Reviews

German publication promobil has added a Weinsberg CaraSuite 650 MEG in Edition Spicy to its long-term test fleet. The seven-metre part-integrated motorhome made its first trip as a four-person family holiday: travel to Vitalcamp Bayerbach near Vienna, a week on the campsite and the return journey. The test reported advantages in storage space and drawbacks in sleeping comfort.

A 1986 Blue Bird Wanderlodge PT38 motorhome is offered for sale on Collecting Cars in La Clayette, France. The seller states it is one of 63 examples built in this length. It is powered by a 12.1-litre Detroit Diesel 8V92 turbocharged V8 producing 470 bhp, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Over $110,000 has reportedly been spent on renovations and upgrades in recent years, including new upholstery, kitchen and plumbing work, solar panels and lithium batteries.

A review has presented six four-wheel-drive expedition vehicles, including the KiraVan on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog chassis and the Earthroamer XV-HD based on a Ford F-750. The KiraVan has a 260 hp diesel engine, 550-litre fuel tanks and a range of about 3,000 km. The Unicat MD56c on a MAN TGS 6×6 chassis has two tanks with a combined capacity of 980 litres and costs just over one million euros. The Global Expedition Vehicles Pangea module is priced from 890,000 dollars without a chassis, while the Armadillo Conquistador costs between 1 and 1.5 million dollars. The KiraVan project has remained a test platform for over ten years, with no long-distance expeditions carried out.

Turkish manufacturer ANKARAVAN Karavan A.Ş. builds the Eco 350 caravan, which measures 3.50 m in body length (5.00 m with drawbar) and sleeps four. Berlin-based dealer ANKER Caravan sells it in Germany for €16,000 including VAT in the Voll Paket trim. The MIRO is 880 kg and the MTPLM is 1,000 kg, leaving a calculated payload of 120 kg. Options include a cassette toilet at €579 net, a diesel heater at €299 net and solar packages from €785 to €1,346 net.

IMTEST tested five camper vans between 5.40 and 6 metres long over several days at the Land campsite in Stove, northern Germany. The assessment covered base equipment and connectivity, driving behaviour and safety, and the living and sleeping areas. The models were the Forster Livin' Up V 599 VBL, Hymer Free 600, Sunlight Cliff 540 RT Adventure Edition, Volkswagen Grand California 600 and Weinsberg CaraTour 600 ME. Manufacturers have to fit a shower, toilet, kitchen and sleeping space for up to four people into a smaller footprint. Prices for new camper vans start at around 45,000 euros, and well-equipped models such as the VW California 6.1 can reach 100,000 euros.

Italian brand McLouis has presented the Mc4 321 motorhome, which measures 6.99 m long and 2.35 m wide. The model is available on Ford Transit or Fiat Ducato chassis, with a price difference of €3000. The Ford Transit version starts at €68,590, while the Fiat Ducato version starts at €71,590. Instead of a separate bedroom, it has a convertible lounge and a transverse ceiling bed, and the removal of the gas cylinder from the garage has increased storage volume.

French converter Antilope Van has introduced the Flex 5 Confort, an all-inclusive camper van based on the Renault Trafic. The fully equipped version costs €65,900, well below the price of similarly configured VW California or Mercedes V-Class models. The cheapest variant starts at €52,900. A test review notes both strengths and weaknesses at this price point.

Hymer held a Learning Xperience session on 3 November 2026 at the Mercedes-Benz Offroad Driving Events site in Maselheim, Germany. The 35,000 m² course features slopes, holes, rocks and water obstacles. Five 4x4 models based on the Mercedes Sprinter took part: two camper vans, the Grand Canyon S 600 and Grand Canyon S 600 Crossover, and three coachbuilt models, the Venture S, ML-T 570 Crossover and ML-T 580 Crosstrail. The combined value of the vehicles approaches one million euros. Participants practised hill climbs and descents, including the DSR system that limits downhill speed to 4 km/h without driver braking. No vehicle got stuck or was damaged during the day.

A restored 1977 Mercedes-Benz 206D camper van is listed for sale in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, for $28,995. The vehicle is powered by a 2.2-litre 60 HP OM615 diesel engine mated to a four-speed manual transaxle. The selling dealer states a top speed of about 55 mph to 57 mph. The seller says the van was imported to the US by a previous owner and restored under the most recent owner in 2018. In August 2026 the same camper van failed to sell on Bring a Trailer with a final bid of $6,900.

A refurbished 1972 Boles Aero XL travel trailer is listed for sale in Fresno, California, for $25,000 USD. The trailer measures 29 feet 1 inch overall and features a polished riveted aluminium shell, sleeping space for four, a four-burner stove, an oven, and a refrigerator with a separate freezer. Boles Manufacturing, founded in Burbank in 1946, built aluminium travel trailers until 1980 and reportedly produced more than 18,000 units.

