Guidance For Off Road Bookings

For Owners

Thinking about letting your van go off-road? Here are some important things to remember whenever you are considering an off-road booking.

Destination and itinerary: It is vital that you not only discuss the destination with your hirer but that you also have a good understanding of the route they will be taking. Please do plenty of research before approving a route. (Top tip: If you have not completed the route yourself, ask other owners in the Facebook Owners Group if any of them have travelled via that route in the past).
Location, location, location: We strongly recommend installing a GPS device into your van if you are allowing it to go off-road. This allows you to know where they are and importantly, if they have stuck to the agreed-upon itinerary.
Suitability: It is important to only allow your van to go off-road if it was designed to do so. Non-off-road vans are much more likely to be damaged when travelling off-road and this may not be covered by insurance.
Maintenance: You must ensure your van has been serviced recently and that other necessary maintenance, e.g. tyres, has been completed.
Preventative measures: Due to the nature of off-road travel, there is a high likelihood that the van will incur incremental damage from stone chips, debris, and/or sandblasting. To reduce the risk of this damage, we strongly recommend taking preventative measures, such as installing a stone guard at the front of the van.
Wear & tear: Due to the unavoidable risk of stone chips, debris, and/or sandblasting when travelling off-road, ‘Wear & Tear’ is not covered for off-road bookings.
Off-road checklist: To add an extra layer of protection to each off-road booking, we recommend that owners and hirers complete our “Off-Road Checklist” during the handover in addition to the Pre-Hire Checklist. This ensures that both parties are in complete agreement over the route and are fully aware of the potential risks.

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For Hirers

Planning an off-road adventure? Here are some important things to remember when you are planning your trip and in the lead-up to your holiday.

Destination & route: Be sure to fully discuss your planned itinerary with the owner. In many cases, they will be able to advise on the safest/easiest way to complete your trip.
Reassessing your route: Outback tracks can constantly change and sometimes it may not be suitable to proceed without damaging the van. While we understand you may have plans to get to a certain destination or event, please note damage caused by choosing to proceed through unsuitable tracks will be fully charged to the hirer. Where possible, seek advice from other travellers/locals about the conditions and update your plan where necessary.
Cleaning: To avoid any additional charges, make sure you leave plenty of time in your itinerary to clean the van when you return. This includes interior, exterior, and underbody.
Travel time: To drive safely off-road, it is important to drive slowly and conservatively. Please make sure you set realistic expectations of how far you can travel each day due to the reduced speed. (Full guidance on driving off-road can be found below inTips for driving on corrugated roads.)
Understanding wear and tear: Off-road hires will naturally mean that the van will be going over rough terrain and on unsealed roads. Wear and tear that typically occurs is stone chips, sandblasting, and debris. These can be avoided and are not damage that can be either claimed from the hirer or typically from an insurer. Plan to protect your van from wear & tear with stone guards and carefully screening where your hirer can go.
Off-road checklist: To add an extra layer of protection to each off-road booking, we recommend that owners and hirers complete our “Off-Road Checklist” during the handover in addition to the Pre-Hire Checklist. This ensures that both parties are in complete agreement over the route and fully aware of the potential risks.

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More tips

Tips for driving on corrugated roads

Slow down: Travelling at high speed increases the chances of damage both through stone chips and underbody damage to pipework and gas fittings, suspension, and tyres. Hirers will be fully liable for these costs. Depending on road conditions you may need to travel as slow as 20-30km per hour.
Tyre pressure: You may need to deflate your tyres, this may be between 25-30 psi depending on how rough the terrain is.
Beware of oncoming traffic, particularly road trains: You will need to slow right down and move over to let them through, they will not move over for you.
Beware of dust: Dust can cause very limited visibility, again slow down and maintain a safe distance between other vehicles, sometimes 40 metres may be necessary. It is recommended that you cover the vents of the van, this will assist with keeping the inside clean. Please do not cover the fridge vent if you are operating it whilst underway.
Always drive within your capability.
Allow extra time: to get to your destination and travel short distances.
Do not drive between dusk and dawn: when wildlife is most active.
Adjust gear range: to suit conditions.
Take a break: every 2hrs.
Slow down for any blind corners and hill crests: as off-road terrain can be unpredictable.
Stay on tracks and share remote travel routes: with local authorities.
Don’t take unnecessary risks or endanger your passengers: and other road users.
At all times remember your responsibilities: If you need assistance in restricted areas, additional costs may be incurred.
Bring back the RV: At all times remember your responsibilities to get the RV back to the owner. Under your hiring contract, the RV may not be left in any remote location as this would be considered “abandonment” and is a full breach of hiring terms and conditions.
At certain times adverse weather and road conditions can result in travel restrictions being enforced: We encourage you to contact Camplify if you have any concerns about the area you are planning to drive through. Alternatively, the police or local authorities are also able to help.

Tips for driving on beaches

Please note all beach trips must be pre-approved before travel and it is at the discretion of the owner to permit beach trips. While many of our vans can be taken to beach destinations, there are some additional precautions that must be taken:

Slow down! Soft sand can cause less control and swaying.
Tyre pressures: You should always lower your tyre pressures in both the vehicle and towing vehicle,this will assist with getting more tread on the sand and reduce your chance of being stuck. We usually recommend around 16-20 psi depending on how soft the sand is.
Water crossings: Always test the depths of water crossings before entering: If the water level comes up above the height of the van door, or if there are high currents, do not cross.
Tide times: Always plan your trip around tide times, we do not recommend travelling on the beach 2 hours either side of high tide: If you become stuck, you may not have time to get out and may lose both your vehicle and the van.