Caravan and motorhome manufacturers return to budget models

Campingpark Nabburg in the Upper Palatinate took 73rd place in the PiNCAMP ranking, which is based on page views by German users from the beginning of the year to the end of July. The site is about 91.5 kilometers from Nuremberg, a drive of roughly 51 minutes. It offers 70 tourist pitches and 43 rental accommodations, including camping pods and chalets. Nearby amenities include a municipal outdoor pool, an Italian restaurant, the Naab river, and Nabburg's medieval old town. Prices for the 2026 high season start at 37.50 euros per night for a family and 31.50 euros for a couple; low-season rates begin at 33.50 and 27.50 euros. Wi-Fi, showers, and waste disposal are included; electricity is charged extra.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will present at the Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf (August 28 – September 6) an updated range of campers, including the electric ID. California Cruise concept based on the ID. Buzz. Also on display will be the California Beach concept with inflatable modules (kitchen under 10 kg, bed 12 kg), allowing a work van to be converted into a camper. First production electric campers from Volkswagen are expected by 2028.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, a conference from August 31 to September 2 will discuss the development of camping as a tourism sector. Topics include infrastructure investment, new business models, and attracting younger audiences. Organizers note growing interest from hotels and municipalities.

Even when all devices in a motorhome are switched off in the evening, the auxiliary battery can lose a significant amount of charge overnight. This is often caused by consumers that continue to operate in the background, such as control units, refrigerators, alarm systems, routers, and charging electronics. While a single device may draw little power, the combined consumption can add up over time, especially during longer stationary periods. Campers are advised to check battery levels before and after standing time and to measure parasitic drain if unexpected losses occur.

The ADAC's PiNCAMP portal has listed the 100 most popular campsites in Europe, including three in East Bavaria. One of them is Campingpark Nabburg in the Schwandorf district. Nearly 40 of the listed sites are in Germany.

At the Caravan Salon 2026, KEC Motors presented its first Sprinter conversion. The Mountaineer Grand Expedition features an unusual layout: instead of a traditional dinette, there is an L-shaped bench with a pull-out extension and a folding table. The equipment includes a bidirectional drawer in the kitchen, a sliding toilet compartment, a transverse bed measuring 1.95 × 1.80 m, a 400 Ah LiFePO₄ battery, a 240 Wp solar panel, an off-grid air conditioner, diesel heating, and underfloor heating. The vehicle has a 10 cm raised suspension, a 5.5-tonne winch, and a roof hatch. Base price: from €185,000.