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Bruno and Suzanne converted a former Irisbus Récréo school bus into a motorhome. The 2012 Iveco Tector bus, producing 300 hp, was purchased in March 2024 with 175,000 km on the odometer. The conversion took seven months: insulation and structure first, then interior fitting. The space is divided into a living area, kitchen, and rear section with bedroom, bathroom, and laundry. The motorhome features a 55 cm wide fridge-freezer, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, reversible air conditioning, an 80-litre water heater, a drinking water treatment system, solar panels with lithium batteries, 600 litres of fresh water, and a 400-litre waste tank. It weighs 13.36 tonnes empty and can reach 18 tonnes. It is VASP-certified and has already travelled through Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Hungary.
United States
A Reddit user asked how to maintain intimacy in a motorhome during a six-month trip with three children. Commenters noted that most compact motorhomes lack a separate bedroom and advised choosing models with a rear bedroom or bunk beds, as well as occasional hotel stays.
Diana from Toledo, Spain, left her apartment to live in a 12 sq m motorhome. She says she pays no rent, electricity or water. She told El Español that the decision was not purely financial but also driven by a desire for a nomadic lifestyle. She noted the constant need to find water supply points, using free apps for that purpose.
Japanese coachbuilder Nuts RV has expanded its Border Banks range with the Type T, an integrated motorhome measuring 6.25 metres long and sleeping up to six people. Built on a Toyota Coaster Big Van chassis with 167 hp and two-wheel drive, it measures 6.25 m by 2.15 m by 3.02 m. The rear features twin single beds that can be combined into a 2.02-metre-wide sleeping area, an over-cab alcove bed of 1.58 by 2.02 metres, and a four-seat dinette that converts into an additional berth. Standard equipment includes a 400 Ah battery, a 1,500 W inverter and a 560 Wc solar panel; the Hyper Evolution III option adds a 600 Ah lithium battery and a 2,000 W inverter for approximately €5,000. The base price of the Border Banks Type T is 20,219,000 yen (around €112,900).
United States
René, 71, from Rennes, sold his house and has spent winters in Morocco in a motorhome since 2016. He stays at a 4-star campsite near Agadir, paying €8 per day (about €240 per month) with a discount for long stays. His motorhome cost around €60,000 and serves as a mobile apartment. According to a documentary on the Imineo YouTube channel, around 40,000 French pensioners head to Morocco between November and spring each year, especially around Agadir, Taghazout and the Souss-Massa region; INED researchers call this lifestyle migration. René reports no longer needing painkillers for rheumatism in the sun. French citizens can stay 90 days without a visa, then must request an extension; vehicles enter under temporary admission for three months, renewable once via the D16ter electronic declaration.
Frank has lived in a motorhome for four years, having spent €50,000 on the vehicle. The 5.50-metre motorhome includes a second bed, a gas stove, a sink, a toilet and a shower. It was manufactured in Ardèche, in Tournon-sur-Rhône, at a 200,000-square-metre plant where 24 motorhomes can be assembled simultaneously on a 200-metre line. According to the TF1 report, 96% of materials come from Europe and the UK, and 8,500 motorhomes produced in Ardèche are sold in France each year.
Italian manufacturer Laika has updated its 2027 motorhome lineup, focusing on premium models. The company has dropped the Kosmo name and restructured its offering around the Ecovip family, splitting camper vans into two trim levels: Evoluzione and Performance. New Ecovip variants have been added, along with an integrated Kreos H 5109 MB on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Prices for camper vans start at €76,890, semi-integrated models at €91,590, integrated models at €103,890, and the Kreos H 5109 MB at €173,290.
Cédric Clermont, 40, sold his food truck and launched a camper van rental business in Warluis, Oise. He offers two new Volkswagen vans equipped for four people. Customers can start their trip from Warluis.
United States
The Florium Baxter 69 LJG compact motorhome has been unveiled, based on a Fiat Ducato with a 2.2-litre 140 hp engine. It measures 2.23 m in width and 6.99 m in length. The rear features twin beds and a 2000-litre garage space. Pricing starts at €77,430. Equipment includes a lithium battery, Truma D4 heater and a compressor fridge.
