The Mad Explorer Rental Camper Van Lets You Explore New Zealand in Comfort and Style

Brad has rented a Mad Campers rig to travel full-time in New Zealand.Mad Campers is a van rental company based in New Zealand that offers fully-equipped rigs for people to enjoy. Ii currently has four vehicles available – today, we'll talk about the one Brad rented, the Mad Explorer.

The Mad Explorer is based on an LDV Deliver 9 van. It sports a 2-liter turbo diesel engine that outputs 145 hp and 375 Nm (277 lb-ft.) of torque. This vehicle's interior is quite compact, boasting an internal height of 78 inches (1.98 meters), but it's designed to keep its occupants as comfortable as possible.

On the outside, you won't notice much on this van. There's a solar panel and a fan on the roof, but you won't find any of the accessories you normally find on campers, such as a bike carrier, an off-road bumper, and others.

One cool thing about this van is that it comes with two side doors. However, you'll have to enter through the one on the left side of the vehicle, as the other one is blocked by the seating area.

The seating area consists of an L-shaped couch with storage spaces underneath and a dinette table, which can be removed to make extra room. Above, you'll notice a sizeable cabinet and the control center for the van's utilities, featuring switches for lights, a water pump, a fridge, and more.

Mad Campers even added some instructions for those traveling in its van, informing them that you can use the lights, fridge, fan, water pump, and TV all at once, as well as one of these: induction cooker, hot water heater, and appliances.

This camper is quite well equipped regarding utilities. It's fitted with a 22-gallon (85-liter) freshwater tank, a gray water tank, a water heater, 450 Ah batteries, a 3,000 W inverter, and a 250 W solar panel up top. What's more, a DC/DC charger will charge the electrical system as you drive.

Right behind the L-shaped couch, you'll notice a window integrated into the sliding door. There's another identical one on the other door; both can be opened. But if you want superior ventilation, especially when cooking, you should open both and turn on the ceiling fan. That way, you can also enjoy the beautiful views.

On the opposite side, you'll discover the kitchen. It features a single-burner induction stove, a portable propane stove for emergencies, a fridge underneath the bed, a tiny sink connected to a grey water tank, and various storage spaces in the form of cabinets and drawers. Regarding counter space, there's a flip-up table you can use, but besides that, you don't really have room to prepare meals.

Mad Campers pretty much left the driver's cabin as it came. You'll find curtains separating the area from the living space for more privacy and an enormous storage space above.

The rear part of the interior is divided into two sections: the wet bathroom and the bedroom. The former is relatively narrow and long, featuring a shower, a tiny skylight, and an RV cassette toilet.

The bedroom is pretty spacious, as it comes with a double bed. The exterior wall integrates a window, but you also get natural light shining in through the rear windows. For entertainment, Mad Campers installed a TV, and you'll also find some overhead cabinets for storage.

And lastly, we have the garage, which sits right underneath the bed. Unlike in other vans, you can only access it by opening the rear doors. Brad stores all his bulkier items in there, near the van's water heater, electrical system, and freshwater tank. On the right side, you'll notice an outdoor hose, perfect for washing your feet or your gear.

The rental company has also kept safety in mind with this van: it features an alarm/immobilizer and a lockbox for your passport and valuables. Moreover, a nice touch is keyless entry for the rig.

All in all, this is a very functional rental home on wheels. I'm not really into the interior aesthetics, primarily dominated by white. However, after all, especially since this is a vehicle meant for renting, the main priority should be practicality, and Mad Campers has ticked that box. You can learn more about Mad Campers and their vehicles on the company's official website.

You're probably curious about how much it costs to rent the Explorer. In the peak season between November and March, pricing ranges from $380 to $500 per day. From May through September, you'll have to pay between $180 to $250. And finally, pricing ranges from $150 to $250 in October and April. Keep in mind these prices are in New Zealand dollars.