Overview – Which motorhome would you like?

Germans like to travel in camper vans or caravans. But what exactly? The Caravan Salon, the world’s largest trade fair for their art, promises orientation.

Travelling through countries in your own four walls is still a trend. The number of registered mobile homes and caravans has been increasing for years. Anyone who wants to buy a new vehicle is spoiled for choice. This is shown by a tour of the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (until 8 September), the largest show in the industry worldwide according to the trade fair company. An overview:

Anyone who already drives an electric car will be happy to have as little weight as possible on the trailer. For this target group, manufacturer Adria has developed a mini caravan that weighs just 750 kilograms. With an interior length of three meters, it offers more than just a kitchen unit and a bathroom.

There is also a seating area that can be converted into a double bed. A third person can sleep in a kind of hammock above the bed. Adria’s “Aviva Lite 300 LH” costs just under 14,000 euros in the basic configuration.

“Talis” has received a caravan design study from the vehicle manufacturer Bürstner, which has a number of special features: a bench seat can be removed and hooked onto the outside of the car. The same is possible with two hotplates, so that cooking can also be done outside.

Inside, an inflatable extension at the rear creates space for a double bed. And under the parents’ sleeping area there is a kind of sleeping cave for children with two mattresses and a light-up snake on the wall.

Aerodynamically shaped and with a lightweight construction, the “Talis” should also be able to be easily towed by electric vehicles. However, it is still unclear when the prototype will go into series production, as well as the price.

There are also motorhomes for customers who want to get off the beaten track. Manufacturer Eura Mobil is showing its new “Xtura” model at the trade fair, an all-wheel drive vehicle based on the Mercedes Sprinter van.

The structure is particularly stable. Three people can explore the world in comfort. However, the all-wheel drive fun comes at a price: the basic model costs 145,000 euros.

Malibu is presenting the “Genius 641 LE” travel van in Düsseldorf, which is also based on the Mercedes Sprinter. With a rear extension, it is 6.41 meters long and offers enough space for two-meter beds. The basic price is around 93,000 euros. The off-road version costs around 150,000 euros.

Manufacturer Hobby wants almost 70,000 euros for its new “Prestige Van”. The design is chic and is intended to be reminiscent of the interior of yachts. The floor plan is classic: seating area in the driver’s cab area, compact washroom with shower, single beds in the rear and a kitchen.

And another caravan, one with sleeping space for six people, is on display in Düsseldorf. That is why Tabbert is promoting the “Senara 620 DMK” model as being suitable for large families. At 6.38 meters long, there is a separate area containing a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. Prices start at 32,100 euros.

Those who have a penchant for camping on car roofs will also get their money’s worth at the trade fair. For example, the company Fiamma is presenting an update to its “Moonlight” roof tent, in which up to three people can sleep. It can be installed on camper vans, SUVs and any vehicle that has roof rails. The three-person version costs just under 2,500 euros.

A total of 778 exhibitors are showing their products in 16 halls and on an outdoor area. In addition to motorhomes and caravans, accessories, conversion parts, tents and mobile homes are also presented. Travel destinations, camping and motorhome pitches also advertise themselves at the Caravan Salon. In 2023, around 254,000 people visited the trade fair.

“Potential buyers should be pleased with the largely stable and even slightly reduced price level of the new caravans and motorhomes,” said a trade fair spokesman. One trend in caravans is light and compact trailers that are therefore suitable for electric vehicles.

There is a new generation of base vehicles for motorhomes that have more assistance systems and more economical engines. “All-wheel drive is also becoming more and more popular,” said the spokesman.

At the beginning of 2024, according to the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), almost 908,000 motorhomes were registered in Germany. In addition, there were more than 770,000 caravans.