Kitchen, two beds and four wheels: mobile homes should be a home for when you are on the move.
But in the new models you can no longer just go on vacation, as the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf shows.
Düsseldorf - Classic beach holidays and luxury camping, but also a work trip: Motorhomes are no longer just a vacation spot.
More than 650 manufacturers are now showing innovations from the industry at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (until September 5).
In 13 halls there is something for every type of holiday, from a simple trailer to an XXL mobile home with a garage and solar roof.
The trade fair will take place for the 60th time this year - despite the corona crisis and with a hygiene concept.
Only those who have been tested, recovered or vaccinated can get in; tickets must be purchased online beforehand.
“Caravanning stood for freedom 60 years ago,” said Hermann Pfaff, President of the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), at the opening.
After months of crisis, this feeling is in demand again this year.
The pandemic could not harm the industry, on the contrary: The business with mobile homes and caravans is booming.
Around 75,000 recreational vehicles were newly registered in the first seven months of 2021, around 6.2 percent more than in the same period of the previous year.
In 2020, the number of new registrations had already increased by 32.6 percent compared to 2019.
"It is the fourth record in a row, and the trend is rising," said Pfaff.
Home office also in the mobile home
The corona pandemic and its consequences also had an impact on the innovations presented in Düsseldorf.
At the EuroCaravaning stand, for example, the bright green VANTourer Urban immediately catches the eye.
But behind the specially painted camper there is more than just a bright color.
A home office module can also be installed on the rail system on which the kitchen is usually installed.
"It shows how well home office works with the right equipment," said a spokesman.
Work somewhere else for a few days and experience a holiday feeling - buyers have to pay around 55,900 euros for this.
The home office module is still in the test phase and should be available for purchase for around 2500 euros.
For all those who discovered their love for camping during the Corona crisis and are still at the very beginning, the manufacturer Hobby offers entry-level models under the sub-brand "Beachy".
The trailer shown at the Caravan Salon is in the lower price segment with a base price of 12,950 euros.
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Relaxed life: So that the vacation does not strain the wallet excessively, the manufacturer Hobby offers entry-level models with its sub-brand "Beachy".
© Constanze Tillmann / Messe Düsseldorf / dpa-tmn
With “Beachy” you want to create a “real beach feeling on wheels”, they say.
The trailer has a compact kitchen, the seating area can be converted into a bed - the only thing travelers have to do is forego their own bathroom.
Bugatti or Smart: luxury models with a garage
At the other end of the price spectrum is the “Performance S” from Volkner Mobil.
Everything about this car is in XXL format: 18 tonnes gross vehicle weight, 530 hp, 12 meters long and 3.85 high.
The price is also only something for the XXL wallet: the luxury model costs more than two million euros - according to the trade fair, the most expensive motorhome at this year's Caravan Salon.
In return, the campers get a lot on offer: The right garage for the Bugatti in front is already integrated, there is also a sound system inside and a solar system on the roof.
35 square meters are available to travelers.
"This is a very special vehicle for a very special customer," said a company spokesman.
Bugatti and motorhome together cost around 6.5 million euros in the equipment shown on the novelty tour.
If you only want to fit a Smart into your mobile home instead of a Bugatti, you could use the compact liner “Palace 88 G” from Morelo.
With a length of 8.99 meters, it is significantly shorter than the Volkner Mobil model.
The prices for the motorhome start at around 286,200 euros.
On the go all year round - even on a skiing holiday
The manufacturer Kabe shows with its luxury caravan "Estate 600 GDL KS" that camping is not only possible in summer.
It has underfloor heating and its own ski compartment at the front end of the car.
Here the skis can be pushed in and dried after an excursion.
The model with space for four people costs around 50,000 euros, the model for five people is 67,200 euros.
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A flexible companion, even when it gets colder: The Estate 600 GDL KS from Kabe has a special compartment for skis.
© Constanze Tillmann / Messe Düsseldorf / dpa-tmn
As in previous years, e-mobility also plays a major role in the 60th edition of the salon.
Knaus Tabbert presents its study for the "first fully electric motorhome" at the fair.
The electric motor of the "Knaus Van Ti 650 MEG E. Power Drive" has an output of up to 180 kilowatts.
In purely electric mode, the car has a range of 90 kilometers.
At this point at the latest, a so-called range extender starts up - the battery is then recharged using a small gasoline engine as a generator.
So you can drive around 600 kilometers on one tank of fuel.
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Sssssst: The Knaus Van Ti 650 MEG E. Power Drive should travel around 90 kilometers on a purely electric basis.
But there is also a generator on board that recharges the battery and increases the range.
© Constanze Tillmann / Messe Düsseldorf / dpa-tmn
Travel enthusiasts should already have their next possible destinations in mind.
Information about the fair: www.caravan-salon.de dpa
