German company unveils camper that turns into a boat

The 'Am Hoschenhof' campsite on the border between Neukirchen-Vluyn and Rheurdt, in operation for about 60 years, is to be closed. The reason is a lack of compliance with fire safety regulations and the high cost of necessary investments, which operator Horst Albertus Konijnenberg says exceed both his financial means and those of most campers. Permanent residence on campsites with primary registration is illegal, although tolerated by authorities and politicians. Residents, including Petra Holste and Nicole Bohra, who have invested heavily in their properties, now face the challenge of finding new housing amid a housing shortage. The municipalities of Neukirchen-Vluyn and Rheurdt have promised support within their limited means, but acknowledge the difficulty. The site must be vacated by December 2029.

German company Sealander has unveiled the world's first caravan that can float and move on water like a small boat. The 469 cm long and 166 cm wide model weighs only 750 kg, allowing it to be towed by a standard car without a special license. The fiberglass-reinforced plastic hull with double bottom is designed for calm waters with waves up to 30 cm and winds up to 4 Beaufort. Inside, there are two seats, a table, and a double bed (205×151 cm), plus options: stove, sink, sound system, solar panels, grill, chemical toilet, and shower. The base price is €39,750, excluding the outboard motor (recommended 5–10 hp), which is sold separately. Orders are open in Europe, with first deliveries expected this autumn.

Phoenix will present two new models at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (August 28 – September 6): the flagship Top Liner 9000 BMLX on a MAN TGL chassis and the all-wheel-drive Star 7200 RSL on a Mercedes Sprinter 519 CDI. The Top Liner 9000 BMLX features a refreshed design and starts at €416,000, while the Star 7200 RSL with a rear lounge and bike garage starts at €225,900. Both models come with new LED lighting and a bright interior.

A study by Autotrader identified the three best European road trips for traveling with a dog. The top spot goes to Spain's Costa Brava (125 km, 50 rest stops, 13 open areas, 11 dog parks), followed by the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland (120 km, 23 rest stops, 17 open areas, 2 parks) and Germany's Romantic Road (286 km, 36 rest stops, 29 open areas, 6 parks). It is noted that dogs must be secured in the vehicle using a harness, grille, or carrier.

Florian Lill, a 31-year-old programmer, has been living and working in a converted Peugeot Boxer camper van since 2022. He travels across Europe from the North Cape to Greece, spending about 1,500 euros a month. Lill says he feels lonely more often in cities than in nature and urges fellow travelers to respect the freedom of movement.

Overnight stays in a motorhome are permitted under certain conditions during travel, but the line between allowed rest and unauthorized camping is easily crossed, with potential legal consequences. Not every publicly accessible area falls under public law, which can result in fines.