Free Wheeler Campers

Vans

What type of camper vans do you have?

We buy VW high top Transporters and Crafters TDIs which we convert ourselves into 2 and 4 berth camper vans.

How old are the campers?

All of our campers are under 3 years old. We want to ensure that we provide safe and reliable vehicles for our customers. The estate cars are not brand new, but are regularly serviced and well looked after.

Are the campers manual drive or automatic?

All of our camper vans are manual drive.

What is the layout/interior of the camper van like?

Please look at the Camper Vans page for diagrams of the night and day configuration. You can also check out photos as well!

How many people can travel in the camper van?

In the 2 berth camper van, there are either 2 or 3 seats with legal seat belts. In the 4 berth camper van, there are 5 seat belts, so you can take a friend with a tent! It is illegal to transport people who are not wearing seatbelts and invalidates your insurance – please do not be tempted!

What type of fuel do the campers take and how efficient are they?

The camper vans have diesel engines, making them very efficient. They average around 28 miles per gallon, therefore you get between 550 – 600 miles per tank. The estate cars have petrol engines which allow around 29 miles per gallon.

Are there fridges in the camper vans?

We have electric fridges in most of our camper vans. The ones without fridges have electric cool boxes. Please note that the fridge runs off the leisure battery, which charges when the camper van is being driven or when you are plugged into a campsite. Therefore, if you are going to a festival for 5 days, with no electricity or without driving the camper van, you will need to take some ice with you!

For more information, check out our video on how to make the most of the fridge.

How long does the leisure battery last for?

When it is fully charged, the leisure battery lasts for different periods of time depending on what is being used. For example, the lights would last for around 2 weeks, and the fridge for approximately 11 hours, although it varies according to outside conditions, i.e. the temperature. It takes about 2 hours to charge the leisure battery either through driving or being plugged into an electrical socket at a campsite.

Do I need to bring cutlery or bedding with me?

No. We provide duvets, pillows and freshly laundered linen as well as a fully equipped kitchen unit. To help you plan what to bring, here is a list of the inventory included:

Sheets
Single duvet/covers
Double duvet/covers
Pillows/covers
Serving fish slice
Serving Spoon
Tin opener
Chopping board
Plates
Bowls
Spoons
Forks
Knives
Sharp knives
Tea spoons
Mugs
Plastic wine glasses
Plastic cups
Corkscrew
Small pan
Large pan
Frying pan
Kettle
Sponge/surface wipers
Tea Towels
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Europe kit

Is outdoor furniture included in the price?

No. You can hire table and chairs from us through, as well as a BBQ. There are additional items you have the option of hiring, such as Sat Navs, which you will have the option of doing when you book.

Insurance

How much is the excess?

The excess is £750 which is fully refundable if you return the camper van to us in the same condition as when you hired the camper van. We do ask you to sign our Terms and Conditions which legally commit you to a £1500 excess if the vehicle is stolen. The excess may increase depending on the driver circumstances, for example, if you are between 21 – 24 years old or if you have a non-UK licence. Please read our terms and conditions or contact us for more information.

How do I pay the excess and when do I get it back?

You have to pay the excess of £750 before you can pick up the camper van, so we normally ask for it to be transferred either directly, or through Paypal 24 hours before the hire. We return the excess to you once we have checked the camper van over and within 2-4 days of your return. Please note that we will hold back £120 of the excess for 20 days to cover any speeding or congestion charges that may get sent to us. We do not yet have the capability of charging credit cards for these items, therefore it protects us from extra charges.

Can I reduce the amount of excess I pay?

Yes. We do offer the opportunity to reduce your excess to £500 by paying an extra £12 per day for a minimum of 7 days of hire, then £10 per day for 8+ days of hire. This is entirely optional. Please note that this is down to the discretion of the Free Wheeler Camper team and the insurance company.

Is the insurance 3rd party or fully comprehensive?

Fully comprehensive insurance

What is the minimum driving age?

21 years old for our 2 berth camper vans/Estate cars. 25 years old for our 4 berth camper van. Please note that you have to have held your licence for 24 months or more if you are under 25 and 12 months or more if you are over 25.

How much is it to insure an extra driver?

It is £5 per day.

Which countries does the insurance cover?

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

What happens if the vehicle gets damaged?

