Camping boom: overload risks and rookie mistakes in motorhomes

On Saturday afternoon, a vintage motorhome caught fire on the A952 autobahn near the Starnberg interchange. A 37-year-old driver from Munich noticed a burning smell and pulled into an emergency bay, after which heavy smoke came from the engine compartment and the vehicle burst into flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire, but only the frame remained. According to police, damage is estimated at around 40,000 euros, and the A952 was closed for half an hour.

On Saturday afternoon, a motorhome with a trailer lost control on the A7 shortly before the Memmingen motorway junction. At around 16:00, the vehicle combination, travelling towards Würzburg, went onto the shoulder in a long curve, and the 58-year-old driver subsequently lost control. The motorhome and trailer skidded across the entire width of the carriageway; after about 150 metres, the trailer overturned and detached. The trailer, which was carrying two motorcycles and a bicycle, slid a further 100 metres on its side before coming to rest across the right lane and hard shoulder. The trailer sustained damage estimated at around 2000 euros, while the loaded vehicles suffered damage of around 5000 euros; the asphalt was also damaged, with the exact cost not yet determined. The right lane was closed for about an hour and a half for recovery, causing a tailback to the Memmingen-South junction.

In the German caravan trade, several well-known dealerships have recently filed for insolvency, creating risks for buyers regarding service and warranties. According to DCHV, the main problem is not a lack of customers but high inventory levels, price pressure, and financing. CIVD describes the industry as robust overall, citing stable registrations and growing camping tourism.

In the early hours of Sunday, 20 September 2026, a fire in Kleinmaischeid almost completely destroyed a carport, two cars and a caravan. The blaze broke out on Saturday at around 23:00 on Eichenheck street. Around 50 emergency personnel were deployed. The cause of the fire is still unknown; police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses.

German company First Camper, founded in 2020, presented the Micro travel trailer at the 2026 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon. It measures 3.7 m long, 1.57 m wide and 1.93 m high. The interior features a couch that converts into a double bed, storage and an exterior kitchen. The base version starts at €4,899, while the fully equipped unit costs €12,321, or €9,999 without the rooftop tent. The empty weight of the basic model is 299 kg, with a maximum permissible weight of 750 kg.

A new camper from the Black Forest has been presented: length under six metres, kerb weight just under three tonnes. Equipment includes a shower, induction hob, diesel heater and solar panel.