Campervan, RV & Vanlife News

Czech company Obytnaq has presented a sleeping conversion for the Skoda Forman estate built after 1993. The package includes a folding mattress measuring 125 by 190 cm, thermal window covers and a storage space for two folding chairs, a folding table, a stove, water supplies and a portable battery. The mattress for modern Skoda models starts at 11,970 korunas, while the thermal covers cost between 6,300 and 7,900 korunas; the Forman conversion is estimated at around 20,000 korunas. The car is rented out at 800 korunas per day, with dates available from April to September next year.

The number of motorhomers and caravaners in Czechia is rising. According to the Czech Camping and Caravanning Association, 67,000 motorhomes and caravans are in operation, while up to 150,000 vehicles with various conversions are used for caravanning. This is double the figure for 2010. Around 1,800 new motorhomes and 500 caravans are expected to be sold in 2025. Annual sales across Europe reach about 220,000 units, half of them in the German market. Demand for overnight stays outside campsites is growing due to underdeveloped infrastructure, including via the Bez kempu service and on farms.

In the Czech Republic a caravan is registered as a separate vehicle with its own licence plate, so it needs its own compulsory third-party liability insurance. Compulsory cover typically costs CZK 600 to CZK 900 a year, while comprehensive insurance for a caravan worth CZK 400,000 to CZK 800,000 runs to roughly CZK 7,000 to CZK 12,000 a year. In a sample calculation for a 2020 Adria Aviva caravan valued at CZK 500,000, a Generali Direct policy with a CZK 50/50 million limit and a 5% excess (minimum CZK 5,000) costs CZK 10,702 a year, and an offer with a CZK 70/70 million limit and a CZK 7,000 excess costs CZK 13,386 a year. Comprehensive cover includes accident, theft, vandalism and natural disaster damage, and separate baggage insurance is recommended for equipment not permanently fixed in the caravan.

Lidu RV showed the Aquila 360 at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. The caravan has an electrically lifting roof and a rear that opens at the touch of a button. It costs about €38,000 in Europe and from 159,800 yuan in China.

The Caravaning Brno trade fair opens on Thursday at the Brno exhibition centre and runs until Sunday. Organisers expect up to 35,000 visitors. The fair has expanded to four halls with 230 exhibitors. A new G1 hall hosts tents, awnings and outdoor equipment for the first time. Tickets cost 250 Kč online and 300 Kč on site.

The Munzert family from Bevern in Lower Saxony converted a 12-metre Iveco Crossway intercity bus into a motorhome with a six-metre kitchen, shower, washing machine and beer tap. According to AutoŽivě calculations, a month at a campsite for a family of four would cost 20,700 Kč, while a mortgage on a 3+kk flat in Prague costs 53,841 Kč per month. However, the Karvánky campsite operates only from June to August, and permanent residence cannot be registered in a bus. The conversion is approved by a local authority for 1,000 Kč, but driving it requires a category C licence, and motorway tolls are up to 4.5 times higher than for a bus.

An 11-year-old girl bought a used caravan with her own savings, accumulated from pocket money and holiday gifts. When she learned a neighbour was selling an old caravan, she negotiated the price and covered all costs herself. She also spent her savings on furniture and equipment for the renovation. Family and friends helped with the conversion, and the caravan now stands in the backyard and serves as living space.

Xiaomi began sales of the SkyNomad N90 Max Studio in China in September 2026. The model features a factory-integrated pop-up roof that provides an interior height of over 2.29 metres and an upper sleeping area for two adults up to 180 centimetres tall. When closed, the vehicle is 10 centimetres taller than the standard N90 Max, and the drag coefficient remains at 0.245. The upper berth measures 2,110 × 985 millimetres, supports up to 200 kilograms and includes a 30-millimetre mattress, air vents, an 18W power port and five mesh windows. In China the N90 Max Studio costs 299,900 yuan, while the standard seven-seat N90 Max without the living roof starts at 269,900 yuan. Xiaomi has confirmed entry into Europe in 2027, but the SkyNomad line is currently listed as available only in mainland China.

Czech outlet auto.cz has published a test of the Volkswagen Caravelle PanAmericana converted for camping. The vehicle is based on the short-wheelbase Caravelle Life with the PanAmericana package, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel producing 125 kW, an eight-speed automatic and 4Motion all-wheel drive. The conversion includes BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres in size LT235/65 R17 on Brock B45 wheels, a 4 cm raised suspension with Seikel shock absorbers and springs, and 5 mm underbody protection. A GFC V2 Pro roof tent, a roof rack and two awnings are fitted on the roof. The living module from Czech company VISU comprises a kitchen with a 50-litre fridge and a gas burner, an indoor sleeping area and the roof tent. A 2 kW Eberspächer independent heater and an EcoFlow Delta 2 Max portable power station with 2048 Wh capacity provide comfort. Test fuel consumption was 10.5 litres per 100 km.

