🇹🇷 Turkey — OpenVan.camp

Authorities in Turkey's Kumluca district have banned overnight stays in caravans on the coast and public areas, citing public order and safety concerns. Gendarmerie evicted caravan dwellers from Aktaş beach in Mavikent, despite the municipality having prepared an alternative site. The ban has sparked debate among locals, with caravan owners stating they are being generalized with violators and deprived of the opportunity to travel.

The German motorhome manufacturer Concorde Reisemobile has officially launched sales in Turkey through distributor Ideal Caravan. According to 2025 data, every third motorhome imported into Turkey was brought in by Ideal Caravan. Concorde models are offered on a made-to-order basis with a high degree of personalization.

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.

The National Camping and Caravan Federation held its regular general assembly on April 11, 2026, at the Yakacık Culture Center. Mert Okkaoğlu was re-elected as president, and the new board of directors set priorities for the upcoming period, including the development of nature tourism and sustainable camping.

Turkish manufacturer Carpento has introduced the 430 caravan, measuring 4.3 meters in length and weighing 700 kg. The model features a 270-degree panoramic windshield, accommodates five people, and includes a kitchen with a 65-liter refrigerator and a bathroom. The starting price is around 25,000 euros.

A couple purchased an old bus and converted it into a motorhome themselves, sharing details of the process and financial costs. Key challenges included the official procedures for re-registration as an 'M1 Class Special Purpose Motorhome', requiring project plans, TSE certification, and inspection, as well as the need to consider weight limits for a Category B driving license.

A Turkish couple, Büşra and Ömer Türkoğlu, sold their golden wedding gifts to purchase an old service van and convert it into a camper. They left their permanent jobs and rent out their city apartment to fund life on the road, occasionally taking on seasonal work.

European motorhome manufacturer Concorde Reisemobile has entered the Turkish market through distributor Ideal Caravan. The brand's models will soon be displayed in showrooms, and the company has begun accepting custom orders from local customers.

In Turkey's Gaziantep province, 500 caravans are being built for earthquake victims. The project aims to provide temporary housing, with no specific completion date provided.

A caravan park has opened in Istanbul's Pendik district, offering alternative accommodation. Located on a 210-decare plot leased from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the site features 150 caravans available for annual rental at a rate of 2,100 lira per square meter per year.

Authorities in the Turkish town of Didim have begun notifying tent and caravan owners of a ban on overnight stays in public areas. The ban, which took effect on April 1, 2026, covers coastlines, parks, forested areas, and roadsides. Cited reasons include waste disposal issues, risk of infectious diseases, fire hazards, and disruption of public order. Violators will face administrative fines.

Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality removed caravans that had occupied the parking lot at the Healthy Life Park in Derince for months. Owners were given until April 1st to leave, after which non-compliant vehicles were towed to an impound lot. The parking area has returned to its primary function, resolving the issue for local residents.

The Turkish couple Burçin and Erdi, known as Trail of Us, left their corporate careers in Istanbul in 2018 to travel in a caravan. In early 2026, they halted production of their brand Ontrail due to rising costs and hit the road again in a new model named Crema, tailored to their current life stage.

A family converted a decommissioned bus into a living trailer for five people. The work was done independently, making the project an affordable alternative to buying a ready-made caravan.

A Turkish company is converting decommissioned buses into motorhomes. The process involves a complete interior refurbishment, including the installation of sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

European tourists are increasingly using caravans to travel across Turkey. This form of tourism allows for independent route planning and visits to the country's remote regions.

The President of the Turkish Mobile Home Manufacturers Association commented on the draft law for hobby gardens, emphasizing the distinction between Tiny Houses and illegal structures. He stated that certified, licensed Tiny Houses on chassis not connected to municipal infrastructure are legal, and called for the protection of investors' interests in the new regulations.

Authorities in Karasu plan to convert an informal parking area into an organized caravan park. The site will be equipped with electricity, water supply, and waste disposal systems, and roads will be built to minimize environmental damage.

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.

Authorities in the Turkish town of Didim have banned unregulated camping with tents and caravans on all public land as of April 1, 2026. The decision was made due to environmental pollution, health risks, and public order concerns. Violators face fines, and their property will be removed by police and municipal teams.

A parked caravan burned down in Akyazı, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Firefighters extinguished the blaze promptly, and the non-explosion of a kitchen gas cylinder prevented more serious consequences; there were no casualties or injuries.

Four political parties in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality council submitted a joint motion regarding caravan parking regulations. The document states that using trailers for temporary accommodation in urban areas creates issues for local residents, as such cases were not anticipated during urban infrastructure planning.

A couple living in a caravan experienced complete depletion of their power sources. Caravan electricity typically comes from three sources: battery systems, solar panels, and external campground hookups, and their simultaneous failure results in loss of heating, cooling, refrigeration, and lighting.

Authorities in Turkey's Didim district have banned caravans and tents in public areas. The ban, effective from April 1, 2026, applies to beaches, parks, forest areas, and roadsides and was introduced due to waste problems, fire risks, and disease concerns. Violators face fines, and illegally placed units will be removed by police and municipal teams.

Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality introduced a fee for the 68,000 sq m coastal parking lot and banned caravan parking. Owners were given until April 1 to vacate the area, after which non-compliant caravans were towed away.

The compact electric camper Ari 458 Pro for 2026 has been introduced. It is 3.5 meters long, with an area of 2.8 m² and a width of 1.49 meters. A 15 kW electric motor provides a top speed of 70 km/h and a range of 120 to 230 km depending on the 15 or 23.5 kWh battery. The model is offered as a base platform for self-conversion, with a starting price above 30,000 euros.

Authorities imposed a ban on caravan parking at the Ncity coastal lot to reduce traffic congestion. Caravan owners were required to remove their vehicles by April 1, after which non-relocated trailers will be towed to an impound lot. An alternative parking area in the Kartepe district was offered to them.

Kocaeli police conducted an operation against a group posting fake caravan sale ads online. The fraudsters, led by an individual with 37 arrest warrants, deceived customers by demanding deposits and delivery fees, then transferred the funds to illegal accounts or crypto platforms. The total transaction volume on their accounts was 5.5 million Turkish lira. During simultaneous raids in four provinces, 11 suspects were detained.

New parking rules for caravans come into force in Kocaeli on April 1. Random parking on streets and promenades is prohibited, vehicles will be towed, and owners fined. Authorities urge the use of designated parking areas only.

As of March 31, parking restrictions for caravans have come into effect in Kocaeli. Parking in residential neighborhoods and along the coastline is prohibited, with violators facing fines and towing. Authorities stated the measure was necessary to ease traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety.