Discover the ins and outs of one of the most sought-after campervan companies in this Escape Campervans review. As the van life trend continues to captivate adventurers worldwide, embracing the carefree and straightforward lifestyle of road tripping with a bed on wheels has become increasingly popular. Escape Campervans stands out in this movement, celebrated for their distinctive and vibrant campervans.
Drawing from personal experience, having rented from them twice – once in North America and once in New Zealand – this review will highlight the advantages of campervans before delving into what to expect when embarking on an Escape Campervan rental journey.
For bottom line upfront: I would recommend Escape Campervan.Why Rent a Campervan?
If you’re already captivated by the allure of van life, you’re in good company. However, if you’re still on the fence, here are some advantages of opting for a campervan over alternatives like renting an RV or embarking on a road trip with just a tent.
Pros:
- Compact and Maneuverable: Escape Campervans offer a more compact option compared to traditional RVs. This makes it easier to navigate roads, find parking spots, and save on road trip expenses such as fuel.
- Versatile Parking: Campervans can be parked in regular car spaces, providing flexibility in urban and remote settings alike.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Access: Campervans can handle more compact roads and slightly rougher terrains compared to bulkier RVs.
Cons:
- Limited Space: The trade-off for compactness is reduced interior space, impacting the availability of appliances and conveniences.
Pros:
- No Tent Setup: With a campervan, there’s no need for constant tent teardowns and setups. Leaving the van in bed formation ensures you’re always ready to crawl into bed.
- Weather Protection: Enjoy personal protection against the elements, enhancing your camping experience.
Cons:
- Limited Off-Roading: Campervans require drivable terrain, restricting your ability to venture completely off the beaten path.
- Higher Rental Cost: While providing more comfort, the cost of renting a campervan may be higher compared to traveling in your car with a tent.
Review of Escape Campervans
Escape Campervans stands as a vibrant and distinctive player in the world of campervan rentals, offering an enticing ticket to the nomadic lifestyle. Known for their unique and colorful fleet, Escape Campervans has become synonymous with the freedom of the open road. With a personal touch, having experienced their rentals in both North America and New Zealand, this overview sheds light on what makes Escape Campervans a standout choice for those seeking a road trip with a twist.
Pros of Escape Campervans:
- Distinctive Fleet: Escape Campervans’ fleet stands out with eye-catching and artistic exteriors, adding a touch of individuality to your road trip.
- Compact and Maneuverable: Enjoy the advantages of a more compact campervan, making it easier to navigate diverse terrains, find parking spots, and save on travel expenses.
- Urban and Remote Accessibility: The versatility of Escape Campervans allows you to park in regular spaces, providing accessibility in both urban and remote settings.
- Offbeat Exploration: Embrace the off-the-beaten-path experience, navigating through compact roads and exploring slightly rougher terrains that may be challenging for larger RVs.
- Ready for Rest: With the bed always set up, there’s no need for constant tent teardowns and setups, ensuring you’re always ready for a good night’s sleep.
- Protection Against Elements: Find solace in the personal protection that a campervan provides against unpredictable weather conditions.
Cons of Escape Campervans:
- Space Limitations: The compact nature of campervans means sacrificing some interior space, impacting the availability of certain appliances and conveniences.
- Limited Off-Roading: While versatile, campervans still require drivable terrain, restricting the ability to venture completely off the beaten path.
- Rental Costs: While offering comfort and style, the rental cost of a campervan may be higher compared to more basic travel options.
In conclusion, Escape Campervans offers a visually appealing and practical solution for those seeking an adventurous road trip. Whether winding through city streets or venturing into the wilderness, the distinctive charm and flexibility of Escape Campervans make them a compelling choice for the modern-day nomad.
What To Expect with Your Van
In New Zealand, Escape Campervans continues to offer a variety of options, providing travelers with flexibility and choices tailored to their preferences. Just as in the United States, the campervan lineup in New Zealand caters to different needs, ensuring an enjoyable and personalized road trip experience.
While the specific models might differ, the underlying principle of offering a range of sizes and features remains consistent. Travelers in New Zealand can explore various options based on their group size, comfort preferences, and the level of space required for their journey.
For instance, smaller models like the Kiwi and the Budgy Sleeper provide a compact and nimble solution, perfect for solo travelers or couples. These models prioritize efficiency and ease of maneuverability, making them suitable for navigating New Zealand’s diverse landscapes.
On the other end of the spectrum, larger models may offer additional amenities and more spacious interiors, accommodating families or larger travel groups. These options often include features like a kitchenette, extra seating areas, and a dedicated sleeping space.
