The EU Driving License Directive and its implications for motorhome manufacturers and consumers have been warmly welcomed by the leisure vehicle industry.

It was announced back in the spring of 2026 that the European Parliament agreed to an amendment to the directive that would allow holders of class B driving licences to drive motorhomes of up to 4.25 tons, instead of the current limit of 3.5 tons.

This change is particularly vital considering modern motorhomes are gradually increasing in weight due to their increased safety and also the implementation of alternative drives such as hybrid and electric – the latter of which is being encouraged by the European Union due to environmental requirements. It should also make motorhoming more easily accessible to younger drivers – currently, those who purchased a licence before 1999 can drive one up to 7.5 tonnes, but those after that with a class B licence can only drive one up to 3.5 tonnes.

These issues were a large part of the reason behind caravan industry organisations such as Germany’s CIVD and the European Caravan Federation (ECF) campaigning for more than two decades to raise the weight limit of class B licences.

This extension of scope of the class B licence will require an additional qualification or training programme, the extent of which is at the discretion of each individual member state. In Germany, it looks likely that a one-day driving school will be necessary. All EU member states must adopt their own national rules by the end of November 2028 and apply them by the end of November 2029.

CIVD hopes that in Germany, the available transition periods will be used to develop a practical model: “We expect a high demand for the new driver’s licence extension,” said the organisation’s Managing Director Daniel Onggowinarso. “In addition to existing motorhome operators, many newcomers will also want to benefit from the scheme.

“The expansion to 4.25 tonnes is an important impetus for the further development of the caravanning industry. It opens up more people’s access to mobile holidays and at the same time gives manufacturers additional leeway in the design of modern motorhomes. It is now crucial that the regulation is implemented as uncomplicated, practical and consumer-friendly as possible.”

Photo: CIVD

Leading caravanning industry brand AL-KO VT has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of its new Mammut Galaxy manoeuvring system.

First revealed at Caravan Salon Düsseldorf back in August, Mammut Galaxy combines low weight with high speed and precise manoeuvring control, as well as flexible power supply into one simple package – something the company describes as a world-first innovation.

Weighing just 25kg, the Mammut Galaxy has been designed to make manoeuvring simple. The system is controlled by a newly developed remote control with a clear and minimalist operating system and a precise joystick. A caravan can be manoeuvred at three different speeds: a slow speed for precise placement, a normal speed, and a faster speed that is more than 1km/h.

The system also has increased ground clearance, meaning it can negotiate obstacles of up to 4cm high and can also be used on a gradient of up to 35 per cent. Fully automatic adjustment takes place at the touch of a button. It ensures the correct contact pressure on the tyres and helps guarantee reliable power transmission.

Another key feature of the Mammut Galaxy is the flexible power options – the control unit supports both 12-volt and 18-volt power supply. It is also compatible with the cross-brand Cordless Alliance System (CAS), meaning that existing 18-V batteries from various CAS partners can be used. This makes it easy to swap batteries and recharge them using suitable chargers.

The system is available in three different weight classes for caravans weighing up to 1,800kg, 2,500kg or 3,500kg.

“Our goal was to combine weight, speed and intuitive operation while creating significantly more flexibility in terms of power supply,” said Jörn von Ahlen, Head of Marketing at AL-KO VT Group.

See the Mammut Galaxy in action below in our video report from Caravan Salon.

The caravan and motorhome industry in the United Kingdom is preparing for one of its biggest events, the Motorhome and Caravan Show, set to take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham from 13 to 18 October.

As usual, the show will host a wide range of British and European manufacturers across 11 halls, collectively showcasing more than 1,000 different vehicles to both industry professionals and end users. Many of the leisure vehicles on display will be new 2027 models. Organisers NCC Events call the show the 'largest motorhome, campervan, and caravan showcase' in the country.

Last year’s edition of the October show was hailed an ‘incredible success’ by NCC Events thanks to an overall attendance of 96,149 people across its six-day duration – a 0.9 per cent increase on 2024.

Manufacturers exhibiting at the 2026 edition of the Motorhome and Caravan Show include Bailey of Bristol, Swift Group, Coachman, Adria, Auto-Sleepers, Camperking, Auto-Trail, Hymer, Elddis, Carthago, Knaus, Mobilvetta, Chausson, Etrusco and many more.

