VanLife Weekly #20: Motorhome & Campervan News, May 11–17, 2026

We've compiled the top motorhome, camper van, and vanlife news for May 11–17, 2026. This edition covers the return of the VW ID. Buzz to the United States with a camping package, the largest state-run RV campsite in the US — 607 pitches in Alabama — a digital enforcement platform against illegal caravans on Ibiza, and the Jones Fire that destroyed motorhomes in Arizona.

The week revealed three clear trends for travellers: pressure on informal overnight parking is growing across Europe while rules are being selectively eased; the industry is pivoting toward compact and electric formats; and the peak season is already delivering its first serious incidents — from wildfires to flooding at mountain campsites.

Laws and Bans

Cantabria (Spain): the regional government approved a new motorhome decree that removes the cap on pitches at stopovers and simplifies technical requirements for service areas.

Ibiza (Spain): the island council and five municipalities launched a digital platform against illegal caravans with fines of up to €30,000; from June to September, vehicle access to the island will be capped at 16,000.

Florida (USA): Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 118, limiting taxation on RV parks where pitches exceed 400 square feet.

Gangneung (South Korea): ahead of the holiday season, authorities stepped up inspections at public car parks to crack down on motorhomes overstaying their welcome and illegal camping.

Darıca (Turkey): Millet Bahçesi caravan park introduced mandatory registration and new tariffs — unregistered vehicles will be towed to an impound lot.

Industry

Volkswagen is bringing the ID. Buzz back to the United States with the Tourer camping package: a fold-out mattress, curtains, ventilation panels, and outdoor furniture included. The Tourer 4Motion variant will join the 2027 line-up.

Winnebagoⓘ unveiled the ARKA off-road motorhome on a RAM 5500 chassis, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and up to 15 kWh of battery capacity for off-grid travel.

Knaus Tabbert (Germany) returned to profit in the first quarter of 2026: net income reached €3.8 million, sales of compact camper vans rose 19%, while demand for large motorhomes fell 30%.

Japan: Crest Vehicle unveiled the Livin'GLIDE camper van based on the Honda N-VAN, featuring a high roof and a flexible layout for the kei-class segment.

USA: Sweetwater and Airstreamⓘ launched a mobile recording studio with Dolby Atmos support built into a 25-foot trailer — it will tour festivals and schools over the summer.

Japan: Stellantis brought the Fiat Scudo to the Japan Truck Show 2026, positioning the van as a base for local motorhome conversions; sales are set to begin in 2027.

Openings and Closures

Alabama (USA): Gulf State Park opened an expansion of the largest state-run RV campsite in the country — 103 premium pitches were added, bringing the total to 607.

Hokkaido (Japan): an RV park has opened in Niikappu at the Niikappu Onsen Hotel Hills, offering five powered pitches.

Gyeongbuk (South Korea): the regional education authority converted four closed schools into motorhome campsites in Pohang, Gimcheon, Yeongdeok, and Yeongju.

Adana (Turkey): Sarıçam municipality opened the region's first caravan park with 150 pitches in the Yörük Forest, covering 13,500 m².

Rieti (Italy): the municipality approved the construction of a motorhome stopover for €201,300 near the "Nativity of Peace" on Via Fonte Cottorella.

Hooksiel (Germany): the last nudist campsite on the North Sea is closing its naturist zone after the 2026 season due to low occupancy; the operator will convert the area into a conventional campsite.

North Yorkshire (United Kingdom): family holiday park Wayside Holiday Park has been sold after 50 years under one family's ownership — 160 pitches across 19.5 acres with lodges and a new lake.

Lifestyle

Mallorca (Spain): retired couple Maribel and Vicente have been living in a 10 m² motorhome for five years, saving €1,200–1,400 a month on accommodation while travelling around Spain and France.

Los Angeles (USA): an informal encampment of motorhomes and buses has grown outside the Housing Authority building in Garden — residents have been there for up to three months and use the vehicles as permanent homes.

Germany: motoring club ADAC warned of widespread safety non-compliance among motorhomes ahead of the summer season and offered owners a free weight check.

USA: Go RVing launched the RV-2-50 contest with a $5,000 prize, timed to the country's 250th anniversary and growing demand for budget road trips.

Japan: Square Glade Games released the cosy survival game Outbound about travelling in a motorhome with a dog — available on Switch, Switch 2, and PS5.

Portugal: Brazilian singer Kelly Key embarked on a motorhome trip with her family following her husband's stroke and heart surgery.

Incidents

Arizona (USA): the Jones Fire destroyed between 8 and 10 motorhomes at Arrowhead RV Park in Wickenburg — the evacuation was completed without casualties.

Erciyes (Turkey): following prolonged rainfall and snowmelt, the level of Lake Tekir at 2,200 m rose sharply, flooding caravans, tents, and campers' storage containers — long-time visitors said they had never seen such a rise.

Foggia (Italy): in the early hours of 12 May, a 42-year-old Romanian farmworker died in a caravan fire; the most likely causes are a short circuit or a faulty heater.

Gard (France): on the RD6580 road near Pujaut, a head-on collision between a motorhome and a van sent three people to hospital, two of them in a critical condition.

Regional Overview

Europe: Spain is simultaneously easing rules in Cantabria and tightening enforcement on Ibiza, Germany is losing its last naturist campsite on the North Sea, while the municipality of Rieti in Italy is investing in a new stopover. Asia: Japan is expanding its infrastructure with an RV park in Hokkaido, and South Korea with campsites converted from former schools. Globally: Volkswagen is returning to the US market with the camping edition of the ID. Buzz, setting a benchmark for electric vans.

← All VanLife Weekly digests