CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF: Guided Photo Tour 2017

Partially Integrated, Entry-Level Motorhome: Forster T 637SB

Forster, Hall 10 D 23

With its new partially integrated T 637SB model Forster targets people looking for a compact vehicle with an open-plan look and feel and plenty of comfort. The interior is characterised by a built-in, lengthwise double bed in the rear and a curved corner kitchen in the centre of the vehicle. Thanks to the unblocked visual axis through the entire vehicle travellers enjoy a particularly lavish spatial impression despite an overall length of as little as 6.37m. A comfortable L-shaped seating area and lengthwise washroom alongside the bed complete the comfort range. Optional: an electrically powered height-adjustable bed or a Heki 3 roof hatch is installed above the seating area at no surcharge. Despite the enhanced furnishings and the new high-quality interior the base price of EUR 45,990 continues to attract entry-level buyers.

Compact Caravan: Action
Adria Mobil, Hall 10 A 59

With its Adria-Action this Slovenian manufacturer causes a stir in the compact caravan class. The lightweight and stylish caravan with three different layouts was re-designed for 2018 and particularly catches the eye with its unusual rear, housing a kitchen and spacious bathroom with fold-up basin and shower. The large panoramic window is also a real head-turner making for plenty of light in the interior. Upon request, one model can even be supplied with a pre-installed external Smart Grill option. Action sleeps two, three or four persons and starts at EUR 15,999.

Ultra-Lightweight Caravan: Coco Study
Dethleffs, Hall 11 A 25

By introducing the study “Coco” exclusively at the CARAVAN SALON Dethleffs presents a design gem in 638 kg ultra-lightweight construction. Measuring 4.25 metres long and 2.15 metres wide this study is all about weight, performance/multiple purpose and design. Here weight was saved by pooling the most effective solutions in lightweight caravan construction. This revolutionary engineering approach is based on an optimum interplay between the individual components, from the chassis and the floor to the wall structure of Coco as well as structural optimisations. Coco’s extraordinary bionic design is rooted in the principle of constant tension thereby creating a unique symbiosis of lightness and stiffness. The name of this pretty featherweight was derived from the English terms “cocoon” and “comely” and is synonymous with the sense of space that describes this vehicle best: coming home, closing the doors and just feeling at ease in your own four walls. The prices for Coco are not known yet.

The Superlative for Motorhomes: Signature 1200
Variomobil Fahrzeugbau GmbH, Hall 14 A 56

Motorhome manufacturer Variomobil presents a luxury mobile home with the Mercedes Actros as a basis as well as a slide-out car garage. Boasting a 530 HP engine the mobile home’s permitted total weight amounts to 26 tons. The 3-axle vehicle is 12 metres long. Its diesel tank holds 390 litres and the water tank 500 l drinking water as well as 400 l waste water. Features include the pneumatically sealing living room bay, soft floating pull-down beds over the driver’s cabin with full standing height as well as an intelligent 360° panoramic reconnaissance system. The Signature 1200 is equipped with driver assistance systems such as a lane departure warning system, attention assist and vehicle distance speed regulator as standard as well as a large garage for an MB SL roadster or Mini-Cooper convertible and e-bikes. Extraordinary luxury in the living area and forward-looking technologies are hallmarks of this partially integrated mobile home. The model series starts at EUR 773,500, the type of the pohoto tour Düsseldorf costs EUR 1,1 Million.

Campervan/Van Trend: New Crafter, Knaus Boxdrive,
Knaus Tabbert GmbH, Hall 15 D 03

In the popular category of campervans and/or vans Knaus now “enters the race” with its Bodrive on the new VW Crafter platform which it dubs a “caravanning utility vehicle” thereby even giving this vehicle category a name in its own right.  Boxdrive fuses Volkswagen’s premium claim with Knaus’ innovative quality statement. High-quality cabinetry, practical solutions, clever details, state-of-the-art driver assistance and drive systems as well as a dynamically synchronised chassis make Boxdrive a comfortable, both agile and safe mobile home, which will celebrate its global premiere at the CARAVAN SALON. In terms of price the Knaus Boxdrive will be available from EUR 75,000 with the sky the limit for customers’ individual wishes.

