Campervan, RV & Vanlife News

Finnish outlet Moottori tested towing a 1700 kg caravan with a Kia EV9 electric car in eastern Finland. The autumn trip ran from Kiuruvesi to Patvinsuo National Park in Lieksa, an area with few fast-charging stations. The EV9 has a peak charging power of 230 kW, and the range with a trailer was not known in advance. The test aimed to establish charging times and the cost of fast charging.

Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications and Traficom confirmed that the extension of B licence rights to motorhomes up to 4,250 kg is not tied to the vehicle's power source. The new rules apply to diesel, petrol, gas and electric motorhomes. Under EU Directive 2025/2205, driving such vehicles will require additional training of at least seven hours, a driving test or both; Finland plans to apply the rules from 26 November 2029, and the cost of training has not yet been determined.

In Rovaniemi on the evening of 15 October, a motorhome caught fire while driving and was completely destroyed. The driver pulled over and tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. No injuries reported.

On Monday evening, a motorhome burned in Alajärvi. The South Ostrobothnia fire service received the call around 17:00. The driver heard a bang while driving along Lapuantie. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

A passenger car and a motorhome collided on Route 9 in Suonenjoki. The accident occurred at about 16:30 approximately 15 km from Suonenjoki towards Jyväskylä. According to preliminary police information, the passenger car traveling from Jyväskylä towards Kuopio is suspected to have drifted into oncoming traffic. Police have not reported any injuries at this stage. The road is closed, with reopening expected around 18:30; a queue of about two kilometers has formed towards Kuopio.

In Helsinki on 2 October, a motorhome belonging to Matias Petäistö, known as a special forces instructor, was towed. The vehicle, registered with Traficom as a motorhome, had been parked in a bus parking area in Katajanokka since late spring. According to Traficom, the periodic inspection was not completed or approved. The towing took several hours due to the need to lift the heavy vehicle. Petäistö has previously received multiple parking fines.

Hymer has unveiled the semi-integrated motorhome GT-S 685, measuring 7.39 m long and 2.29 m wide, built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. In a test drive, the model showed stability in corners and minimal body roll, distinguishing it from other Sprinter-based motorhomes. The manufacturer uses the Gran Turismo designation, emphasising its focus on long-distance travel.

The Airola family from Kokkola is on a month-long trip to Italy in a small Mercedes-Benz motorhome named James, towing a trailer loaded with circus equipment. Performances will take place in October in Milan and Catania at two performing arts festivals, with at least eight shows confirmed. The trip is funded mainly by the Finnish Cultural Foundation's Keski-Pohjanmaa regional fund, with performance fees and family funds covering part of the costs.

Early on Sunday morning, a fire broke out in Lohja, destroying a caravan and a 30-square-metre yard shed. The Western Uusimaa rescue department was called to extinguish the blaze. One person was taken for further examination by emergency services.

Dethleffs has unveiled the semi-integrated Just Van T4 motorhome based on the Fiat Ducato. The model measures 2.20 m wide, 2.73 m high and 6.63 m long. It features two single beds at the rear, sized 200 × 80 cm and 192 × 75 cm, which can be combined into a 199 × 160 cm sleeping area. The bathroom uses a rotating wall to create a shower. Standard equipment includes a 131-litre compressor fridge and a 6 kW diesel heater with a 10-litre water heater. The 2027 show vehicle is priced at 87,650 euros.

On Saturday, Vanlife Day was held at the Caravan fair in Lahti. Jarmo Annunen and Mari Birling converted a truck into a motorhome and plan a round-the-world trip with their dog Penny.

The Carado CV595 4x4 X-Edition has been unveiled at the Lahden Caravan 2026 show as Carado's first camper van built on the Volkswagen Crafter. The special edition, limited to 400 units, comes with 4Motion all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic; its 2.0-litre diesel produces 163 hp, and dimensions are 5.99 × 2.04 × 2.72 m with 1.98 m of standing height inside. The show vehicle, a 2027 model year, is priced at 119,900 euros with a gross weight of 3,500 kg.

Motorhome owners in Finland are reducing mileage due to higher fuel and usage tax costs. Since the start of the year, a change in the usage tax has increased annual vehicle costs by hundreds of euros, and diesel prices have risen. According to the Association of Motorhome Importers, about 900 motorhomes were first registered in January–August 2025, down 3% from the same period last year. Finland has approximately 130,000 registered motorhomes and caravans.

Knaus unveiled the SKY TI VW 700 DEG semi-integrated motorhome on a Volkswagen Crafter chassis at the Lahti Caravan 2026 show. The 7.59-metre model features a standard Alde diesel heater and hydronic floor heating, reducing reliance on gas cylinders. A heated double floor protects water and heating pipes and provides storage. The base price is €136,521, with the show vehicle priced at €142,167.

German manufacturer Eriba, known for its caravans, has introduced the Car 600 based on the Volkswagen Crafter. The vehicle, 5.99 m long and 2.07 m wide, features convertible furniture: the sink folds against the wall, the kitchen worktop extends, and the transverse bed lifts to free space for long items. The base price is 86,990 euros, while the show car with optional equipment costs 103,970 euros plus delivery charges.

Kabe expands its semi-integrated motorhome range with the Novum TRAQ 750 LGB on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. It is the manufacturer's first rear-wheel-drive semi-integrated motorhome; the same layout can be ordered with all-wheel drive. The show vehicle at Lahden Caravan 2026 has a stated towing capacity of 2,000 kg. Dimensions are 7.50 m long, 2.39 m wide and 2.90 m high; total mass is 4,100 kg, kerb mass 3,342 kg and payload 758 kg. The base price is 141,600 euros, rising to 164,710 euros with 23,110 euros of options on the show vehicle.

The autumn Caravan show opens in Lahti on 24–27 September amid a stabilising market for new motorhomes and a continued decline in first registrations of caravans. From January to August, Finland registered 896 new motorhomes and 385 caravans, a total of 1,281 vehicles, down 7.6% from 1,387 a year earlier. Motorhome registrations fell by only 3.4% (from 928), while factory-built motorhomes dropped by 1.1% (783 versus 792). According to Mika Jokinen, executive director of the Association of Recreational Vehicle Importers, the motorhome market is at or near the bottom.

On Sunday shortly before 4 p.m., a motorhome that had just been parked caught fire in Etelänkylä, Kalajoki. According to the North Ostrobothnia rescue service, there was a risk the fire would spread to a nearby detached house and other buildings.

On Sunday in Janakkala, a motorhome caught fire. The driver and passenger were unharmed, but the vehicle was completely destroyed by fire.

The Kaukkila family from Pori and the Laihinen couple made separate motorhome trips to northern Finland. The family of four (parents and children aged 13 and 4) spent two weeks in the North Calotte region, where the sun did not set. Both trips were affected by injuries: Kari Kaukkila was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Pori in early June, breaking his collarbone, while his wife used crutches. The Laihinen couple also faced injuries. Despite this, both trips were successful.