🇷🇺 Russia — OpenVan.camp

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.

German Dieter Popp built a motorhome and embarked on a journey across Russia. His goal is to establish personal contacts with people to foster friendly relations between nations.

A Moscow engineer has adapted a van for year-round living, using it for 15 years for nature trips and commuting to work. He equipped the camper van with a homemade bed, sink, and portable shower, reducing accommodation costs. The man primarily uses his apartment as a storage space for equipment.

A motorhome built on a Trofim pickup truck chassis has been listed for sale on Drom for 2.69 million rubles. The 4.1-meter living module is equipped with sleeping for four, a shower, toilet, kitchen, and a 500W solar panel. The vehicle has 75,000 km mileage, and its conversion is legally registered as a motorhome.

In a new episode of the Vanecdotes podcast, YouTuber Miary recounted an aborted journey from France to Japan. The trip in a converted Nissan Patrol 4x4 was halted in Russia due to increased military checks and a tense atmosphere, forcing the traveler to turn back.

ARI Motors released a camper van the size of a regular van — and it's now Germany's smallest production electric camper at €30,000. JAL decided its passengers hadn't traveled enough and offered a sequel: a motorhome pickup straight from Narita. The lawsuit against Stellantis over "cheat" diesel software, a yellow DHL van in the hands of a retiree, and 413 million campsite overnight stays across Europe — all in this issue.

Sales of the Slovenian motorhome Adria Sonic Plus 700 SL have started in Russia. The 7.5 m long model has five sleeping berths, a curb weight of 3.9 t, and is equipped with a 2.2 L diesel engine producing 180 hp with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The price starts from 10.8 million rubles.

Motorhome prices in Russia have doubled due to sanctions and increased recycling fees. The market volume decreased by 22.6% in 2025, while domestic camper production is growing but faces certification issues and high costs of imported components.

Russian customs officers found 13 kilograms of gold in a 58-year-old German man's motorhome at the border in August 2024. As part of a plea deal, the criminal case was dropped, but the man forfeited all the gold, paid approximately 100,000 euros in import duties and a 3,000 euro fine.

Motorhomes have not gained widespread popularity in Russia due to high ownership costs, lack of infrastructure, and vast distances. Costs include the vehicle price, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Infrastructure for campsites and dedicated parking is underdeveloped, and significant distances between points of interest complicate travel.

Moscow-based companies have presented a motorhome based on the Lada Granta FL. The model is equipped with two sleeping places, a kitchen with a stove and sink, and a bathroom with a shower and toilet. Deliveries are planned to begin soon, with an estimated price ranging from 1.15 to 1.8 million rubles.

Spain set a motorhome registration record — and immediately tightened the rules. On Mallorca, 150 caravans took over a sports complex car park because renting a flat costs more. Solar Butterfly returned from a solar-powered trip around the world, and Bryansk promises a camper for 3.9 million roubles — in this issue.

In the new episode of the Vanecdotes podcast, released on March 16, 2026, YouTuber Miary recounts the halt of his journey from France to Japan in a converted Nissan Patrol 4x4. The trip was stopped in Russia due to increased military checks and a tense atmosphere, forcing the traveler to turn back.

Demand for motorhome rentals in Russia increased by 15%, with campers for June-July already fully booked. The country has 25,000 motorhomes, including trailers, but no more than 50 campsites. The lack of CASCO insurance and high deposit costs (200-300 thousand rubles) limit market development.

A business renting out motorhomes and travel equipment has been put up for sale in Perm. The asset is priced at 4.5 million rubles and includes nine vehicles, such as motorhomes and mobile saunas, along with the lease rights to a parking lot.

Elite Tiny Homes has introduced the Athena XXL motorhome with an area of approximately 45 square meters. The 10.5-meter-long model features two bedrooms, a large kitchen, and an outdoor shower, but its weight of 5 tons requires a special tractor for transportation.

Toy Factory will present only two units of LAIKA Ecovip Titanio L 3019 and 2009 motorhomes. The L 3019 model, approximately 7 meters long, accommodates 4 passengers and 5 sleeping berths, while the L 2009, 6.6 meters long, accommodates 4 passengers and 3 sleeping berths. The vehicles will be displayed at AUTOMOBILE COUNCIL 2026 and Motorhome Collection exhibitions in April 2026.

The Chinese motorhome Changan Peak View RV has been officially launched in Russia. The model features three sleeping areas, a two-liter diesel engine, and a full set of household appliances.

A pedestrian with a homemade mini-house on wheels, previously spotted in Tula, has approached Kaluga within about 13 kilometers. According to unconfirmed eyewitness reports, his final destination is Brazil, raising questions about the route's feasibility as it would require crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

A pedestrian with a homemade mini-house on wheels was spotted on the route from Tula to Kaluga region. The man plans to reach Brazil, covering 15-30 kilometers per day with a cart weighing almost 300 kilograms.

A Bryansk-based company has developed a motorhome based on a Chinese truck priced at approximately 3.9 million rubles. The model is designed for four people, with its premiere scheduled for May at an exhibition in Kolomna. The manufacturer is focusing on affordability and localization for the Russian market.

Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant presented a design project for a motorhome based on the UAZ Profi model. The vehicle features a fiberglass superstructure, a bathroom with shower, a kitchen, and a lifting bed, but production timelines are not specified.

A plant in Bryansk has announced the start of production for a motorhome priced at 3.9 million rubles, based on the FAW T80 truck chassis. The first unit will be completed by the end of April, but experts point to high competition in a market with over 32,000 registered motorhomes and highlight the lack of caravanning infrastructure in Russia.

A motorhome based on a Chinese truck has been developed in Bryansk. Production will begin at sites in Kolomna and Samara, with the first prototype to be completed in late April and the presentation scheduled for May. The estimated price is 3.9 million rubles, and the model is designed for four people.

A Bryansk-based company is preparing to launch a motorhome based on a Chinese truck. The four-berth camper, with predominantly Russian production, will be presented in May at an exhibition in Kolomna, with an estimated price of 3.9 million rubles.

A domestic motorhome is being prepared for release in Bryansk and will be presented at an international exhibition in May. The camper, designed for four people, will be almost entirely Russian-made and equipped with a living module featuring a kitchen, sleeping areas, and an optional bathroom.

A Bryansk company partnered with a motorhome manufacturer to create a camper on a Chinese light-duty commercial chassis. The project is a fully-equipped mobile home for autonomous travel, developed from scratch on an affordable commercial platform.

A Bryansk company, in partnership with a manufacturer, has developed a motorhome based on a Chinese light-duty truck. The four-person camper consists mainly of Russian components and is priced at approximately 3.9 million rubles. The first unit will be presented in late April and shown at an international exhibition in Kolomna in May.

A Bryansk plant will present a budget camper for 3.9 million rubles in May at an exhibition in Kolomna. The motorhome, based on a Chinese truck, is designed for four people and is assembled mainly from Russian components.

Entrepreneur Alexey Podshchekoldin from Bryansk will present a camper van based on a Chinese truck in May at an exhibition in Kolomna. The motorhome, primarily made from Russian components and designed for four people, will cost 3.9 million rubles. Production will be located at sites in Kolomna and Samara.