35 parking spots blocked: why motorhomes can stand for weeks and what is being done about it

The city of Aalen permits overnight stays in motorhomes at the parking lot near the old sports field in Unterkochen for one night only. Longer stays or using the motorhome as living quarters are considered special use and require a permit. The city has received no complaints and has no plans to introduce additional restrictions. For longer stays, a fee-based motorhome parking area at Limes-Thermen is available, where stays of up to three days are allowed.

In the first seven months of 2026, 63,329 new motorhomes and caravans were registered in Germany, 3% fewer than in the same period last year, according to the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD). The decline follows a 2.3% drop in 2025. Weak economic conditions are prompting consumers to postpone large purchases, while manufacturers still have unsold vehicles produced in response to pandemic-era demand. Despite the downturn, the industry sees it as a normal correction, and the number of registered recreational vehicles has doubled between 2015 and 2025 to about 1.8 million.

A motorhome caught fire in Rieste while traveling to the Alfsee. The occupants, a mother and her two children, escaped just in time before the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported.

Max Kleesattel, a 27-year-old from Schwäbisch Gmünd who recently ended his career as a professional climber, travels across Europe in a self-converted camper based on a Peugeot Boxer. He invested around 250 hours of work and 30,000 euros in the conversion, installing a bed, wardrobe, oven, fridge, sink, outdoor shower tank, solar panel, and chemical toilet. Over his trips in various campers, he has covered nearly 100,000 kilometers without a breakdown. He plans to drive to the North Cape in Norway soon, then start training as a professional firefighter in Heilbronn.

WDR reports on current trends in the caravanning sector. Key developments include growing demand for luxury motorhomes and fully self-sufficient off-road RVs designed for extended travel in remote areas. The feature is available until 19.08.2028.

The Gravelotte campsite on Lake Kummerow in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is popular among tourists. Families with children appreciate the friendly staff, well-kept grounds, and the on-site snack bar. Some guests stay for the season, others for weekends, and one seasonal camper keeps a 102-year-old wooden boat there.