Massive fire in Burscheid destroys several motorhomes and caravans

In the German caravan trade, several well-known dealerships have recently filed for insolvency, creating risks for buyers regarding service and warranties. According to DCHV, the main problem is not a lack of customers but high inventory levels, price pressure, and financing. CIVD describes the industry as robust overall, citing stable registrations and growing camping tourism.

In the early hours of Sunday, 20 September 2026, a fire in Kleinmaischeid almost completely destroyed a carport, two cars and a caravan. The blaze broke out on Saturday at around 23:00 on Eichenheck street. Around 50 emergency personnel were deployed. The cause of the fire is still unknown; police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses.

German company First Camper, founded in 2020, presented the Micro travel trailer at the 2026 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon. It measures 3.7 m long, 1.57 m wide and 1.93 m high. The interior features a couch that converts into a double bed, storage and an exterior kitchen. The base version starts at €4,899, while the fully equipped unit costs €12,321, or €9,999 without the rooftop tent. The empty weight of the basic model is 299 kg, with a maximum permissible weight of 750 kg.

A new camper van from the Black Forest combines off-road technology with a living space that is unexpected at first glance. It is under six metres long and weighs just under three tonnes when ready to drive, yet includes a shower, induction kitchen, diesel heater and solar panel. The model targets couples travelling away from campsites. In everyday use, it has some minor flaws.

German brand Weinsberg has unveiled a new generation of its CaraCompact Edition [Pepper] motorhome, featuring a revised interior layout without increasing external dimensions. The range gains a 580 MEG version measuring 6.38 m; the 600 MF and 600 MEG are 6.75 m long. It offers two longitudinal single beds over two metres long that convert into a King Size sleeping area, a 153-litre compressor fridge (83 litres in the 580 MEG), an extendable kitchen worktop, a swivelling washbasin that turns the washroom into a shower, and a standard Truma Combi 6 heater. Grey water capacity is 95 litres, fresh water ranges from 90 to 110 litres depending on version. Price is around 70,000 euros.

IMTEST tested five compact camper vans measuring between 5.40 and 6 metres at a campsite in northern Germany. The models included the Forster Livin' Up V 599 VBL, Hymer Free 600, Sunlight Cliff 540 RT Adventure Edition, Volkswagen Grand California 600 and Weinsberg CaraTour 600 ME. The test assessed equipment and connectivity, driving and safety, as well as living and sleeping areas. Prices for new camper vans start at around 45,000 euros, while models such as the Volkswagen California 6.1 can reach 100,000 euros.