"A New Beginning"

Although I was a first-time caravanner, I wasn’t new to VanLife. After plenty of research and a great chat with the Coastal Motorhomes team at the NZMCA Show, my gut told me that Coastal and Hilltop Caravans were going to be a big part of my future.

When we first sat down together, I arrived with a five-page itemized list of requirements, plus a spreadsheet full of power calculations. I think it’s fair to say they were a bit impressed!

During those early days of speccing out my Feathertop 19.6' van, both Toni and Paul were absolutely fantastic. I was able to share my vision, and they translated it into what became my final build.

Even after the original sign-off, I made a few more changes, including adding some aftermarket accessories. Toni was amazing, happily running with every new idea, from a tunnel boot slide-out to a custom rear bumper (which might just be the only Hilltop Caravan in New Zealand with one!). I absolutely love it.

What really stood out to me was the team’s dedication to ensuring I didn’t just drive away with a caravan , I left with my dream, and the feeling of being welcomed into the unique Hilltop family. 

Their communication, care, and attention to detail were second to none.

A big shout-out also goes to Natalie and the service and shop crew, who took the time to confirm that I was making the right decision.

After picking up my new van, I parked locally for the first week to get familiar with everything. To show my appreciation, I invited Toni over for Eggs Bennie, a small thank you for helping bring to life a dream I’ve been thinking about for nearly 15 years.