VanLife Ural: Autumn 2026

German Dieter Popp built a motorhome and embarked on a journey across Russia. His goal is to establish personal contacts with people to foster friendly relations between nations.

A Moscow engineer has adapted a van for year-round living, using it for 15 years for nature trips and commuting to work. He equipped the camper van with a homemade bed, sink, and portable shower, reducing accommodation costs. The man primarily uses his apartment as a storage space for equipment.

A motorhome built on a Trofim pickup truck chassis has been listed for sale on Drom for 2.69 million rubles. The 4.1-meter living module is equipped with sleeping for four, a shower, toilet, kitchen, and a 500W solar panel. The vehicle has 75,000 km mileage, and its conversion is legally registered as a motorhome.

In a new episode of the Vanecdotes podcast, YouTuber Miary recounted an aborted journey from France to Japan. The trip in a converted Nissan Patrol 4x4 was halted in Russia due to increased military checks and a tense atmosphere, forcing the traveler to turn back.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

Russian customs officers found 13 kilograms of gold in a 58-year-old German man's motorhome at the border in August 2024. As part of a plea deal, the criminal case was dropped, but the man forfeited all the gold, paid approximately 100,000 euros in import duties and a 3,000 euro fine.