About Lucky Rentals NZ
Lucky Rentals New Zealand has a huge selection of 2, 3, and 4-berth campervans, aiming at budget travellers looking for cheap campervans and cars. Despite its unsteady reputation, let's get into detail and know more about this rather popular NZ rental company.
About Lucky Rentals New Zealand
Lucky Rentals is a campervan hire company with operating branches in New Zealand and Australia. The company has a huge selection of vehicles to choose from and it’s aimed at budget travellers looking for cheap campervans and cars. Lucky Rentals New Zealand offers 2,3 and 4 berth campervans for hire. Lucky campers are the hand-me-down brother of Jucy Campers as this is where Jucy’s old campers go when they are too old for the Jucy brand. For a long time, they even had similar names, but Lucky Rentals has now changed the names to differentiate things a little.
One useful tip when travelling around NZ is to use this freedom camping tool that covers all important rules and guidelines for each county. And since Lucky Rentals have two locations―Auckland and Christchurch Airport NZ―be sure to check the guidelines for each city before starting your adventure.
Lucky Rentals New Zealand have a fantastic set of campervans, mostly run by Toyota models― Estima and Hiace. Aside from campervans, they also offer small saloon cars. However, their campervans are a bit old with visible wear and tear as these are hand-me-down vehicles from Jucy. Still, these are all automatic transmission to erase the stress of shifting gears all throughout the road trip. The fleet ranges from 2, 3, 4-berth vehicles that are suitable for those on a tight budget.
Vehicles
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Lots of choice
- Affordable rates
- Some campervans are claimed to be self-contained
✗ Cons
- Only 2 depots
- Older models
- Not so good reputation
Vehicle Fleet
The Lucky Ranger is a 2 berth campervan that comes with a fitted toilet & shower amenities. It’s a great option for travellers who want to explore New Zealand with spacious mobile accommodation at a cheap rate. Some of its unique specifications include: 2 bench seats that easily converts to double bed (bed measures 1.96m by 1.42m), power steering, 2 batteries, 3 seats at the driver cab, gas cooker, heated towel rail of 240v, interior lights, hot water system, flat screen & DVD player, 2 tanks 80L for water & 80L for waste, water pump of 12V, shower and, toilet. As claimed by the company, this is the first in the ladder of Lucky Rentals range to be self-contained, though no self-containment certification.
Lucky Roadie features a diesel engine and can accommodate 3 guests. Some of its specification includes: 20L tanks, storage space under the bench seats, 42L Fridge (decent!), 2 batteries, 2 bench seats that easily converts to 2 double beds (first bed measures 1.96m by 1.42m and 2nd bed at 1.96m by 1.20m), 3 seats in the drivers cab, CD player with a radio & iPod plug and, hand-pumped cold water. It's the first in the hi-top range to offer a little more comfort inside. Being a van, the style of drive changes for 'car-like' into being a bit higher and a bit noisier as you are now sitting above the engine, not behind it.
This snug 2-berth campervan is an upgrade of the Lucky Rookie. A couple of features it has over the earlier version is the small 18L Fridge and a much more acceptable 25ltr water tank. All other amenities and electronics found on Lucky Rookie are also present in this vehicle.
The Lucky Rookie, a 2-berth automatic Toyota Estima is the cheapest option offered by the company. The van is quite small in size but can accommodate two guests in absolute luxury and comfort. Noticeable specifications of the van include 10 litres water tank, 1 burner gas cooker, power steering, 2 bench seats that easily converts to a double bed measuring 1.9m by 1.3m, interior lights, CD player, Radio & iPod plug and, ample storage space under the bench seats. This van also features a 2.4L petrol engine that has a fuel consumption rate of 10 to 14 litres per 100kms, which is relatively economical for long-distance travellers and fun-loving explorers.
The latest addition to the fleet is a pre-loved JUCY 3 berth campervan. Tagged as the company's pride, this self-contained camper offers two double beds, bathroom with shower and toilet, and a nice kitchen. And if you compare closer, the unit is actually the same model as the Lucky Ranger with upgraded features like more windows, added sleeping capacity, and slightly taller interior height. If you want to hire a campervan from Lucky Rentals, be prepared to pay an insurance cover. The company provides three insurance reduction options for each vehicle. If you don’t want any reduction, you can pay a one-time insurance fee or security bond of $2500, which is also called as the 'Gambler' option. The second reduction option is called 'On the Fence', and one can pay a one-time security bond of $1500 and then $15 per day (maximum of fifty 50days). The last option is called “Sure Thing” and the hirer must pay $25 per day (maximum of fifty 50days) for the entire hire or rental period to reduce the excess to $0. Lucky Rentals have its fair share of fantastic and dissenting reviews. Though most of their clients have embraced so much about their affordable rates, there have been lots of issues about vehicle maintenance. Well, what do you expect from hand-me-down vehicles that are over 3 years old? Besides that, there are some concerns on deposit refund delays and most hirers are frustrated by the company “sluggish” approach when it comes to refunding back deposit money debited from clients cards. Still, Lucky Rentals seems to be a good campervan hire company, especially to anyone looking for budget vehicles in NZ. If you are looking for an affordable campervan for hire, Lucky Rentals have a good deal for you at very competitive rates. But, of course, rent with caution and don't set the bar too high or else you'll definitely have a headache.
The Lucky Rover is the luxurious 4 berth automatic campervan in the fleet that comes with almost everything you would need for an enjoyable ride. The van is quite big in size, and one can stand upright while inside the van. For the company, this campervan is considered as fully self-contained because it has a portable toilet but still, it does not feature a 'self-containment sticker.
