Sweden sees rise in new motorhome registrations, caravan sales fall

Camping owners in Sweden have filed a complaint against municipal parking areas for motorhomes, claiming they create unfair competition. They argue that under the new law, these municipal sites offer services at prices that private campsites cannot match. The complaint seeks to remove or alter the operation of these parking areas.

Hans and Robert Jakobsson from Katrineholm have converted a 2003 Scania bus into a motorhome over 18 meters long, likely the longest in Europe. Listed for 1.2 million Swedish kronor, it features 16 solar panels of 250 W each, an induction hob, a washing machine, and air heating. In Sweden, it can be driven with a B-class license issued before 1996, but a bus license is required abroad.

The Swedish government has sent out for consultation a proposal to increase the maximum speed for passenger cars towing caravans or trailers from 80 to 100 km/h. The change, which could take effect on March 1, would require vehicles to meet the Tempo-100 standard, including technical inspection and specific requirements for tires and braking systems.

The number of newly registered motorhomes in Sweden has doubled in two years, putting pressure on parking in Kristinehamn. The manager of the guest harbour, Tommy Gustavsson, said the sites have been full for a long time, and 25–50 motorhomes are turned away daily. The municipality is open to establishing more parking areas.

Johan Engström, Secretary General of Naturturismföretagen, after a two-week motorhome trip along the coasts of Halland and Skåne, stated that Sweden does not have a general problem of overtourism. He argues that tourism is strong but unevenly distributed: a few places are crowded, while many others are too sparse. The problem, he says, is not primarily too many tourists, but too little management, organization, and refinement. Engström calls for developing tourism through quality and added value rather than increasing visitor numbers, and emphasizes the need for attractive, bookable motorhome parking areas.

Rally driver Oliver Solberg discussed his tradition of traveling by motorhome with his fiancée Chloe to World Championship events in Estonia and Finland. He offered five tips for motorhome trips, including vehicle preparation, route selection, and safe driving. Solberg also noted that after second-place finishes in Estonia and Finland, he has seen the benefits of a calmer approach to racing.