Your first hire: Preparing your van for hire

Getting your van "hire-ready" is about more than a quick clean. It's about creating an experience that makes hirers feel welcome, confident, and excited for their trip.

First impressions matter — a lot. When a hirer opens the door to your van for the first time, you want them to think, "This is going to be an amazing trip."

Safety first

Before your first hire, complete a thorough safety check:

• Fire extinguisher — current and accessible (all RVs must carry one)

• Smoke alarm/gas detector — installed and with a fresh battery - check with your state or Territory for specific regulations

• First aid kit — stocked with basics

• Tyres — check tread depth and pressure (including the spare )

• Brakes — if your van has independent brakes, make sure they're working

• Gas system — check for leaks and ensure all connections are secure. Gas systems should be inspected by a licensed technician at regular intervals.

Electrical — check the 12V and 240V systems, including the RCD safety switch

Complete the Camplify Annual Safety Checklist — this helps ensure your van meets minimum safety standards.

The essentials checklist

Before every hire, run through this checklist:

• Clean inside and out. Wipe down all surfaces, cupboards, drawers, vacuum floors, clean the bathroom, wash windows, and give the exterior a wash. Hirers notice everything.

• Clean the fridge inside and out (leave it smelling fresh, not like last week's leftovers)

• Fresh linen and towels. If you include linen, make sure it's freshly laundered and neatly made up. Wrinkled, stained bedding is the fastest way to a bad review.

• Clean the bathroom thoroughly (if applicable)

• Empty and clean all waste tanks

• Full water tank and gas bottles. Start every hire with a full fresh water tank and topped-up gas bottles.

• Charged battery. Make sure the house battery is fully charged and any solar systems are working properly.

• Functional everything. Test the fridge, stove, lights, water pump, hot water system, and any other systems. Fix anything that's not working before the hirer arrives.

Stock the basics

Going beyond the bare minimum makes a big difference. Consider including:

• Kitchen essentials: plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, a sharp knife, cutting board, pots, pans, tea towels, and basic cleaning supplies

• Bathroom basics: toilet paper, hand soap, and a small bin

• A torch, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher

• Toilet chemicals (if cassette or chemical toilet)

• Instruction manuals or a printed guide for operating the van's systems

The welcome touch

Top-rated owners often include a small welcome gift — a local wine, a bag of marshmallows for the campfire, or a hand-written note wishing the hirer a great trip. It costs very little but creates a memorable first impression that often shows up in glowing reviews.