Review: Backpacker campervans is another campervan hire company in the THL corporation family. They have Maui for the luxury market, Britz for the premium market and Backpacker for, well, the backpacker market. The Backpacker vans range from the simple to the full scale motorhome meaning there is overlap in THL family between companies.
The bottom end range vehicle of the Backpacker family has no pop-top or high-top roof, so be prepared to be bending over a lot. But it has the basics required for driving cooking and sleeping, so really everything else is just a comfort factor.
The next level up, the Nomad, is probably the pick of the bunch as you get the extra room of the high-top roof and a more luxurious layout whilst still keeping in the affordable price range. This one, as you might have guessed, is my favourite. You get more of everything; bigger fuel tank and better fuel efficiency, bigger water tank, bigger gas bottle, fridge instead of cooler box (always get a camper with a fridge), more storage and, yes, even a CD player. But like EVERYONE else, no MP3 player or iPod connection (when is someone gonna catch on that we all use iPods now!)
Then you move into their luxury range with the toilet and shower included – the Wanderer. This is what you want if you never want to stay at a caravan park. With one of these you can stay in many more places than if you have a smaller campervan. The need for the toilet is alleviated and so you are so much freer to get about without having to think about the need for that amenity. It’s got more space and pretty much more of everything, so it doesn’t take a genius to realise that you are paying through the nose for it, but if money is not a problem and quality is paramount, then this baby is for you.
Now let’s not forget the 4WD campervan hire option here either. I love 4WD campervan hire and Backpacker has the stock standard model that all the others have followed. Mind you they are IDENTICAL to the Britz one, so whilst you shop around, make sure you look at prices for both companies. The beauty of the 4WD is that you can go pretty much anywhere (except the places the contract tells you that you can’t) and THAT is the absolute beauty of the 4WD. Go where the others don’t and see the true beauty of the remoteness of the land.
Backpacker has a good reputation overall and is backed up by a very large company with lots of resources. They aren’t the cheapest in their class, but they are the classiest is their class. They are a highly recommended campervan hire company.
To see more reviews, head back to the campervan hire home page. If you are sick of reading reviews and just want to compare prices, click on the compare prices button below.
| Ratings | |
| Vehicle Quality |  |
| Service | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Monica Askew
from Sweden
Ranking: 8/10
Campervan is OK. A few things missing or wrong in the van. Had to go back after first night camping. Got everything fixed.
Reviewed 01 August 2010 and experienced in May 2010
Mr Mal
from United Kingdom
Ranking: 4/10
The van I hared was a Premium two berth VW with 230,000km on the clock. the Shower had mould in it around the tray, the shower head had limescale. The toilet was well worn. Fresh water tank leaked. Halfway through my trip the fridge stopped working and I had to spend two half days getting a new one. Backpacker did refund me a days hire to compensate and I was happy with that. The previous week I had hired a 30,000km van which was as new from a different company. That was $300 more, personally I think it was work the extra but if you are on a budget and dont mind an older van then Backpacker might be for you.
Reviewed 17 April 2010
Catherine Clavel
from France
Ranking: 8/10
Good but miss explain in French.
Reviewed 16 April 2010 and experienced in January 2010
Michael and Tanja Kreugel
from Germany
Ranking: 8/10
Cheaper than the others (Maui, Britz), but the same features.
Reviewed 16 April 2010 and experienced in January 2010
John Borneman
from Australia
Ranking: 9/10
Good clean campervans, stocked with everything needed.
Reviewed 16 April 2010 and experienced in January 2010
Jonathan Martin
from United Kingdom
Ranking: 6/10
Vehicle could have been in better condition. Small additons would help. Better ties for windows to ensure blackout, slightly wider range of kitchen utensils. But was very good though.
Reviewed 14 April 2010
Helen B
from England
Ranking: 9/10
Easy to book online, very friendly staff when we collected van, scary thing to drive.
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Jann Clar
from Australia
Ranking: 8/10
Went well, no problems in shopping centres or petrol stations. good size van for 2 people. Bit heavy on fuel.
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Luisa
from Germany
Ranking: 7/10
A little too small (but our fault). More help in case of an accident.
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Jobbs
from Israel
Ranking: 9/10
Cheap, goes well, quite enough power. Introduction was a bit rushed.
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Dale King
from United Kingdom
Ranking: 8/10
Friendly staff, answered all questions, provided a reliable van (so far)
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Harmann Volker
from Germany
Ranking: 6/10
I believe the car is older than in the contract (older than 3-4 years).
Reviewed 01 March 2010
Dan Mair
from England
Ranking: 7/10
Good was good price.
Reviewed 26 February 2010 and experienced in November 2009
Nick
from Australia
Ranking: 8/10
Efficient and has everything we need. Not particularly cheap, mind!
Reviewed 24 February 2010
Zane Vest
from United States
Ranking: 9/10
Equipment is in superb condition. Staff very helpful.
Reviewed 24 February 2010
Aart Van Nooy
from Netherlands
Ranking: 5/10
No storage space, cooking has to be done outside, bad table + chairs for outside
Reviewed 22 February 2010 and experienced in November 2009