Altstadt Nord — VanSky 75 (Comfortable)

In Östringen, an unknown person set fire to the awning of a caravan on a meadow plot on Am Schwimmbad street. The 68-year-old owner heard noises around 18:40, went outside and extinguished the flames before they spread to the caravan. The man was unharmed; the awning was damaged. Bruchsal police are investigating suspected arson and ask witnesses to call 0721 666-5555.

Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the extension of the B licence to motorhomes up to 4.25 tonnes will not apply before 26 November 2029. The EU directive requires member states to adopt national rules by 26 November 2028, but they may only apply from the later date. The Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD) criticises the long transition period, noting that national early adoption would create legal uncertainty when driving in other EU countries. A supplementary training of at least seven hours, including practical driving safety content, is under discussion.

A new motorhome and caravan site with 14 pitches, including three larger ones for caravans, has opened on Am Bollwerk street in Pasewalk. The site features a self-check-in terminal with a barrier system, available 24/7 in German, Polish and English. Facilities include a sanitary container with toilets, showers and a washing-up kitchen, electric pillars, a fresh water station, disposal systems for waste water and chemical toilets, and rubbish containers; access is via a site card. A motorhome staying for a day with water and electricity costs just under 20 euros. According to mayor Danny Rodewald, around 3.9 million euros was invested in the site, 90% funded by the EU and the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); 2.85 million euros went on demolishing the old factory. Three to four motorhomes per day are needed for the site to break even.

Ilka and Wolfgang Kilian, both over 70, are developing a project at the Mönchshof estate near Mendhausen, close to Römhild. The project includes camping, shopping and gastronomy. Caravan pitches have been set up and are being watered. The site, a former estate, also keeps goats, chickens, ducks and geese. The Queienfeld exhibition centre is connected to the project.

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.

Almost all campsites and motorhome pitches in the Ortenau region reported good occupancy in recent months. The Schuttern campsite recorded 35,168 overnight stays by 6,803 people, an increase of 9,086 overnight stays compared to last year, when there were 26,082 overnight stays by 7,284 people. Many campers plan their trips in advance. The summer was not pleasant for guests' dogs.