Travelling with your dog in a Campervan: How our real Orange Campers travel comfortably with their pets
- Orange Campers Ltd
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
For many of our Orange Family, adventures wouldn’t be complete without a four-legged companion riding up front with them.
Whether it’s muddy paws after a beach walk or wagging tails on the open road, travelling with your dog in a campervan is one of the best ways to explore together. But if you’re wondering where your dog will sleep, how they’ll travel safely, or if they’ll actually be comfortable in the van — we’ve got you covered.
We’ve gathered real stories from our Orange owners (and their furry co-pilots) to show exactly how life on the road looks with pets on board.
Three men, one dog and an epic Scottish adventure
Earlier this year, Kev headed north in his Trouvaille Classique MWB Pop Top for a spontaneous road trip around the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides — joined by two friends and one very happy black cocker spaniel.
The dog made himself right at home, curling up down the aisle like he owned the place while the lads made full use of the MWB’s space.
With its pop-top roof, solar panel and roomy interior, this dog-friendly campervan handled the trip with ease — from ferry crossings to wild camping on the Isle of Skye.
Kev told us it was the trip of a lifetime, and his four-legged mate clearly agreed.
Custom-built comfort: Gill’s campervan for three dogs
Back when Gill first posted in our Members Group, she was still waiting to collect her new ‘van — full of excitement for the adventures ahead.
“Still waiting to collect our campervan from Orange, but we have 3 dogs and will have crates underneath a fixed rear bed. Can't wait till we can collect it and start our adventures with our dogs!”
Well, fast forward to today, and Gill’s dream setup has become a reality. She’s now picked up her Trouvaille Classique and is already loving life on the road with her three dogs in tow.
Her campervan has been custom-built for her dogs, featuring two bespoke crates tucked neatly beneath the fixed rear bed. Each crate has proper ventilation, secure latches, and wipe-clean flooring. It’s the perfect combination of safety and comfort, and is designed for long journeys in mind.
Watch our video for the full tour of Gill's dog-friendly 'van!
We recently filmed a full walk-through of Gill’s ‘van, showing how clever design makes travelling with multiple dogs easier than ever — from the rear-access doors for loading to the neat storage above for leads, food, and towels.
It’s a brilliant example of how flexible an Orange Camper can be — whether you’ve got one pup or a whole pack. For anyone wondering what the best camper for dogs really looks like, this setup takes some beating...
A pint-sized van for a pint-sized pup
At the other end of the scale is Karen and her Micro Camper, affectionately named Bee.
She travels with her small dog, Roxie, who wasted no time claiming the roof bed as her own:
“Roxie, my dog, was straight in – ‘this is my bed, mum – you always go upstairs at night so off you pop!’”
The Micro Camper might be compact, but it’s proof that small can still be mighty when you’ve got a clever layout. With a pop-top roof, twin sliding doors and a diesel heater, it’s easy to keep your dog comfortable whether you’re parked up by a lake or stopping for a brew mid-hike.
Jack joins the Orange family
And of course, we couldn’t leave out our own office pup, Jack! His first big adventure was the Orange Campout in the Peak District, and let’s just say we learnt a lot about puppy camping.
At first, he wasn’t keen on the crate and preferred squeezing himself under the bed (turns out that under-bed space in the MWB is basically made for dogs!). The kids tried sleeping outside in the awning with him, but that lasted all of twenty minutes before they were knocking to get back in!
By morning, he’d met Anne’s two dogs, Claude and Rosa, and made firm friends with Mabel the glamorous camper-dog. Safe to say, Jack’s now a proper member of the Orange Family.
Since then, he’s been on plenty more adventures – including a half-term trip down to our dad’s in Northampton. Richard and the boys camped out in the 'van on the drive while Jack settled happily in his dog bed at the end of the galley kitchen, keeping an eye on everyone as they drifted off to sleep.
Keeping your dog comfortable and safe in your campervan
So, where should your dog go in a campervan? The good news is — you’ve got options.
Under-bed crates: Perfect for multiple dogs or those who like their own space. Keeps them cool, safe and out of the way during travel.
Aisle space or travel harness: Works well for small to medium dogs. Just make sure they’re secured with a seatbelt harness or an anchored lead when driving.
Up top: Some dogs (like Roxie!) love being up top once parked — a perfect lookout spot.
Awnings and outdoor setups: Great for giving pets room to stretch and rest on warm days, especially with a cooling mat or travel pen.
The key is good airflow, shade, and access to fresh water. Diesel heaters help keep things cosy on cooler nights, while built-in blinds and reflective window covers are handy for keeping the temperature right.
And don’t forget those little extras: collapsible bowls, a non-slip mat for food and water, and a towel for muddy paws.
What about other pets?
While dogs are the most common travellers, we’ve also heard from a few cat owners who’ve managed it with success — usually keeping them in a soft crate while driving, then letting them explore the van safely on a harness when parked.
Smaller pets like rabbits or guinea pigs can travel too, as long as they’re secure and have proper ventilation.
Why our vans make great dog friendly campervans
From the Micro Camper to the MWB High Roof, every Orange Camper is designed with smart use of space, storage and ventilation — all of which make life easier when travelling with pets.
Whether you’ve got one small dog or a pack of three like Gill, there’s room to create the setup that works for you.
And best of all, it means no need to leave your best mate behind.
So, if you’re dreaming of hitting the road with your furry friend, you can be confident that an Orange Camper will make both of you feel right at home.
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