Fire in Waiblingen: Caravan and Garden Shed Completely Destroyed

The Erwin Hymer Group's 'Innovation Camp' division in Baienfurt works on upgrading motorhomes and caravans. A team of three employees developed a structure for the Eriba Touring model that reduces its carbon footprint by 30–40% by replacing materials with biodegradable and recycled ones. They also created a lightweight trailer for towing with an electric vehicle, featuring transformable furniture and integrated solar panels.

Firefighters in Waiblingen extinguished a burning caravan on a private property. The incident occurred on March 18 around 11:15 AM, leading to a two-hour closure of Schorndorfer Straße. Police are investigating the cause of the fire; there were no injuries.

Stable internet in a motorhome is provided by four technical solutions. A smartphone hotspot is a simple but limited option. A mobile Wi-Fi router allows multiple devices to connect simultaneously. A fixed antenna with a router provides maximum reception range. Satellite internet Starlink works in remote areas but requires significant investment.

Miniatouring has introduced the M22 mini-caravan with a curb weight of 550 kg, which does not require a special trailer license. The base model starting at €15,300 includes a 3×1.5×1.5 m cabin and a pull-out kitchen, but most interior elements and options are available at extra cost.

With the start of the warm season, owners of motorhomes and caravans are advised to conduct a comprehensive technical inspection after winter storage. Key points include checking tires with a minimum remaining tread depth of 1.6 mm, inspecting gas equipment, which since June 2025 requires mandatory inspection every two years, and monitoring the levels of all technical fluids. It is also necessary to check the water system for leaks, the condition of batteries and onboard electronics, and ensure compliance with the permissible total vehicle weight.

On the German A7 motorway, a Volkswagen motorhome crashed into an articulated lorry. The motorhome driver sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital, with traffic towards Hamburg being completely closed.