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Want to try van life before buying? Renting from a company like Escape Camper Vans is the perfect way to dip your toes in. But is it a legitimate business?
In this article, we take a closer look at Escape Camper Vans to let you know if it’s worth renting from them. From how their system works to their lineup, we share the details.
Buckle up, and let’s get going!
About Escape Camper Vans
Escape Campervans was started in the United States in 2009 by Rob Mewton, who took the concept over from New Zealand.
He’s an entrepreneur and surfer from New Zealand who enjoys the campervan lifestyle. So, he started the rental company in the U.S., which currently exists in 13 locations with over 600 vans on the road.
Escape Campervans’ mission is “to inspire people to escape their everyday routines and embrace their adventurous spirit by exploring the world in our campervans.”
The colorful campervans have an exterior painted by artists. And the interiors have bare essentials while keeping travelers comfortable and safe and providing an affordable rental.
Unlike expensive motorhome rentals, Escape Campervans seek to provide a cost-effective experience so anyone can get out there for an adventure.
How Does Escape Camper Vans Rentals Work?
You can book an Escape Campervans rental directly on their website. There is an overview of their lineup of vans to help you determine the right fit for your trip.
First, select the location you’ll be picking up the campervan and your date of departure. Next, choose the drop-off location and date.
After pressing search, the website will direct you to a page that shows availability for your selections. If there’s something available within your criteria, you follow the steps to reserve your rental unit.
Upon arrival to pick up the campervan, you’ll receive a brief orientation and any pertinent information. Escape Camper vans also provide convenient road trip itineraries, so you don’t have to spend multiple hours planning your trip.
The Escape Camper Vans Rental Lineup
Escape Campervans have all of the essentials for a camping road trip. However, they’re not fully contained campervans since they lack a toilet and shower.
So, you’ll need to rely on public bathrooms during your travels. Let’s take a closer look at the rental lineup.
Mavericks
Best For: Family
Sleeps: Five people
Amenities: Mavericks has a queen-size bed and a pop-up rooftop for extra sleeping space. It also has a foldaway table and benches that convert into the bed, a two-burner propane stove top, a refrigerator, a sink, and a five-gallon freshwater tank.
This Escape Camper Van is a Ford E-150 with a 35-gallon gas tank. It’s 17.7 feet long, so it’s easy to fit in campsites and parking spaces.
There’s air conditioning and heat in the cab, but it’s unavailable when the van is off. You’ll also find solar and inside storage space.
Santa Cruz
Best For: Solo Traveler
Sleeps: Two people
Amenities: The Santa Cruz has a double bed that takes up the majority of the back of the van. The trunk door opens vertically, so you can have a nice breeze when it’s open.
There are privacy curtains throughout the van. You’ll also find storage under the bed, a pull-out one-burner propane stove, a dual-powered refrigerator, a sink, and a 3.5-gallon freshwater tank.
Santa Cruz is a Ford Transit Connect with a four-cylinder gas engine. It’s 14.5 feet long, so you can fit it on most tent campsites. It’s the easiest Escape Campervans rental to maneuver and the one with the best gas mileage at approximately 27 miles per gallon.
While it sleeps two people, it’s ideal for a solo traveler wanting more room in something compact.
Big Sur
Best For: Groups
Sleeps: Five people
Amenities: The Big Sur has a good amount of storage space for multiple people traveling together. It also has a queen-size bed and a rooftop sleeper. There are also rear bucket seats for travel and a foldaway table and benches. For cooking, you’ll find a two-burner propane stove, a dual-powered refrigerator, a sink, and a five-gallon freshwater tank. The van also comes with Bluetooth.
Big Sur is a Ford T-350 and is 19.83 feet long. The van is 7.6 feet high and expands to 9 feet when the rooftop is open. It’s the biggest rental in the Escape Camper Vans lineup. The van has solar, a backup camera, and a 25-gallon gas tank.
Jeep Camper
Best For: Couples
Sleeps: Two people
Amenities: The Jeep Camper has an automatic hardtop rooftop sleeper with a foam mattress and vents for airflow. You use a ladder outside the Jeep to get to the sleeper.
In the Jeep’s trunk, you’ll find a one-burner propane stove, a Dometic cooler, a sink, and a 3.5-gallon freshwater tank.
There is also an optional hitch for a bike rack. And it’s equipped with an 8.4-inch touchscreen.
The Jeep Camper is the most compact option in the Escape Campers lineup. It’s ideal for going off-road with an all-wheel-drive system and a V6 gas engine. The ground clearance is 10 inches, and the length of the Jeep is 15.8 feet.
Keep in Mind: Why Are Sprinter Camper Vans So Expensive? Click the link to find out!
Del Mar Pop Up Campervan
Best For: Family
Sleeps: Five people
Amenities: The Del Mar Pop Up Campervan has a queen-size bed and a double bed in the pop-up top. It has a foldaway table and benches and rear bucket seats.
It also has a two-burner propane stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and a five-gallon freshwater tank. And you’ll find drawers for extra storage space and amenities like USB ports. In addition, it has curtain window coverings throughout.
The Del Mar Pop Up is a Ford T-350 with a V6 gas engine. It’s 19.83 feet long with 35.6 cubic feet of storage space. It also has solar, a 110-volt outlet, and a backup camera.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Campervan?
On average, Escape Campervans’ daily rates cost between $45 to $100. They offer a great budget-friendly experience compared to RV rentals and other national rental companies.
In addition, the company runs special discounts from time to time. If you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll gain quick access to deals when announced.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Escape Camper Vans get a 4.8 out of 5-star rating from customers. Overall, customers appreciate the customer service and cleanliness of the rentals. They also remark on the positiveness of the van life experience and the company’s itineraries.
Here’s what a few are saying.
“We had an incredible trip with the help of the Big Sur – Surfer. What a great van. Drove so well and steadily on the road. I loved having the additional space since the Big Sur is longer. It was so clean upon pick up and well equipped with all the supplies we needed.
Hats off to Sean and Darren at the Denver Depot for making that happen. From the booking and coordination through Kaelin and Kerry’s support, everything went so smoothly. You are a great team!” – Linda E. (Google Reviewer)
“I would highly recommend anyone to go with escape campervans. We had a ‘Santa Cruz’ for 12 nights and it was perfect for a couple & provided everything we need to comfortably do a road trip.
It was easy to drive, especially for someone not used to bigger vans like the others offered. Plus we had an awesome paint job! 10/10 would do again!” – Michael F. (Google Reviewer)
“Enjoyed a great trip to Death Valley National Park in the Jeep Wrangler Campervan. It came with a pop-up tent, sink, and plug-in refrigerator.” – Rich J. (Google Reviewer)
Is Escape CamperVans Legitimate?
Escape Campervans’ rental company is legitimate. You can book an Escape Camper Van rental year-round at one of the company’s 13 locations.
They get excellent customer reviews, and their prices are very good for what you get.
Keep in Mind: Financing an RV can be a headache! One option you may want to consider for your next rig is Renting-to-Own an RV
Experience Van Life With an Escape Camper Vans Rental
Are you ready to experience van life? Renting with Escape Camper Vans is the perfect way to try it out and have a memorable road trip. You can go solo, with another person, or take a group or your family along.
Let us know if you rent from Escape Campervans. We would love to hear about your trip.
