Alps: Upgraded motorhome stops and winter camping boom

On April 28, a car and a motorhome collided in the Helenental valley near Siegenfeld. The accident occurred around 3:00 PM on the B210 road. The 55-year-old car driver was seriously injured. The 69-year-old motorhome driver and his wife sustained minor injuries. All three were taken to a hospital. Heavy rescue equipment was needed to recover the motorhome.

A 75-year-old man died in Wertheim-Vockenrot (Main-Tauber district) when his motorhome unexpectedly rolled backward during repair work. According to police, he was trapped under the wheels of the vehicle.

In Deutsch-Hörschlag, a 72-year-old man camps every two weeks and empties his camper van toilet into a water shaft. The waste, presumably containing chemicals, flows into an adjacent stream, causing heavy foaming. Police filed a report after an anonymous tip.

Almería is putting up physical barriers to keep motorhomers off its former fairground — while Turkey simply evicts them from the beach. Lightship is quadrupling its electric-caravan factory in Colorado, even as 50% of Italian motorhome renters turn out to be under 35. Plus 800 kg of hashish in a motorhome at the Spanish border, Anker's 800 W charger running off the alternator, and Carstay as the mobile HQ of a Tokyo festival — all in this issue.

During the 2025/2026 winter season, Tyrolean authorities redirected over 411,000 vehicles back to main highways from secondary roads used to bypass traffic. Motorhome and caravan owners require a confirmed booking at a Tyrolean campsite to pass through transit-restricted areas. The fine for violation starts at 90 euros, with most offenders simply being turned back.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.