Frankfurt-Heddernheim campsite unlikely to reopen after stream renaturation

The 14-meter Polar Glacier, a one-off motorhome built in Sweden in 2008, remains unsold. Equipped with a dishwasher, underfloor heating, a sauna, and three sleeping areas, it weighs nearly 3.5 tons and requires a heavy-duty tow vehicle. An auction failed to secure a sale: the highest bid of €26,000 fell far short of the owner's minimum of €125,000. Its length makes it impractical for most campsites, severely limiting the pool of potential buyers.

A group of travelers from Southern France with over 30 caravans set up camp on a meadow adjacent to the municipal recreation area in Burglengenfeld (Schwandorf district). According to local media, they plan to stay for about three weeks. The unusual caravan convoy has drawn attention from local residents.

Founded in Munich in 2016 with 25 VW camper vans, roadsurfer now operates nearly 10,000 vehicles across 16 countries. The company has served over 420,000 travelers and employs about 1,000 people. Average booking lead time increased to 110 days in 2026, up from 70 days at launch. North America remains the fastest-growing market, following 120% growth in 2025.

The CARAVAN and CO caravan and motorhome show will take place from 24 to 27 September 2026 on an 80,000 m² site in Rendsburg, Germany. Organisers expect around 120 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors. 180 overnight pitches are available next to the venue. The programme includes workshops, lectures and live music.

A survey by the campsite network Camping-Car Park shows high loyalty among motorhome owners. 82% of over 1,700 respondents have been traveling by motorhome for more than five years, and 88% have already planned a trip for summer 2026. The main travel months are June and September, not July and August. 71% of respondents spend more than 30 nights on the road per year.

Changes are underway at the Erwin Hymer Group. After Bürstner announced it would cease caravan production in 2027, Dethleffs now also faces cuts. The company, considered the inventor of the caravan, is not exiting the trailer segment entirely but is discontinuing the Camper, Nomad, and Beduin Scandinavia lines. Dethleffs plans to return to the market in the 2028 model year with completely revamped models, a surprise given the comprehensive update of all three series in 2025.