Swedish Camper Scam: 20 Buyers Duped via Facebook Marketplace

In Sweden, a hobbyist converted an old Volvo V70 estate into a caravan towed by a 2003 Volvo XC70. The trailer visually mimics the rear of the car, creating the illusion of a single vehicle. The project took several years and was completed this spring. Inside, the caravan features a double bed.

Swedish motorhome and caravan manufacturer Kabe, based in Tenhult near Jönköping, increased sales in the second quarter compared with the same period last year. Profit rose 90% and the share price jumped. CEO Alf Ekström attributes the growth to the removal of a tax that made owning a motorhome costly for three years, as well as to more dedicated parking sites across Sweden. Demand is strongest for lower-priced models, while the all-wheel-drive motorhome unveiled this week, priced at around two million kronor, targets a different segment.

In Lindesberg, near Lake Stora Djurlången along road 233 on the border of Örebro and Dalarna counties, a camp of several caravans and tents has been found that appears abandoned. Fire pits and boxes for cleaning berries are nearby. Checks show that many of the vehicles are deregistered and have driving bans. The land belongs to Sveaskog, which may face cleanup costs.

A woman from Karlstad has filed a complaint with the Swedish National Board for Consumer Complaints (ARN) against a caravan dealer in Valbo after a new caravan showed moisture damage. She demands either a replacement with a similar model or cancellation of the purchase with a refund. The seller did not respond, and the caravan was at a workshop for three months.

A caravan caught fire on a parking lot in Höganäs during the night before Thursday. The alarm was received at 00:50, with initial reports of a bus fire, but it turned out to be a caravan parked on Litteraturvägen. The vehicle was completely burned out. Police suspect the fire was deliberately set.

In Sweden, drivers who obtained a B licence before July 1, 1996, are allowed to drive motorhomes weighing up to 25 tons, provided they are registered as passenger cars. This right, known as "grandfather rights," applies in all EEA countries. Younger drivers are calling for an end to this rule, citing safety concerns. Experts warn that such vehicles may not be allowed in some countries, such as Italy.