Slim & Integrated: c-compactline I 144 LE
Carthago Reisemobilbau, Hall 16 A 06

Compact can be so big: Carthago’s c-compactline is the premium motorhome in the class of slim, partially integrated vehicles. With a superstructure as little as 2.12 m wide it is extremely agile and eases motorists’ change over to motorhomes. Bigger inside than out – this is precisely the Carthago concept: complete single bunks with 200 cm bed surface, bathroom, corner kitchen with separate fridge, a seating area for five people – all of this spread across as little as 6.99 m length and 2.12 m width is only available with the Carthago c-compactline I 144 LE. The trick: the left-hand bed in the direction of travel is slid into a “living-room position”. In the sleeping mode at night it is slid out to its full length of 2 metres; complete with partition wall it then protrudes 30 cm into the shower cubicle. Wash room and toilet remain accessible without restrictions nevertheless. Inside, more room was created in the seating area and the interior was enhanced with a new design, among other things. The base price of this integrated Carthago vehicle is EUR 81,400, the type from the photo tour costs EUR 93,250.

Inflate at the Push of a Button: Air Hose Awning “Isola Air Turbo”
dwt Zelte, Hall 5 B 16

Many global premieres and innovations are to be marvelled at in Düsseldorf not only in the vehicle sector but also in the accessories segment.  For awnings “Air-In” technology is the word on everyone’s lips. Even in the past Air-In-tents were characterised by particularly hassle-free and quick installation. No sorting of rods – just connect the air pump with the valve and the living space is ready to expand. With the new Isola Air Turbo by manufacturer dwt inflation is now even faster because the bus tent only has one air chamber. The advantage of this single-chamber system is that it gives the tent some 15 centimetres additional height in the centre. With 2.2 metres at the highest point inside you might feel like being in a stately home. Since the walls are also steeper than with the previous system even tall people can move at ease. Furthermore, the useful area increases and has a “roomier” feel to it. Isola Air Turbo Q is available from EUR 619.

Interesting Vehicles / Selected Innovations at the CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF 2017

E-Mobility in Caravanning: Dethleffs’ “e.home” Study
Dethleffs, Hall 11 A 25

Dethleffs was the first renowned manufacturer of recreational vehicles to pro-actively address the “e-mobility” issue in caravanning and has given a face to these efforts with its “e.home” motorhome Study. The e.home developed here is based on an Iveco Daily Electric chassis with a liquid-cooled asynchronous 3-phase current motor with 80 kW output. It works with the latest FIAMM sodium-nickel-chloride batteries with a capacity of 3 x 76 Ah and 400 V. These completely recyclable batteries can be re-charged up to 1,500 times corresponding to a mileage of approx. 250,000 km. A special feature are the built-in “Supercaps”. These high-performance capacitors can store and release electrical power faster than batteries thereby increasing vehicle performance and battery life. Dethleffs’ e.home is extensively fitted with state-of-the-art thin-layer solar cells optimised for mobile applications. 31 square metres of this special solar-cell film were installed on the vehicle, which corresponds to potential power generation of approx. 3,000 Watt. Heating is the most energy-intensive permanent application in a motorhome. When changing over to purely electrical heating it was therefore imperative for Dethleffs developers to come up with a new, unconventional solution that generates a pleasant sense of warmth with the lowest energy input possible. To this end, PCM-based latent heat storage plates were integrated into several parts of the motorhome. The storage plates store energy at temperatures above 26 degrees and slowly release it again in the evening when temperatures drop. In addition to this, the floor, walls and furniture contain surface-heating elements that heat interior spaces by means of infra-red heat waves; but the heat waves only heat the objects they hit – not the air. This is clearly more efficient for one thing, and creates a pleasant sense of cosy warmth, for another, while general room temperature can be kept 2-3 degrees lower than with classic heating systems at the same time. Additional benefit: IR heat is immediately available without any lead time.

