Dethleffs

US companies Lightship and Pebble have started production of electric caravan trailers fitted with their own drive systems. The Lightship AE.1 measures about 8.2 m and weighs about 3.2 tonnes, with a 77 kWh battery and TrekDrive that powers the wheels and reduces load on the towing vehicle. Prices start at $157,500, output at the Colorado plant runs at about five units a month, and production through summer 2027 is sold out. The Pebble Flow is about 7.6 m long, has a 45 kWh battery and two motors, and costs from $139,500; deliveries began in April 2026 and more than 100 units have been handed over. In 2018 German maker Dethleffs presented a similar concept, the e.home Coco, and in 2021 a Coco crossed the Alps over 386 km without charging en route.

Dethleffs has tested a prototype caravan called C.Fold, developed to increase the range of electric cars while towing. The tests took place in the Allgäu region with a Volkswagen ID.4 GTX featuring a 77 kWh battery. Without a trailer, the ID.4 covers about 470 km, and with the C.Fold attached the range should remain at least 300 km. The prototype is 1.65 m high and 1.92 m wide, uses air suspension and lacks a conventional chassis. Individual approval was granted after the chassis number, originally stamped on the left side of the drawbar instead of the right, was corrected.

Oortgiese Campers in Baak is holding its annual autumn show from 30 October to 1 November on an 8000 m² site. The line-up includes new Etrusco and LMC models and one-year-old ex-rental motorhomes from Dethleffs, Etrusco, Carado, Adria and Bürstner. Buyers at the show receive a free storage space at the company for one year, and discounts on some models reach €8,000. The show runs from 10:00 to 16:00 at Dambroek 16A in Baak.

German manufacturer Dethleffs quietly presented the 6.36 m Globetrail 641 ES camper van at the Birmingham show, featuring a rear lounge with two facing benches that convert into a double bed. The vehicle is homologated for two people, lacks a forward-facing bench in the front, and includes right-hand drive, a Thetford four-burner hob with double oven, a microwave, and Union Jack body decals. The model is aimed primarily at the UK market; whether Dethleffs will offer it in other countries, including France, has not been confirmed.

The Sunlight IBEX 604D has been awarded the Camper of the Year 2027 title, becoming the first motorhome to win the top distinction since its establishment in 2008. Built on a Volkswagen Crafter chassis, the four-wheel-drive model features a 163 hp engine and automatic transmission; its length is just under 6 metres, maximum permissible weight is below 3.5 tonnes, allowing driving with a category B licence. The concept was unveiled in summer 2025 and series production began in May 2026, with prices starting at 111,990 euros. The IBEX 604D beat the Knaus Sky TI, Westfalia Nansen, Dethleffs Just Van and Pilote Galaxy in the final.

Dethleffs has introduced a front-wheel-drive version of its Globebus Performance motorhome based on the Volkswagen Crafter with a 2.0 TDI diesel engine. The model is available in two layouts: the T16 at 6.25 m long and the T46 at 6.86 m, both with a gross weight of up to 3,500 kg, allowing them to be driven with a category B licence. The T16 starts at €87,190 and the T46 at €92,490. The non-4x4 version is intended to lower the price compared with the already available 4×4 variants.

The new Dethleffs XL A 7822-2 motorhome is built on a three-axle Fiat Ducato Maxi chassis and features a layout without a traditional rear bedroom: instead, there is a U-shaped lounge with two panoramic skylights measuring 75×105 cm. Sleeping places are moved to the alcove (two single beds 206×80 and 192×80 cm), while the rear area converts into a sleeping surface of 210×206-146 cm. The motorhome is 8.56 m long, has a maximum permissible mass of 5,400 kg, requiring a C1 licence. Price in Spain is €136,390 including VAT.

Dethleffs presented the C.Core concept for a fully self-sufficient motorhome at Caravan Salon 2026, featuring solar modules that unfold like a flower, large batteries, and an onboard water treatment system. Components already on the market can bring current motorhomes close to that level of autonomy: Solara Power S high-voltage solar modules with bypass diodes, the Th Energy Bat Pro 325 US lithium battery with 325 Ah capacity, the modular Ecoflow Power Kit expandable up to 45 kWh, the Ective Solar Shade rollable awning producing up to 4.5 kWh per day, and the WM Aquatec UV-aid+ portable filter that generates about 80 liters of drinking water in 10 minutes.

Dethleffs unveils the Graneo A 6823-2 on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519. Two single beds over the cab, U-shaped lounge with panoramic windows at the rear. German price from 169,999 euros.

Dethleffs has introduced the Summer Edition 730 FKR caravan, aimed at large families. The model measures 9.45 m in length and 2.50 m in width, with a twin-axle chassis and a body length of 8.15 m. Its MIRO is 1,829 kg and MTPLM is 2,500 kg, giving a payload of 671 kg. The layout features a French bed (2×1.55 m) at the front, a bunk bed in the middle, and a spacious rear lounge convertible into a 2.30×1.55 m bed. From autumn, Dethleffs will add an extra bunk bed, increasing berths from seven to eight. Equipment includes a 137-litre fridge with a 15-litre freezer, a Truma S 5004 gas heater (6 kW), ten 230V sockets, two USB ports, and a 38-litre fresh water tank (15 litres while driving). The starting price is €40,890 at official Dethleffs dealers.

