Caravan Salon 2018 — Düsseldorf, August 25 – September 2
The World's Largest Camping and Caravanning Fair
The Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf is the world's largest trade fair for caravans, motorhomes and camping. The 2018 edition drew over 232,000 visitors and featured 614 exhibitors from 31 countries (source: Messe Düsseldorf). The European caravan market was booming. New registrations in Germany reached 71,186 vehicles in 2018 — a 12% increase year-on-year (source: CIVD).
At Entwurfreich, we see camping as a product design challenge. How do you fit a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom into six square metres? How do you make a vehicle that feels like home but weighs under 3.5 tonnes? We attended the Caravan Salon to find out. At our agency, we apply the same space and material thinking to urban mobility products and navigation interfaces. This ZOOM-IN Trendreport captures the key findings.
Five Key Trends at Caravan Salon 2018
1. How Are Compact Floor Plans Maximising Space?
Small vehicles, big ideas. At Caravan Salon 2018, manufacturers showed how clever layouts can make a 5.5-metre van feel spacious. Sliding furniture, fold-away beds, rotating seats and multi-use surfaces were everywhere.
Knaus Tabbert — one of our interview partners — presented the Boxstar model with a modular interior that converts from day mode to night mode in seconds. Adria showed the Twin Sports with a variable bed system that adapts to one or two sleepers. The compact camper van segment grew by 28% in 2018 (source: CIVD) — faster than any other category.
For product designers, compact living is a masterclass in constraints. Every centimetre counts. Every joint must be silent. Every mechanism must work one-handed, in the dark, on an uneven surface.
2. Why Does Lightweight Construction Matter in Caravans?
Weight is the enemy. Every kilogram saved means more payload, better fuel economy and a smaller towing vehicle. At Caravan Salon 2018, lightweight construction was a top priority.
Manufacturers showed sandwich panels with foam cores instead of plywood, aluminium frames replacing steel, and fibreglass body shells that cut weight by up to 30%. Hobby introduced a caravan under 1,000 kg empty weight. The 3.5-tonne licence threshold — the maximum you can tow with a standard driving licence — drives the entire lightweight trend.
For industrial designers, lightweight means rethinking every component. Material selection, joint design and manufacturing process all change when the brief says: make it half as heavy but just as strong. The same principles apply in other weight-sensitive industries — from e-bikes to medical devices. At Entwurfreich, we bring this cross-sector perspective to every project.
3. How Is Smart Tech Entering the Camping World?
Connected camping was a growing theme at Caravan Salon 2018. Solar panels on the roof, lithium batteries for off-grid power, Wi-Fi routers built into the vehicle and app-controlled heating systems were shown across multiple brands.
Truma presented a smart heating system controllable via smartphone. Dometic showed a fridge with Bluetooth monitoring. The trend is clear: campers want the comforts of a smart home — on the road.
The global smart RV and connected camping market was valued at approximately $720 million in 2018, projected to exceed $2.1 billion by 2026 (source: Allied Market Research). For product designers, smart camping tech raises the same questions as IoT in any space. How much connectivity is useful? Where does the interface live? How does it work without mobile signal? We explored similar questions at the ISH trade fair and IFA.
4. Why Is Outdoor Living the Fastest-Growing Segment?
The living space does not end at the door. At Caravan Salon 2018, pull-out kitchens, inflatable awnings, modular outdoor furniture and portable grills turned the area around the vehicle into a full living room.
Kulba — one of our interview partners — showed custom-built expedition vehicles with integrated outdoor galleys. The outdoor accessories market for camping grew by 18% in 2018 (source: European Camping Group). Brands are designing vehicles from the outside in — starting with the question: what happens around the vehicle?
For designers, outdoor products must handle sun, rain, wind and temperature swings. They must pack flat, set up fast and clean easily. It is product design under extreme constraints — similar to what we see in empathetic product design.
5. How Are Premium Interiors Changing the Camping Experience?
The plastic look is over. At Caravan Salon 2018, premium interiors dominated the upper market segment. Real wood veneers, leather accents, ambient lighting and furniture-grade cabinetry replaced the laminated surfaces of the past.
Airstream — our interview partner — is the icon of this trend. Their polished aluminium shells house interiors that rival boutique hotels. Adria's Astella model blurred the line between caravan and designer apartment. The premium caravan segment (above EUR 50,000) grew faster than any other price bracket in 2018.
For industrial designers, premium interiors in small spaces demand precision. Every surface transition, every handle, every light detail must feel intentional. There is nowhere to hide poor craftsmanship in a 7-square-metre room. The global luxury caravan market (above EUR 80,000) grew by over 20% in 2018 — proof that buyers are willing to pay for design quality.