Morelo produces bus-length motorhomes equipped with underfloor heating and a garage for a Smart car. The most expensive model costs around 17.5 million Czech korunas. A German family travels in such a motorhome with their ten-year-old son. Driving the vehicle requires an appropriate licence category.

The article lists measures for storing a motorhome or caravan over winter. All water must be drained from tanks, hoses, taps and the boiler, as freezing water can damage the system and stagnant water promotes bacteria and mould. The battery is removed and stored at a constant 5–15 °C, recharged every 2–3 months; a lithium battery can stay in the vehicle if kept above 50% charge. Tyres should be unloaded by raising the vehicle on stands, or inflated to the manufacturer's maximum pressure with shaped pads used to limit deformation. The gas cylinder is disconnected and stored in a workshop or garage, and the interior is cleaned and ventilated to prevent moisture and rodents.

The 23rd Caravaning Brno international exhibition will take place on 5–8 November 2026 at the Brno exhibition grounds. For the first time a fourth hall, G1, is added to the traditional three, dedicated to tents and outdoor equipment; Hall P remains the venue for motorhomes, caravans and conversions, Hall F for premium cars, and Hall V hosts the Adventure Hall and Travel Zone. The Travel Zone will feature eight Czech regions and the city of Brno, as well as campsites and tourist regions from Austria, Poland, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovakia. The 2025 edition drew almost 33,000 visitors and more than 200 exhibitors across 24,000 m².

German company Urbanoid GmbH of Kaiserslautern has built Booba One, a light trailer with an inflatable tent, a bed for two and a price of €15,900. It stores upright in a garage.

The Czech Ministry of Transport has proposed extending the validity of new driving licences in categories AM, A1, A2, A, B and B+E from 10 to 15 years. For motorhomes with a maximum permissible weight between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg, the motorway speed limit would rise from 80 km/h to 100 km/h. The number of traffic offences for which EU states exchange information would increase from eight to 18, and unpaid fines from other member states could be enforced by the Czech customs administration. The changes are proposed to take effect from 1 July 2027, but remain a draft.

After the summer season, some rental customers are considering buying their own motorhome or caravan. According to Leasing České spořitelny, the average price of a financed motorhome or caravan is 1.77 million korunas, with an average financing term of about five years. Since 2021, the company has financed an average of over 100 such vehicles annually; 120 contracts were signed in 2025, and 98 by mid-August 2026. Rental company Campers4U Olomouc reports that at least a third of its customers are complete novices, and dozens of customers have bought their own motorhome after renting.

Insurance for motorhomes and caravans must address specific risks such as theft, hail, and accidents abroad. Mandatory liability premiums depend on weight for caravans and engine size for motorhomes; for a motorhome up to 3500 kg, premiums are around 3,000–4,000 CZK, while caravans cost up to 1,000 CZK. Additional coverage for vandalism, natural events, animal damage, theft, and fire is recommended, and extra equipment like awnings, roof boxes, and bike racks should be included. For new vehicles, GAP insurance covers the difference between purchase and current value.

Nomivans, part of the Nomiverse holding, announced a rebranding and the launch of a new website that consolidates its service, sales, and rental operations. Originally a service base for the Campiri rental company, it now runs a dealership and manages a shared fleet of 40 motorhomes, handling over 1,200 orders annually, including about 700 insurance cases. The company is developing a unified digital ecosystem for motorhome lifecycle management and a multibrand vehicle configurator.

The Ford Transit Custom Nugget in extended L2 version with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel (125 kW/170 hp), 8-speed automatic and AWD was tested in Italy. The living area is by Westfalia: kitchen with a 33-litre fridge, two beds (upper 1270×2050 mm, lower 1200×1900 mm), pop-up roof with three ventilation openings. Fuel consumption over the trip was around 8 l/100 km against the manufacturer's combined 9.2 l/100 km. L2 dimensions: length 5450 mm, wheelbase 3500 mm, height with awning 2090 mm. The lack of independent air conditioning in the living area and interior heat build-up when parked in the sun were noted.

On 11 October in Görisried and 17–18 October in Thanners (Immenstadt), Autumn Days 2026 will feature over 50 new and used vehicles, equipment and a family programme.

Volkswagen has unveiled the ID. California Cruise, its first fully electric camper in the California line, built on the ID. Buzz platform. The model features two sleeping places, a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system with 2 kW continuous and 3.6 kW peak power to run appliances from the traction battery, and a camping mode in the infotainment system. The starting price in Germany is €60,761. European deliveries are set to begin in early 2027, with sales in Norway starting in late 2026. Unlike the combustion California, it lacks a pop-up roof, gas cooker, and sink.