Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
Poland
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From 25 to 27 September 2026, the 4th Nadbużański Caravan Rally will take place in Drohiczyn on the Bug River. The programme includes a feast with local delicacies, live music, an open-air cinema, kayaking and tours.
United States
In episode 7 of the documentary series My Van Life, lawyer Lisa travels across America in a self-built camper van. Along the way she meets a wandering poet, a magician and a paramedic — a single mother who wants to pass on her life experience to her daughter.
A Polish couple described their transition to vanlife, starting with a first trip to Italy after buying a 20-year-old used motorhome in July 2025. Before buying, they rented a similar-age motorhome in May 2025, which helped identify faults. For Italy, they installed Starlink, upgraded the solar battery and all-season tyres, and completed pet documentation, including a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel.
United States
After the high season ends in September and October, rental prices for motorhomes and caravans drop, but autumn trips require additional spending on heating and technical preparation. Night frosts can freeze unheated grey water tanks and drain batteries, while shorter daylight forces earlier stops. Many campsites close at the end of September or limit sanitary facilities, increasing mileage in search of open service points. For foreign travel, insurance such as Warta Travel is recommended, covering pet treatment up to 5000 zł, and when renting a vehicle, an excess waiver option up to 5000 zł.
On 11 September at around 15:50 in Sanka, Poland, a Fiat camper van carrying foreign travellers caught fire. The driver smelled burning, stopped on the shoulder, and all occupants exited safely. A passing man also noticed the fire and alerted emergency services. Fire crews from OSP Zalas, OSP Sanka and OSP Tenczynek, as well as police, responded to the scene. According to preliminary information, the likely cause was a short circuit in the batteries. No one was injured and no medical assistance was required.
Authorities do not allow motorhomes to park near the western breakwater of the Vistula Spit canal. The area is part of a technical road and port infrastructure where construction and camping are prohibited. The Sztutowo commune proposed hotels and a marina there but was rejected. Unofficially, the restrictions are linked to the canal's defence functions.
September 21 marks 60 days since the publication in Dziennik Ustaw of a law exempting passenger cars towing caravans with a gross combination weight over 3.5 tonnes from tolls on national roads. The new issue of Polski Caravaning includes an article on anti-corrosion protection for motorhomes and tests of the Dacia Duster Hybrid-G 150 4x4 and Mercedes Marco Polo.
United States
Xiaomi unveiled the SkyNomad N90 Max Explorer Edition in China on 7 September — an SUV with a factory-integrated electric pop-up roof. The roof raises in about 30 seconds to create a space around 2.29 m high; the upper section offers about 2 sq m of floor area and a load capacity of up to 200 kg. The second row folds into a bed measuring 1.87 × 1.24 m, and the floor is heated. The vehicle is 5285 mm long, 1998 mm wide, with a 3080 mm wheelbase, all-wheel drive, air suspension, two electric motors (210 kW front and 100 kW rear, 310 kW combined), a 76 kWh battery and a 112 kW 1.5 turbo petrol engine acting as a generator. CLTC range is 1688 km; fast charging adds about 285 km in 15 minutes. In China the N90 Max costs 269,900 yuan and the Explorer Edition 299,900 yuan. No European version has been confirmed.
At the Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf, new products for motorhomes were presented, including electric models, photovoltaic awnings and gas equipment. The event annually gathers manufacturers from Europe and beyond. Electrification in the motorhome segment is progressing more slowly than in passenger cars, but demand for solar panels is growing. A photovoltaic awning was proposed as a solution for limited roof space.
A caravan caught fire on a private plot in Dłużyna (Włoszakowice commune). During extinguishing, two gas cylinders exploded. Six fire brigades arrived. At the site, firefighters found over a dozen camping gas cylinders and several 11 kg cylinders. Two caravans and nearby equipment, tools, and engines were burned or damaged. Losses estimated at about 20,000 zlotys. Preliminary findings suggest improper use of electrical devices and installations as the likely cause. No one was injured.
Poland
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A 67-year-old from Gniewino commune is accused of stealing from a camping trailer between July and September 2026. Damage exceeds 7,000 zloty; some items recovered.
A camper park with eight pitches has been built in the Polish town of Sztum on an area of about 2,000 m². The total cost of the project was around 600,000 zloty, of which about 100,000 zloty covered Camper System infrastructure, with the rest spent on utilities, surfacing and site development. The site is equipped with a year-round Camper Drop Pro service column for grey water disposal, cassette toilet emptying, fresh water intake and automatic pitch rinsing, plus two electrical columns with individual metering and cashless payment. The town plans further expansion and a full campsite.
Germany
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The world's largest caravan fair, Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, runs from August 28 to September 6. Manufacturers focus on updates, including the electric VW ID. California and a Wavecamper based on Ford Custom.
In the documentary series 'My Van Life', lawyer Lisa travels across America in a self-built camper van. Due to a hurricane, she changes her route and meets owners of mobile homes in the southern US states. Soon she learns of her father's death. The episode was produced in Australia in 2021 and runs 34 minutes.
Malibu Reisemobile, part of the Carthago group, has introduced a line of semi-integrated motorhomes measuring 6.69–7.35 m in length and 2.27 m in width. The models are available on Fiat Ducato and Mercedes Sprinter chassis, with 16 variants in total. Standard equipment includes a double floor, AL-KO frame, Truma Combi 6E heating, electric step, and more. The Malibu T 480 RB-QB 'K' model on a Mercedes Sprinter with a 170 hp engine and automatic transmission features a lightweight construction and high payload. Sales in Poland are handled by dealer WN-Camp Centrum Caravaningu.
The authorities of Piotrków Trybunalski are analyzing the creation of a municipal camper service point. The proposal was raised by councilor Dariusz Cecotka, who noted that the lack of such infrastructure fails to attract tourists. A preliminary location has been chosen near the Słoneczko bathing area, between Miast Partnerskich and Morsów streets. Technical details are scheduled for discussion on August 27, 2026, and external funding options will be explored.
Poland's Ministry of Infrastructure has responded to a parliamentary inquiry, stating it does not plan to introduce separate, lower rates for motorhomes with a permissible gross weight above 3.5 tonnes in the e-TOLL system. The ministry cites EU Directive 1999/62/EC and the 'user pays' principle, under which the fee depends on weight, not the purpose of the trip. However, from September 21, 2026, an exemption from electronic tolls will apply to trailers towed by passenger cars with a weight below 3.5 tonnes, affecting about 99% of tourist vehicles. Owners of heavier motorhomes, numbering around 2,200 in Poland, will continue to pay the same rates as trucks.
The National Caravan Rally 'End of Season at the Campground' will take place from September 25 to 27, 2026. The program includes campfire entertainment with a DJ, sports competitions for adults and youth, including beret throwing and the 'Jarząbek Arm Wrestling Championship', as well as games for younger participants. Both club-affiliated and unaffiliated crews may attend. Participation costs are according to the campground's price list, payable on site.
Construction is underway at the Piachy reservoir in Starachowice, including new buildings, a 25-meter pier, sports courts, and a camping zone with hookups for motorhomes. The project, worth over 7.7 million zlotys, is co-funded by EU funds and the state budget, with completion expected by the end of 2026. The beach is closed this season due to works, with free entry to summer pools offered instead.
Caravans were stolen from the site of a former bakery in Ińsko. The mayor reported the incident to the police. A 22-year-old local resident admitted to the theft and indicated where one of the caravans could be found; it was recovered. The second caravan was destroyed in a fire. The suspect faces up to 5 years in prison.