Aurum R1: a travel trailer that transforms into a tiny house

In Bad Saulgau, an 89-year-old man driving a motorhome scraped a hairdresser's wall and then hit it again with a bicycle rack. Police are investigating whether he was fit to drive.

A test compared the Ecoflow River 2 Pro (768 Wh) and Delta 3 Plus (1024 Wh) portable power stations as an alternative to installing an auxiliary battery, inverter and 12 V sockets in a campervan. The units, with up to 1600 W in Boost mode, cannot fully power a hair dryer or kettle, but are suitable for a fridge, charging gadgets and low-wattage appliances. Prices for models around 1000 Wh start at 500 euros; unlike fixed installations, they are not exempt from VAT when purchased for a motorhome.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (28 August to 6 September), the modular Cubivan Camping System (CCS) was presented, converting a five-seat Volkswagen ID. Buzz van into a two-person camper. The system consists of a sliding rear module with a kitchen and composting toilet, and a fold-out roof bedroom with a bed measuring approximately 2 x 2 metres. The prototype is also compatible with the Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Tourneo Custom and Mercedes-Benz Vito. Orders will open in summer 2027, with an estimated price for a complete set of around 22,000 to 25,000 euros, excluding the vehicle.

German manufacturer Dethleffs is increasing the number of layouts in its Summer Edition range from six to eleven for the 2027 season. Family versions include the 530 FMK from €28,799, 540 QMK from €29,999 and 730 FKR from €36,999, while the premium 650 RQT is available from €37,999. A winter package at €3,399 replaces EPS with XPS and upgrades the heater. Experts note that a gross weight of 2–2.5 tonnes requires an appropriate driving licence category and a sufficiently powerful tow vehicle.

At the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf trade show (August 28 – September 6), Cubivan presented the Cubivan Camping System, a modular system that converts a five-seat van into a motorhome for two. The system comprises two main modules: a slide-out rear unit with a kitchen and toilet, and a pop-up roof with a bed measuring approximately 2 x 2 m. The kitchen and bathroom share one space: the kitchen block folds away to free up the room for showering and toilet use. The prototype is based on a Volkswagen ID. Buzz; future compatibility is planned with Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Tourneo Custom and Mercedes-Benz Vito. Orders will open in summer 2027, with an estimated price of 22,000–25,000 euros for the complete set, excluding the vehicle.

Promobil tested six all-season tires in size 225/75 R 16 C for motorhomes. The Continental Van Contact Fourseason won with an overall rating of 8.6 and a 'very good' verdict. On snow, braking from 50 to 10 km/h took 31.9 meters; on wet roads from 80 km/h, 39.1 meters; on dry asphalt at 100 km/h, 50.8 meters. Noise level is 74.2 dB(A), rolling resistance 6.4 kg/t. The tire does not lead in noise or rolling resistance but wins through balanced performance.