Want to rent a real expedition vehicle—for four weeks, three months, or a long sabbatical? Romy and Mario from Ellie & You are renting out their Mercedes-Benz 1429 AF V8. Weighing in at around twelve metric tons, this all-wheel-drive expedition vehicle offers sleeping space for four, 350 liters of fresh water, and a self-sufficient power supply. But above all, Ellie has something you can’t order: several years and more than 70,000 kilometers of real-world travel experience across Europe and Africa.
We’re Romy and Mario. We built Ellie to live in—with our kids, somewhere on the road between Europe and Africa. For several years, she was our home: kitchen, bedroom, kids’ room, office, retreat—and the vehicle that always took us further.
Eventually, we came back. So did Ellie. But we felt that just sitting around didn’t really suit her. So we founded Ellie & You.
Today, you can rent Ellie.
DO YOU WANT TO RENT AN EXPEDITION VEHICLE? THEN CHOOSE ONE THAT’S ALREADY BEEN OUT ON THE ROAD.
Buying or building your own expedition van is a pretty big project. But maybe you don’t even want to own one. Maybe you have three months to spend in Scandinavia. A longer period of parental leave. A sabbatical. A summer trip to the East. Or you’re finally planning that one big trip you’ve been talking about for years.
In that case, you don’t necessarily need your own expedition van. You need one that works. You can rent Ellie for as little as 14 days. But we think she’s especially great for longer trips. Long-term discounts are available for stays of one month or more, and for stays of three months or more, we’ll give you a customized quote.
You’ll pick up the vehicle at our location in Switzerland. Of course, you can also rent Ellie if you’re coming from Germany, Austria, or another European country.
ELLIE WAS ALREADY AN EXPEDITION VEHICLE BEFORE SHE BECAME A RENTAL CAR.
And that’s a pretty important difference for us. We don’t know Ellie just from a brochure. We know what it’s like to live in her for weeks on end. We know which things you’ll love after three days—and which ones you’ll only appreciate after three months.
We know what happens when four people all need space at the same time, when the weather outside is bad for days on end, when there’s not a single outlet in sight, or when a place is so beautiful that you just end up staying a few more days.
Many features of Ellie were born precisely from these experiences. Four sleeping spots. A full kitchen. A shower and hot water. A washing machine. 350 liters of fresh water. Solar panels and lithium batteries for power. Not because checking off as many items as possible on a feature list looks good. But because we needed all of this ourselves while on the road.
12 TONNEN. V8. 4x4. AND DEFINITELY NOT A CAMPERVAN.
Up front, meanwhile, there’s something pretty substantial. Ellie is based on a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 1429 AF. Her V8 produces 290 PS. She also features permanent all-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case, and center and rear differential locks. Travel weight: about twelve metric tons.
That’s why we’re very clear about this: Ellie isn’t a vehicle for someone who rents their first camper on Friday and heads south on Saturday.
You’ll need a Class C commercial driver’s license or the equivalent license in your country, and you should have experience and confidence driving large vehicles.
Before you set off, we’ll of course give you a detailed briefing. After all, we know every switch—and probably every sound, too.
CAN YOU RENT AN EXPEDITION VAN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS?
Absolutely. In fact, we think Ellie is made exactly for that. The minimum rental period is 14 days. For rentals of one month or longer, there’s a 5 percent long-term discount; for two months or longer, 8 percent. If you want to be on the road for three months or longer, we’ll discuss your plans and provide you with a customized quote. The regular rental rate is currently CHF 550 per day.
This includes, among other things, comprehensive insurance, a briefing and personal vehicle handoff, interior and exterior cleaning, as well as technical support during your trip. Bedding, towels, and kitchen supplies are also already on board.
So you don’t have to build an expedition vehicle from scratch. All you have to do is pack your bags.
WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG ALONG THE WAY?
Then give us a call. We won’t tell you that nothing ever breaks on an expedition vehicle. We’ve traveled long enough ourselves to know better.
But we know Ellie—we’ve known her for years and tens of thousands of kilometers. That’s why, when you have questions, we can usually figure out what’s going on and work with you to find a solution.
RENT ELLIE: KEY INFORMATION
What is Ellie?
A Mercedes-Benz 1429 AF V8 all-wheel-drive expedition vehicle for long, self-sufficient trips.
Who can rent Ellie?
Experienced truck drivers from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and other European countries.
What kind of driver’s license do you need?
Class C or the equivalent truck driver’s license in your country.
How many people can travel with you?
Ellie sleeps four.
How long can you rent Ellie?
For a minimum of 14 days. Long-term rentals spanning several months are definitely possible.
How much does the rental cost?
Currently CHF 550 per day. Long-term discounts apply for rentals of one month or longer; for rentals of three months or longer, we’ll provide a customized quote.
Is Ellie insured?
Yes. Comprehensive insurance is included in the rental price in accordance with the rental terms and conditions.
Where can you travel with Ellie?
That depends on your planned route, the respective entry requirements, and the insurance terms. Romy and Mario will therefore discuss with you individually which countries are possible with Ellie before booking.
Where do you pick up Ellie?
In Switzerland.
How self-sufficient is Ellie?
With 350 liters of fresh water, as well as solar and lithium power supplies, she’s designed for extended self-sufficient travel.
And we can also share our experiences with you when it comes to trip planning. For select countries, we offer personalized travel information upon request, including route suggestions and practical tips from our own time on the road—not from a guidebook, but from firsthand experience.
ELLIE IS SET TO CONTINUE HER JOURNEY.
For several years, Ellie was our home. She took us and our children through Europe and Africa and to places we often didn’t even know we’d end up visiting. Now she’s back in Switzerland. But we didn’t build her just to sit around.
So: Where do you want to go with her?
Romy & Mario
Ellie & the Family