Interview with the motorhome guru: “There will soon be unbelievable bargains”

Anyone who is interested in motorhomes and camping vehicles will sooner or later stumble across Sven Herzog and his YouTube channel German Television.

Since summer 2016, the experienced journalist has been reporting on motorhomes, e-bikes, bicycles and automobiles with an ever-growing audience and number of subscribers. The focus on motorhomes, caravanning and e-bikes caused a rapid increase in YouTube impressions in 2020 and 2021 – from 88.6 million to 1.6 billion per year. The format is so popular and successful that after a visit from Herzog, manufacturers can hardly avoid orders. This was the case, for example, with the report on completely overhauled and therefore incredibly cheap panel vans.

In 2023 alone, 732 videos have already been produced and published. In an interview with Netzwelt, Sven Herzog gives important tips for the camping year 2024. Which motorhome is right for me? Should I sell my camper van now or should I wait? What do gadgets like power stations bring to the camper and what does self-sufficiency really mean?

Netzwelt: What were the most important innovations of the year for you?

Sven: There is a renaissance of the round seating group in the rear, not only in liners, but also in semi-integrated vehicles and even in panel vans. While previously the dinette was almost exclusively available with swiveling front seats and a bench, there is now an increasing trend towards lounges in the rear that transform into a comfortable double bed. The round seating group is also available in a slimmed-down version as Grandma’s kitchen corner bench. More and more manufacturers are also relying on inexpensive entry-level versions. There are partially integrated motorhomes that are initially only equipped with airline rails for later retrofitting. An example is the Detleffs Yoka Go T1 with a giant tailgate for motorcycles or e-bikes, which comes empty from the factory and is expanded as required.

Netzwelt: The registration numbers for motorhomes (-3.7 percent) and caravans (-13.4 percent) are declining: What does that mean for end customers who want to buy a vehicle or sell their camper?

Sven: The demand for camping vehicles has been abnormally high over the last three years. We are now back to pre-Corona levels, and there is also a reluctance to buy among consumers: used car prices are initially falling sharply and new vehicles are significantly cheaper at dealers. There are dealers who last year offered 250 and now 900 vehicles online for immediate purchase.

Important: This does not apply to large new liners or manufactured vehicles that are based on the Mercedes 4X4. The prices remain stable and delivery times are up to four years. Many dealers who do not offer luxury vehicles but normal “motorhomes” have had a high inventory build-up in the last two or three months, which is putting a strain on their liquidity. The higher interest rates, which are currently six to seven percent, are creating a lot of pressure in the mobile home trade.

In addition, there is a lack of money to purchase new vehicles, which manufacturers offer at low package prices. A positive side effect for consumers is that many rental vehicles are now available with incredible discounts. Things will return to normal by December 2024 and there will be incredible bargains until then.

Netzwelt: After delivery, the camping vehicles are usually equipped with solar, consumer batteries or other extras by the dealers. Customers sometimes have to wait a long time for implementation, does that make sense?

Sven: Manufacturers need certifications for all parts installed in the vehicle. However, the customer who wants to retrofit vehicles wants cheap lithium batteries and solar modules from China. The products in vehicles, especially in large quantities, must be sustainable. That’s why the specialist dealers retrofit according to the customer’s different quality requirements. Of course, customers shouldn’t save money here and go to reputable specialist retailers. It makes no sense to stick a solar module for 80 euros on a California that cost 80,000 euros.

Netzwelt: The trend is towards “self-sufficient” vehicles. What do you say to that?

Sven: Self-sufficiency can mean many things and is a topic that requires intensive consultation: For example, it depends on whether I actually spend a lot of time on free parking spaces or whether I always go to the same campsite. The first ones were already very self-sufficient with gas bottles and lead batteries. But switching to a purely electrically powered vehicle without gas no longer means self-sufficiency. If I only rely on solar power and LifePO4 batteries, it doesn’t necessarily mean more independence.

Gas systems for cooking and heating also allow very long downtimes without shore power. Combining these with lithium batteries is a real gain in self-sufficiency. A lot depends on actual usage, as LPG is not available everywhere outside of Europe. I recommend installing a small diesel auxiliary heater to massively extend your self-sufficiency.

Netzwelt: On your YouTube channel German Television, you present, among other things, many power stations, some of which show very good performance values. There is a trend, particularly for small, self-converted camper vans, to use this type of power generation as an alternative to the permanent installation of lithium batteries, solar controllers and inverters. Who does this make sense for?

Sven: This can be worthwhile for the temporary, quick conversion of vehicles that are not only used in everyday life, but also as camping vehicles. However, there are many risks: First of all, many people do not secure their mobile power station adequately in vehicles. The battery blocks often weigh over 25 kilos. The devices, which often cost over 2,000 euros, are stolen from vehicles. Much worse, however, is the lack of electrical protection for the all-rounders. For example, 230-volt networks permanently installed in the vehicle have an Fi switch. Grounding is also missing in power stations without a fuse and protective conductor. Many people forget that children also have access to these power plants. If I operate a device with a metal housing, the worst-case scenario could be that the user gets a shock.

In addition, the vehicles cannot charge them sufficiently over short distances. The charging power would not be sufficient via the cigarette lighter 12-volt socket. Solar is a good way to charge the power station when the sun is shining. Last but not least, the price plays a major role, as there is often a permanently installed installation under the seats or behind panels for the same amount.

Netzwelt: For all camping fans out there: What is your tip for 2024?

Sven: If you are unsure which vehicle to buy, rent it first. Every motorhome, small or large, can be rented and tried out. This prevents bad purchases and unpleasant surprises.

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