5 Ways to Make RVing With a Dog Easier

5 Ways to Make RVing With a Dog Easier
Tips for making the most out of every mile with your furry best friend.

By: Morgan Field

I'm Morgan Field, and I roam in my 2019 Winnebago Travato 59K with my pup-pilot, Teddy. He's a rescue who spent the first five years of his life neglected. Now it's my mission to give him a life filled with love, memories, and adventure.

Traveling with a dog isn't always easy. Plans change, rain starts just as they need a potty break, and some places simply aren't dog-friendly. Life on the road asks a little more of you when you're sharing it with a four-pawed friend.

Yet our experiences have taught me that Teddy isn't a limitation on my RV adventures; he's the reason so many of my favorite memories exist!

If you've traveled with a dog for any length of time, much of what follows will feel familiar. But I've found that the best reminders often come exactly when we need them most. In this article, I'm sharing a few mindset shifts, practical tips, and perspective changes that have helped me stop focusing on what RV life with a dog asks of me—and start appreciating everything it gives me instead.

If you are wondering if your dog is ready for RV life, read this article!

1. Accept There Will Be Adjustments

One of the biggest mindset shifts I've made is learning to stop wishing RV life with a dog looked different than it does.

Traveling with a dog requires flexibility. There will be places you skip, plans you adjust, and moments where your timeline changes because your companion has needs, too. The moment I stopped seeing those things as limitations, I started seeing them as invitations to create a different kind of adventure.

When I realized Teddy was shaping my journey, instead of limiting it, my attitude changed. Many of the places we discovered because of him, and my favorite memories are the ones we created together during moments I never would have planned.

2. Remember All the Ways Your Dog Helps You 

What if some of your dog's needs are actually gifts for you, too? Sometimes our dogs have a way of inviting us into the things we need most.

Maybe your dog needs more walks, so you're finally moving your body again. Maybe your social butterfly gets you out of the house and into conversations you would have never started on your own. Or maybe your dog's slower pace reminds you that the point isn't always to get somewhere faster—it's to actually experience where you are.

Our dogs have a remarkable way of expanding our lives in unexpected ways. They don't just teach us how to care for them. If we let them, they quietly show us new ways to care for ourselves, too.

Plus, not only does having a dog offer companionship, but they are also helpful in making you feel more safe in your RV by alerting you of movement or sounds you may otherwise miss! 

Read other tips for feeling safe and secure when RVing alone.

3. Plan Adventures With Your Dog, Not Around Them

One of the most helpful adjustments for me was to stop asking, "What do I want to do today?" and start to ask, "What kind of memory do I want us to create today?"

I intentionally seek out experiences Teddy and I can share together—places where he isn't just allowed, but genuinely part of the adventure.

That might look different depending on where we are, but here are some of my favorites:

• dog-friendly state park
• scenic trail discovered through AllTrails
• beach where he can sprint through the sand
• private play space through Sniffspot
• outdoor café found through BringFido
• unique dog-friendly stay through Hipcamp, Harvest Hosts, or Boondockers Welcome (from quiet farm stays to scenic overnight spots where the destination itself becomes part of the adventure)

Some of my favorite memories weren't the ones I made while Teddy waited back at the RV. They were the ones we experienced side by side: watching him bashfully strut through a pet parade in his little space pajamas or watching him summon every ounce of courage to cross a set of see-through stairs so we could reach a waterfall together.

Every new trail, every beach, every campground, every chance to sniff a place they've never been before makes their world a little bigger. If you can, make their world bigger, not smaller. You might be surprised by how much yours expands, too.

Read more tips for planning RV trips with your dog.

4. Invest in Dog-Friendly RV Gear

While mindset has made the biggest difference, there are a handful of items that have earned permanent residency in our little 70-square-foot home on wheels. (You can find my complete list of favorite dog travel gear and apps here.)

Below are a few of my all-time favorites, along with some newer additions that have earned MVP status!

Always be ready for a doggy wipe down.

