Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
Nine people were injured in a crash on the A9 motorway in Thuringia, central Germany, late on Wednesday. A camper van failed to brake and hit a line of cars that had formed due to a traffic jam. One person was seriously injured, while the other eight sustained minor injuries. Police initially reported 34 injured but later revised the figure. The driver of the camper van, which carried two children, did not see the end of the queue and crashed into several vehicles. Nine vehicles were damaged, including two minibuses carrying 11 children with special needs and their carers. The motorway towards Berlin was closed for five and a half hours. Police estimated the damage at around 350,000 euros. The traffic jam was caused by an earlier accident on the opposite carriageway, where a horse trailer overturned.
A 25-day motorhome route covers the Croatian coast from Rovinj to Dubrovnik, including historic towns, islands and national parks. The Euronews article notes that travelling by motorhome allows stops at places unlikely to be included in a standard itinerary, but in some coastal sections the road is narrow and winding, and parking is only permitted at campsites and designated areas, which are sometimes far from historic centres and can be expensive. During high season, especially in July and August, challenges increase, so spring, early summer or autumn are more suitable periods. The route includes Rovinj, Pula with its 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, Opatija, Nin, Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park (16 lakes, Veliki Slap waterfall about 78 metres high, swimming prohibited), Šibenik, Trogir, Split, Makarska Riviera, Ston, Korčula and Dubrovnik.
Startup Vanna Camp from South Tyrol presented the Cubivan Camping System at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. The system converts models such as the Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Tourneo Custom and Mercedes-Benz Vito into full-fledged campers using rigid insulated modules: a roof sleeping area of 2 by 2 meters and a pull-out rear section with kitchen, toilet and shower. Unlike traditional roof tents, it uses solid folding panels made of reinforced plastic. The system can be removed and transferred to another van. The price is around €22,000. Pre-orders are open until 31 December 2026, with official sales starting in early summer 2027; some specifications, including water tank capacity, fridge volume and energy system details, have not yet been announced.
Startup Vala has created an electric camper based on a Wuling EV that is shorter and narrower than a Chevrolet Bolt, yet can accommodate up to four people thanks to a pop-up roof tent and a convertible interior. Dimensions are 3600 mm long, 1500 mm wide and 1900 mm high. A 40 hp electric motor is powered by a 30.6 kWh battery, providing a CLTC range of up to 305 km. The vehicle costs less than €13,800, with the base car at about €7,360 and Vala’s added equipment at around €6,440. Appliances run off the traction battery via V2L technology.
The civic association Kantara-2010 told a temporary environmental committee at Varna Municipal Council that about 60 caravans and campers remain on the Varna municipality side of the Pasha Dere area, while removal actions have begun on the Avren municipality side. According to coordinator Katya Kircheva, after the regional governor's order, police, forestry, fire and regional administration representatives visited the Avren side, explained required actions to owners, and caravans began leaving. An interagency inspection in August found more than 50 caravans, canopies, tents and cars in the forest fund above the Pasha Dere beach, and seven caravans in forest territory plus one more at Liman on the Avren side. Kantara-2010 plans to seek support at the ministerial level and, if unsuccessful, to raise the issue with European institutions.
The Varna Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIOSV) has identified violations of environmental legislation during inspections of caravans, campers and temporary structures near Pasha Dere. The inspections took place in August 2026 in the coastal area of Pasha Dere beach (village of Bliznatsi, Avren municipality) and in the Asparuhovo district of Varna. The number and type of violations were not specified; authorities are taking steps to identify those responsible. The checks followed a large-scale operation in which more than 50 caravans, tents, canopies and vehicles were found in the forest fund above the beach, with notices for voluntary removal issued by 23 August.
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Premiere on September 26 at 16:30 on Nova. Mariana and Lyuboslav will try to collect stamps from all 100 national tourist sites in Bulgaria in 20 days with a budget of 1000 euros.
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Xiaomi unveiled the 5.3-meter Skynomad N90 Max with a 76 kWh battery and range extender. The Explorer Edition adds a pop-up sleeping roof and heated floor. Prices: 269,900 and 299,900 yuan.