German publication Promobil has published an overview of five narrow semi-integrated motorhomes (TI vans) for couples. The Giottiline CX 64 and CX 69, Dethleffs Just Van T5, Weinsberg Pepper 580 MEG, Etrusco V 6.8 SCF and Knaus Van TI Plus measure between 2.14 and 2.20 m in width, 6.38 to 7.47 m in length, and have a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 t. Prices: Giottiline from 58,700 euros, Dethleffs 64,999 euros, Weinsberg from 66,990 euros, Etrusco from 59,499 euros, Knaus from 89,900 euros. They are based on Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit or VW Crafter. The Knaus Van TI Plus gets a new interior and swivel bathroom for the 2027 season.

German dealer Caravan-Wendt will hold its autumn trade fair on 10–11 October at its sites in Kremmin and Bandenitz. The company, which describes itself as the largest caravan dealer in northern and eastern Germany, expects more than 7,000 visitors across an area of over 40,000 sq m. More than 1,000 vehicles from around 20 manufacturers, including Hymer, Fendt, Hobby and Dethleffs, will be on display, along with a camper van exhibition featuring Pössl, Globecar, Roadcar and Sunlight. Discounts and special conditions in the accessories shop, valid only on site, and an entertainment programme are announced.

Three premieres were unveiled at the Kampeer en Caravan Jaarbeurs. The semi-integrated Dethleffs Trend Active Plus T 7057 EBL measures 7.41 m long, 2.33 m wide and 3 m high, and comes with a 140 hp Fiat Ducato with automatic transmission, automatic air conditioning, a digital cockpit, a 150 Ah lithium leisure battery with a 45 Ah charge booster, a panoramic roof window and a garage accessible from both sides. The Adria Altea Silver Edition 492 PU is nearly 7 m long (including drawbar) and 2.30 m wide, has a kerb weight of 1,175 kg and is aimed at couples with a fixed double bed at the front and a large rear dinette; the 552 PK is about 7.60 m long and 2.30 m wide, has a kerb weight of 1,190 kg and offers six berths thanks to a fixed bed, bunk beds and a convertible seating area. Both caravans have a standard payload of up to 1,500 kg, and the 552 PK can be upgraded to 1,700 kg.

The Lume Ranger wins Caravan of the Year, while the Sunlight IBEX 4x4 takes Camper of the Year. The jury, chaired by Leo Diepemaat, judged innovation and ease of use.

Dethleffs has unveiled the semi-integrated Just Van T4 motorhome based on the Fiat Ducato. The model measures 2.20 m wide, 2.73 m high and 6.63 m long. It features two single beds at the rear, sized 200 × 80 cm and 192 × 75 cm, which can be combined into a 199 × 160 cm sleeping area. The bathroom uses a rotating wall to create a shower. Standard equipment includes a 131-litre compressor fridge and a 6 kW diesel heater with a 10-litre water heater. The 2027 show vehicle is priced at 87,650 euros.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Concorde unveiled the new Centurion class with a modern oak interior, a large bathroom with macerator toilet and digital headlights; prices start at approximately 800,000 euros. The company also switched from Mastervolt to Victron for electrical systems and invested 10 million euros in a new service centre for its 45th anniversary. Frankia introduced the 8.3-metre Noctra Liner with tandem axle and the 6.99-metre Neo Liner with face-to-face layout and electric lift bed for two, while Dethleffs showed the c.core concept with solar panels in the awning, the new Graneo on Mercedes Sprinter with a 5.5-tonne chassis and the affordable Just Van. Rapido presented the V64 camper van with a completely new layout and pull-out table, Adria displayed the updated Alpina winter caravan, 2.50 metres wide in type 763 UK, and Bürstner exhibited the Habiton HMX 6.1, a 6-metre Mercedes camper van with a 2-metre-wide bed.

A review of new 2027 model year motorhomes and campervans has identified five key trends. These include the three-storey Westfalia Columbus Liner with an optional roof terrace, central-bed campervans from Rapido and Campérêve, the La Strada Avanti R with a rear lounge and electric bed, and the Bürstner Habiton 6.1 with a full-length body extension. Other trends noted are coloured and special editions (Laika, Hymer, Eura Mobil), off-road versions (Carado, Sunlight, Pössl), redesigned interiors (Mobilvetta, Autostar) and new compact models (McLouis, Chausson, Dethleffs, Roller Team).

According to Statens vegvesen, 67,415 motorhomes are registered in Norway. Hymer tops the brand statistics with 6,545 vehicles, accounting for 9.7% of the fleet. It is followed by Bürstner (5,595) and Dethleffs (5,538), all part of the Hymer Group. Next are Challenger (4,323) and Adria (4,263) from the Trigano Group. 51 brands have more than 100 registered motorhomes, together covering 65,205 units, or 96.7% of the total. The remaining 176 brand entries have 100 or fewer vehicles each, totaling 2,210 units. The data reflects historical registrations and may contain inaccuracies due to changes in registration practices.

German company Dethleffs has presented the new Graneo premium line. The first model, Graneo A 6823-2, is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Price starts at $187,000, with options it may exceed $220,000. According to the Spanish edition Motor1.com, the base price in Germany is €169,999, with autonomy options €180,466.

German manufacturer Dethleffs has announced two new alcove motorhomes in its XL A range: the 8.56-metre XL A 7822-2 and the 7.30-metre XL A 6822-2. The alcove features two separate longitudinal beds measuring 80 centimetres wide and 1.92 and 2.06 metres long, with an interior standing height of 2.09 metres. The vehicles are based on the 180 hp Fiat Ducato Maxi with an AL-KO low-frame chassis and tandem axle, and include a heated double floor and hot-water heating. Prices start at 131,999 euros for the XL A 7822-2 and 121,999 euros for the XL A 6822-2.