How much motorhome cost NZ: complete pricing guide

Our travel experts are often asked one question in particular - how much does a motorhome cost?

On average, a brand new motorhome costs between NZ$130,000 - NZ$230,000. Comparatively, a second-hand motorhome costs about NZ$80,000 - NZ$170,000 on average. Prices vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer, model, floor plan and many other factors.

In this article, you will learn about:

• Popular motorhome manufacturers and how much their motorhome’s cost

• The cost of a brand new vs second-hand motorhome

• The factors that affect motorhome cost

• The extra costs involved in owning a motorhome

• How to get a return on your investment and earn income from your motorhome

So how much does a motorhome cost?

KEA Motorhomes

Brand New KEA Motorhome Cost: $120,000 - $180,000

Second-Hand KEA Motorhome Cost: $45,000 - $135,000

KEA has been manufacturing premium motorhomes in New Zealand since 1995. All of KEA’s motorhomes are built on a Volkswagen, Mercedes or Toyota van chassis and designed to withstand the toughest conditions. KEA motorhomes have become so popular due to their comfort, handling, reliability and safety.

Jayco

Brand New Jayco Motorhome Cost: $100,000 - $275,000 Second-Hand Jayco Motorhome Cost: $70,000 - $250,000

Jayco has been the most popular brand of motorhome in New Zealand and Australia for over 45 years. They are designed and manufactured in Australia and have an extensive range of service agents across both countries. They are known for providing a heap of living and storage space, enhanced driveability and fuel efficiency on turbo-diesel cab chassis’s.

Roller Team Motorhomes

Brand New Roller Team Motorhome Cost: $135,000 - $200,000

Second-Hand Roller Team Motorhome Cost: $95,000 - $145,000

Roller Team Motorhomes are manufactured in Italy and often upgraded in New Zealand to have a larger engine capacity. They have become one of the most popular motorhomes in Europe and NZ by offering modern luxury designs at competitive prices. Roller Team Motorhomes are also renowned for exceptional engineering, safety and reliability.

Swift

Brand New Swift Motorhome Cost: $140,000 - $250,000

Second-Hand Swift Motorhome Cost: $95,000 - $150,000

Swift has been one of the world’s leading motorhome manufacturers for over 50 years. Their factory in the UK boasts some of the leading manufacturing techniques in the industry. Many of their new motorhomes are impervious to water, have an impact-resistant outer shell and a 10-year warranty.

Autotrail

Brand New Autotrail Motorhome Cost: $135,000 - $200,000 Second-Hand Autotrail Motorhome Cost: $50,000 - $180,000

Autotrail motorhomes have been manufactured in the UK for over 35 years and are very popular in New Zealand. They are designed to withstand cold and harsh conditions whilst also providing modern comfort. Most Autotrail motorhomes are upgraded when they arrive in New Zealand to meet strict safety requirements.

Dethleffs

Brand New Dethleffs Motorhome Cost: $150,000 - $350,000 Second-Hand Dethleffs Motorhome Cost: $115,000 - $160,000

Dethleffs is one of the world's most renowned motorhome manufacturers with a history dating back to the 1940s. They manufacture their motorhome’s in Germany and are the premium brand in the industry. Dethleffs motorhomes are built to withstand cold European conditions and provide plenty of luxurious living space for large families.

Burstner

Brand New Burstner Motorhome Cost: $130,000 - $180,000 Second-Hand Burstner Motorhome Cost: $85,000 - $170,000

Burstner is one of Germany’s top motorhome manufacturers and one of the most popular motorhomes in New Zealand. They are renowned for their comfortable interiors, premium fittings and spacious floor plans. Most models are designed to withstand cold temperatures, featuring double glazing, central heating and premium insulation.

Factors that affect motorhome cost

Manufacturer

The most popular manufacturers in New Zealand (i.e. Jayco and KEA) tend to provide the most value. They can sell their motorhomes at a lower cost due to lower manufacturing and shipping costs, given that both Jayco and KEA are manufactured in Australia and New Zealand respectively. European-based manufacturers (i.e. Dethleffs and Burstner) tend to focus on luxury and have to ship the vehicle internationally, increasing the motorhome cost.

Year and model

You can expect to pay more for brand new models of motorhome released in 2020 or 2021. Some dealerships may sell older year models at a slightly discounted price. But the largest savings can be made by buying a second-hand motorhome. Motorhomes that are 4+ years old tend to be the best value.

Design

Smaller motorhomes cost significantly less than large motorhomes. If you want lots of living space and furniture in your motorhome, you will need to pay more. This is why you will find that large luxurious family motorhomes are 2x or even 3x the price of a small motorhome designed for two people.

Extra features

When you buy a motorhome brand new from a dealer, they are often fully customisable. Everything on board the motorhome can be fitted to your liking - from TV’s and fridges to flooring, wall patterns and the vehicle’s colour. The more extra features you opt-in for, the higher the motorhome cost.

Additional motorhome costs to consider

Insurance

It’s important that you protect your motorhome in case of an accident, theft or some other mishap. The higher the cost of your motorhome, the higher the cost of your insurance policy. You can expect to pay over $1,000 per year for most motorhome insurance policies, depending on the age of the vehicle, your driving history and the coverage you choose.

Learn more with our How Much Does It Cost To Insure A Motorhome? guide.

Storage

If you do not have space to park a motorhome on your property, you may choose to store it at a holiday park, campsite, or storage facility. To do so, you will have to pay a monthly fee. Some sites offer reduced fees for long-term motorhome storage. In New Zealand, motorhome storage rates can range anywhere from $25 a month to $300 a month depending on the site.

Servicing

By keeping your motorhome well maintained, you can extend the life of the vehicle. Most motorhomes need to be serviced at least once per year. If the vehicle gets a lot of use, it may need to be serviced more regularly. On average, the cost of servicing a motorhome can range from $300 - $1000+ a year.

Registration

Just like all motor vehicles, your motorhome must be registered before it can be driven on the road. In New Zealand, the annual cost of registering a motorhome is between $250 - $300.

Earn an income from your motorhome

Many Kiwis earn up to $10,000 a year by hiring out their motorhome through Camplify. By doing so, they quickly pay off their vehicle and create a long-term passive income stream.

As New Zealand’s fastest-growing private motorhome sharing community, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• 24/7 RAC nationwide breakdown cover for hirers

• Dedicated customer support

If you’re keen to earn a return on your investment, calculate how much income you could generate each year by using our earnings calculator.

We provide a heap of resources to help people that are interested in buying a motorhome. It’s recommended that you start with the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Motorhome. After that, you can look into more specific topics such as convincing your partner to join the sharing economy or fifth wheels vs motorhomes.

We also suggest that you “try before you buy”. Camplify has heaps of private motorhomes for hire in New Zealand. Find one that you’d like to try, hire it for a few nights and see if it meets all of your needs and expectations. This way, you can be sure that the motorhome you're interested in is right for you and your hirers!