Volkswagen has unveiled the California Beach concept, designed to let one vehicle serve as both a family minivan and a camper. Developed with Stuff Bubble, the concept uses inflatable modular camping units that can be inflated or folded in minutes. The kitchen module weighs under 10 kg and includes a functional tap and sink, while the inflatable bed (about 12 kg) can be configured as a single or double. The concept debuts at Caravan Salon 2026, where Volkswagen will also show the ID. California Cruise electric camper, with a production version planned within two years.
A camper towing a trailer overturned after being hit from the side by a truck in central Haskovo. The crash occurred around 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of Bulgaria and Osvobozhdenie boulevards. The Renault truck, with Ruse license plates, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the camper, which had the right of way. No injuries were reported; both drivers tested negative for alcohol. Traffic was disrupted for about an hour until the camper was righted and loaded onto a flatbed.
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At the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Dethleffs unveiled the C.Core concept camper based on the Volkswagen Crafter. The model features a lightweight aluminum body and eco-friendly interior materials, positioning it as a step toward sustainable glamping.
Latvian design studio Zeltini has completed work on the Z-triton 2.0 amphibious camper, which can travel on land and water. The model features a 1000W electric motor for land and a 1150W motor for water, a lithium-ion battery, and solar panels. The body is made of organic fiberglass with polyester from recycled bottles, and some parts are 3D-printed from bioplastic. The first batch will be delivered to Europe by the end of 2022, priced at $16,295.
The Hisarya municipality has applied for funding under all available programs, securing 5 million leva from the Agriculture Fund and 15 million under ministry contracts. These funds will support street repairs, school modernization, and the construction of a campsite for motorhomes and caravans near the mineral spring in Krasnovo.
The regional administration in Lovech has announced steps to remove all illegal structures near the Sopot Reservoir. An inspection found violations involving unauthorized construction and placement of caravans in the reservoir's basin. Administrative and practical procedures will follow the analysis of the results. The reservoir is located near the village of Golyama Zhelyazna, about 30 km northwest of Troyan.
An illegal campsite with caravans, a children's corner and a barbecue has been set up on the shore of the Yovkovtsi reservoir near the village of Shilkovtsi, Bulgaria. The site is located in the sanitary protection zone of the reservoir, posing a threat to the water quality used by nine municipalities. Following inspections by the Elena municipality and the Veliko Tarnovo regional governor, violations were found. Authorities are preparing an order for the removal of the illegal structures, with forced demolition if necessary.
Authorities in Lovech Province have ordered the removal of all illegal structures and caravans placed without permission in the Sopot Reservoir basin. Inspections, launched after complaints, also found piers, pontoons and fences. Removal will begin after administrative procedures are completed.
An illegal campsite with solid fences, surveillance cameras and caravans was discovered in the sanitary protection zone of the Yovkovtsi reservoir near the village of Shilkovtsi. The violation was found during a joint inspection by regional authorities and water utility officials. The reservoir's water is the main source of drinking water for a large part of Veliko Tarnovo Province.
French caravan manufacturer Beauer unveiled its new X8 model at the Düsseldorf caravan show. The trailer measures 6.8 meters in length and 204 cm in width when closed, and expands telescopically at the push of a button, increasing its interior space. Once expanded, the X8 provides sleeping for up to eight people and includes a lounge with two pull-out sofas, a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The equipped weight is 5,732 kg. Prices start at 109,990 euros.
At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Beauer presented the X8 caravan, which widens from 2.05 m to 4.8 m at the touch of a button. Electric cylinders extend the side sections in 60 seconds, creating an interior space of about 30 square meters. The model sleeps eight, with two separate bedrooms each featuring a 140×200 cm double bed. The X8 has a curb weight of 2,600 kg and a maximum permissible mass of 2,700 kg, leaving only 100 kg of payload. It is priced at around 110,000 euros.
An enthusiast named Kent Survival has built the world's smallest motorhome based on the single-seat electric Renault Twizy Cargo. The video shows the camper being used in challenging conditions for the electric quadricycle. The Twizy Cargo is a light commercial version of the city EV, designed for one person and limited luggage.