Keep it simple: How one Newcastle owner paid off his van in a year

Meet Harrison, a Camplify Premium member in Newcastle who paid off his HiAce campervan in just one year by keeping things simple. We visited him to uncover the secrets behind his success and discovered a powerful philosophy, a series of hard-won lessons, and practical tips every van owner can use on their own journey.

Sometimes the most successful stories are the most unassuming. Harrison’s Toyota HiAce, ‘Phoebe’, isn’t the newest or flashiest van on Camplify, but it’s one of our most consistently booked. I had to understand why.

Even though my personal motto is usually ‘West is best,' some stories are so good they’ll get me on a plane all the way from Perth. Harrison's was one of those stories.

So, on a recent visit to our Camplify HQ in Newcastle, I made sure to stop by his place, conveniently just a stone's throw away. The man I met was just as unpretentious as his van. He’s an easy-going, likeable guy; the kind of great chap who greets you in a pair of grey Crocs (a rare sight, he laughed, for a barefoot enthusiast) and immediately offers you an ice-cold ginger beer from Phoebe’s humming fridge.

That simple, welcoming gesture says it all. Harrison’s success isn't built on a complicated formula, but on a refreshing philosophy of keeping things simple, genuine, and making sure they just work. His story is full of valuable lessons for every owner in our community.

Harrison relaxes in front of his Campervan "Phoebe"

It all started with a helping hand

Every great van has an origin story, but Harrison’s is truly special. It didn’t start from a desire to travel, but from a fundamental need to help family.

“I think it is a pretty interesting story,” Harrison told me. “I started because my dad became homeless and he needed a van, somewhere to stay. So we bought him a van and we started doing it up.”

It was during that process, turning a simple vehicle into a home, that Harrison discovered a new passion. He realised he loved the work, and the idea for his own van business began to take shape. In fact, he got so into it that the process of wrestling with van electrics inspired a whole new career path—he’s now on his way to becoming a qualified electrician, with plans to use his future trade skills to build even better vans. 

Learning the hard way (and with burnt wires)

Anyone who's tackled a DIY van build knows it's a journey of highs and lows. Harrison is refreshingly honest about how much he had to learn, quickly.

“I built it all myself,” he laughed, “and like it was… I made so many mistakes.”

His biggest challenge? The electrical system.

“I burnt through two DC-DC chargers,”

he admitted. “It's like I just completely blew them up and there was like a little fire in the van, which is pretty funny.”

It’s a story that’s both terrifying and deeply relatable, and it highlights a crucial lesson we discussed: investing in quality for critical components always makes a difference. I shared my own story about starting with a cheap fridge; it got me into the market, but after it failed on a couple of hires, the stress just wasn't worth it. I decided to reinvest my earnings into a top-of-the-range model, and the peace of mind was immediate.

It was a story Harrison knew all too well. He nodded, saying he was having similar issues with his own fridge and charger. “It’s not letting me sleep at night properly,” he admitted, concluding that making the same upgrade was the next logical step. It’s a perfect example of how putting money back into your business makes it stronger, more reliable, and ultimately, easier to run.

The 'keep it simple' strategy

In a world of complex, high-end fit-outs, Harrison found his success by taking a different path. He’s a proud essentialist; for him, the van just needs to work, and work well. His strategy is to go for volume, keeping his HiAce consistently on the road.

“This van's got no real special features. And it's doing well. It just gets up, it goes wherever they want, and there's no nonsense about it,” he explained.

“I'm a big fan of essentialism and just like less is more. They need a bed, they need somewhere to keep their food cold, and somewhere to store stuff. That’s it.”

By focusing on the essentials, he connected with a huge market of hirers looking for simple, authentic adventures. His modern, easy-going approach even extends to marketing. A mate recently added a QR code to the side of Phoebe that links directly to his Camplify listing - a simple, brilliant way to catch the eye of future adventurers parked at the beach or shops.

Harrison and Jake after a couple of Ginger beers, still fizzying.

The art of a stress-free hire

Seeing how successful he is, I had to ask Harrison how he makes the whole process seem so easy. His secret, it turns out, isn't complicated; it's all about solid preparation and a thorough handover that leaves nothing to guesswork.