Interviews: Insights from Industry Leaders
Erna Povh & Matjaz Grm — Adria
Adria is one of Europe's largest caravan and motorhome manufacturers. Povh and Grm discussed how the Slovenian brand balances affordability with design ambition. Their approach: invest in interior materials and smart floor plans rather than exterior showmanship. The user spends 90% of their time inside.
Stefan Diehl — Knaus Tabbert
Knaus Tabbert is a German manufacturer known for lightweight construction and modular interiors. Diehl spoke about the compact van conversion boom and how younger buyers are changing the market. His view: the next generation wants flexibility, not fixed floor plans.
Ingo Host — Kulba
Kulba builds custom expedition vehicles for extreme conditions. Host discussed how off-grid capability drives design decisions. Solar, water filtration, reinforced chassis — every component must work independently. His point: expedition vehicles are the ultimate test for product robustness.
Armin Heun — Airstream / Roka
Airstream's iconic aluminium trailers have defined premium camping for decades. Heun shared how the brand maintains its heritage while modernising interiors. His take: design consistency across 80+ years is the ultimate visual brand language.
Report Preview
Our ZOOM-IN Trendreport captures the visual essence of Caravan Salon 2018. It covers all 13 halls at Messe Düsseldorf and the outdoor exhibition area. The full report includes trend analyses with over 60 original photos, our Hot or Not feature, and complete interviews with Adria, Knaus Tabbert, Kulba and Airstream.
Why It Matters for Product Design
Caravan design is product design under extreme constraints. Every gram counts. Every centimetre matters. The lessons from camping — compact living, lightweight materials, multi-use products — apply to any product where space, weight or portability is critical. At Entwurfreich, we use these insights across our industrial design work.
Our ZOOM-IN Trendreports turn these findings into clear insights for designers, product managers and decision-makers. Each report combines on-site photos, expert interviews and trend analysis in a compact format. Whether you are designing a vehicle interior, a portable product or a space-constrained device, the macro trends from Caravan Salon can give you a real edge.
How These Trends Have Evolved Since 2018
Editor's note (2026): The five trends from Caravan Salon 2018 have accelerated beyond expectations.
Compact living: Van conversions are now the largest segment. Mercedes Sprinter, VW California and Ford Transit Custom dominate. Waiting lists exceed 12 months.
Lightweight: Sub-1,000 kg caravans are now standard in the entry segment. Carbon fibre reinforcements are entering premium models.
Smart tech: Lithium batteries and solar panels are standard. App-controlled heating, lighting and security are expected. Starlink connectivity is the latest frontier.
Outdoor living: Awning and outdoor kitchen sales have tripled since 2018. The outdoor area is now a core design consideration, not an afterthought.
Premium interiors: The line between caravan and luxury apartment continues to blur. Brands like Niesmann + Bischoff and Morelo deliver hotel-level finishes.
Entwurfreich tracks mobility trends through our ZOOM-IN reports and project work in urban infrastructure, navigation and sustainable design.
Selected Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Caravan Salon?
The Caravan Salon is the world's largest trade fair for caravans, motorhomes and camping. It takes place annually at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, over nine days in late August and early September. The 2018 edition drew over 232,000 visitors and featured 614 exhibitors from 31 countries (source: Messe Düsseldorf). The fair covers everything from compact camper vans and luxury motorhomes to caravans, camping accessories, outdoor equipment and travel destinations. It is the key meeting point for manufacturers, dealers, component suppliers and camping enthusiasts.
What were the main trends at Caravan Salon 2018?
Five trends stood out. (1) Compact floor plans maximising space in smaller vehicles — the compact van segment grew 28% in 2018. (2) Lightweight construction cutting weight by up to 30% with sandwich panels and aluminium frames. (3) Smart camping tech including solar, lithium batteries and app-controlled systems. (4) Outdoor living with pull-out kitchens and modular furniture — the accessories market grew 18%. (5) Premium interiors with real wood, leather and ambient lighting replacing plastic surfaces.
Who is Entwurfreich?
Entwurfreich is an industrial design agency in Düsseldorf, Germany. Founded in 2012, the team has done over 350 projects for 125+ clients including ABB, Vodafone, Henkel, Coca-Cola, Fujifilm and Covestro. The work spans product design, UX/UI, CMF design and strategy — from consumer tech to medical devices. The ZOOM-IN Trendreports cover trends from fairs like Caravan Salon, Eurobike, ISH, IFA, MEDICA, BAU and Salone del Mobile. Recent awards: iF Design Award Gold 2024, Red Dot Best of the Best 2024, German Design Award Gold 2026. Learn more about our design process.
When is the next Caravan Salon?
The Caravan Salon takes place every year in late August and early September at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany. The fair typically runs for nine days and is open to both trade visitors and the general public. It is the world's largest annual event for the caravanning and camping industry. Check the official Caravan Salon website for current dates and exhibitor information.
Written by Matthias Menzel · November 5, 2018