If you are unfortunately involved in an accident, please ensure, if possible, that you take the details of any drivers involved (name, address, contact number and vehicle registration number). Call us as soon as possible for advice. In your Welcome Pack, you will have the number of the RAC, who will be able to help you with the vehicle – we offer 24 hour roadside assistance throughout Europe as part of your package. If you are unfortunately hurt, the standard emergency services number for Europe is 112 (999 in the UK).

These details are also included in your welcome pack.

Travelling to Europe

Is there an extra cost for this?

Yes – our insurance company charges us £50 for each trip to Europe, so we pass this cost onto our customers. We do not add a daily rate like most companies, but keep it simple at £50 per trip, no matter how long you travel for.

Which countries am I allowed to visit?

Our insurance covers the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Do you have left-hand drive vehicles?

Not yet. It is fine to drive a right hand drive vehicle in the rest of Europe.

Can I drop the van off somewhere other than London?

Not yet. We deliberately chose central London for our depot as it is very convenient for customers due to the excellent public transport links. We are planning to have more depots in Europe in the near future, to enable you to do one-way trips. We can deliver/pick up the camper van from either Gatwick or Heathrow airport for a charge of £60 each way.

Where would you recommend for camping in Europe?

There are so many possibilities for excellent camping sites all over Europe. Please see our travel advice page for more information, or talk to one of our friendly staff, who would be happy to help.

Are there different driving laws that we should know about outside of the UK?

• People drive on the right hand side of the road in Europe.
• When parking your vehicle, make sure it is pointing in the direction of traffic on the road. You can get fined for not doing this.
• Drink-drive laws are very strict across Europe with severe penalties – our advice…park up the camper van before enjoying any alcohol and never drive when under the influence of alcohol.
• You must have a ‘Europe kit’ in your vehicle by law. We provide this kit as standard, which includes a GB sticker, fluorescent jacket, warning triangle, first aid kit, European Vehicle on Hire Certificate, Motor insurance certificate

You will also need to take:

• A valid full driving licence (not provisional), with paper counterpart if you have a photocard licence
• An International Driving Permit when necessary
• Your passport
• Headlamp beam converters (you can buy these on the ferry for £5)

Van collection/drop off

Where is your depot?

Our offices are located just off the Kennington Road on Bishops Terrace. It is conveniently located near to major transport links in central London. Please see the Contact Us page for more details.

Which times can I pick up/drop off the camper vans?

We are open from Monday to Friday from 9am – 6pm. We do offer evening collection for camper vans, as we appreciate that many of you will need to pick the van up after work. It normally takes about 20 minutes to do the paper work and show you around the camper van. If you need to pick up the camper van at the weekend, please speak to us so we can find the best arrangement for you.

What happens if I am late for a collection/drop off?

Please call us in advance if you are stuck in traffic or going to be late, so that we know what is going on & can help you if necessary. It is important that we get the vehicles back on time so we can prepare them for the next hire. We employ extra staff to help us turn around the vehicles quickly and ensure maximum availability for customers. Therefore, if you are more than 1 hour late for the pick up or drop off, we charge an extra day’s hire fee as a penalty.

You are based in zone 1 – do I have to pay the congestion charge?

Yes, but only for the day that you pick up the camper van and drop it off, so £10 for each day. We deliberately put our depot in zone 1 to make it as convenient as possible for people to find us. It also means that you can drive out of London in any direction without worrying about the congestion charge routes on your first and last days of hire.

Please take care not to drive into the congestion zone by mistake on other days – the fine is £60, which we have to pass onto you. If you do want to go into the congestion zone, you can pay for it on the day or in advance online – tfl.gov.uk/congestioncharge. The cost is £10 per day. Please note that we will pay the charge on your behalf when you pick up and drop off the camper van and charge it to your total van hire quote.

What do I need to bring with me?

In order to hire the camper van, you must bring:

• Driver’s licence
• Another form of photo identification (passport)
• Another form of proof of address (household bill, statement, etc)

Can I leave my car with you?

No. Unfortunately we do not have parking facilities for customers at our depot. Please see our Contact Us page for details of transport links, or give us a call for advice.

Is there a minimum hire period?

In peak season (June – September) the minimum hire period is 1 week. For the rest of the time, it is 3 days.