Dogs & camper vans

bluejelly

Hi, we are thinking of buying a camper van so we can travel around with our 2 labs. I’m looking for tips from anyone who does this already, what dog friendly bits & pieces should we look for in a camper van? Thanks

volchitsa

Not a camper van but we go caravaning with our dog, she likes being in the caravan with us, not so keen on having to be tied up when we're hanging out at campsites. (She gets walks etc but the rules generally require dogs to be tied up - sometimes when we arrive she huffs and sits in the car boot for as long as it's left open. She's telling us she wants to leave I suppose.)

But not sure what dog friendly things you need - space for them to stretch out when travelling perhaps?

Day Lewin

I know a lady in England who was buying a camper-van and had it built to specification, to include two large dog crates, in which her dogs could comfortably travel with her.

PS A solo lady van-dweller feels much safer with dogs!

Mince Pie

I live in the UK now and its a lot more liberal that Ireland in attitude to dogs but even so all dogs have to be in a lead and under control on any site I know off. Either buy a stake with a few metres rope attached, I have two barely used (bought them for my departed lurcher who liked to wander) or get those beach windbreaker thingies to make an enclosure and then keep them on the lead outside of your 'home'.

ShauntaMetzel

Seat belt harness or safety carrier is a must thing that you should carry in your camper van. I would also recommend the dog’s bed, food, medicine and supplements. Additionally, you must have cone or alternatives of the cone if your dog has licking or bitting habit around his neck or other parts of the body.

Hooked

I spent a few months converting a VW TRANSPORTER To a camper for this very reason! Two huskies - myself & the wife.

I naively thought the dogs could sleep in the van... and while they fit... and we have done it... we opted to buy a few bits to make the whole experience a bit better for all 4 of us.

I re-used 2 of the original 'van' cargo hooks (in the floor) to connect the dogs harnesses to. With the amount of hair coming from them, this was quickly abandoned - and we used their 2 'folding' fabric crates for travel.

As van windows were higher up than the car, they naturally were jumping up to see out. So the crates put a stop to this. Better all round.

After our 1s trip, we decided to buy a drive-away awning, from VanGo. An extra room, for us, for them.., and especially for sleeping.

However, unlike the tents we were used to (before the van purchase), the awning had no sewn-in floor (it's detachable) so... plenty of room to escape IF the dogs fancied it.

The fabric crates (previously used in our tent) were upgraded to a GIANT metal crate. This fits (only just!) in the van when traveling.., and attaches to thr floor via the 2 'cargo' hooks mentioned earlier.

As the dogs are now outside the van, it allows me to add pad-locks, for extra security. The fabric crates would make it too easy for the dogs to be taken.

We usually stake a long bungee into the grass/ground, so the dogs can chill outside (and as most campsites will want dogs not running loose).

And we bought those travel friendly bowls - for storing food. They each open up to form 2 bowls. Top half for water, bottom for food. And a sealed container inside. Great yokes!

The vw transporter was perfect for us. Small enough to park anywhere. Fits under the 2m barrier you find in a lot of beaches. And I use it as my daily driver.

Hope this info helps!

Hooked

Pics to go with above reply.