Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
Camping Willam, located in Markelfingen and part of the municipality of Reichenau, has been ranked 10th in a Europe-wide 2026 campsite ranking by a camping portal. Owner Christian Willam said the result confirms his management approach. Guests from Rheinstetten near Karlsruhe, visiting the site for the first time, said they chose it based on positive online reviews, which they found to be accurate.
United States
At Caravan Salon 2026, the Carpento 430 D was displayed in Retro Grey. It is the largest model in Carpento's new C series, aimed at families of four to five. The interior includes a bathroom with cassette toilet and shower tray, a kitchen with refrigerator, and up to five berths. The base price for the 430 S is €24,990, with the D version adding €499 for overhead cabinets instead of an upper bed. However, the standard equipment lacks a hob, heating, and a powerful battery, and mandatory transport and registration fees add €1,990.
Clever Vans has unveiled the Duo 600, a 5.99 m camper van based on Citroën or Fiat, designed for two people. Instead of a transverse bed at the rear, it has two facing sofas, with a bed (185 x 80/150/210 cm) that pulls out over the seating area only at night. Prices start at €49,699 for the 120 hp version, €54,499 for 140 hp, and €57,099 for 180 hp. Unladen weight starts at 2,700 kg, gross vehicle weight is 3,500 kg, leaving around 800 kg payload.
United States
The car park of the TSV sports club in Irschenberg, Bavaria, has seen a sharp rise in motorhomes using it for overnight stays over the past four years. According to club chairman Michael Radzynski, what began with individual vehicles now sees up to 25 at a time. The site has become popular among travellers due to its free and quiet location, discoverable via the park4night.com portal. The club complains about litter, unpaid use of water, and blocked parking spaces for athletes. Local authorities are considering measures such as charging fees or designating a limited area for up to eight motorhomes, but no decision has been made yet.
At Caravan Salon Düsseldorf 2026, Hotomobil unveiled the New Ronin XL, a camper based on the Fiat Scudo, Opel Vivaro or Citroën Jumpy with a seamless monocoque body. The vehicle is 5.60 m long, with an interior height and width of 2 m each, allowing occupants to stand upright. It is powered by a 150 hp 2.2 MultiJet engine and offers sleeping space for up to four people, a kitchen with an induction-style hob that doubles as a heater, and a 90-litre fridge. The show model is priced at 75,830 euros; an automatic transmission option will be available from late 2027.
Fendt has unveiled the Tendenza 560 SFDW caravan for the 2027 model year. Measuring 772×250 cm and weighing 1545 kg, it offers four berths, standard ALDE water heating with floor warming, and a 157-litre compressor fridge. The base price starts at €44,470 including VAT.
United States
Germany
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An 84-year-old motorhome driver lost control on the L 280, collided with three parked cars and stopped at a house wall. An 81-year-old passenger was slightly injured; damage is estimated at around 34,000 euros.
In Gandria (canton of Ticino), teams from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) and Lugano city police helped a tourist couple reattach the wheel of their caravan. The wheel had come off shortly before the border crossing. With the assistance, the couple was able to continue their journey shortly afterwards. The authority reminds travellers to regularly check wheel nuts, distribute loads evenly and ensure safety first in the event of a breakdown.
The 150,000th vehicle for the Carado brand has rolled off the line at the Capron plant in Neustadt, Saxony. The milestone model is a semi-integrated Carado T338 Edition27 based on Ford, measuring 6.99 m long, 2.32 m wide and 2.93 m high. Production in Neustadt began in November 2006; upgrades since 2014 include a second assembly line in 2015 and a third press line in 2023. According to the Federal Statistical Office, German campsites recorded around 44.7 million overnight stays in 2025, up 4.2% year-on-year and 24.9% compared with 2019.