The show will also be frequented by a wide range of components and accessories suppliers, such as Dometic, Thule, Avtex, Renogy, Alde, Eberspächer, Amplo, Fiamma, AL-KO, Truma and Thetford.

As well as this wide range of companies exhibiting at the show, visitors will also be able to seek advice and knowledge at the free-to-attend Inspiration Theatre, which will have a full programme of presentations and talks from celebrities including Kelvin Fletcher, Robbie Roams, and Lottie Gross. The show will also be hosting free motorhome and caravan driving experiences via its partner, the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Photo: David Guest

DexKo Global has announced that it has appointed Lee Sneed as the new President of its  North American utility trailer, recreational vehicle, heavy-duty, manufactured housing, agricultural, marine, and speciality trailer markets brand, Dexter.

Lee previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Elkhart, Indiana-based company, and assumed the role of President on 1 October this year. DexKo Global says that during his time as COO, Lee played an important role in strengthening operational execution and Dexter’s safety culture.

In the same announcement, DexKo Global said that its own CEO Eric McGinnis will continue to lead DexKo Global and partner closely with Sneed and the Dexter leadership team. Lee will lead the Dexter business and its continued focus on customer service, operational execution, safety, and growth.

Dexter, which employs more than 3,800 people in the United States and Canada according to its official website, operates 20 manufacturing facilities and distributes parts and accessories through more than 50 company-owned distribution locations. The brand specialises in axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts and accessories, and towing components, serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets.

The company was founded in 1960 by Leonard Dexter and is now owned by DexKo Global, which was formed in 2015 by combining Dexter and AL-KO VT.

American recreational vehicle brand Forest River has formed a new corporate subsidiary company that will provide its participating dealers in its network with new financing and consumer financial products.

Forest River Financial Services, as the new subsidiary will be known, has been created in partnership with Octane (Octane Lending, Inc.), and will launch two distinct programmes through participating Forest River RV dealers throughout the United States. These dealers will be able to offer end users additional retail lending alongside their own offerings that are designed to make the purchase process faster, easier, and more profitable.

Future phases are expected to include Canada and additional Forest River business units, including Marine, Bus & Van, Cargo Trailers and Commercial Truck. Timing and program details for future phases have not yet been announced.

“Forest River Financial Services represents a logical and strategic next phase for our company, and we couldn’t be more excited about our new partners,” said Doug Gaeddert, President and CEO of Forest River. “We’ve been searching to find the right fit, and believe that in Octane and Aven, we’ve found them. They both offer great products, but more importantly, they are great people – industry leaders – and they fit well with our culture.

“We have listened to our dealers and understand the margin pressure they’re facing every day. These new programs will create real value for dealerships of every size, and based on the strength of the offerings and our strong dealer partnerships, we anticipate high participation across our dealer network – with additional opportunities in the works!”

Forest River Consumer Cards will give participating dealers a new sales and loyalty tool via Aven that is designed to provide a differentiated financing option to boost purchasing power and extend the customer relationship well beyond the initial purchase.

“Our dealers are central to Forest River, and their ability to grow profitably is central to our growth,” said Darrel Ritchie, CFO of Forest River. “Forest River Financial Services was created to house a new set of tools that fuel this growth. The programs we’ve developed with Octane and Aven not only protect dealer margins, they also drive new sales opportunities back to our dealers. This is only the beginning of what we expect to build.”

Photo: Forest River RV

A new analysis conducted by PiNCAMP, the camping company of the ADAC, ANWB and TCS organisations, has shown that the average price of camping holidays reduces significantly once summer ends and autumn begins.

Many classic summer destinations see the largest price drops, such as Croatia, where the average overnight price for a family drops from €73 to €35, representing a drop of more than 50 per cent.

Other popular destinations also see significant price drops, such as Italy (-38 per cent), Spain (-38 per cent), and France (-36 per cent). Germany (-11 per cent).

This price drop, plus cooler temperatures compared to the very hot summer, means that autumn is becoming an increasingly popular time to go on a camping holiday among Europeans.

“Camping in autumn is noticeably cheaper. Anyone who isn’t tied to the summer holidays can save significantly now,” said Uwe Frers, CEO of PiNCAMP. “In Southern Europe, we see an increasing extension of the camping season. In Germany, campers focus more on short distances and flexible travel. During changeable weather, campsites that offer wellness, thermal, or indoor activities alongside the classic outdoor experience showcase their strengths.”