Japanese converter Anex has added the Kanure Comfort to its Kanure range. The camper van is based on the Nissan NV200 Vanette and offers a 2,000 mm bed, a covered sink and a pop-top version that sleeps four.

German publication Promobil identified five full-hybrid SUVs rated to tow caravans of two tonnes or more. These are the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Lexus RX and Toyota RAV4. Most full hybrids have a maximum towing capacity of 1.5 tonnes or less. In CARAVANING tests, full hybrids with a two-tonne caravan used around 12 litres of petrol per 100 km but were less responsive than diesel cars on inclines. Prices for the models start at 45,150 euros for the Ford Kuga and reach 73,950 euros for the Lexus RX 350h.

California-based startup Pebble has unveiled the 2027 model year Flow caravan. The 25-foot trailer has a 45 kWh battery and two electric motors that assist towing and allow it to manoeuvre independently. Dry weight is 5,900 pounds, gross vehicle weight 6,800 pounds and tongue weight 680 pounds. New for 2027 is a second floor plan with twin beds and a full-length powered awning costing $3,000. The starting price with the Magic Pack is $159,000, while the Founders Edition costs $189,000.

Pebble has introduced the Pebble Flow, an all-electric motorhome designed in the Bay Area. Two units are available for overnight stays at Costanoa Lodge & Resort in Pescadero, California, at $460 per night. The motorhome has a 45 kWh battery and solar panels that can charge an EV. Temperature, wheels, lights and windows are controlled via an iPad, and the 270-degree panoramic windows can turn opaque at the touch of a button. It sleeps up to four adults and includes a full bathroom and a kitchen with a removable induction stovetop. Purchase prices start at around $138,000.

Lightship has started production of the AE.1 caravan, priced at $157,000. The model features roof-mounted solar panels and a 77 kWh traction battery, enabling off-grid stays of up to a week. It can also serve as a backup generator for a house during power cuts. Production takes place in Colorado, and the company has raised $90 million to double the factory's capacity.

IMTEST has published a test of the semi-integrated Etrusco T7.3 SF motorhome, built on a Ford Transit 2.0 chassis with 96 kW (130 hp). The model is 7.34 metres long and has four seatbelts for travel. It features a 6-speed automatic gearbox, two separate beds at the rear, a washroom with separate shower and toilet areas, and a 142-litre fridge. The test awarded the motorhome a satisfactory rating of 2.6, with criticism directed at the small kitchen worktop, the wobbly dining table and the quality of the compartment for the waste tank.

The comparison covers the Renault Trafic, Volkswagen Transporter and California, Ford Transit Custom, Fiat Ducato and Citroën Jumper as the base for most camper vans in France. Compact models with 2.0 diesel engines consume 7–9 litres per 100 km and measure under 2 metres in standard roof height. Large vans on the Ducato and Jumper platform offer more space but consume 9–12 litres per 100 km and often exceed 2.5 metres in height. Most of these vehicles have a gross weight of up to 3.5 tonnes and can be driven with a category B licence, but this must be checked on the registration document. Before renting, height, tyre condition and insurance cover should be verified.

Dreamer has unveiled the Cap Easy camper van based on a Renault Trafic with a 130 hp engine. The model measures 5.48 metres long, 1.95 metres wide and 1.99 metres high. It was first shown at Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf. The height below 2 metres allows access to most car parks and avoids higher toll rates. The interior has four berths, a two-burner gas hob, a 51-litre compressor fridge, a 50-litre fresh water tank and a 40-litre waste water tank.

KT Insurance offers a single level of motorhome cover, with policies issued by QBE. The policy includes agreed value, choice of repairer and new-for-old replacement if the motorhome is written off within 2 years of first registration. It provides up to $10,000 for medical emergency transport home and up to $1,000 for emergency accommodation if a covered accident strands you more than 100km from home. Laid-up cover reduces the premium for up to 3 months a year while the vehicle is parked at home, but breakdown cover is limited to towing reimbursement of up to $600 per tow and $1,000 a year.

Malibu extends the standard Mercedes Sprinter body by about 40 cm with a glass-fibre sandwich construction to accommodate longitudinal beds. The 1.7-metre rear overhang on the 6.4-metre van looks awkward, but the short 3.67-metre wheelbase provides good manoeuvrability. The rear-wheel-drive Genius starts at €95,460, though two mandatory packages and the near-unavoidable Chassis-Plus package raise the price considerably. The Performance 4x4 version is intended for off-road trips.