Whether exploring the enchanting beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula or the breathtaking landscapes of Fiordland National Park, choosing the right campervan model becomes pivotal to enhancing the overall travel experience. By offering a diverse fleet tailored to different preferences, Escape Campervans in New Zealand ensures that each traveler can find the perfect mobile haven for their Kiwi adventure.
I’ll talk about the Maverick as that is the one I have experience with.
The front of the campervan has two seats for the pilot and copilot.
Behind is the main living area – which can either be converted to table configuration, or bed configuration. I opted to just leave it in bed configuration for the entire time as I couldn’t be bothered with moving it back and forth every single day.
The very back is where the kitchen is, you will have to open the back doors in order to get to the kitchen area and will be cooking out of the back of the van.
I originally wanted the Big Sur because I wanted that extra row of space for storage as I did not recall storage space in my New Zealand Escape Campervan.
However, I found in the Maverick there were two cupboards in the back between the bed and the kitchen where you can easily store clothes and items out of the way. Additionally, there is a bit of space where the gap for the table is so you can slide some items under the bed as well.
The storage is still not large though, I would not recommend bringing more than a bookbag/duffel per person. Think one airline cabin-sized bag.
The most important aspect of the Escape Campervan review: how much money do I really need to spend?
These are the items that can be added to your rental of the campervan.
A majority of this you will want unless you are doing a roundtrip from your home and intend to pack all of these items into the campervan yourself (which is a lot of items).
Here is a breakdown of the items and if they are potentially necessary for you:
- Kitchen Kit (up to 5 ppl) – this will be plates, bowls, some pots and pans, silverware, and what you will need for the grill. You will want this. That is unless you intend to eat out the entire time that you are on your trip which is also an option albeit more expensive.
- Bedding Kit (2-3 ppl) – this is the bedding for the approximate queen size bed in the van. Unless you’re packing a suitcase of sheets and pillows then you will need this as well.
- Electric Kit – this if you want to plug in items – for example, a heater or fan may be provided to you – this will let you plug into RV outlets. I ended up staying at a lot of “wild” camping areas – while I got this I never had an outlet to plug in as I was out there alone and unafraid.
- Camping Chairs – I opted against these and I wish I hadn’t. At first, I did not think I would need them – and if you are staying at a nice campground with benches and tables maybe these are unnecessary for you. However as previously mentioned I was out in fields, and a little off-road. Therefore I didn’t really have any options except to sit in my van or sit in tall grass or dirt. It would have been nice to sit out in the lawn chair in the evening for sunset.
- Propane Bottle – if you are getting the kitchen set you will probably need the propane bottles in order to cook the food. I was told a propane bottle will last up to four days worth of cooking. I opted for only one and was fine.
- Auxiliary Cable – If you don’t have one on hand then you may want to pay the $5 for this, as a lot of national park areas will be outside of radio range.
- USB Charger – I think this one would be unnecessary as I feel most people have USB chargers already?
- Picnic Table – this will be dependent on the camping environment. If you are going to established campgrounds this will probably be unnecessary, if you are roughing it then you may want this so you don’t have to always convert your bed back and forth between table and bed mode.
How Does an Escape Campervan Drive
No Escape Campervan review would be comprehensive without delving into the driving experience. When behind the wheel of these campervans, a few key aspects come to the forefront. While none of these characteristics are entirely unexpected given the elongated vehicle, they merit attention for those going on a campervan adventure.
- Suspension Sensitivity: The campervan’s suspension leans toward the sensitive side, making you feel every bump on the road. Even minor irregularities can set the van shaking, requiring a cautious approach on rough terrains. In my experience traversing Monument Valley, the constant jostling became a bit tiresome, prompting a break to escape the incessant vibrations. To summarize the intensity of the shaking—during the drive, it managed to unscrew a tightly sealed tomato sauce jar, resulting in an unexpected mess in the fridge.
- Leisurely Acceleration: Given its substantial size, the campervan’s acceleration isn’t notably swift. Expect a moderate pace, particularly when navigating freeways or ascending hills. Passing others on the highway or tackling uphill stretches may require patience.
- Maneuvering Challenges: While not as broad as a pickup, the campervan demands a bit more finesse when maneuvering into tight spaces. Negotiating tight spots may involve a few additional turns to comfortably fit in or gracefully exit.
- Optimal Visibility: On a positive note, the campervan offers commendable visibility from the driver’s seat. With blinds fully open, potential blind spots are minimized. Thoughtfully positioned side-view mirrors enhance lateral visibility, contributing to a sense of confidence while navigating the roads.
In essence, driving an Escape Campervan involves a trade-off—while you may contend with some nuances like suspension sensitivity and moderate acceleration, the overall experience is punctuated by good visibility and a comfortable driving posture.
Recommended Packing List
This list isn’t just tailored for an Escape Campervan review; it’s a comprehensive guide for anyone venturing into the realm of van life.
As reminder from above, due to the limited storage space in the camper van try to limit yourself to a carry-on sized bag (backpack is best).Whether you’re a novice to this nomadic lifestyle or simply seeking insights for a memorable road trip, here’s an extended list of essentials to pack for your Escape campervan rental:
- Baby Wipes: Always a camping essential, baby wipes serve multiple purposes—ideal for personal hygiene or quickly cleaning up the van in case of spills or mishaps.
- Dry Shampoo: A must-have for camping excursions, dry shampoo proves invaluable when you’re not showering daily and need a quick refresh to combat oiliness.
- Toilet Paper: Depending on your camping location, having a supply of toilet paper is crucial. In case of limited availability or unexpected situations, it’s a handy item. Baby wipes can also serve in a pinch, but ensure proper disposal to prevent any plumbing issues.
- Portable Battery Charger/Charging Cords/Car Charger: Stay powered up on the go with a portable battery charger. Bring multiple charging cords and a car charger to ensure your devices stay charged throughout the journey.
- Aux Cord: Since the vans aren’t Bluetooth-enabled, pack your own aux cord. This way, you can enjoy your favorite tunes on those scenic back roads where radio service might be nonexistent.
- Extra Camera Batteries: Capture every moment without worrying about battery life by carrying extra camera batteries. With a stash of four batteries, you won’t need to worry about recharging until the end of your adventure.
- USB Camera Battery Charger: If you don’t have spare camera batteries, a USB battery charger comes in handy. Plug it into your portable battery charger or the van’s USB ports for convenient recharging.
- Headlamp: A practical camping essential, a headlamp proves useful in various situations—whether you’re rummaging in the back of the van, heading to the bathroom at night, or embarking on early morning hikes.
Consider this comprehensive list as your go-to guide for van life necessities, ensuring a well-prepared and enjoyable campervan journey.
Potential Questions about Escape Campervans
- Can you pick which van you get? You cannot request a specific van, for example, you can’t say “I want Finn” (the van I had in the US). However, the manager did tell me that you can try to request for “colorful” fans, or make a request for a “kid-friendly” van. However, these requests are going to be subjective to the manager assigning the van, and what is available at that depot. I was told they are trying to move out the darker colored vans (there are some with black as the primary and then the designs on them) to make way for more colorful ones. However there are dark ones out there – all the ones I saw on the road were black based – so if you want to get a colorful one make sure you request that.
- Do I need all the add ons for my trip? You may notice during check ou there is the option to add some items on to your trip. These include Bedding kit, kitchen kit, aux cord, charging cord, propane, etc. I broke them down a bit higher up on this post. Ultimately it will depend on what type of camping trip you have planned. If you are staying at established campgrounds: no you probably won’t need anything other than the bedding, kitchen kit, electric kit, and propane. If you are roughing it, you may want to get the solar shower, table and chairs.
- What condition is the bedding in? The bedding in the campervan is used. I won’t lie, it was pretty obvious it was used. There were numerous stains on the bedding and on the pillowcases.
- Should I get the insurance offered? I opted for the “Worry-Free” insurance, which is meant to cover basically everything and it’s great because a lot of insurance companies will not cover campervans. I checked with my credit card for example as it covers most rentals, however, it said campervans were not covered. I didn’t want to have some crazy accident and be liable for thousands of dollars so I just paid the insurance for just in case.
- Which pre-paid miles should I get? This is just going to depend on your trip and how much you intend to drive. I went a little off schedule and went way over my mileage. You will have to pay .25 cents for every mile over what you prepaid for. So just calculate the math (and probably add another 300 for the random pit stops, detours, getting lost). Remember most national parks are much larger than the dot that will appear for the park – you will probably drive around 100 miles in one national park if you visit all the far corners.
- How much stuff can I bring with me? I wouldn’t recommend bringing more than what can fit in one airline cabin-sized bag can hold per person. While there is storage there, that is about the limit of storage there is. You could bring more, it just won’t be stored and will just feel like the campervan is overflowing.
- Where can I take the campervan? If there is a road you can take it. I would recommend staying to maintained roads, or as previously mentioned you will deal with the justling and rough riding that comes with the campervan.
- Is there cruise control? The one I had did include cruise control. I would expect most do.
[…] Escape Campervan Review – What to Expect […]
Thanks for sharing that type of post. Your post is very helpful for us. I got many helpful information from your post. So please keep sharing that type of post.
[…] Escape Campervan Review – What to Expect […]