Pablo Bizon
09/11/2021 6:31 AM
Clarín.com
Travels
Updated 9/11/2021 6:31 AM
Spring is here, and
plans
begin
for the next summer holidays
, which already herald a trend: more trips around the country, especially in your own vehicle and especially to nature destinations, which invite you to enjoy landscapes and outdoor activities. .
In times when many still have not decided to transit airports and get on airplanes, and still having social distancing as an important point, the idea of
renting a motorhome to go out on the road
appears more than ever
.
And also the questions:
What models are available
? Which one suits me, according to the type of trip and the number of passengers? How
much does each one cost
?
Motorhome, the freedom to travel without thinking about hotels or restaurants, and stopping in the middle of nature.
Photo South Route
Here, an
overview of the models that can be rented in
Argentina and their prices.
From campers mounted in 4x4 trucks for up to five people or large vans with all the comfort and ample spaces for six occupants, to small vehicles just for two, with the basic equipment to travel and sleep spending as little as possible.
An overview to plan the next vacation.
Compact: economy and versatility
Let's start with the smallest, or compact, which are generally mounted on a Renault Kangoo chassis and designed for two people.
The folding equipment of a compact, which includes a stove, mini sink, table and chairs.
Photo Motorhome Time
These models have a
basic equipment that can be deployed
from drawers at the back, which consists of a stove, a conservator and, in some cases, a small sink with a water bottle that allows you to wash your hands, teeth, and face. , or even some dish.
They also usually include a small table that folds and unfolds.
With all the equipment stored, a double bed is spread over this furniture.
The compact models do not include a bathroom, although in some cases, such as the “Charito” that
Motorhome Time
rents
, a
tent
can be added
where a portable toilet and a solar shower are placed
.
"Although generally the public who usually rent this model, especially young people, backpackers and retirees, prefer to
stop at a campsite
to use its services", says Gabriel Mirón, from Motorhome Time.
With the furniture closed, the double bed unfolds.
Photo Andean Roads
The main advantage of these models is, of course, the economic one: the rent is considerably lower than that of larger vehicles, and practically the
same rate as the rent of a car
: for 15 days of rental,
US $ 92 ($ 9,539) daily
, with insurance included and 200 free km per day.
For each additional km US $ 0.30 ($ 31) extra.
The "Charito" comes with a 1.6 gasoline engine and a CNG tank, which makes it a good option for those looking to simply
"travel and sleep" spending as little as possible
.
Another point in favor is its
versatility
, since it is small and light vehicles with simple driving, which can circulate on roads that others, larger and heavier, find it difficult to enter.
In addition to the economy, the compacts stand out for their versatility.
Photo Andean Roads
Andean Roads
is another rental company that has compact models, also Renault Kangoo.
For 14 days, US $ 90 ($ 9,328) per day;
from 15 to 21 days, US $ 80 ($ 8,292);
and more than 21 days, US $ 70 ($ .7,256).
In all cases, you must add US $ 10 ($ 1,037) per day for the insurance.
Medium: price / equipment balance
Mid-size motorhomes are generally mounted on utility chassis such as Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Citröen Jumper or similar, and are usually
ideal for the family
: two adults and two children.
Or three adults.
Medium motorhomes are ideal for a family of 4 or for 3 adults.
Photo Andean Roads
“We have five units of the medium model, which we design and build ourselves, mounted on Sprinter 515/516 vans, which
have duals
, which is very good because it allows more weight to be loaded and provides greater stability,” summarizes Cristian Torlasco, from Andean Roads. .
And he explains: "It brings the
same equipment as the large model
, only the medium one is the van as it comes from the factory, with a little more limited space and a rental rate of $ 20 less per day."
Full bathroom on board.
Photo Andean Roads
The medium models are ideal for a family and generally have
all the equipment
, including a full bathroom with shower, sink, hot water and toilet with tank.
They also have a stove, refrigerator and heating.
In the case of Motorhome Time, the medium is the “Pampero” model, on a Renault Master chassis, with intercooled turbo diesel engine and 6-speed gearbox.
As for the equipment, it has a
double bed in the back, a single bunk placed on top of the double and an extra single bed
in the dining room.
With air conditioning and heating.
Pampero, US $ 185 per day, with 200 free km.
A medium motorhome on a Renault master chassis.
Photo Motorhome Time
They are also the specialty of
Motorhome Mis Angelitos
, which offers Citröen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer or Fiat Ducato for two or four people and, as in all cases, fully equipped, even with dishes and sheets.
The average rate is 155 dollars per day, with 200 free km plus US $ 0.25 per extra km, explains Juan Melo, from the company.
And a highly demanded alternative today: a
30-day rental at US $ 3,100
, equivalent to US $ 100 per day plus another US $ 100 for insurance.
"Practically the same rate that is charged today in Europe", highlights Juan.
Large: convenience and comfort
Here we can already think of small “houses on wheels”.
Large models are usually mounted on vans -Sprinter, Jumper- and offer all the comforts for up to six people;
and they are ideal for four adults and two children or five adults.
Large vehicles are traditionally the most popular in our country.
Photo Andean Roads
Andean Roads, for example, has four large models, which are identified by the "crop" above the cabin, where the double bed usually goes.
It is the most comfortable vehicle because it has more space, and with full equipment, which includes, for example, a refrigerator with freezer.
“Our large vehicles, which are 0 km or with a few years of running, are in great demand, it is our most popular model.
In fact, we are already without availability until February 2022 ”, says Cristian Torlasco.
The rate for these units at Andean Roads is $ 170 + $ 20 insurance per day if rented for up to 14 days.
From 15 to 21 days, US $ 160 + US $ 20;
more than 22 days, US $ 150 + US $ 20. If the rental is for more than 30 days, there is a 10% discount plus unlimited mileage.
