4WD Rental for Beach Access

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bazzer

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#28016 14-Nov-2008 12:54

I'm hoping to rent a 4WD in order to access the beach for my wedding photos (so my beautiful bride need not walk for miles to get the appropriate shots). Am I going to have trouble with insurance etc? One company I rang said off-road (even for a 4WD?) isn't covered by insurance (OK, I can handle that, I'm willing to cover the risk - am I? Theoretically, anyway...) but went as far as to say beach driving was prohibited regardless.

Anyone have experience with this? I had thought about Smart Cars, nice but almost certainly won't want me to take their Porsches or BMWs on the beach...

and pricey too!

nate

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#177984 14-Nov-2008 13:44

Good luck.

Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty (the companies I hire off the most) mention in their contracts that any hired vehicles must stay on legal roads, ie, taking a car/4WD off road is a big no no. The insurance won't cover you either.

Having said that, I supose the worst that can happen if you damage the 4WD is they ask you for a new one. You'd probably be better off borrowing off a mate.

bazzer

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#177985 14-Nov-2008 13:49

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with a 4WD. At least anyone I'd be comfortable borrowing it off. I think I'd rather owe Avis a new car than a friend, could get awkward. What's the worse that could happen? :D

nate

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#177987 14-Nov-2008 13:55

bazzer: Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with a 4WD. At least anyone I'd be comfortable borrowing it off. I think I'd rather owe Avis a new car than a friend, could get awkward. What's the worse that could happen? :D

Make sure you check the tides before you head out, and don't go on any soft sand. Might pay to take another vehicle or a team of strong guys in case you get stuck.

wellygary

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#177997 14-Nov-2008 14:44

bazzer: I'm hoping to rent a 4WD in order to access the beach for my wedding photos (so my beautiful bride need not walk for miles to get the appropriate shots). Am I going to have trouble with insurance etc? One company I rang said off-road (even for a 4WD?) isn't covered by insurance (OK, I can handle that, I'm willing to cover the risk - am I? Theoretically, anyway...) but went as far as to say beach driving was prohibited regardless.

Anyone have experience with this? I had thought about Smart Cars, nice but almost certainly won't want me to take their Porsches or BMWs on the beach... and pricey too!

How about these guys: not sure if they are int he right location, but such places do exist

http://www.overland.co.nz/

Overland 4WD Rentals Ltd supplies Toyota four wheel drive vehicles for holiday touring, off-road trips, camping, fishing, skiing, commercial use or whatever you might want to do.
No road restrictions apply (unlike most other rental companies) so you are free to travel wherever you want.

portege

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#178001 14-Nov-2008 15:13

I wouldn't take any of the RAV4s that they have off road - the Prados or the Hiluxs will perform quite well. I would also highly recommend taking a 2nd vehicle; I used to drive on Muriwai on a weekly basis on my Subaru Forrester and before that a Land Rover Freelander; the AWD weight distributed behaves a lot better than the Freelander

Anyway - if you have no experience driving on sand; I would take a 2nd car to pull you out just in case. I still manage to get my Forrester stuck in the sand

Secret is keep momentum! Once you lose it and you slow down/stop you will likely to get stuck

bazzer

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#178003 14-Nov-2008 15:24

Yip, the photographer has a 4WD and I understand he has worked there before (it was his suggestion). I presume he is experienced :) We just need a second vehicle for our large wedding party! ;)

I was looking at either a Prado or maybe a Pathfinder? I take it a 4WD station wagon is probably pushing it, really need a bit of height I suppose?