A dedicated quick-dry towel lives by the door and has saved the day more times than I can count. Whether it's a rainy walk, a muddy trail, or a sandy beach, it dries quickly and takes up hardly any space. Mine is from Wilderdog—it’s the perfect size for a dog, dark enough to handle mess without stress, and still looks good hanging by the door when not in use.

Carry more than one leash.

I used to think one leash was enough. I was wrong. Two of my favorites have completely changed the way we travel:

• A waterproof leash for rainy days, beach adventures, and muddy hikes. Mine is from Wilderdog, and I love that it dries quickly, wipes clean in seconds, and doesn't leave me with a soggy leash afterward. Bonus: their designs are adorable, and they offer waterproof collar-and-leash bundles.
• A hands-free leash for RV rallies, farmers markets, hardware stores, or anywhere I want Teddy by my side while keeping both hands free. Mine is from Spark Paws and includes a shock-absorbing bungee to reduce waist tension, a strong locking carabiner, a clip-on poop bag holder, and converts between waist-worn, handheld, and seatbelt use for the car.

Pack for the adventure you want to have.

I used to switch between a fanny pack that didn’t hold enough and a backpack that felt like too much for shorter walks. Now I use my Wilderdog Mega Hip Pack for every walk with Teddy—quick potty breaks, leisurely strolls, and longer hikes alike. It carries everything I need right at my waist: phone, keys, treats, collapsible water bowl, extra leash, and a built-in poop bag dispenser. It’s become my everyday go-to.

Trust me on this one … just get the Wilderdog “crap carrier.”

It clips poop bags to your backpack or leash so you don't have to carry them in your hand for the rest of the hike. Glamorous? Not exactly. Brilliant? Absolutely. It's one of those little inventions you don't realize you need until you have one. Check it out.

Use creative storage solutions in small spaces.

One of my favorite organization hacks is using Keepa magnetic clips near the doors. In a small RV, every inch matters, and these clips turn any metal surface into extra storage. They hold leashes, wet towels, jackets, hats, and all of Teddy's gear—and somehow make our van feel just a little more spacious. Honestly, this is one of my favorite additions. For both RV life and dog travel, it’s one of those small MVPs that quietly makes everything easier every single day.

Make space for food logistics.

Traveling with fresh or frozen dog food takes a little extra planning when you're already working with a small RV fridge and freezer. I added a BougeRV 12V 23 Qt Portable Refrigerator as Teddy's dedicated food space, and it has been a game changer. Plus, the fun colors add personality to the rig—and they offer larger sizes if you have the space.

5. Have a Plan to Safely Leave Your Dog in the RV

Peace of mind when you need to leave your dog behind in the RV is key to an enjoyable trip. One of the most common questions I get is what I do with Teddy when I can't bring him along. Of course, ensuring the RV will remain at a safe temperature is a necessity. 

My MarCELL temperature monitoring system gives me updates, so I know if the temperature is getting too hot for him. If needed, I'll run my generator and A/C when I leave, but I never go far and always make sure I have cell service for alerts. I also love that I can activate the service only during the months I need it.

Some newer Winnebago models have Winnebago Connect, which includes a "pet minder" feature that you can use to set the ideal climate for your pet and Winnebago Connect will ensure it maintains that temp or notify you if needed.

Final Thoughts on Simplifying RV Life with Dogs

RVing with a dog isn't just about bringing your pet along for the ride. It's about learning to embrace a different rhythm. 

You slow down. You notice more. You spend more time outside. And somewhere along the way, you realize your dog isn't keeping you from the adventure, they're teaching you how to experience it more fully.

There will come a day when you can visit every museum, restaurant, and trail that doesn't allow dogs. But this season, the one where every adventure is shared, is precious. So, I'll happily take the extra planning, the nose prints on the windows, and the dog hair on the blankets. Because it means he's still here.

—Morgan & Teddy (Follow along on Instagram @themorganfield or on Facebook.)