Jenny and Lukas, who have lived in Norway for over seven years and created the Camping and Nordcamp apps, shared motorhome-specific rules in a podcast. They noted that the right to roam (allemannsretten) applies only to pedestrians and does not permit overnight stays in motorhomes outside designated areas. Speed limits outside cities are typically 80 km/h, and they recommend planning for an average speed of about 50 km/h. They also listed favourite regions including Stryn, Olden, Fjærland, Flåm, Valdresflye, Senja, Vesterålen, Jæren, Vestfold, Oslo and Røros, and highlighted Norway's 18 national scenic routes.
An analysis shows that all-wheel drive is often unnecessary for motorhomes on European roads. The system costs between 8,000 and 20,000 euros extra and increases fuel consumption by 1 to 3 litres of diesel per 100 km, while reducing payload and interior height. For most travellers, front-wheel drive is the lightest, cheapest and most space-saving option; rear-wheel drive makes sense mainly for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or when towing.
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A white-yellow 1984 Volkswagen T3 Camper with Wesel H-plates was stolen in Hamminkeln on 22 September between 09:00 and 16:00. Police ask witnesses to contact the Nord station in Wesel at 0281 / 107-0.
A SPIEGEL+ article highlights a region in Spain popular for camping and lists the best campsites. One site features an observatory, another is attached to a winery. The article is available via SPIEGEL+ subscription.
At Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf, six integrated motorhomes for the 2027 model year were presented with unconventional designs. Manufacturers from Spain, France, Italy and Germany are deliberately moving away from the classic white look to stand out in a saturated market. The new models include: Benimar Amphitryon A981 (from 79,990 euros, Fiat Ducato, 180 hp, length 5.98 m), Frankia Noctra Liner 7.6 L (from 157,900 euros, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, length 7.80 m), Mobilvetta K-Yacht Tekno Design (from 144,900 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.56 m), Mooveo INT-78 QBF Alko (from 88,867 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.89 m), Pilote Galaxy G740FGJ (from 87,900 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.59 m) and Roller Team Zefiro 287 (from 86,440 euros, Power Edition from 91,490 euros, Fiat Ducato, 140 hp, length 7.45 m).
The municipality of Bad Bellingen is applying for tourism funding for a new motorhome pitch. The current site must be vacated for a planned Penny supermarket and senior apartments. The new location will be larger.
German retailer Lidl has presented a set of 10 products for basic car camping conversion. The list includes the Juskys Lago roof tent at €959, a Crivit air mattress at €12.99, a Tronic 100 W foldable solar charger at €199, a 24 L Crivit electric cooler at €69.99, a Crivit gas camping stove at €9.99, an Easy Camp Lom Tri Canopy awning measuring 500×250 cm at €94.99, a Greemotion camping organiser from €62.99, a Crivit camping table at €19.99, a Crivit folding chair from €34.99, and a Paladin pop-up tent at €36.99. With current discounts in the Lidl online shop as of September 2026, the total cost of the set is €1,500.92, though it includes only one camping chair. For two people, the budget may increase depending on whether they already own sleeping bags and what additional kitchen, hygiene, water and power accessories they require.
A man from North Hesse correctly guessed six numbers plus the super number in the 6aus49 lottery, winning €16.67 million. He told Lotto Hessen he has not yet decided how to use the money but intends to buy his own motorhome. The win is the ninth million-euro prize in Hesse this year and ranks 18th in the state lottery's all-time list. The €50 million jackpot from 19 August is shared with two players from Lower Saxony.
At the 58th ADAC classic car rally 'Rund um den Rochlitzer Berg' on Saturday in Rochlitz, a new trailer is presented. Lukas Heinig from Rochlitz restored a Qek Aero and will tow it with his 1986 Wartburg 353. The Wohnwagen is on display at the market square.
Bad Laer is considering raising the overnight fee at its motorhome site from 11.75 euros back to 21 euros after the town's 1175th anniversary year ends. The local newspaper Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung opposes the increase.
In Sasbach, owner Amelie Steurer converted a decommissioned ambulance into a camper. The orange foil was kept, heavy equipment removed, and a bed, cabinets and space for dogs were installed. The first trip in the camper was to Poland, including the Baltic Sea.