Futurist Mobile Home, sCarabane
Green Cat Technologies, Outdoor Space in Front of Hall 15 / FG 15-02

This futurist mobile home is most probably going to be the top eye-catcher on the outdoor premises. In front of Hall 15 Green Cat Technologies has parked the sCarabane, which could also pass for a caravan. The sCarabane can be unfolded right where it stands thereby enlarging the available space. The sCarabane can use both wind and sunlight as its energy supply. The highlight here: depending on the direction of the sun the 2.5 t vehicle rotates around its vertical axis on a rail so that optimum use can be made of the solar energy. The prototype of French company Green Cat Technologies can be transported on the trailer coupling of a towing vehicle and measures as little as 2.5 m in width when folded down.  

Trend Vans/ Camping Buses: Mobile Home Study California XXL on a Crafter Platform
Volkswagen AG Nutzfahrzeuge, Hall 16 D 22

Serving as a “blueprint” here is the Volkswagen California based on the most popular “mobile home” of all times – the VW “Bulli”. For decades it has especially captivated seasoned camping enthusiasts with a consistently well planned and multi-variable interior. Now the new and bigger Crafter with its high number of assistant systems, comfortable driving and economic consumption offers the unique opportunity to take the qualities of  California to the next bigger class of Volkswagen mobile homes and develop them further. With the new study California XXL Volkswagen now introduces a “fully grown” version of the automobile globetrotter. Prices for the standard California range from approximately EUR 42,000 to just under EUR 60,000 with basic equipment. Prices of the Crafter-based California XXL have not yet been disclosed.

The Connected RV: LevelControl and iNet System
Truma Gerätetechnik, Hall 13 C 31

How much gas is in my bottle? How much longer will it last? Truma has the answer to every camper’s question: the Truma LevelControl establishes the gas level precisely and conveniently via an App. Customers receive a detailed overview of their gas stocks – and as precise a status report as ever. The App not only shows the level in percentage and the amount of gas in kilograms, it also informs users how much longer the gas will last. The handy device uses ultrasound to measure how much gas is left in the bottle and transmits the data via Bluetooth to the Truma iNet Box. This in turn transmits the information to a tablet or smartphone – either by Bluetooth when inside or close to the vehicle or by SMS when out and about. Customers can therefore check their gas levels and remaining time conveniently from the seating area, in the awning, on a trekking tour or when skiing – and with up to four smartphones or tablets at the same time. The Truma iNet System allows recreational vehicles to be completely connected. The system also allows users to control the Combi heating and Truma air-conditioning systems by smartphone or tablet.

Caravan for Sports and Leisure Enthusiasts: Deseo 400 TR
Knaus Tabbert GmbH, Hall 4

While the model successful on the market so far was primarily a transporter that also provided some sleeping facilities, the new Deseo launched by Knaus is a living caravan for discerning demands with ultra-practical transport facilities. Its special “qualities” are hidden behind the tailgate which covers the complete vehicle width and not only accommodates motorcycles but even high-powered quads. The truly revolutionary innovation, however, is the manufacturing technology since Knaus produces the 400 TR in a fibre-frame design. Here moulded parts are assembled into a self-supporting frame using a special ultrasonic gluing process. Outdoor activists, motorsport racers as well as active campers will get their money’s worth with Deseo, which is available for about EUR 20,000.

New Brand: Partially Integrated Etrusco 7300 SB
Etrusco GmbH, Hall 16 C 66

The partially integrated Etrusco 7300 SB with cosy single beds scores points with a pleasant sense of space thanks to its well thought-out floor plan design and layout. A functional bath as well as a modern kitchen with a spacious fridge cater to just about every wish. The motorhome with standard fittings is available from EUR 46,400. The Mediterranean motorhome brand Etrusco will celebrate its debut in Germany at CARAVAN SALON.

