Motorhome sales hit records in Europe, but parking restrictions grow

A paid motorhome parking area has opened in Den Helder, Netherlands, on the grounds of the former royal naval shipyard Willemsoord. The site accommodates 40 vehicles and offers fresh water, grey water and chemical toilet disposal, sanitary facilities, and Wi-Fi. Located in the historic harbor district, it provides walking access to the Naval Museum, the Dorus Rijkers lifeboat museum, and a museum harbor with 30 restored traditional ships. The island of Texel is a 20-minute ferry ride away.

UNOLD has introduced the 12K mobile split air conditioner, designed for use in campers and rental homes where permanent installation is not allowed. The unit consists of an indoor and outdoor module connected by a hose, requiring no wall drilling or facade mounting. It cools spaces up to 42 sq m with 3.5 kW capacity, and also offers heating, dehumidifying, and ventilation. The key benefit is lower noise compared to monoblock units, as the compressor is placed outside. Limitation: the hose is fixed, preventing wall-hole installation — only window use.

A camper that fell through a wooden boardwalk in the Grolloërveen nature reserve was extracted faster than expected. Rescuers managed without heavy machinery or a Chinook helicopter, replacing damaged planks with plates, allowing the driver to drive off on his own.

Rogier Smit, a former participant of the show 'Paleis voor een prikkie' who lives in a caravan without electricity or running water, was targeted by a group of youths. They knocked on his caravan door, filmed the incident, and then towed the caravan while Smit was reportedly inside, according to the program Roddelpraat. The event raises concerns about safety and privacy violations.

The European Union has adopted the fourth driving license directive, increasing the maximum permissible vehicle mass for category B from 3,500 kg to 4,250 kg. The measure aims to facilitate the use of heavier electric vehicles and light motorhomes. The Netherlands already implemented the new limit in 2025; other EU member states must transpose the directive by 2030.

A motorhome stuck on a wooden boardwalk in the Grolloërveen nature reserve (Netherlands) has prompted around 80 tips from the public. Rescuers have devised a plan to use track mats and a winch for recovery, avoiding heavy machinery to protect the fragile ecosystem.