Top 3 reasons why dogs and camper vans are BFFs
June 8 is National Best Friends Day in the United States.
BFFs Bonnie and Clyde travel the United States by camper van.
Flashback to 2005. Our first major road trip with our first Scottish terrier, Monster (RIP).
We were moving from Saint Louis MO to Newport Beach CA for J-Wo’s work.
His company packed and moved our belongings, along with my car. Then, the three of us hopped into his car and headed West — all the way West.
That was 19 years ago.
Today, we’re still traveling with our pups. We just do so in a camper van.
Dog’s best friend
We all know the saying: dog is man’s best friend. We’d update that to: dog is people’s best friend.
It’s true that many people consider their pets to be some of their very closest friends. But, after owning a camper van for 3 years, I’m beginning to wonder, do dogs feel the same way?
That is, do dogs consider humans to be their best friend? Probably. At least the ones who have good people in their lives.
But, I wouldn’t say we’re the only bestie they have. I’d say dogs have another best friend, and it’s a camper van.
Clyde, J-Wo and Bonnie enjoy a quiet moment in Highlands, North Carolina.
A camper van combines so many of the things that so many dogs love. It’s a car ride, fresh sniffs and time with their humans all rolled into one.
Unfortunately, Monster didn’t get to experience camper van life. But, our second Scottish terrier, Boris (RIP), did.
The bench seat in our camper van is dedicated to him, because that’s where he always rode. Now Clyde, our third Scottish terrier, rides there.
His big sister, Bonnie, our first Sealyham terrier, gave the bench a try. But, she shook uncontrollably, making us think it was a bit overwhelming for her.
Instead, she rides in the spot she used to share with Clyde. That’s right below the bench, where she has two dog beds stacked one on top of the other.
Camper van travel with dogs
Going from road tripping in and tent camping from our car to a camper van was a huge upgrade.
When we had three dogs, we couldn’t fit all of them, both of us and everyone’s gear into the car for a camping trip anyway. On a trip with hotel or Airbnb lodging, the car was still packed tight.
Now, in our camper van, we have room for everyone and all our essentials. We can even take two inflatable paddle boards, life jackets for everyone and a small pellet grill.
Upgrade city.
Even better, our dogs seem to love it as much as we do. They know when we’re packing up the van for a trip. Their excitement often gets them banished to their crate so we can focus on getting ready instead of stepping over terriers.
Clyde and Bonnie camp at Montauk State Park in Missouri.
Top 3 reasons why dogs love camper van travel
What exactly makes our pups so excited about camper van travel? I hate to put words in their mouths, but grr-grr and barp-barp don’t exactly make for great reading.
So, I’ll do my best to translate their excitement over a camper van trip to English.
1. They get to go where we go
Dogs are pack animals, and we’re part of their pack. When we leave them behind to travel, they can feel anxious. Part of their pack, likely including the alpha member, is absent.
With a camper van, everyone gets to go.
It's great for dogs. It’s great for humans. I feel calmer and happier when my fur kids are around.
Bonus: No worrying about which hotels allow dogs or how many dogs can stay in an Airbnb. And, we don’t have to pay extra for them.
Sure, campgrounds have rules around dogs, too. But, most all of them allow your canine friends to come with you. At no extra cost.
2. Fresh sniffs galore
Dogs love a good sniff, and it’s good for them, too. The stimulation they get from sniffing can benefit their brains, their moods and their behavior.
On a camper van trip, dogs get all kinds of stimulation exercising their sniffers. Every time we pull off the road for a break and that van door slides open, they step out into a new environment with new sniffs.
Not to mention the smells at a campground. Or, on a hike or paddle.
Bonnie and Clyde take in the smells of Senoia, Georgia.
3. Dogs stay comfy and cozy if we’re busy elsewhere
Of course, dogs can’t be with us every moment of a camper van trip. We might run into the grocery store or stop in a brewery.
In that case, we turn on the generator and get the air conditioning going to keep them comfortable if it’s warm. Or, we turn on the propane and crank up the heat if it’s cold out.
Our dogs have their own safe, familiar and temperature-controlled place to stay until we get back.
We even use a temperature monitor to make sure the inside of the van stays at a safe temperature. The monitor sends me alerts if not. Or, I can open the app at anytime to check the temp.
It’s easy to understand why dogs and camper vans are BFFs. A camper van trip is an adventure for them just as much as it is for us.
Of course, you don’t need a camper van to travel or camp with your dogs. If you don’t have a camper van, use the vehicle you have.
Bonnie and Clyde rest after hiking to Sunset Rock in Highlands, North Carolina.
Just make sure your pups are comfortable with travel. Signs that they aren’t can include hiding, panting, shaking, whining or any other behavior that’s not typical. In that case, it’s probably better to travel without them.
However, if your dogs are happy on the go, they’ll be even happier in a camper van. Especially if there are snacks.
Because everyone loves snacks.