And if two units are rented together, 10% discount on both.
Families or groups of friends usually rent two motorhomes to travel together.
Photo Motorhomes Mis Angelitos
“This works a lot for example for a large family, two family friends or relatives;
for example brothers, each with his family.
They go together, each family in a motorhome, and they have a great time ”, says Cristian.
At Motorhome Time, the large model is the “Aconcagua”, and it is manufactured on a
Citröen Jumper
chassis
model 2021 but larger
: with 7.30 m long, 2.20 wide and 2.83 high, it offers a large space of storage and three double beds;
one on the cabin, one on the seats and a private bedroom at the rear, as well as a spacious and fully equipped kitchen and bathroom.
Larger vehicles not only offer more space, but also full equipment.
Photo Motorhome Time
“He has, for example, a tall German refrigerator, with a freezer;
tall bathroom with separate shower column, diesel central heating, air conditioning, and it is very bright ”, describes Gabriel Mirón.
The rate for up to six people?
US $ 242 ($ 25,081) per day.
Campers: the "adventurous houses"
This model, which was traditionally demanded very little in our country, is
the segment that is growing the most
today.
Campers, the most adventurous version of Motorhomes, Photo Adventure Home.
The so-called overland, which are structures mounted on 4x4 trucks, present the main benefit of being able to circulate on dirt or gravel roads that other vehicles cannot enter, thus providing more mobility and independence.
Some, in addition, add the fact of being removable: once at the destination, they are unhooked from the vehicle and supported on their own legs, thus freeing the truck to travel.
In Adventure Home you can rent campers with 4x4 included or mounted in your own pick up.
Photo AventureHome.
It is the specialty of companies like
Adventure Home
, which only rents campers.
“It is a vehicle that requires
less maintenance and is more flexible
.
They are structures manufactured in the United States that we install on a pick-up of ours or of the client, with capacity for up to three adults and two children and all the services: bathroom, kitchenette, refrigerator, air conditioning and solar panels ”, describes Héctor Silva, from Adventure Home.
Rates: for a two-week rental, the average is US $ 100 per day with a van, and between US $ 75 and US $ 80 with the customer's pick up.
It includes 100 free km per day and each additional km costs between US $ 0.25 and 0.35, depending on whether the amount of additional km is defined before the trip or not.
Also
South Route
specializes in complete campers, pickup included.
“The main advantage of this vehicle is to access places that others cannot.
It gives you more security that
you will be able to do what you want to do
, and that you will be able to get there ”, sums up Matías Leiva, from Ruta Sur, which has four models for rent.
Campers can have the same equipment as a large motorhome but in less space.
Photo South Route
The most complete, the Eminence, has
a double bed and two singles
, a complete bathroom with shower, air conditioning, heating and a refrigerator with freezer, among other amenities.
With differences in comfort and equipment, it is followed by the Luxury models (ideal for two, although it has a double and a single bed), which includes communication with the cabin, and then the Premium, Elite and Freedom models.
In Ruta Sur, the minimum rental is 10 days, and depending on the model, the rate ranges from $ 20,000 to $ 25,000 per day, with full insurance and a $ 300,000 franchise (the card with which it is paid must have that limit), with unlimited mileage and all equipment.
All the comfort in a camper.
Photo Motorhome Time.
“The Eminence and Freedom are
made in the
United States, the best in the world in campers;
while the other three models are national and of excellent quality ", says Matías, and says that before the pandemic" 99% "of the rentals were for European tourists.
Also Motorhome Time offers campers.
It is the "Patagonia" model and costs US $ 165 per day, with 200 free km.
The same rate as the Motorhome Mis Angelitos camper.
Bonus track: luxury travel
A category that can be considered "extra" are "luxury" motorhomes: large groups adapted as motorhomes, which can comfortably carry
up to six adults
and are rented
with a driver and everything
.
A motorhome mounted on a large bus, which is rented with a driver.
Photo Motorhome Uno
It is the specialty of
Motorhome Uno
and the rent costs $ 110 per kilometer plus between $ 17,000 and $ 19,000 the day of stay, depending on the model (this rate includes the driver and diesel).
It is true that the market for these large groups is mainly that of events –car races, filming, etc.-, but they are there in case
a large family or group of friends or relatives
wants to indulge in walking along the routes to all comfort and without the need to drive.
The motorhomers club
Buying a motorhome, building your own or renting one is not the only way to enjoy this way of traveling.
With the idea of bringing more people to the market and facilitating entry to this form of travel, the
Motorhome Time Club was
born
, a "
club of frequent users
", who can participate in two ways.
Like a timeshare;
You can invest in the construction of a motorhome to use it free of charge and rent it.
Photo Motorhome Time Club
First, pay a
one-time membership
, which gives you access to renting vehicles with a
60% discount
on the official rate.
This membership has a one-time cost for user members of US $ 7,000, which can be paid in up to 24 installments.
If you are going to make a one-time trip, or one every so often, the traditional rental is convenient, but if the plan is to make at least one trip a year, and even two or three shorter ones, the membership option becomes more attractive.
A second alternative is to become an
investment partner
: invest in the construction of a motorhome, use it whenever you want without paying anything, make it available to the club to
rent when not in use
.
“With the more expensive models it is common
for investor pools to
form
, which are divided among them the use in the seasons that interest each one the most, and are rented the rest of the year”, says Gabriel Mirón, from Motorhome Time Club .
And he gives as an example the top-of-the-range model of the company: Aconcagua, whose cost is around US $ 120,000.
Where to get information
www.adventurehome.com.ar
www.mhomemisangelitos.com.ar
www.motorhometime.com
www.andeanroads.com
www.rutasur.eu
www.motorhomeuno.com.ar
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