RVers in Spain: Dream Trip Turns Nightmare as €50k Motorhome Stolen, Recovery Unlikely

As reported by CNBC AI News on July 14th, a Chinese travel blogger on Xiaohongshu, known as “Pushing My Wife to See the World,” revealed a harrowing experience during their road trip in San Sebastián, Spain: their entire trailer caravan was stolen, resulting in losses estimated at nearly 500,000 RMB (approximately $69,000 USD).

According to the blogger, witnesses reported observing individuals casually hitching their trailer to a French-plated vehicle, acting as if they owned it. Under the cover of darkness, they made off with the couple’s entire mobile home.

The post detailed the vulnerability of the situation, as the blogger’s wife suffers from a rare and severe heart condition, leading to 100% disability. “At that moment, not a single spare piece of clothing, not even the life-sustaining medications, were left,” the blogger wrote. “We were left standing in the pouring rain, stunned, as we gave our statement to the police.”

Following the theft, the blogger painstakingly compiled a list of the stolen items, encompassing the entire caravan, along with valuable jewelry, electronics, tools, and clothing—amounting to the loss of a small house.

Sources indicate that RV theft in the region has become an organized criminal enterprise. Typically, these operations involve coordinated teams who quickly transport stolen vehicles to Eastern Europe, where they are modified and resold. The chances of recovery are reportedly slim.

The blogger lamented the transformation of Europe from the trusting, community-oriented place he remembered from his student days.

“For two years, we meticulously avoided personal theft and robbery, and our Land Rover survived countless parking lots that looked decidedly unsafe. However, one lapse in vigilance led to the loss of our entire home – a complete defeat!”

The blogger issued a warning to fellow travelers, urging caution while traveling in Europe to avoid similar experiences. The post concluded with a plea: If anyone happens to spot their trailer in Europe, please contact them.