Our Cruisin’ Tips for a Hassle Free, Fun Filled Relocation

 

Cruisin' Motorhomes would like to thank Paula for her great trip summary! Over to you Paula...

  TIP 1: Plan a rough itinerary before you leave home – this enables you to get to see as much as possible & so that you’re not having to cover areas you’ve already seen TIP 2: Pack some CD’s, DVD’s & games – Radio & TV coverage can be a bit random in certain areas We’ve never watched the TV coz we’ve been too busy  discussing our adventures but I took the Scrabble & Chess set & we played both of these on some  evenings TIP 3: Insurance - We’ve had 3 wonderful holidays with these guys & each time we’ve chosen the “Hassle Free” Insurance as it includes a GPS, gas bottle (you don’t have to refill during your trip), outdoor table & chairs – take note if you choose lesser insurance you will need a larger security deposit … also bare in mind insurance does not cover the top of the motorhome so extra care needs to be taken with light poles, tree’s etc. especially when you are choosing a parking area & reversing

Liability Reduction	Accident Liability	Security Deposit	Daily Rate
Hassle Free Pack	$300	$300 (imprint)	$48
Includes: Liability Reduction – Option 2, GPS, pre-purchase gas, outdoor table & chairs (chairs per person), baby or booster seat (if required)
Option 2	$300	$300 (imprint)	$39
Option 1	$2500	$2500 (debited)	$20
Standard	$5000	$5000(debited)	Included

  TIP 4: Arrive early - If you're flying in to collect your rental make sure you book early morning flights so you can get on the road ASAP to start your adventure as if it’s your first trip it takes a little while to be given all the instructions about operating all the fixtures. We flew from Adelaide to Melbourne @ the crack of dawn to catch an early flight to Hobart. Arrived in Hobart @ 9.55am, short cab trip straight to the Cruisin’ depot @ 3 Runway Place, Cambridge, TASMANIA, Ph: 1300 664 485 or email:reservations@cruisinmotorhomes.com.au. Tip 5: Check the vehicle, the additions & the fuel level – You’ll do a walk around with a Cruisin’ staff member to check for any damage done by prior renters, I always just verify them as sometimes they’re not marked specifically on the sheet that you need to sign, they’ll add or alter upon your request – no drama’s at all, just for your own peace of mind. If you’ve got the “Hassle Free” make sure the GPS & table & chairs are already in the vehicle.

Tip 6: Get your groceries – We always look out for a supermarket & stock up with filtered water (for drinking & boiling the kettle), milk, coffee/tea, sugar, breakfast goodies (bacon & eggs, cereal) bread & nibbles & extra toilet paper, packet of freezer bags (easy to store leftovers in the fridge & for scraps of rubbish), & some paper towel for quick clean ups (especially the floor, you’ll be in out all the time so the paper towel makes it easy to wipe up those muddy shoe prints   – this is so you can enjoy the scenery & if you find a really nice spot to park for the night you’re all set to enjoy your first evening & first morning. The van has always had dishwashing detergent, cloths, tea towels & towels (check the cupboards, they’ll be in there waiting for you somewhere). If you like an alcoholic bevvy in the evenings stop at a bottle shop & grab your choice – a nice port during the colder months is a good way to wind down, or if you’re not on a budget treat yourself to a bottle of Drambuie “liquid honey to warm your heart”

Tip 6: Fuel - Keep an eye out for cheap fuel prices as they can vary greatly, keep topping up after you’re below ½ then you get the good prices & don’t have to worry about how far the next station is if fuel is getting low – we forgot once & were out in the “whoop whoop” NSW when the fuel light came on, got the old heart rate going … phew, didn’t let the diesel get that low again!

Tip 7: Information Centres – Keep an eye out for these especially when in Tassie, they are a fantastic source of travel info & have really great souvenirs’ & gifts – *check the prices they can vary quite a bit depending on where you are – we met some lovely staff of all ages who gave us tips on what to see in the area including the prices where applicable

Tip 8: Have your camera ready at all times – the scenery changes at every corner & you won’t want to miss a thing!

Tip 9: Keep warm – If you’re travelling in the cooler months & not due for a caravan park ”charge up” for the night, put the car heater on in the late afternoon on recycle mode to warm up the van for the night

Tip 10: Returning the motorhome L - Stay @ a caravan park the night before & recharge, fill up the water tanks & toilet receptacle (some vans have just the one, some have a separate one for the toilet), if you’ve moved any items which are part of the rental, return them to the cupboards/drawers that they were originally in, this all makes for a quick drop-off when returning the vehicle

Pack all your bags, making sure you check all the cupboards & power points (especially if you’ve used phone or computer chargers, & the lighter charger in the vehicle cab, coz I took my phone car charger as well which is great coz you won’t run out if not charging @ a park)

Empty the toilet waste in the morning just in case you need to use it during the night coz it’s too cold outside or you’re too far from the parks amenities – plan to visit public toilets after this so that it’s still empty when you return the vehicle

Do a last fill of the water tanks if you need to

Head for a service station to top up the fuel close to the Cruisin’ depot

Final Tip: Park somewhere convenient (near a bin is good) clean the van so it’s ready for the next lucky travellers (don’t forget the fridge, especially if you’ve stocked up with goodies to take home like the delicious cheeses from Ashgrove! or lagers from Cascade! or the fudge from Anvers!)

Hope this is helpful, happy, easy, safe travels … I can’t wait to go”Cruisin’” again!!!

Paula Thomas – Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA