Deuce
Panel van camper
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Compare Mighty Campers with other motorhome hire companies
Mighty Campers review
An economy campervan brand with distinct Australian and New Zealand ranges, alongside a separate US RV offer through El Monte.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Mighty Campers is thl’s economy rental brand in Australia and New Zealand. Its current identity dates from the 2012 relaunch of Backpacker and Explore More. Backpacker’s earlier history began in 1996; that background belongs to the predecessor business. The group also owns brands including Britz and Maui Motorhomes.
The US offer operates differently. El Monte markets Mighty RV as a value option using older vehicles from its fleet, with its own North American categories and rental arrangements. El Monte joined thl in 2016. Shared ownership does not make the three markets contractually interchangeable: direct Australian rentals name Tourism Holdings Australia Pty Limited, New Zealand rentals name Tourism Holdings Ltd, and the US agreement names El Monte Rents, Inc.
Our verdict
Editorial review
Mighty’s economy positioning leaves meaningful choices about how much living equipment to take along. In Australia and New Zealand, moving beyond the simplest camper does not require leaving the brand: the range extends to vehicles with a full bathroom and space for larger groups. This makes the offer more useful than a narrow collection of basic sleeper vans.
The compromise lies in how much the rental depends on the particular category and contract. A familiar vehicle name can describe a substantially different camper across the Tasman, while the US range follows El Monte’s separate approach to equipment and charges. The strongest comparison is therefore between complete rental arrangements. The base vehicle alone cannot settle the choice when distance, pickup location and protection packages change the total cost or financial exposure.
Good points
- A different starting point for compact campers in New Zealand.Even the smaller New Zealand categories have a fixed toilet. Renters can choose a relatively simple van without giving up that facility, although these categories do not include a shower.
- An Australian 4WD with an indoor bed.The two-person 4WD provides enclosed sleeping accommodation rather than a rooftop tent. It adds a materially different option to the Australian range for trips that need an approved 4WD route, while keeping cooking and showering outside.
- Airport transfers at all three New Zealand depots.Free airport shuttles serve Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown during their operating windows. That removes a separate transfer expense at the start and end of a New Zealand rental.
Things to consider
- Remote pickup choices can add a substantial charge.Australian location and one-way fees can accumulate independently. A route involving Broome therefore needs more than a comparison of daily rental prices; its location charge can materially change the budget.
- Six travel seats do not mean six child-seat positions.Big Six has only two child-restraint anchorage positions in both Australia and New Zealand. The vehicle’s overall capacity is not enough to establish whether it will accommodate a family’s particular combination of child seats.
- Handover and follow-up experiences are mixed.Customer accounts on Mighty’s Australian and New Zealand location pages include helpful explanations and successful assistance, alongside reports of incomplete handovers and difficulties resolving problems. Those accounts concern individual rentals and sometimes shared-brand operations; they do not establish a failure rate for Mighty vehicles or describe the US service.
Vehicle categories
Mighty Campers fleet
Deuce Plus
Panel van camper
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Double Up
Overcab motorhome
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Big Six
Overcab motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Highball
Australia · Panel van camper
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Double Down
Australia · Panel van camper
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Duo
Panel van camper
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
4WD
4WD expedition camper
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- Outdoor
- Transmission
- Automatic
HiLITE
Australia · Compact campervan
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
DeLITE
Australia · Compact campervan
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Highball
New Zealand · Panel van camper
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Double Down
New Zealand · Compact campervan
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
HiLITE
New Zealand · Compact campervan
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
DeLITE
New Zealand · Compact campervan
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
MB
Class B campervan
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
MD
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 5
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
MT
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
MA
Class A motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
The range spans simple vans, bathroom-equipped campervans and larger motorhomes, with a distinct set of choices in each market. Australia has ten commercial categories and New Zealand eight; the four shared names above count within each market’s range. Mighty RV adds four separate US categories. These are rental categories, not a count of physical vehicles.
Australia: compact vans, bathrooms and a 4WD
Highball and Double Down offer cooking and sleeping facilities without a bathroom. The LITE alternatives, HiLITE and DeLITE, use vehicles advertised as six or more years old and are shorter at around 4.9 metres. Double Down and DeLITE accommodate two adults and two children; their upper beds should not be interpreted as four equivalent adult sleeping places.
Duo introduces a bathroom in a campervan approximately 5.94 metres long. Deuce and Deuce Plus extend to around seven metres; the extra bed in Deuce Plus is sized for a child. Double Up and Big Six use overcab layouts, with the latter adding sleeping space through its front dining area. Living-area heating or air conditioning on the bathroom-equipped Australian categories requires a suitable 240 V connection.
The 4WD is a different proposition: two adults sleep inside, with an outdoor kitchen, cold outdoor shower and no toilet. Two spare wheels and outback equipment accompany the vehicle, but permission for particular roads remains a separate part of the rental.
New Zealand: familiar names, different vehicles
All eight categories are automatic, diesel and self-contained. Highball and HiLITE have a fixed bed and toilet; Double Down and DeLITE add a bed in the raised roof. These four smaller options do not have a shower or hot water. They are not the same bathroom-free vans as their Australian namesakes.
Deuce, Deuce Plus, Double Up and Big Six have a full bathroom and living-area heating. Some equipment remains market-specific: an exterior slide-out kitchen belongs to the Australian Deuce Plus specification, for example, rather than being a feature to assume in New Zealand. The category is the basis of the booking, not a guaranteed manufacturer, interior layout or exact pictured vehicle.
United States: North American RV layouts
The El Monte offer moves from the 20–22 ft MB campervan to medium and large Class C vehicles and the Class A MA. The compact MB combines a pop-top bed with a folding interior bed. MD and MT use overcab accommodation, while MA provides a larger integrated body. Several secondary beds are sized for children, so the passenger total alone does not describe equal sleeping comfort for every occupant.
These US vehicles have their own electrical systems, equipment options and operating conditions. A physically installed generator or awning is not proof that its use is included in every rental rate. Winter preparation can also limit access to water facilities, as explained below.
Locations
Mighty Campers pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
Australia
-
Adelaide 740 Port Wakefield Road, Parafield Gardens SA 5107
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Alice Springs 220 Stuart Highway, Braitling NT 0870
-
Brisbane 733 Nudgee Road, Northgate QLD 4013
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Broome 10 Livingstone Street, Broome WA 6725
-
Cairns 419 Sheridan Street, Cairns North QLD 4870
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Darwin 17 Bombing Road, Winnellie NT 0820
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Hobart 14 Long Street, Cambridge TAS 7170
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Melbourne 40 Hume Highway, Somerton VIC 3062
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Perth 2 Redcliffe Road, Redcliffe WA 6104
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Sydney 125 Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive, Bankstown Aerodrome NSW 2200
New Zealand
-
Auckland 470 Oruarangi Road, Māngere, Auckland 2022
-
Christchurch 159 Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport 8053
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Queenstown 9 Purple Ash Avenue, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
United States
-
Los Angeles 12818 Firestone Blvd, Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
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Las Vegas 3800 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas NV 89121
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San Francisco / Dublin 6301 Scarlett Court, Dublin CA 94568
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Orlando 3800 West Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32808
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New York / Linden 3401 Tremley Point Road, Linden NJ 07036
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Denver
-
Seattle 1541 S 96th Street, Seattle WA 98108
Before booking
Practical facts
The details below separate Australian and New Zealand rentals from Mighty RV’s US offer through El Monte.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | The following monetary examples concern direct rentals with pickups from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. They are separate Australian and New Zealand terms, not a statement of what every booking channel includes. |
| Driver eligibility | Highball, Double Down, HiLITE and DeLITE accept drivers from 18 in both countries; the other categories require at least 21. Drivers need a full valid licence, and all drivers must attend pickup. A non-English licence needs the original plus an accepted translation or international driving permit. |
| Rental duration | Direct AU/NZ rentals count calendar days, including pickup and return. New Zealand’s general minimum starts at five days; seasonal and route-specific minimums may be longer. Australian one-way minimums range from seven to 28 days according to the route. |
| Australian kilometre allowance | The 2WD rental conditions include unlimited kilometres. The 4WD base allowance is 300 km per day, with additional distance at AUD 0.55 per km. An unlimited-distance option costs AUD 299 per rental, or is included in the applicable package. |
| New Zealand road-user charges | Unlimited kilometres do not remove diesel road-user charges. Payment at return is NZD 8.18 per 100 km for the four- and six-berth bathroom-equipped motorhomes and NZD 8.04 per 100 km for the other categories. Prepayment options are available by category. |
| Australian damage responsibility | Under Low Road, compact categories without a bathroom carry AUD 3,500 responsibility per incident; Deuce, Deuce Plus, Double Up and Big Six carry AUD 5,000, and the 4WD AUD 8,000. These figures concern damage responsibility, with contractual exclusions, rather than the rental price. |
| New Zealand damage responsibility | Low Road sets NZD 3,500 per incident for Highball, Double Down, HiLITE and DeLITE, and NZD 5,000 for Deuce, Deuce Plus, Double Up and Big Six. Exclusions remain applicable. |
| Reducing damage responsibility | High Road reduces responsibility for covered damage to zero on AU 2WD and NZ rentals, and to AUD 750 on the Australian 4WD. Extra 4WD Protection with the required cover can reduce the latter to zero. As a price example, High Road for LITE costs AUD 40 per day in Australia or NZD 40 per day in New Zealand. Glass, tyres and excluded damage are not automatically covered by a zero-responsibility figure. |
| Australian security deposit | The guarantee is an actual card charge tied to the contractual package, not merely a card hold. An accepted card and its holder must be present; cash and prepaid cards are not accepted for it. Refund processing can take up to 14 working days, subject to the return conditions. |
| New Zealand security guarantee | The guarantee is tied to the applicable responsibility amount, with an accepted card and its holder required under the rental terms. |
| One-way rentals | An approved Australian one-way route costs AUD 200 between the defined metropolitan stations, or AUD 300 when Alice Springs, Broome, Darwin or Perth is involved. In New Zealand, Auckland to Christchurch or Queenstown costs NZD 200 for April–September pickups and NZD 300 for October–March pickups. Changing a booked return station requires approval. |
| Location charges | Broome attracts an Australian location charge of AUD 900 on pickup or return, and Hobart AUD 125 on pickup. These charges are separate from one-way fees. Queenstown has a NZD 270 location charge whose application is specified in the quote. |
| Airport transfers | Australia does not include an airport shuttle. New Zealand provides free shuttles at all three depots: Auckland’s service runs approximately every 30 minutes, Christchurch’s approximately hourly, and Queenstown’s airport pickup window is 09:00–16:00. Services run within their own windows, not around the clock. |
| Australian category and depot access | HiLITE and DeLITE operate from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney; Mighty LITE cannot travel to Tasmania. Alice Springs, Broome and Darwin close from December to March. The Australian 4WD network adds Melbourne and Sydney from 1 November 2026; category availability still depends on the booking. |
| Pets | Up to two eligible dogs or cats cost AUD 325 per rental in Australia or NZD 325 in New Zealand, with an assistance-animal exception. Extra cleaning and damage remain separate. |
| Included equipment | Kitchen equipment, bedding and towels are included according to the AU/NZ category. |
| Additional drivers | An additional driver costs AUD 4 per day in Australia or NZD 4 per day in New Zealand, capped at 15 charged days per driver; qualifying higher packages include this extra. |
| Booking payment and cancellation | Direct bookings require AUD 250 in Australia or NZD 250 in New Zealand, with the balance due 30 days before pickup; bookings within that period require full payment. Standard cancellation is free at least 61 days ahead; at 60–31 days it costs the respective AUD/NZD 250; at 30–7 days, 20% of the rental rate with a 250 minimum; at six days or fewer, 50% with the same minimum; and on pickup day or for a no-show, 100% with the same minimum. |
| Road restrictions | Australian 2WD rentals are principally for sealed roads, with a limited exception for maintained access roads under 12 km to campsites or attractions. The 4WD also has route, weather and permission restrictions. New Zealand bans specified routes including Skippers Road and Crown Range/Cardrona Valley, and ski-field access from 1 June to 31 October. Snow chains do not override those exclusions. |
| Inter-island travel in New Zealand | Ferry tickets are not included. Mighty asks renters to reserve vehicle space for 7.7 metres even when booking a smaller category. |
| On-road assistance | AU/NZ advertises a 24-hour assistance channel. Problems must be reported and repairs authorised as required; a phone service is not a promise of immediate roadside attendance. In Australia call 1800 849 859 or +61 2 6698 4049; in New Zealand call 0800 788 558. |
| Return requirements | Return to the authorised station and time, with the required fuel and AdBlue levels, reasonable cleanliness and applicable toilet and grey-water tanks emptied. In Australia, failing to carry out the specified toilet or grey-water service can cost AUD 299 per service. Drop & Go covers selected tasks, not damage, missing equipment or every return cost. |
| United States — Mighty RV through El Monte | The US examples below concern El Monte’s direct rental arrangements. They do not replace the terms of a booking made through another channel. |
| Driver and arrival requirements | Drivers must be at least 21, with a full physical licence; some offices can require a higher age. Pickup is not permitted on the day of arrival from an intercontinental or transcontinental flight. |
| Pickup network | The seven stations above serve the Mighty Class C offer. MB and MA availability requires confirmation for the particular station and dates; the list does not mean all four categories can be collected at every location. |
| Rental and mileage charges | Rentals are charged by the night. Prepaid mileage costs USD 37 per 100 miles; mileage paid at return costs USD 0.38 per mile under the stated direct terms. Mileage is not automatically included in the base rental rate. |
| Security deposit | A minimum USD 1,500 guarantee is required at pickup on a physical credit card in the renter’s name. Certain events can require a larger amount. Debit, virtual and prepaid cards, and cash, are not accepted for this guarantee. |
| Damage responsibility | When selected, VIP reduces responsibility for covered damage to USD 1,500 per incident; VIP Plus reduces it to zero. The options retain exclusions, and VIP is not an insurance policy or an automatic inclusion in every rate. |
| Bedding and kitchen equipment | The optional Linen Kit costs USD 75 per person, changing to USD 76 from 1 April 2027. Kitchen kits are separate. The AU/NZ equipment inclusions do not carry over to US rentals. |
| Generator use | For the generator-equipped MD, MT and MA, the direct offer includes unlimited generator use. From 1 April 2027, the announced direct charges are USD 3.50 per hour or USD 12 per night for unlimited use. Other booking channels can charge separately. |
| Pets | There is no standard pet surcharge under the US FAQ. Cleaning or damage charges can still apply; the Australian and New Zealand pet fee does not apply to this US offer. |
| Child restraints | El Monte does not supply child seats or boosters. Class C specifications list tether positions, while MB’s rear three-point belts have no tether. Compatibility must be established for the actual seat and vehicle. |
| Restricted travel | Death Valley is prohibited from 1 June to 30 September. Other restricted regions and roads require the applicable permission; travel to Mexico needs permission and the required MALI cover, and does not include the provider’s roadside assistance. |
| Winter water facilities | Denver, New York and Seattle apply winter preparation from 31 October to 31 March, potentially longer in freezing conditions. Water, toilet and shower use can be restricted even though those facilities are fitted. |
| Assistance and interruption | On-road assistance is available at 1-800-367-4707. Repairs costing more than USD 100 require authorisation. Conditional mechanical-interruption provisions do not treat a fridge, heater, air conditioner, generator or accessory fault as a qualifying mechanical breakdown. |
Quick answers
Mighty Campers FAQ
Are Mighty Campers and Mighty RV the same rental operation?
Mighty Campers covers Australia and New Zealand with separate local contracts and ranges. In the USA, Mighty RV is sold through El Monte and uses North American vehicles and El Monte rental terms. Both belong within thl, but equipment inclusions, charges and service evidence must stay with their own market.
Can I rent a Mighty camper if I am under 21?
Yes, if you are at least 18 and meet the full-licence requirements for Highball, Double Down, HiLITE or DeLITE in Australia or New Zealand. The other AU/NZ categories require at least 21. The US Mighty RV offer also starts at 21, with higher requirements possible at individual offices.
Does a Mighty Highball have a toilet?
The New Zealand Highball has a fixed 12-litre toilet but no shower. The Australian Highball has neither a toilet nor a shower. Choosing the country is essential before comparing vehicles with that name.
How many child seats can a Mighty Big Six accommodate?
Big Six has two child-restraint anchorage positions in both Australia and New Zealand. The actual seats must be compatible with those positions and suitable for the children using them. Its six travel seats and six sleeping places do not provide six child-seat positions.
Can I take a Mighty LITE camper to Tasmania?
No. Mighty’s Australian LITE categories, HiLITE and DeLITE, cannot travel to Tasmania. Their pickup network is limited to Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
What road-user charges apply to a Mighty rental in New Zealand?
Mighty’s New Zealand rentals include unlimited kilometres. Diesel road-user charges remain payable under the chosen arrangement. The direct pay-at-return rates are NZD 8.18 per 100 km for four- and six-berth bathroom-equipped motorhomes and NZD 8.04 for the other categories, for pickups from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Can I collect a Mighty RV in the USA as soon as my long-haul flight lands?
No. El Monte’s contract prohibits pickup on the day you arrive on an intercontinental or transcontinental flight. Collection is by arrangement with the station and includes vehicle familiarisation.
Will the bathroom work in a US Mighty RV during winter?
Winter preparation can restrict water, toilet and shower use. Denver, New York and Seattle apply it from 31 October to 31 March and may extend it when temperatures require. A vehicle having a bathroom does not mean its water system will be usable for that winter rental.
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