The car trailer that follows the camping trend

However, the statistics also reveal that prices of caravan sites are rising at an above-average rate. The STEMA RETRO offers a flexible alternative: the trailer can be issued with a roof top tent.

According to data provided by the Federal Statistical Office Destatis*, record numbers of people were attracted to German campsites in 2023, with operators registering more than 42 million overnight stays last year. That represents in excess of five per cent more than in 2022 and in excess of 18 per cent more than the year before the coronavirus pandemic broke out, 2019. If we ignore the coronavirus years of 2020 and 2021 with their restrictions and bans, camping as a way of going on holiday has steadily increased in importance over the past decade.

And it has recovered faster from the corona pandemic than other forms of accommodation: In 2023, all forms of holiday accommodation together still fell almost two per cent short of the 2019 figures. Camping as such is therefore almost 20 per cent higher. These figures can be seen as evidence that journeys people organise by themselves, for instance by car, trailer and tent, are becoming an increasingly essential aspect of their holiday planning. This also ties in with the general social trend towards increased individuality and customisation.

The most popular camping destinations are situated by the water

The majority of campers felt drawn to the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein in 2023. Almost four million overnight stays were registered here. The Black Forest and the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony followed in second and third place - notching up almost three and almost two million overnight stays respectively. The camping density - i.e. the proportion of overnight camping stays in relation to all forms of accommodation - is highest in the German lakeland regions. In the Lusatian lakeland region, for instance, over 35 per cent of guests stayed overnight on campsites and in the Mecklenburg landland region the figure was almost 25 per cent.

Car trailer with a roof top tent: a customised and economical alternative

One downside of this trend is the fact accommodation costs noticeably increased last year. This was particularly noticeable at the caravan sites. They increased in price by an average of nine per cent, and thus exceeded the average for all types of accommodation, which was 7.5 per cent. Set against this, the average campsite fee itself only increased by 6.6 per cent.

The STEMA RETRO car trailer is in line with the camping trend, as it has roof rails that can be fitted with a roof top tent, among other things. It therefore offers flexibility and facilitates individual and economical travel.

Equipment optimised for the roof top tent

The ACTIVE, PLUS and DELUXE equipment options of the RETRO are especially suitable for camping trips. These can also be selected in combination with a TRAVEL package. This not only makes it easy to attach a roof top tent to the railing - additional features such as a support wheel, stabiliser supports, parking support, wheel chocks and an additional manoeuvring handle ensure stability, user-friendliness and safety on camping holidays What’s more: the railing, which can bear a load of 250 kilograms when stationary and 100 kilograms when you are driving, can also be used to transport bicycles with the appropriate racks or provide additional storage space by means of an additional roof box.

Lots of space and a touch of (N)Ostalgia (Nostalgia for aspects of life in East Germany)

The STEMA RETRO with its lockable metal cover, 580 kilogram payload and 930 litre load volume offers plenty of storage space for all the things you need to take with you on holiday. To this are added practical add-ons such as the garage stands included in the spec and the tipping towbar that can be folded downwards. This makes it possible to store the RETRO upright in the garage or under the carport to save space.

Their flexibility and their practical use are not the only things that camping and the RETRO have in common. Just like this form of travel that has now become so popular, the RETRO also has a touch of (N)Ostalgia about it. It is, after all, a tribute to a trailer model from days gone by: the STEMA HP. At that time, its classic angular appearance was intended to resemble the design of the Wartburg 353.

An even more personal touch when travelling: you can customise the side wall and cover of the RETRO with the colour of your choice. You can choose from between 35,721 possible combinations using the colour configurator.

Do you want the STEMA RETRO to be your camping companion? Then discover all the details and the available equipment options here. Our Experts will also be happy to advise you.

* Source: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/05/PD24_N019_45412.html