JUSTGO Camper Van RV Rentals - Lantzville, British Columbia

Brendan C.

Pretty much the worst camper van rental experience I've ever had. Full story below.

We rented a van last summer. When we got there, the one we had picked wasn't available so they gave us another one. No worries, all good. We load up our stuff and head up island.

About 20 minutes after we left, the van is burning oil so intensively, creating a billowing cloud of smoke behind it, that a dude on a motorbike went out of his way to rip up from behind us, make a waving motion in front of his face to show his disgust and disdain in the smell of our vehicle and the giant dump we were taking on the environment, before speeding off into the horizon.

I don't know how fast he was going because I couldn't tell how fast we were going - the speedometer in our van didn't work.

I'm sorry motorbike buddy, it was a rental.

Anyway, we eventually make it to our campsite. Everybody was looking at us and our giant yellow van puffing black smoke as we rolled our way through the one-way campground circuit.

We set up camp. I start drinking right away.

Later that night, I want to go to bed. I pull the bed out and it immediately breaks. Nice. I pull off the cushions, lay them on the floor of the van and sleep there.

Camping was fun.

Then it was time to pack up and head to the next spot - we get to the hill just outside of Campbell River heading south. The van won't go more than 50km an hour up the hill. I think "poor guy is struggling". Then it gets to 30km an hour as its top speed. Then putting my foot on the gas doesn't do anything. Then the engine starts making the most insane sounds. Smoke starts pouring out of the engine hood. I decide we have to bail and crawled to the shoulder of the highway.

We sit there for all of two minutes, thinking about our life decisions, before a fire truck pulls up.

The van was blasting so much smoke that the Campbell River fire department got multiple calls about our van and how we were about to start a forest fire.

I explain what happened to the firemen. They sympathized and then left.

This is where things really start to grind my gears.

I call the company and explain the situation. They say they can't do anything for me at the moment. They don't have a plan in place for this. I'm literally an hour's drive from them and they opt to leave us stranded on the side of the road?! They say to take whatever we can grab and leave the van. They say this is normal and that any other rental company would do the same thing.

I call my brother who lives in Campbell River to tell him he needs to come pick us up, we're stranded. In the frenzy on the side of the highway - cars whizzing past at 130km an hour on a holiday Monday - I locked the keys in the car. That was my bad.

We stay the night at my brother's house.

I battle on the phone with the guy for a day and half. He basically tried to blame things on me, saying his mechanics cleared the vehicle, nothing was wrong with it, and that they had to inspect it before any action could be taken to rule out that I didn't sabotage the vehicle so that I could get some money back (spoiler: I never got any money back, not even for the night we paid for but didn't use because our van broke before we could get to the next camping spot). He said because I locked the keys in the car, it needed a flat bed to come get it.

He sent someone to come pick us up the next day and drive us down to our car in Nanaimo. She was super nice.

We go home. Two days later the van still hasn't gotten sorted; it's sitting on the side of the road. I get a call from my brother - he drove past the van and it was finally getting towed. No flatbed, just a normal tow truck.

We have to make drive from Cowichan Bay back up to Nanaimo three days later to pick up all our stuff - including two coolers full of perfectly good but now ruined food.

We get out of there as fast as possible and promise ourselves that we will NEVER rent from these guys again.

Best of luck to you if you decide to rent from this company. I would rather walk to Strathcona than rent one of their shoddy, unsafe vehicles.

Hazel V.

WE LOVE JUST GO VANS! It's hard to find time away from our busy lives and when we do, it's obvious to want that time to be special - affordable, fun, unique and whimsical. Well, we tried out Just Go Vans and got all of that and more. The van is super comfy to sleep in, very easy to cook in, the entire inventory of what's promised with the van came with it - except for the bundle of wood and a hatchet, which would have come in handy at one point. To their defense, it's likely they didn't include it because of the fire-ban around Vancouver Island at the time. They've got a CD collection that's building (we started it off with a few gems found at the 2nd hand stores in Port Alberni and Qualicum Beach). We also donated a Back Country Road Map for Vancouver Island, to the van, which was very useful for us. When driving it, expect a slow and chill journey - you're on vacation, afterall! I need to mention that the entrepreneurs behind this genius business also rock - they're personable yet professional and care 100% about what they do. High five, gals!

emma O.

We had an amazing time with our van! It had everything you could possibly imagine that you need in it for a comfortable and easy trip.
Lisa was extremely helpful and friendly from the first point of contact right to the end of our trip.
We would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an amazing driving adventure on the island!

CG M.

Amazing experience and a great company. We rented a van for three nights and it had everything we needed to explore the island. Comfortable, spacious, and stocked with everything you need. Can't recommend enough if you're looking for a great experience and an economical way to explore the island. Can't wait to explore again. Thanks Lisa!

Dan N.

I rented for two nights as a surprise for my partner - we have been talking about a VW van forever and when I found Justgo, I knew this was a way to try it out. We were not disappointed - literally just brought a few clothes, and stopped for some groceries along the way - the van had everything we needed. It could not have been easier, and so we truly enjoyed two glorious nights in the middle of Vancouver Island. Lisa was super helpful and pickup and drop off went super fast and easy. Thanks.

Nathan C.

I had a great time with JustGo. I had been looking for a Westfalia rental for some time and their vans are perfect. They come fully loaded with all the gear needed for an adventure. The van was super clean and ran really well. Lisa, the owner, was a great help and was always available for help and advice.
My next trip is already booked and I can’t wait!

WB O.

Wow! What a wonderful experience we had - right from the booking process (so easy) to the flawless pick up & drop off everything was just perfect! Exactly as we had planned!

The van was so clean & cozy and stocked exactly as stated.

The owners definitely have their hearts in this business and that is definitely reflected!

Can’t wait to come back again!

Thank you Justgo for such a memorable holiday!

Wayne & Becky Oster

Damon S.

JustGo is an experience summed up by the name and it puts the travel and exploration in the hands of the tourist. I rented the van and visited a camp site in Tofino steps away from the beach. Easy process from booking to return, the value given is amazing because of the power you have with where on the island you want to take the experience.

I have been highly recommend this service because of what an amazing job Lisa the owner has done. As a customer I felt valued and appreciated. The vans are in amazing condition for being 20+ years old. They smell fresh and the sleeping bags are cleaned as well. Gas is a lil pricy but that's what you get with an old van!