He’s learned from experience to avoid the last-minute panic that many new owners feel. “I never do it the day of [the hire],” he told me, explaining that he gets the van fully cleaned and prepped at least the day before. “Otherwise you're just running into problems, and it just stresses you out.” It's a simple rule that sets the stage for a smooth experience for everyone.

His handover is just as thoughtful. He walks every hirer through the van from front to back, pointing out all the little quirks. We talked about how those small details make the biggest difference—like showing someone where the hidden fuel cap release is before they’re standing stressed at the petrol station. It’s a two-minute tip that, as Harrison noted, prevents the inevitable frantic phone call later on. I mentioned that I sometimes do a quick drive around the block with my hirers, and he agreed it’s a great idea, especially for international guests getting used to our roads.

This thoroughness means he can finally relax once the van is on the road. We shared a laugh about how the best hire is the one you almost forget about until they message you to say they're coming home. For Harrison, reaching that point was a journey in itself. “Honestly, that took me about like 30 hires to really get there,” he confessed. “The first ten, you’re stressing!”

His honesty is a welcome reminder for every new owner that overcoming that initial anxiety is a normal—and achievable—part of the process.

Easy, simple, it just works

When things go wrong (and when they go right)

Of course, hiring out a van isn’t always simple. Harrison’s resolve as a new owner was tested right at the beginning. On one of his very first hires, a German couple had a charger fail while they were up in Brisbane. Instead of despair, they took it in their stride. Harrison describes them as “deadset legends.” They went to an auto-elec shop, got the tools, and fixed it themselves right there on the road.

But when the same problem struck again on a different trip, leaving guests stranded for a night in Katoomba, it was Harrison’s turn to step up. His response was immediate and focused. “My one goal is just to get them back on their holiday as soon as possible,”

he said. Because the van was still a warm place to sleep, the hirers were happy to stay in it for the night at a nearby park. While a local mechanic sorted the issue the next day, Harrison’s solution for their troubles was simple and brilliant: “I just gave them a little bit of extra money to go to the pub and have dinner.”

And those challenging moments are truly the exception. Incredibly, after dozens of hires across his two vans, Harrison told me something that made me stop. "Have you ever had a damage claim?" I asked. "Not once," he replied. It’s a remarkable achievement that he credits entirely to his hirers. “That's a shout out to the hirers,” he said. “All of them, all but one, have been absolute legends.” It shows that a great van, a clear handover, and a good attitude attract fantastic, respectful adventurers.

Harrison is happy about his experience with Camplify

The verdict on Camplify

When we got talking about the business side, Harrison’s practical mindset shone through. For him, upgrading to a Premium membership was a clear business decision. "I'm trying to do as many [hires] as I possibly can," he said, explaining that the 40-day limit on the flexible plan just wouldn't work for his volume-focused model. The reduced fees and unlimited hire days made perfect sense.

With a laugh, he said he “genuinely couldn’t believe” the overall value. “I was expecting [to pay a commission of] 15 to 20% for all of the services,” he explained, referencing the marketing power that brought him bookings from day one. “Dozens of hires with zero outside advertising… it's crazy. And to only get seven percent, I'm thrilled.”

For him, it’s a simple equation that works. The platform provides the hirers and the security, allowing him to focus on providing a great van. As he put it simply, “it's paying dividends for me.”

What’s next on the horizon?

With one van paid off and a second, “Millie”, already on the platform, Harrison isn’t slowing down. His next ambition is to grow even further within the Camplify community by becoming a manager, helping other owners share their vehicles. “I just love the hiring out, I love meeting people, I love all of this,” he told me, his passion evident. “But then there are just the benefits of not having to have capital to start… You get people's vans and you get to pick and choose.”

Leaving Harrison’s place, I felt again a sense of excitement for what our community is building. His journey proves that with the right mix of heart, hard work, and a smart strategy, anyone can create their own success story.

Harrison started with a single van built in his backyard to help his dad, and now he’s running a successful small business, all with a relaxed, can-do attitude. It’s about genuine connection and sharing a great experience - sometimes, it’s as simple and as welcome as a cold ginger beer on a sunny day.