We attended the first edition of Selbstbausbau – DIY at Messe Stuttgart, a new and somewhat unusual trade fair for the industry. Unlike traditional camping and caravan shows, this event focuses on self-built and customized solutions, attracting a niche audience of van lifers, DIY enthusiasts, and small-scale manufacturers. In this report, we highlight the most interesting innovations and trends shaping this emerging segment
Words Hans Posthumus
22/05/2025
Stuttgart - CMT Selbstausbau 2025
Self-Build and Customization: exploring the unusual at Stuttgart
Alexander Ege
From January 23 to 26, 2025, the CMT sub fair “Selbstausbau” (Engl. “Self-Conversion”) was held for the first time at the Fair’s Congress Center area in Stuttgart, Germany. “We wanted to address an important topic and thereby attract new audience segments,” explained Guido von Vacano, a member of the management board of Messe Stuttgart. Ulrich Dolde, managing director of Dolce Vita Verlag and a specialist author on motorhome conversion, agreed: Self-conversion is no longer just for those who “can’t afford an off-the-shelf camper. It’s about the individualization of recreational vehicles. Motorhome travelers who convert their vehicles themselves are often individualists who want to go to places where others don’t.” Often even six-digit sums are invested in the conversion, creating “considerable added value and a serious market potential,” according to Dolde. The self-conversion fair focuses on the sale of components as well as information and advice, as they want to “equip people, showing them what matters.”
CMT Director Alexander Ege summarizes the self-conversion fair as follows: “We have about 50 exhibitors inside the hall on 3,000 square meters and about 20 exhibitor custom-built vehicles outside the hall. The fair is cheaper and shorter for exhibitors. This makes it easier for smaller exhibitors to present themselves. Self-conversion is not just a niche; it concerns everyone who has a vehicle and wants to improve, optimize or modernize it. Professional businesses and workshops also benefit because if someone can’t manage it themselves, they go to a professional for support.”
On display
The “Self-Conversion” fair had a lot to offer, focusing on the IKEA principle and individuality. When planning layouts and components, there are hardly any limits to one’s imagination.
Visitors flocked to Hall C1 in the Congress Center through the East entrance, ensuring a visibly high visitor frequency every day.
All visitors were inspired by the various custom-built campers displayed in the foyer, all finalists in the “Professionals” category of the Van Builder Award 2024.
Another van, the “Blue Lemon” won in the “Private” category. Its owners converted a used Citroen Jumper with 80,000 km over 2.5 years, investing around 65,000 EUR. The cozy layout features an additional single bed over the dinette with no overhead cabinets, and space for two dogs. It includes charming details like a bookshelf in the sliding door, tissue compartments in the rear doors, and a dry separation toilet in the shower.
At the entrance, the “Academy” stand of the Busbastler Vanlife Self-Conversion Community provided independent advice, ideal for newcomers. Exhibits on water supply, furniture construction, and heating systems were demonstrated, and visitors could reflect on layout ideas with experienced self-builders.
Behind the entrance, there were exhibitor islands, each with two stands placed back-to-back. This concept made every exhibitor equally visible. The fair also featured a gastro area and a lecture area for about 100 listeners.
Among the exhibitors were some new players in the European self-build scene, such as Humbaur (with LMC), Iveco, Renogy, Arwinger, Simplex Aer, and Revotion.
There were clever solutions on display related to water and power supply, furniture construction, accessories, and dual-use vehicles.
Visitor profile
Aboutcamp BtoB encountered visitors who wanted to upgrade their current motorhome, e.g., with a composting toilet or energy system, those working on converting a new or used van, and those seeking a manufacturer to bring their unique floorplan idea to life.
One visitor with a craft business is currently converting a Ducato for his daughter. He had expected more exhibitors in the areas of switches and lightweight materials but found the light control modules with six switch outputs interesting.
Another visitor stated: “I’m currently building my eighth vehicle, and for my father, who just turned 80, we’re making some modifications to his Hymer.”
Renogy
Renogy is an off-grid components manufacturer with approximately $500 million in revenue, primarily generated in Australia and the USA, with manufacturing based in China.
Renogy’s VP of Sales & Marketing Germany, Götz Rutenkolk, presented two innovations:
“As the first provider in the camping sector, we are showcasing the new solid-state battery technology. The flat battery is about 10% lighter, contains only 5–8% liquid compared to approximately 80% in lithium iron phosphate batteries, can handle much higher voltages, and can be installed anywhere. It is IP67 waterproof and can even be mounted under the vehicle. We offer an 8-year warranty with about 6,000 possible charge cycles.”
Additionally, Renogy introduced a solar awning, about which Rutenkolk stated: “Half of the awning — what we call the veranda position, which provides rain protection — is equipped with solar panels featuring anti-shading technology. The performance ranges from 200 Wp for the 250 cm awning to 400 Wp for the 400 and 450 cm versions. The solar power cable is routed through the pivot arm and awning mounts into the vehicle. The awning will be motorized and includes a wind sensor. We plan to deliver this innovation in Q4.”