Campervan/Camping Bus Trend: Study DuoCar
Hymercar

Campervans are particularly popular with newbies because they are also suitable for everyday use. In Düsseldorf Hymercar presents its campervan study DuoCar – a van attuned to the requirements and needs of two people. In cooperation with the companies Venture Idea and Tecnoform the DuoCar was developed – a campervan on the Mercedes-Benz-Sprinter platform – fully glazed and with a completely new floor plan concept. The pivotal elements in this study are a double bed with generous legroom, the bathroom with separate shower, a smartly laid-out kitchen as well as a cosy living room with an open visual axis.  

Pure Luxury: Performance S
Volkner Mobil GmbH, Hall 14 A 30

The Wuppertal-based manufacturer Volkner presents a high-quality mobile home designed with a focus on luxury and comfort at CARAVAN SALON:  Performance S. Modernisations of the body and new furniture lines set optical accents for the new model both inside and outside. Unchanged and unique for all Performance models is the central garage. As before it allows carrying a passenger or sports car without compromising on the living area of the mobile home. The 500 HP vehicle boasts 12 metres length overall, three air-conditioning systems, five heating systems as well as 1700 Ah battery capacity and 1200 kW solar modules. And those still not happy with the space available inside can perceivably enlarge it with an optional slide out or wall-out element. The mobile home exhibited at the CARAVAN SALON costs EUR 1,465,000 making it the most expensive vehicle exhibit in Düsseldorf.

Eccentric Caravan, Mini Silver 270
Trigano, Hall 12 A 60

French company Trigano causes a stir with the Mini Silver 270. Weighing only 600 kilograms, the caravan costs around EUR 12,450 and was engineered with adventurers and camping enthusiasts in mind. Its comfortable and practical design is anything but ordinary. A lifting roof makes for standing height and thanks to a free centre aisle complete with longitudinal dinette a motorcycle of up 250 kilograms can even be transported.

Expedition Mobile, Atacama 5800
Action Mobil, Hall 14 B 73

Austrian 4-wheel motorhome manufacturer Action Mobil chooses the CARAVAN SALON to launch its new model Atacama 5800, which is described as being functional, robust, elegant and comfortable. The permanent, retractable double berth behind the seating area in the rear of the cabin and the functional layout of the elegant sanitary rooms in the front of the superstructure are the hallmarks of this luxury motorhome line. A stylish kitchen with freezer, fridge and baking oven caters to just about every need. The required power is supplied by a solar and battery system. A well thought-out door system allows the passageway to the driver’s cabin to be integrated as a dressing room if need be. The Atacama is powered by 440 HP and weighs in at 14 tons (cargo load 2 tons). A two-axle vehicle costs to the tune of EUR 170,000, the 3-axle version is available from EUR 415,000 while the rare 4-axle Euro retails from about EUR 1.3 million.

Ideal for Families, Alkoven Lyseo Time A
Bürstner, Hall 10 C 43

For a long time alcove motorhomes were thought to be a thing of the past but now these ideal family vehicles are seeing  a comeback. These motorhomes feature a sleeping alcove above the driver’s cabin. They are ideally suited for those on holiday with the whole family requiring suitable storage space – or for those travelling for extended periods and therefore carrying lots of luggage. With the Lyseo Time A Bürstner has two alcove layouts in its range that are available from EUR 49,290. Children sleep in bunk beds while their parents spend the night in the alcove. On top of this, the seating group can be converted into a double bed. A similar model is exhibited by Weinsberg: the Carahome 600. Here little details in the interior furnishings or storage room decide which model you opt for.  

Modular Camping, Modul Towers for Vans and Mini Buses
VanEssa mobilcamping, Hall 5 C 32

Modular camping is in – and the conversion from a thorough-bred van to a camper van only takes a few minutes. The VanEssa mobile camping company offers various kitchen, bedroom and storage room modules. In just a few simple steps beds, kitchen counter with sink, gas cooker and fold-out side table or WC-add on are attached to the vehicle and/or folded out. Here smart ideas and flabbergasting solutions are on show.