Camping-Car Magazine has published a video recap featuring five motorhomes from the Salon des Véhicules de Loisirs (SVDL) at Paris-Le Bourget. The selection includes: the Niesmann+Bischoff Arto 88, a premium integrated motorhome on a 150 hp Mercedes Sprinter base with extensive customisation; the Florium Baxter 69 LJG, a compact 6.99 m coachbuilt model with twin rear beds and a 100 Ah lithium battery as standard; the Benimar Amphitryon A981, an integrated motorhome that replaces the traditional rear bedroom with a large modular lounge; the Hymer GT-S 600 Stone Edition, a 7.09 m coachbuilt model on a 170 hp Mercedes Sprinter base; and the Hobby Prestige T 740 WE, featuring a full-width rear bathroom and twin beds on a Fiat Ducato base. The next edition of the SVDL is scheduled for 25 September to 3 October 2027 at the Paris-Le Bourget exhibition centre.
Elon Musk said at the All-In Summit that he is living in an Airstream caravan near a data center under construction for xAI in Memphis, which will house the Colossus supercomputer. The exact model was not specified; Airstream caravans range from around €59,000 to over €230,000. Musk previously said he lived in a prefabricated home near SpaceX's Boca Chica site in Texas and sold several California properties.
Bürstner has unveiled the low-profile Signature SMT 7.0 motorhome based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The model is available in 7.32 m and 7.62 m versions. The interior features a modular rear bench that pivots 90 degrees, a kitchen with a retractable worktop, a two-zone induction hob, and a 138-litre drawer fridge with a 12-litre freezer compartment. The bathroom has a sliding partition that frees up a shower cabin. A panoramic roof above the cab is available on versions without an overhead bed.
Jean-Marc and Annick, recent retirees, spent several weeks at a Moroccan campsite in a motorhome bought for €4,000. They tested the nomadic lifestyle before fully retiring. The campsite covers 14 hectares, with mostly organized German retirees as neighbors.
French company CSD Sud has launched the Vehiprotect alarm for motorhomes, which requires no subscription. The kit, manufactured in Ukraine, includes a 4G hub and a motion detector. The basic package starts at €848, and an additional alarm for bike racks starts at €149.
German manufacturer Niesmann+Bischoff has presented a video tour of its Arto 88 motorhome. Built on an AL-KO double-floor chassis with a Mercedes Sprinter, the Arto 88 measures 9.06 m long. It is the largest model in the Arto range, positioned just below the Flair series. The interior features a lounge with a forward-facing bench that can be used laterally, a kitchen block, a bathroom that converts into a shower or toilet via a sliding partition, and a bedroom with twin beds convertible into a king-size bed. Storage includes large wardrobes, a double floor and a spacious garage.
To protect a motorhome roof from rain, frost and UV when stored outdoors in winter, an expert recommends placing the vehicle on leveling blocks to create a slight tilt. This prevents water from pooling, which can freeze and stress seals and roof lights. The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) also recommends a slightly inclined position. Additional advice includes using a breathable winter cover and covering tires.
The 60th Leisure Vehicle Show is taking place in France, featuring caravans, motorhomes and converted vans. The event is covered by RMC in Martin Bourdin's morning programme, broadcast on weekends from 6:00.
Margot has lived in a motorhome with two dogs for four years, spending €797 per month. This covers fuel, gas (about €10 per month), mobile internet (€20), laundry (€6), and online subscriptions (€38). She acknowledges high maintenance costs and irregular savings for emergencies. Specialized guides estimate that solo motorhome living often exceeds €1,000 per month, with a frugal profile ranging from €830 to €1,170.
Turkey
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Güney Karavan from Ankara unveiled the Minika 250 caravan, 2.50 m long, 2 m wide and high. Unladen weight 450 kg, gross weight 750 kg. Price in Turkey around €4,300, sales only on the local market.
