Motorhome Rentals Become New Trend for Returning to Hometown

Motorhome rentals in Malaysia are gaining popularity, especially ahead of holidays, for hometown trips (balik kampung). Company RV Life MY expanded its fleet from 1 unit in 2022 to 126, with demand increasing significantly. Some customers also use motorhomes to transport elderly parents for medical treatment due to the more spacious interior.

Malaysia will begin licensing RV rentals for commercial use from January 1, 2026. The new framework legalizes self-drive tourist hire vehicles across the country, including privately owned motorhomes registered before December 31, 2025, provided they are under 15 years old and pass a technical inspection. The policy aims to formalize the tourism sector and curb illegal transport services.

Malaysian authorities have allowed the commercial registration and licensing of campervans, enabling operators to purchase commercial insurance. The country has over 250 campsites, but not all have necessary infrastructure like electricity hook-ups and waste disposal.

Warendorf introduced paid motorhome parking — and lost its tourists. Japan quietly reached 607 RV parks while Nagoya showed a camper on a rocket launcher chassis. The Turkish coastal ban, a Polish trailer with a side shower, and Korean rentals straight from the train — in this issue.

Three owners of self-converted camper vans in Malaysia detailed the key aspects of creating mobile living spaces. They emphasize the importance of a comfortable bed, a well-planned power system, and compact storage. Conversion costs can amount to a few thousand ringgit, with many tasks being DIY projects.

A Malaysian family completed an 8-month journey across 33 countries using a pickup truck with a camper shell. The trip began in April 2025 from Malaysia, passing through Thailand, Laos, Tibet, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and several European nations, concluding in London. The parents and their five-year-old daughter, lacking extensive camping experience, relied on GPS and mobile apps to find campsites.