Camping boom in Hesse: almost fully booked, but spots still available

During summer holiday checks in the Viersen district, police recorded more than 20 violations. These included two unsecured dogs in a motorhome, one of which was in the driver's footwell. Officers also found four overloaded vehicles, five cargo-securing violations, eight speeding offences, and two vehicles with expired roadworthiness tests.

On 24 July 2026, the Verkehrsdirektion Mainz announced a control event on 2 August 2026 on motorway A61 (direction Ludwigshafen, rest area Wonnegau-West) from 9:00 to 14:00 for motorhomes and caravans. Drivers can have their vehicles weighed free of charge using police radial load scales and receive advice on load securing, axle loads and weights. The campaign is timed to the start of the holiday season and increased tourist traffic.

GOK has introduced the Caramatic GasControl remote gas shut-off for motorhomes and campers, set to launch around the Caravan Salon 2026. The device allows cutting off gas supply from inside the vehicle with a button press and differs from the Truma GS8 by enabling connection to a gas detector: if a leak is detected, the system automatically closes the valve. The Caramatic GasControl operates on 12/24 V, has a built-in battery for operation without external power, and is compatible with GOK Crash-Sensor systems. The Truma GS8, available from around 170 euros, does not support gas detector integration.

The «Camping’Pinte» gastronomy project at the Große Heide campsite in Olfen will cease operations in early August 2026. Operator Carsten Heidemann announced the closure on July 23, citing noise complaints and criticism of the concept. The establishment opened in April 2026 and was intended to operate for the full season.

The municipal council of Schliersee has approved a new parking fee ordinance for 22 parking lots. The day ticket in the town centre increased from 10 to 12 euros, and at hiker parking lots from 6 to 10 euros. Overnight parking fees for motorhomes were introduced at three hiker lots (20 euros), and a new dedicated motorhome pitch on Seestrasse costs 25 euros for 24 hours. A proposal to issue annual tickets to all primary residents was rejected by 18 votes to 1.

In Germany, on Autobahn sections without a posted speed limit, a motorhome with a permissible maximum mass of up to 3,500 kg can drive without an upper limit, essentially like a passenger car. For motorhomes over 3,500 kg, the limit on the Autobahn is 100 km/h. In France, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the Netherlands, light motorhomes (up to 3,500 kg) are subject to the same limits as passenger cars, while heavier ones face lower limits. In the Netherlands, the registration type also matters: a motorhome registered as a commercial vehicle over 3,500 kg is limited to 80 km/h outside built-up areas.