Xiaomi enters the camper market with the SkyNomad brand · VanLife Weekly #28
Xiaomi launches the SkyNomad brand and enters the camper market. Plus new models at the Tokyo Camping Car Show and 80% of Turkey's caravan makers closing.
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Small town · Lower Saxony, Germany
VanSky index for Nordstadt, Germany — 89 out of 100 (Ideal). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Nordstadt, Germany — VanSky 89 out of 100. Ideal conditions for travel. Ranked #33 of 1775 cities in the country (as of 15 July 2026). Temperature 28°C, wind 12 km/h. Solar panels yield 2.9 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
Cities with a close score — route alternatives
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Nordstadt ranks 546 of 1775 cities. Country average VanSky — 80.
Updated: 11.07.2026
Super E10
$2.34 /l
€2.06 · £1.75/l
127 of 133
pricier than 95% of countries
Super Plus 98
$2.42 /l
€2.13 · £1.81/l
86 of 92
pricier than 92% of countries
Diesel
$2.24 /l
€1.97 · £1.68/l
124 of 134
pricier than 92% of countries
Premium Diesel
$2.55 /l
€2.24 · £1.91/l
39 of 41
pricier than 93% of countries
LPG
$1.27 /l
€1.12 · £0.95/l
48 of 51
pricier than 92% of countries
Forster has unveiled the A 699 DVB, a coachbuilt motorhome offering up to eight sleeping berths in a length of just under seven metres. It is based on the Ford Transit with a 165 hp turbodiesel and automatic transmission. Prices start at €58,900.
Volkswagen has introduced a new off-grid power system for its Grand California camper. The 600 and 680 models, based on the Crafter van, can now be equipped with two 40 Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries and roof-mounted solar panels (104 W for the 600, 174 W for the 680). According to the manufacturer, the usable capacity of the new battery is about 40% higher than the previous AGM, and its service life is roughly five times longer. The system is designed to extend the time spent without external power.
Tanja Jani, a 45-year-old resident of Aalen, died on July 1 after a long battle with cancer. She and her husband Heiko lived in a dilapidated caravan while facing financial hardship. A fundraising campaign raised 23,000 euros.
A Facebook user in the group 'Minicamper leicht gemacht' suggested hiding car keys in a magnetic box under the vehicle to swim worry-free. The community criticized the idea, noting thieves check such spots first. Experts warn that if a car is stolen using the original key, the insurer may deny coverage, considering the key's storage in an easily accessible location as gross negligence.
Egmont Ehapa Media has announced the second volume of the special Walt Disney 'Lustiges Taschenbuch' (LTB) series focused on camping. The release is scheduled for July 21, 2026. The collection includes stories featuring Indiana Goof, the Junior Woodchucks, and other characters, along with practical outdoor tips. The price in Germany is EUR 8.99, in Austria EUR 9.50, and in Switzerland CHF 14.90.
A 26-year-old man driving a Skoda Fabia collided with a legally parked caravan on Fössestraße in Linden-Mitte on June 30, 2026, at around 8 p.m. The car skidded while avoiding an oncoming truck, causing damage to both vehicles. Police are not investigating the truck driver. The incident highlights different parking rules: motorhomes can park indefinitely, while caravans are limited to two weeks.
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