German builder unveils wood barrel camper on Unimog chassis

The TÜV Association has issued a guide for the safe installation of solar panels on motorhomes. The document sets technical standards for electrical wiring, module mounting, and roof load calculations.

Heating equipment manufacturer Truma has stated that using homemade drip lips on the chimney to prevent ice formation is a violation. This modification voids the operating permit for S-Heizung and Combi heaters, as it can interfere with exhaust gas flow.

The Sole motorhome site in Bad Salzungen, Germany, experienced a drop in guests last year after a recovery in 2024. The site offers 80 pitches and is now promoting its proximity to a pneumo spa as a new offering to attract visitors.

German RV brand Rhön Camp has presented the first Volkswagen camper van featuring a Freescape inflatable roof. The design provides permanent standing height inside while keeping a 140 x 200-cm bed accessible. The base model, built on a 109-hp Transporter, starts at €74,990.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a facelifted version of the Marco Polo camper van based on the V-Class. Key updates include a 10 cm higher pop-up roof, a new ambient lighting system, and a more efficient refrigerator. Production has been fully moved to Mercedes' Ludwigsfelde plant following the end of the partnership with Westfalia.

Volkswagen is preparing an updated version of the California camper van. The prototype, spotted during winter testing in Europe, will feature revised lighting, a new MIB4 infotainment system with ChatGPT, and will comply with Euro 7 standards from November 2026. Powertrains, including a 1.5-liter hybrid with 241 hp, will carry over.