camplify

Since its launch in 2014, Camplify has grown to become Australia’s largest caravan and RV hire peer-to-peer sharing community, connecting thousands of owners with holidaymakers across the country looking for anything from caravans and campervans to motorhomes and trailers. Their aim is to get more of the 500,000 registered RVs in Australia into use, and allow travellers to avoid having to buy their own vehicles to go on a trip.

To start searching for a campervan to hire, users simply have to enter the location and hit go. They will be taken through to a page displaying various results with a thumbnail image and a price per night. There are a selection of filters at the top of the page, however I found the choice to be fairly limited in comparison to other RV rental sites, which allow you select specific qualities like amenities and entertainment options. After choosing a vehicle, you can find out more detailed information on it, along with photos and verified customer reviews.

One feature I did like about Camplify in particular was the 24/7 roadside assistance that they provide. Every hire made through the company promises to come with free NRMA nationwide roadside assistance, meaning if a problem occurs with the vehicle – such as a flat battery or an issue with the keys – then NRMA will jump into action to offer support at no extra charge. There is also the option to upgrade to a premium plan, which gives customers additional benefits and protection from accident or damage.

Another section of the website that I find myself continually resorting to is the location recommendations page. Here, they offer information on the various different regions of Australia, presenting ideas and inspiration for travelling around. They also display suggested RVs and campervans for that particular region, based on those with a good selection of reviews. Their blog is equally useful, giving additional advice and tips on RV-related topics.

A obvious downside to the site that I encountered was the potential to end up with a vehicle that has unexpected problems. As the platform is based on the hire of vehicles from individuals, should it break down and have to be fixed, they will not be able to quickly offer an alternative, like they would if they were an established rental company.

David Jones

I am a professional travel writer and travel enthusiast who traveled the world twice, so I am sharing my firsthand knowledge about everything related to travel and spending time abroad.