The time had come for our very first test trip with our RV! As first-time RV travelers, everything was new and exciting. Before setting off, we carefully secured all items to ensure nothing would move during the drive. With everything in place, we were ready to embark on a week-long adventure, camping at two different spots. Despite the less-than-ideal weather forecast, we were eager to hit the road.

Stop 1: Molecaten Noordduinen

Our journey began with a drive to Molecaten Noordduinen, near Leiden in The Netherlands. Driving the RV for the first time was a bit daunting—the size difference compared to our car took some getting used to! But as the miles passed, I started to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.

When we arrived at Molecaten, the reception staff gave us the freedom to choose our campsite. We picked the spot that seemed easiest to maneuver into—a smart move for our first attempt.

First-Time RV Setup

Once parked, it was time to level the RV. To our relief, this turned out to be a breeze, and we got it perfectly level on the first try! Next, we tackled filling the water tank. Without a hose, we used a jerrycan, but it leaked badly. Lesson learned: our first shopping list item was a new jerrycan and a proper hose. With the basics sorted, we finally enjoyed our first cup of coffee in the RV—a small but satisfying milestone.

Testing Off-Grid Capabilities

Since we plan to camp off-grid during our trip to the U.S. and Canada, we decided to test those capabilities right away. The first day went smoothly, but on the second day, we noticed the solar panels weren’t producing as much power as expected, even in sunny conditions. After troubleshooting without success, we opted to hook up to power and fully charge the battery, hoping for sunnier weather the next day to continue testing.

We also tested the hot water boiler. Initially, it seemed faulty, but after closing the window above the outlet and removing the outlet cover, it worked perfectly, providing us with wonderfully hot water.

Stop 2: Ommerland

After wrapping up our stay at Molecaten Noordduinen, we set out for our next destination: Ommerland. Before leaving, we tackled our first-ever gray water dump. The tank was overly full—thanks to a faulty sensor and our inexperience with water tracking—and positioning the RV over the dump station took some effort. But once aligned, the process went smoothly, and we were ready to hit the road.

The drive to Ommerland was smooth and uneventful, but leveling the RV at the campsite proved tricky. The uneven ground made it difficult to stabilize, requiring several retries. Eventually, we got it “good enough” and settled in.

Testing Solar Panels

With sunny weather at last, we decided to test the solar panels again, hoping for better results. Unfortunately, the output was still far below expectations. While the issue remained unresolved, I collected valuable data for further analysis back in the RV garage.

Despite the technical challenges, our time at Ommerland was enjoyable. As a family, we were beginning to adapt to the limited space of RV life, even when the weather wasn’t great. Small adjustments and teamwork made all the difference, and it felt like we were finding our rhythm.

Stop 3: A Day Trip to the Bakery Museum

On the way home, we planned a stop at the Bakery Museum in Hattem. This was a chance to experience a day trip with the RV, including parking logistics and short-term stays.

But first, we needed to dump our gray water again, as Ommerland didn’t have a dump station. Using the Park4Night app, we found a nearby service point—a fantastic discovery that introduced us to a world of apps offering free or low-cost RV services. With the water dumped, we were off to the museum.

Parking at the Bakery Museum was more challenging than expected. The lot we’d identified on Google Maps had recently been modified and was no longer suitable for RVs. After some searching, we found an RV parking area, but it was designated for paid overnight stays. Luckily, a kind attendant directed us to a nearby spot where we could park temporarily. Although we weren’t entirely sure it was allowed, it worked out fine for our visit.

The museum itself was a hit, especially with the kids, who loved the interactive activities. When we returned to the parking area, we were relieved to find no fines waiting for us—time to head home! The drive back was less enjoyable, with heavy traffic and long jams on the road. This taught us a valuable lesson: sometimes, it’s better to extend your stay and avoid peak travel times rather than rush home into congestion.

Lessons Learned

Overall, this trip was an excellent test run for our RV and an eye-opener for what RV life entails. From troubleshooting solar panels to adapting to new tools like Park4Night, each experience brought us closer to mastering life on the road. We’re feeling a little more prepared—and more excited—for our big North American adventure!

Next to that we’ve identified some changes to our RV, to make sure RV life will become relaxt. In future posts we will show you the several changes.