Further data from PiNCAMP’s study shows that camping trips in September and October last an average of six days and that short stays of less than seven days are planned relatively spontaneously: on average, there are around four weeks between booking and the start of the trip.

This showcases that even in mid-September, a large portion of the autumn camping demand is still undecided about their plans, but as these travellers are often more flexible, the booking becomes more reactive depending on prices and weather.

The number of RV wholesale shipments recorded in the United States for the month of August was 23,599, according to the latest monthly survey of manufacturers by the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

This figure is 16.4 per cent lower than the 28,212 recorded in August 2025. It means that the year-to-date number of RV shipments stands at 207,191, which is 14.2 per cent lower than the 241,550 from the same January to August period in 2025.

In August 2026, towable RVs recorded 20,790 shipments (16.9 per cent down on August 2025), while motorhomes recorded 2,809 units (11.7 per cent down on August 2025).

Park Model RVs finished August up 5.8 per cent compared to the same month last year, with 423 wholesale shipments.

While figures are slightly down compared to last year, this is expected by industry insiders due to numerous outside factors such as global conflicts, economic uncertainty, and lower consumer confidence. The American RV market appears to remain in a healthy state when taking into account indications such as the recent America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, which attracted more than 43,000 attendees.

Graph and data © RV Industry Association

Tourism and leisure industry show CMT has announced that applications are open for the 2027 edition of its Campsite of Ideas contest until 31 October 2026.

The competition is open to start-ups and entrepreneurs from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) in the camping and caravanning sector to present their inventions and innovative ideas that will help to make mobile travel smarter, more enjoyable, and more sustainable.

Entrants can submit a short summary showcasing their idea on the Campsite of Ideas website for free, and then selected participants will be invited to a Content Day at the Touristik & Caravaning Leipzig show on 21 November, where they will get to create a video presentation of their idea with the team from the YouTube channel Clever Campen.

Following this process, there will be an online vote between 21 December 2026 and 14 January 2027, after which the three highest-ranking entries will be invited to the grand final, which takes place at the CMT show in Stuttgart.

At CMT, the finalists will present their ideas live to a panel of experts, the trade fair audience and other interested parties. The winning idea will then be determined by the votes of the jury, the audience and online viewers. In addition, the finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their product in the DIY area in Hall C1 at CMT 2027.

The prize includes a starter pack worth over €20,000. This includes, amongst other things, a dedicated exhibition stand at CMT in Stuttgart and/or at Reisen & Caravaning in Hamburg the following year. In addition, there is a media package via the channels of the magazine promobil, as well as contacts with manufacturers and support from industry experts.

Interest in recreational vehicles and the mobile living lifestyle remains high in the United States after 43,150 people attended America’s Largest RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, from 16 to 20 September.

Organised by the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association (PRVCA) and hosted at Giant Center, where it has been hosted since 2005, America’s Largest RV Show is one of just two manufacturer shows in the United States each year.

This year’s edition saw more than 1,400 new RVs displayed by 42 different manufacturers, covering everything from large Class A motorhomes to small pop-up campers. Exhibitors included brands such as Airstream, Alliance RV, Brinkley RV, Forest River, Keystone RV, Newmar Corporation, REV Group, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin Motorhomes, and Winnebago Industries.

“While the weather was a factor in our attendance, the manufacturers, dealers and vendors reported good traffic and sales,” said Heather Leach, PRVCA Executive Director. “There is still a strong interest in RVing and camping. We talked with many first-time attendees who were looking to purchase their first RV and others who were ready for an upgrade.”

As well as RV manufacturers, the show hosted 200 booth vendors offering products and services such as parts and accessories, camping equipment and supplies, décor, insurance, repair and maintenance products, campground and vacation destination information, insurance and more.

The show also features a wide range of seminars, a creator corner for content creators, live music, and a scavenger hunt.

The PRVCA first hosted the show in 1970, and as it grew, it eventually rebranded as America’s Largest RV Show in 2008, before attracting a record attendance of more than 64,000 people in 2017. The PRVCA says that all proceeds from the show go back into the industry, and the association also works to educate RV technicians and other staff at the dealerships, so they can provide the highest level of service to their customers.

The PRVCA has confirmed that the 2027 show will take place at the same venue, Giant Center, Hershey, from 15 to 19 September.

Photo: PRVCA