Two static caravans destroyed in weekend fires in the Netherlands

The VVD party in Ouder-Amstel has submitted written questions to the municipal executive about the parking lot at the Amstelbad swimming pool and SVO sports park. Several campers stay overnight almost every night, and commercial vans are also parked there. Campers use the pool's facilities and the public water tap at the SVO entrance, including for filling water tanks. A barrier previously hung over the entrance to prevent tall vehicles from entering, but it has been lying next to the entrance for months. The VVD suggests reinstalling the barrier as a simple and effective measure, along with enforcement, as the lot is intended for visitors to the pool, daycare, and sports fields, not as a free camper site.

Sjoerd Kuipers installs a Clesana toilet in a Hymer B680, using an L-adapter to connect to the original Thetford position without cutting. The power management system with a 4 Ah LFP battery charges via existing wiring and provides backup power, allowing the toilet to operate even when the house battery is empty. The installation involves removing the old toilet and connecting the new system.

On Sunday evening, the fire brigade responded to the BP gas station on Oude Rijksweg in Putten after a report of a gas smell coming from a camper. The issue likely arose during LPG refueling, possibly due to a burst or detached hose. Firefighters inspected the camper and the immediate area. No injuries were reported, and the exact cause has not been officially confirmed.

British acoustic consultancy LF Acoustics measured the sound insulation of a typical modern touring caravan with double glazing, finding a 22 dB difference between outside and inside noise levels. German calculations for a campsite in Neustadt in Holstein estimated about 25 dB for the outer panels of a modern motorhome with closed windows. Sound insulation works in both directions but does not guarantee complete silence for neighbors, especially with open windows or roof hatches.

The Netherlands ranks fourth in Europe for camping popularity, with only Croatia, France and Denmark ahead. Over 4.2 million Dutch people regularly camp with a tent, caravan or motorhome. The trend traces back to a book by American minister William Henry Harrison Murray in 1869, which sparked a camping craze in the Adirondacks, and to British tailor Thomas Hiram Holding, who designed a compact lightweight tent in 1897. In the Netherlands, the first campsite opened in 1914 at Castricum, and by the late 1930s a quarter of the population camped.

A couple from Geldrop, who last year stayed at a campsite in Kessel with a tourer caravan and awning, decided to return and secured a permanent pitch with a static caravan. They were drawn by the calm atmosphere, the kindness of the staff and other campers. The man is set to retire in December, and they plan to spend more time at the site. The caravan has been customized to their needs, including a larger bed and a kitchen with multiple ovens.