Revotion
Revotion unveiled a new smart home system, a control and infotainment system for campers. Easier to network than bus systems, it connects sensors and devices in the vehicle, providing control and monitoring. From devices such as Truma heaters, Dometic refrigerators, and Thitronik alarms, as well as tank level indicators, further systems are continually being integrated. Future integration with CBE components is also on the roadmap. Each device or sensor requires its own “Node,” which communicates with the central “Brain” unit. Everything is operated via an app on a smartphone or tablet. The system utilizes durable Wago clamps as electrical connectors. The basic package includes the Brain and two nodes. Jasper Ehmcke, Revotion’s founder and CEO, stated: “It’s a super simple plug-and-play system that any self conversion builder can install themselves.”
AES Basic System
The new electric AES Basic System from Simplex Aer blows out the freshwater system after each trip to protect against frost damage and germs. It also prevents biofilm formation. There is a variant for pressure pumps and another for submersible pumps.
Other Components
At the “Campfire of Ideas” area, practical accessory innovations were presented, such as Zibmak’s VarioKeder: two 6 mm keder rails in one, suitable for use in 6–7 mm keder rails, primarily for Thule Omnistore awnings. This allows for simultaneous attachment of sunshades and hanging systems like those from Fiamma or Peggy Peg. The elements are 48 cm long, made of red PVC.
Another highlight was Camperflower’s scraper for fogged campervan and motorhome windows.
Separation toilets without water and chemicals are a particularly popular topic among self-conversion builders. For example, Arwinger offers retrofit solutions for cassette toilets, allowing continued use of the service hatch.
Other companies showcased hinges, 3D-printed parts, or furniture panels in countless designs for shipping directly to customers for CNC processing to be organised by the self-conversion builder.
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- Zibmak’s VarioKender
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- Camperflower
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- Arwinger
Lounge Roof
Exhibitor Frank Peters from B2Vans and Bus4fun, who presented his felt shop and the “Lounge Roof” prototype said: “The self-conversion show was three years in the making, and we, as a community, were closely involved. The event is incredibly well attended. A major advantage for smaller businesses like ours is that it lasts only four days instead of nine, so we don’t have to be out of operations for too long”. The innovative Lounge Roof is a prototype. Weighing about 160 kg, it features a foldable bed surface with a view when the roof is unfolded in good weather, integrated into a reinforced roof frame. The bed or seating area is based on a new Frolli spring system, with smaller plates making it better suited for sitting. In the coming years, the Lounge Roof might become popular among self-conversion builders, along with retrofittable pop-up roofs from Sky-Up in Italy, as well as SCA and XGloo (new pneumatic lift roof) from Germany.
Dual-Use: Cargo or Camping
Two vehicle manufacturers presented clever solutions at the self-conversion show: Iveco with the Daily Switch and Humbaur with the Modo trailer. Both Modo and Switch share the dual-use concept: removing some or all camping furniture turns them into cargo vehicles.
Daily Switch
The Iveco Daily Switch offers camper preparation combined with modular furniture from LMC (cheaper, lighter) or Hühnerkopf manufactory (heavier, more expensive). The camper preparation includes an insulated floor, 40 mm interior paneling, airline rails, roof hatches at the front and rear, a “Micro” electric package (130 Ah AGM battery, 20A charger, 650W inverter), five power outlets, eight LED spots, a diesel parking heater, two additional seats, and two roof pockets. The removable partition rack for the cargo area can also be used as a bed frame. Optional configurable modular furniture is anchored in the airline rails on the sides and floor.
The displayed Switch is aimed at those who prefer a robust, customizable vehicle. It features powerful 2.3 L or 3.0 L engines, a more stiff, well-galvanized base vehicle with high towing capacity. The 6 m-long version with a H2 roof is 30–50 kg heavier than a comparable Ducato. The H3 version even offers standing height for people over 190 cm. A small drawback of the Daily is that it narrows more significantly towards the top compared to Ducato and similar models. Nevertheless, it provides a solid, innovative base for modular or entirely individual self-conversion builds, with either truck or motorhome registration options.
Modo
The dual-axle Modo trailer is a new joint project by LMC and Humbaur. Modo stands for “modular” or “possibility,” featuring a modular DIY furniture system based on airline rails. The insulated structure offers a payload of approximately 1,300 kg across a 4 m total length. A rear hatch with a door ensures easy loading. Versatility is key: camping and leisure, transporting motorcycles, sports equipment, and tools, a mobile workshop, or living space for traveling tradespeople and sales representatives. All LMC modular components are uniformly sized and delivered as flat-pack kits, similar to Ikea furniture.
Max Franz, Global Head of Marketing & Communication at Humbaur, stated:
“The self-conversion show is definitely the right format, better than many other formats we’ve tried. The classic caravan buyer is not our target audience. The Modo appeals to people who want to realize their own ideas, whether Harley riders planning to use the trailer with a rooftop tent, festival-goers, or craftsmen. We are thrilled to have LMC, a true interior expert, as our partner.”