Heavy Metal meets Caravanning, the Wacken-Vantana
Hobby Wohnwagenwerk Ing. Harald Striewski GmbH, Hall 15 B 04

This vehicle is a real eye-catcher and in this colour a one-off exhibit at the CARAVAN SALON. Hobby presents a heavy-metal look Hobby Vantana. This Vantana was converted by apprentices at the Hobby training workshop for woodworking technicians into a show car. With this Wacken-look campervan reminiscent of a big heavy-metal music festival in Germany the young people aimed to promote their woodworking careers at vocational trade fairs and similar events. They exchanged their drills, saws and files for spray cans to give the Vantana a new, very extraordinary outer appearance. The campervan now boasts a distinct Wacken design and was already marvelled at by thousands of visitors at this year’s Wacken Open Air festival. The interior design of the campervan, of course, is just as good as its outer design. The rear “salon” is equipped with a super sound system, TV set and an electric guitar built by the apprentices themselves – making it the perfect place to chill.

Ideas with a Twist / V-Innovations
Vöhringer GmbH, Hall 13 A 95

The demands made on the interior furnishings of motorhomes in terms of weight and shape have risen enormously. Their claim of shaping innovations drives the Vöhringer developers to use new materials in production. This is how plywood plates with paper honeycombs or a polystyrene core came about. Even the use of polyurethane (PU) made successful inroads in mobile residential interiors. The last ground-breaking invention from this company is Vunder-Tech care of developer and engineer Martin Ross of Ross-Design. Vunder-Tech opens up entirely new possibilities for the combination of raw materials. In a specifically developed manufacturing process styrene, laminate and polyurethane (PU) are cast with each other without causing additional stencil or tool costs. Furthermore, glass fibre or wood can be integrated. In the finished Vunder-Tech board the various materials enter into a symbiosis where each material affords the board with one characteristic. This is how Vunder-Tech ultimately came into being and, hence, how pieces of furniture are produced that are waterproof, lightweight and extremely flexible to use – now even including bent Vunder-Tech parts. There are also innovations in the field of lightweight construction: with V-Strong an extremely light, waterproof and extremely pressure-resistant board was developed that withstands several tons of weight.

Family Caravan Sleeping 7 / De Luxe 515 UHK
Hobby Wohnwagenwerk Ing. Harald Striewski GmbH, Hall 9 B 05

Hobby De Luxe also leaves no doubt for the 2018 season that it is an ideal companion for families: nearly half of all floor plans in the series are attuned to this target group because a total of five of the twelve models bear the “K” for “Kinderbetten” (children’s bunk beds) in their type names. In the family-friendly De Luxe model segment an extraordinary innovation will celebrate its premiere in the 2018 season: the De Luxe 515 UHK not only offers a spacious children’s compartment with bunk beds located in the caravan’s bow but also a height-adjustable bed for two above the round rear seating. Those converting the two seating groups of the De Luxe 515 UHK get seven berths (4+3) in total. This is an almost record-breaking number for a single-axle caravan only 2.30 metres wide.

Tent Pitching in a Minute, Airtent Home 410
GentleTent GmbH, Hall 5 C 43

Sorting tent poles, reading complicated instructions, going through cumbersome building and dismantling routines – this is all a thing of the past for people using the GentleTent systems. The Austrian company advertises with the claim that these “Airtents” automatically inflate by means of pneumatic air bodies – within one minute. Thanks to the innovative Airtent-technology the spacious awning features an extremely small packing size despite highest-quality tent fabrics. In combination with large window and ventilation openings the Tencate material makes for an outstanding indoor climate. The tent is inflated in just a few minutes and in one single inflation process. Three air hoses in the roof area make the tent stand freely. With Home 410 the front is additionally stabilised by a vertical tube. The tent front features a door and can be rolled up half or completely. With the help of telescopic rods the front of the tent also doubles as a canopy. Home 410 can be connected with the van or caravan using the integrated car connection. The tent can be positioned as needed. As an optional feature a back wall can be zipped into the tent and a tent floor can be inserted.