EU introduces new rules for motorhomes
From July, the EU mandates additional safety systems for new motorhomes. Prices may increase by €1,000–3,000. The rules also affect DIY camper van conversions.
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From July, the EU mandates additional safety systems for new motorhomes. Prices may increase by €1,000–3,000. The rules also affect DIY camper van conversions.
Starting July 2026, new EU regulations will require all new motorhomes to be equipped with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver drowsiness detection, and other systems. Industry estimates suggest the cost of a new motorhome could rise by €1,000–3,000. The rules also apply to self-converted vans, which may need re-registration and must meet all current standards after modifications.
On June 27–28, Cluj-Napoca hosts the second Ardealul pe Roți RV and caravan exhibition. Over 70 vehicles from 35 exhibitors, total value exceeding €2.5 million. Free entry.
On June 18, a fire broke out in Boldești-Scăeni, Romania, affecting a house, an outbuilding and a caravan. The total burned area was about 300 sq m. Three fire engines and an SMURD ambulance responded. A 76-year-old woman was treated for a panic attack.
Cristian Caloeanu, lead singer of the Romanian band 'Haiducii lui 7 Cai', traveled with his wife and four-month-old daughter to the Greek island of Thassos in a caravan. The family stayed at a closed-circuit campsite with a private beach. The journey took seven hours. According to Caloeanu, the baby handled the trip well, and the vacation on the Greek coast was cheaper than on the Romanian coast.
According to the RV Industry Association, US motorhome manufacturers shipped 13.5% fewer units to dealers in January–April 2026 compared to the same period last year. The association lowered its full-year delivery forecast to 300,000–328,100 units, down from 342,200 units in 2025. The decline is linked to a fifth consecutive month of falling consumer spending on recreational goods, the longest such drop since 2008. Consumer registrations of motorhomes fell nearly 22% in March and 17% in April year-over-year.
In late March, Coley Brady reduced the workweek at its motorhome factories in Elkhart, Indiana, from five to four days. This followed a decline in sales during the key spring season, attributed to geopolitical tensions and rising fuel costs.
Border police at the Albița checkpoint detected a British driver towing an unregistered caravan. On June 13, 2026, a 23-year-old man presented the caravan with the same license plate as his car. Checks revealed the trailer was deregistered in the UK and not registered elsewhere. An investigation has been launched for towing an unregistered trailer.
British workshop Custom Built Campervans converted a Peugeot Boxer L4 into a permanent home for a diver. The key feature is a bed that lowers from the ceiling, freeing up space for gear. The campervan includes a kitchen, bathroom, 628 Ah battery system, and Truma heating.
Ortsan Outdoor, a Turkish manufacturer, has introduced the Mini House caravan, which measures 8.4 sq m during transport and expands to over 20 sq m via two accordion-like side extensions. It includes a kitchen, bathroom, separate bedroom, 470W solar panels, a 200Ah lithium battery, and tablet-based control. Prices start at $19,300 excluding taxes and shipping.
Romania enforces strict camping regulations, with fines up to 6000 lei for violations. In mountain protected areas, camping is allowed only in designated spots; in the Danube Delta, a permit is required; and on beaches, tent installation is banned. For caravans, parking does not permit setting up camp—extending an awning or outdoor furniture is prohibited. Tourists should check local rules in advance and avoid private land without owner consent.
The largest festival of campervans, motorhomes and caravans in Eastern Europe took place in Râșnov, Romania. It attracted dozens of families and hundreds of nature lovers. Romania has about 40,000 such vehicles.
Magnifico Caravans, a company based in Bucharest, rented a motorhome to a man for a trip to southern Romania, including the coast and the Danube Delta. After the rental period ended on June 1, 2026, the renter stopped communicating and the GPS tracker was disabled. It was later discovered he had sublet the vehicle to others. The company reported the theft to police and posted on social media.
Romania now has 184 certified campsites, boosting motorhome tourism. Over a thousand camper owners share tips on routes and new destinations. The main advantage of such trips is spontaneity, with basic camping gear starting at €3,000. However, tourists note cleanliness issues in some campsites and difficulty parking motorhomes off-season.
From June 4 to 7, Râșnov, 20 km from Brașov, hosts CamperVan Fest. Hundreds of motorhomes, campervans, 4x4s, and expedition trucks from Romania and other European countries are participating. The festival is fully powered by photovoltaic energy. The program includes dozens of workshops, first aid and outdoor cooking courses, educational and sports activities, and evening concerts.
From June 14 to 26, 2026, the #MorningZU morning show team (Mihai Morar, Daniel Buzdugan, Emma) will tour Romania in the ZU motorhome. The route covers 10 cities: Brașov, Sibiu, Deva, Cluj-Napoca, Baia Mare, Botoșani, Iași, Bacău, Galați, Constanța. A BYD Dolphin C DM-i Super Hybrid car is offered as a prize.
From June 4 to 7, 2026, the fifth CamperVan Fest takes place in Râșnov, Romania. Around 500 RVs, campers, and expedition trucks from Romania and Europe are expected. The event runs entirely on solar energy (36 kW, 150 kWh storage). The program includes over 40 workshops, concerts, and children's activities.
A caravan festival in the Romanian village of Gorj attracted hundreds of travel trailer enthusiasts. The village's population doubled for several days during the event. The festival highlighted the growing interest in caravanning in the region.
In Romania, Gorj County hosted the third edition of a festival for caravan owners, attracting nearly 200 families. The event was timed to Children's Day and featured hiking, basketball, volleyball, and archery. Organizer Răzvan Păduraru said the gathering aims to encourage children to play outdoors and socialize. Participation fees ranged from 1,000 to 2,500 lei.
Nissan is reviving the NV200 as a plug-in hybrid MPV with off-road styling. The model is expected to debut in the third quarter of 2026, developed by the Zhengzhou Nissan joint venture (Nissan and Dongfeng). Spy photos from China show a prototype with new lighting and a grille inspired by the Frontier Pro pickup. The powertrain likely includes a hybrid system with optional all-wheel drive via a rear electric motor, making it suitable for work, family, and vanlife.
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