleaning fluid are provided to clean the dash, interior cabinets, kitchen, trim and windows while you are on your adventure.

When Jess returns back to base we will wash her inside and out, vacuuming, polishing and getting her ready for her next outing.

Of course if you spill something or make a mess then please do clean it up – thanks!

The itinerary given below is based on 4 people hiring Jess. Some items can be increased to 5 if requested in advance, such as the number of mugs, plates and cutlery. Items that can be increased are marked as 4+

This video gives you a really good idea of what is included with Jess.

Kitchen

Cooking implements:

All our pots, pans, moka and kettle can be used on both the induction hob as well as the gas hobs so you can get creative and have up to 3 hobs on the go at the same time! Take your campervan cooking to new heights!

• 1 x large non-stick frying pan
• 1 x stainless steel saucepan with lid
• 1 x milk pan
• 1 x chopping board
• 2 x small kitchen knives
• 1 x tin opener
• 1 x peeler
• 1 x waiter’s professional bottle opener/corker
• 2 x wine bottle stoppers
• 4+ x unbreakable wine glasses (BPA-free)
• 4+ x metal thermal mugs
• 6 x kebab skewers (great for Marshmallows!)
• 1 x wooden heatproof coaster
• 2 x felt pan protectors
• 1 x luxury stove top 1.6 ltr whistling kettle
• 4+ x set of luxury stainless steel knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon set
• 4+ x set of soup bowl, side plate and main plate melamine dinner plates
• 1 x stainless steel Bialetti coffee moka
• 1 x coffee measuring spoon

Appliances:

• Stainless steel sink with plug
• Electric pumped cold water tap
• Approx 20 ltr freshwater tank
• Double gas hob
• Gas tank ready to go
• Gas grill/toaster oven
• Electric compressor fridge freezer
• Variable speed extractor fan
• 240v single ring induction hob (portable)

Cleaning & Sanitary:

• Eco washing liquid
• Scouring pad
• Dish washing brush
• Sink organiser
• Dish clothes

Toilet:

• 1 x porta-potti for occasional/emergency use. Located under ottoman, cleaned, sterilised, and primed to use. Please empty and rinse at end of trip if used.
• 1 x bottle of toilet blue for waste tank
• 1 x bottle of pink detergent for rinse tank

Complimentary Extras:

To help you relax Jess comes with a few complimentary treats and items so you can start your campervan adventures right away, knowing that you’ve got a warm drink and refreshments to look forward to. Items may vary subject to availability. If you do not want any of these items please let us know, we respect that everyone’s tastes may vary and you may want to bring your own treats.

• Milk (please specify if you want oat, soya, almond, coconut, or cow’s milk). Will do our best to provide what you want.
• Tea bags (PG Tips)
• Ground coffee (Lavazza Rossa)
• A bottle of water (at least 1 ltr )
• Instant hot chocolate sachets (just add hot water)
• A bag of marshmallows (for the kids, including the child in you!)
• 1 x Himalayan salt grinder
• 1 x Black pepper grinder
• 1 x packet of wet wipes
• 1 x packet of Handy Andy tissues
• 1 x toilet roll

Outdoor Living:

• 4 x outdoor chairs (small, compact, foldout but comfortable)
• 1 x foldout coffee table
• 1 x picnic mat
• 1 x USB rechargeable portable awning lamp with built in mosquito zapper
• 1 x portable bar BQ
• 3 x outdoor cooking utensils: burger flipper, tongs, fork
• 1 x box of safety matches
• 1 x pack of fire lighter blocks
• 1 x foldout raised off ground fire pit
• 2 x awning guy ropes & 4 x awning tent pegs to secure wind out awning in breezy weather

Adventure:

• Assortment of local OS maps
• 1 x pair of binoculars – great for bird spotting or keeping the kids entertained
• 1 x survival guidebook
• 1 x super bright LED USB rechargeable torch so you can find your way home in the dark!
• 1 x large thermos flask, for warm drinks on the go!
• 1 x USB rechargeable electric windproof cigarette lighter for lighting campfire/ bar BQ etc.

Entertainment:

• 1 x Deck of camping playing cards

Oh no it’s raining!

• 3 x umbrellas

Safety Equipment:

We hope you never need these things. However knowing that they are there should bring you peace of mind so you can enjoy your adventures. You will find most of the safety equipment under the passenger seat or in the rear cupboard.

• 2 x high-viz vests
• 1 x red high viz breakdown triangle
• 1 x vehicle jack
• 1 x screw in towing eyelett
• 1 x mechanical tire pressure gauge
• 1 x wheel nut remover socket and breaker bar
• 1 x snatch tow strap
• 1 x soft towing shackle
• 1 x folding entrenching tool
• 1 x heavy duty tape
• 1 x compression strap
• Box of spare fuses
• 1 x camping first aid kit
• 1 x fire extinguisher in the rear
• 1 x fire blanket in door of under bench seat

Four legged Friends (Dogs):

If you’ve informed us that you’re bringing your well behaved dog(s) along for the adventure then we will add our “Dog pack” to help your pooch enjoy their time with Jess. Of course if you don’t want these items then let us know, as we appreciate you may want to bring your own things. Please make sure you comply with all applicable laws concerning dogs in transit and in vehicles.

• Dog specific first aid kit
• Dog paw cleaning microfibre towel with hand inserts, making it easier to handle and clean your dog
• A dog brush
• Strap for front bench seat so you can secure your dog via their harness
• Collapsible bowl
• Dog water bowl
• Doggy towel to put over seats. – Please no paws on the seats as this may scratch the upholstery
• Dog bed (optional – let us know, as we have a range of sizes)
• Dog anchor by sliding door so you can tie off your dog so they can enjoy lying on the ground without running off
• Complimentary roll of poop bags