Trying RV Life for the First Time: Could We Really Live Like This?

Could we really live in an RV full-time?
Is the couple RV lifestyle right for us? These were the big questions when trying RV Life for the First Time. We set out to explore when we borrowed Pieter’s parents’ old RV for a short road trip through Friesland in the north of the Netherlands.

As Parker and Rider, we’re documenting our journey toward a slower, travel-filled life as international couple travel vloggers. And one of our biggest dreams is to one day drive from the Netherlands to China in an RV—a months-long adventure packed with people, places, and culture (read more). But before we go big, we decided to go small: a few days testing RV life close to home. This blog post (and the video we filmed to go with it) shares what we learned!

🎥 Watch the vlog version of our first RV trip here.

Trying RV Life for the First Time

Neither of us had ever stayed in an RV before. Sure, we’d seen a million van life videos and drooled over Pinterest-worthy van conversions, but this was the real thing: a slightly creaky, old-school RV with just enough space for the two of us, a portable toilet, and a tiny kitchen.

We packed our gear, filled the tank, and drove off with a mix of excitement and nerves. Our destination: Friesland. Known for its open landscapes, quiet dykes, and charming villages, it’s a peaceful place to test something new. And it didn’t disappoint.

What We Loved About the Couple RV Lifestyle

There was so much to enjoy. One morning, we opened the door to see rabbits hopping around outside our RV, casually going about their breakfast. That kind of closeness to nature is something we don’t get at home.

Our campsite was located just along the Wadden Sea, and we brought our bicycles along to explore the scenic coastline and nearby towns. Riding past sheep-covered dikes and through salty sea air, it felt like a completely different pace of life.

Inside the RV, the limited space didn’t feel like a problem — in fact, it was kind of charming. We joked that with such a small living room, we never had to stand up for a quick hug or kiss. Everything was within arm’s reach, and that closeness reminded us of why we love traveling together: it strengthens our bond.

The experience also brought out our best teamwork. Whether setting up the table or figuring out the hot water, we were in sync. RV life makes you work together — and that suits us just fine.

The Challenges We Didn’t Expect

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth. Living in an RV is like learning a whole new household system:

• Electricity, water, and waste quickly became daily concerns. We had to monitor our battery levels, figure out where to refill and dump water, and… well, let’s just say the first time emptying the grey tank was a learning experience.
• Gas for cooking and heating required us to plan ahead and double-check connections.
• And then there was the driving.

Pieter writes:
“The first ten minutes I felt like I was navigating a cruise ship through the canals of Amsterdam. It was bulky, awkward, and I was convinced I’d scrape something within minutes. But once we left the residential neighborhood, it quickly became a breeze. Soon we were cruising comfortably, feeling like the king and queen of the highway, looking down on tiny Teslas and compact SUVs with the confidence only two rookies in a tall RV can have.”

By the end of the trip, we felt far more comfortable behind the wheel—and we even started imagining what it would be like to do this long-term.

Could We Live in an RV Full-Time?

This short trip gave us a valuable sneak peek into RV living. And our conclusion?

Yes, we definitely want to try.

We fell in love with the freedom, the rhythm, and the simplicity of RV life. It’s a lifestyle that suits our personalities. We love slow travel, discovering offbeat places, and filming the real stories along the way. The RV travel vlog format feels like the right way for us to tell those stories.

But we also saw the challenges clearly:

• Understanding and managing the technical side of RV systems
• Budgeting for repairs and upgrades
• Weather dependency and unexpected breakdowns
• Staying creative while editing on the road with limited internet

We’re not naïve about it. But we’re not afraid either. This trip gave us confidence, motivation, and a clearer view of what we need to learn next.

Our Vision: From the Netherlands to China

Eventually, our big dream is to take this lifestyle to the next level — and drive from the Netherlands to China. That journey will be long, winding, and full of cultural crossings. But it reflects who we are: an international couple with a love for stories, people, and places.

This first RV trip in Friesland was more than a vacation — it was a trial run. And despite the greywater mishaps and tight parking spots, we loved it. We don’t own an RV yet, but we’re planning, dreaming, and moving toward it, one adventure at a time.

Want to Support the Journey?

If you’re enjoying our story so far, there are a few ways you can help us get closer to hitting the road full-time:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly vlogs and updates
• Share this post or our videos with fellow travelers or curious friends
• Become a Patron to support our RV fund and get exclusive behind-the-scenes content

Thanks for Being Here

Whether you’re a seasoned vanlifer, dreaming of the road, or just enjoy following a Dutch–Chinese couple with big dreams, we’re so glad you’re here. Thanks for being part of this journey — and we can’t wait to share what comes next.

See you down the road,
Parker & Rider 🚐

P.S. If you have any questions or messages for us, please go to our contact page. Love to hear from you!.