Road trips are a classic form of adventure. One of my favorite vacations growing up was our family road trip to Montana … probably because my yellow lab, Chica, was allowed to come along. Epic road trips are still my favorite way to travel with my dogs. If you agree, renting an adventure van with your pets might be a great option!
Renting An Adventure Van With Pets
An enjoyable road trip is about more than the destination. You also need the appropriate vehicle for your journey. Campervans are a great choice if you’re not up for tent or car camping, but can live without all the bells and whistles of a full-blown RV.
Most campervans are just a bit bigger than your average vehicle. So they’re still easy to drive and park, while offering space for gear and room to sleep. And the bonus? Many rental companies understand that family vacations means taking your pets along, so there are several pet friendly options!
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly RV Rental Companies
Policies And Fees
As with any rental, each company has different policies and fees. Call to verify any information you find online and clarify the rules regarding your furry companion.
I rented from Escape Campervans in Phoenix, and though they had no restrictions on size or breed, pets were not allowed during July, August, and September. While this seasonal restriction is meant to protect pets from hot vehicles, it could affect your plans if you’re hoping to travel during summer vacation.
Questions for your campervan rental company:
Safety During Travel
Once you’ve found a van that will accommodate your pets – it’s time to think about where they’ll ride while you’re driving.
Many campervans have a back seat that converts to a bed, so your pets might be able to ride just like they do in your regular vehicle. There are seat belts available to use with safety harnesses, and there might be space on the floor where a kennel would fit. When in doubt, ask the rental company – they might have additional suggestions.
READ MORE ⇒ Best Crash-Tested Dog Harnesses For The Car
Our adventure van, Hawaii, was fantastic! But the back seat was a little narrow for CW and Herc to share. Luckily, the seatbelts were accessible in the bed configuration, so I was able to keep the dogs secure without worrying that they’d slip off the seat.
Also, if your dog has a valid driver’s license and can reach the pedals, the driver’s seat is a potential option. Just kidding — Herc likes to scout for squirrels while CW and I nap!
What To Pack
Plan to bring what you’d normally take for a trip with your pets: food, water, bowls, leashes, harnesses, treats, and toys. Then add in any additional weather or terrain requirements: warm layers, raincoats, paw protection, outdoor beds, and towels for dirty paws.
Also bring plenty of cleaning supplies: paper towels, cleaning wipes, fabric freshener, etc. It’s Murphy’s Law that if your dog gets sick in the vehicle it will be when you’re in the middle of nowhere with no access to running water or a washing machine. Trust me on this one! Also, pick up some dry shampoo for pets. No one wants to be stuck with a smelly dog — especially in a small space.
Finally, outdoor beds and an old yoga mat made life infinitely easier. A small space can get dirty quickly, so clean dogs means a clean(er) van! The dog beds provided comfy seating where the pups could supervising my cooking. And the yoga mat made a handy doormat to wipe paws and keep dirt out of the van. Yoga mats are easy to clean and roll up nicely for storage. Plus they’re super-helpful for finding your zen after any less-than-stellar moments!
READ MORE ⇒ Camping With Dogs – A Beginner’s Guide
Where To Park?
There are many, many places to take an adventure van and park for the night. You can go to state park campgrounds, private campgrounds, national parks, national forests, and Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds. You can also explore dispersed camping at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) locations.
Where you park really depends on what you find enjoyable and the amenities you want. Most state park, national park, ACE, and private campgrounds offer hot showers, flush toilets, and a campsite with a picnic table. Private campgrounds generally have additional amenities like internet, laundry facilities, and a camp store. National forest campgrounds usually have pit toilets and a picnic table at your site, but no showers. And BLM and other disbursed campsites might have a fire ring, but that will be about it. You can find listings for thousands of pet friendly campgrounds at GoPetFriendly.com.
READ MORE ⇒ RV Parks Or Boondocking?
Tips And Tricks
Review the list of gear that comes with your van rental before you start packing. Some things you’d normally take might already be included.
The van we rented came with camp chairs, bedding (fitted sheet, comforter, and 2 pillows), and basic kitchenware (propane stove, 2 pots, 1 pan, 3 dining sets, and several other miscellaneous utensils). I brought another pillow and a few blankets so Cool Whip and Herc had familiar items to calm them at bedtime.
Storage is where you’ll want to get creative. Plastic storage containers are great for keeping gear secure, organized, and easy to move around. And in the evening you can easily shift the containers to the front seats for more sleeping space.
I like 15-quart sized containers; they hold a decent amount without getting too bulky. Our van had two built-in storage boxes, space underneath the bed, and a shelving unit in the kitchen area for stowing our gear.
At meal time, always be on the lookout for food thieves lurking in the background. They’ll patiently wait for you to forget about that plate of pancakes on the counter!
With those tips, we hope you’re soon renting an adventure van with your pets and making your own pawsome memories! If you get really ambitious, check out our blog post highlighting the most pet friendly sites along Historic Route 66!
DO MORE ⇒ Route 66 – Pet Friendly Sights From Chicago to Santa Monica
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