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In Brief
Germans are converting retired buses and cargo vans into motorhomes. Detlef Koch from Werne turned a tour bus into a camper, while a couple from Bielefeld converted a garden company van. A meeting of unusual camper owners took place in Böhnen.
In Germany, the trend of converting commercial vehicles into campers is growing. Detlef Koch from Werne-Stockum transformed a tour bus into a fully equipped motorhome with electronic controls. The idea came during a vacation. Such converted buses are rare in the region.
Hannah Elsner and Julian Ruzak from Bielefeld converted a small cargo van previously used by a gardening company. Windows had already been installed at the time of publication.
In April 2026, a meeting of owners of self-built campers converted from retired buses took place on the site of a former mine in Böhnen. 30 enthusiasts attended, discussing technical aspects such as installing solar panels for autonomy. Organizers noted a decline in participants compared to previous years, attributing it to high diesel prices.
Aggregated by OpenVan.camp from the public sources listed below, with AI-assisted translation and summary. We always link to the original source. Machine translation may differ from the original -- check the source for important details. Images and content remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright information
Detlef Koch from Werne-Stockum has converted a tour bus into a camper van. The vehicle is equipped with all necessary living amenities, including elec...
Detlef Koch from Werne-Stockum has converted a tour bus into a camper van. The vehicle is equipped with all necessary living amenities, including electronic controls. The idea for the project came during a vacation. Few such converted buses exist in the region.
Hannah Elsner and Julian Rusack from Bielefeld are converting a small delivery van, formerly used by a horticultural business, into a camper. Windows ...
Hannah Elsner and Julian Rusack from Bielefeld are converting a small delivery van, formerly used by a horticultural business, into a camper. Windows have already been installed. The project is part of the vanlife trend in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region.
Hannah Elsner and Julian Rusack are converting a small van previously used by a horticultural business into a camper. Windows have already been instal...
Hannah Elsner and Julian Rusack are converting a small van previously used by a horticultural business into a camper. Windows have already been installed in the vehicle.
A meeting of owners of self-converted motorhomes made from decommissioned buses took place on the grounds of a former mine in Bönen. The event gathere...
A meeting of owners of self-converted motorhomes made from decommissioned buses took place on the grounds of a former mine in Bönen. The event gathered 30 enthusiasts who discussed technical aspects, including the installation of solar panels for off-grid capability. Organizers noted a decrease in participants compared to previous years, attributing it to high diesel prices.
Updated: 20.06.2026
Diesel
$2.02 /l
€1.76 · £1.52/l
105 of 132
pricier than 79% of countries
Petrol
$2.13 /l
€1.86 · £1.61/l
120 of 134
pricier than 89% of countries
LPG
$1.31 /l
€1.14 · £0.99/l
46 of 48
pricier than 94% of countries
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Country overview
Avg. score
79
Top city
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 94
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During the Easter weekend, a meeting of 30 owners of converted camper vans took place in Bönen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The organizer attributed the lower turnout to high diesel prices.
Germany
3
Germany recorded 44.7 million camping overnight stays in 2025. The market is normalizing, but demand for RVs remains high, with a focus on comfort, custom design, and self-sufficiency.
At the ABF trade fair in Hanover, people who gave up stationary housing reported the real costs of living in a camper van. Monthly expenses, including parking, fuel, and insurance, reach up to 1500 euros, often exceeding apartment rent. The primary motivation for this lifestyle is cited as the freedom to travel.
KGM (formerly SsangYong) has launched the updated Musso pickup and its long-wheelbase version Musso Grand in Germany. The vehicle features a 2.2-liter diesel engine producing 202 hp and 441 Nm, a ladder frame, and selectable four-wheel drive with differential lock. Prices start at €40,990 for the standard version and €42,490 for the Musso Grand, positioning it alongside the Isuzu D-Max but below many trims of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
Bürstner has launched the Signature series, a new model line that aims to redefine the design of seven-meter motorhomes. The SFT 7.5 model is based on a Fiat Ducato chassis with an AL-KO low-frame platform and features a 2.2-liter 140 hp turbodiesel engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Interior solutions borrow from more expensive models by Niesmann+Bischoff, part of the same Erwin Hymer Group.
Autobild compared the production all-wheel-drive camper Hymer Grand Canyon S Crossover with the exclusive SAM the Van Iglhaut from a small manufacturer. Both are based on the Mercedes Sprinter but use different AWD systems: Hymer uses the factory system, while SAM features an Iglhaut transfer case with locking differentials. The price difference between the test vehicles exceeded €200,000, with SAM showing significantly better off-road capability and Hymer offering more refined on-road behavior.
The Volkswagen T7 California camper van is built using a small-scale, almost workshop-like production method. The assembly process is not highly automated but involves meticulous manual steps. Despite the handcrafted approach, the vehicle retains a full factory warranty, setting it apart from many aftermarket conversions.
German motorhome manufacturer LMC Caravan in Sassenberg has announced the dismissal of 106 employees. 88 workers will leave the company by July 31, 2026, and another 18 by January 31, 2027. Affected employees have the option to join a transfer company for retraining and job search support. The layoffs are attributed to a sustained decline in demand for caravans and motorhomes, particularly traditional travel trailers, which a temporary pandemic-era camping boom failed to reverse.
Organizers of the Bulli-Festival on the island of Fehmann have decided to relocate the event from the south beach to a field in the northern part of the island. Many participants stated they would not attend the new location due to the lack of beach access.
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