Van Miles

We love our weekends away in the campervan, and our three dogs come everywhere with us. We have two little Chihuahuas and Sky, our Husky-Collie cross, who is now 16 years old.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve downsized from a much bigger campervan to a little Peugeot Expert. We knew we’d have less space, but I don’t think we realised just how much we’d have to change the way we travelled with the dogs.

It’s certainly been a learning curve!

Why We Downsized Our Campervan

One of the main reasons we downsized was the running cost of our bigger campervan.

Our old van averaged around 27.5 mpg, whereas our little Peugeot Expert manages approximately 37 mpg. It might not sound like a massive difference, but when you enjoy regular weekends away, it soon adds up.

Our previous van also had a garage area, which was brilliant for the dogs. They had somewhere to sleep, somewhere to dry off after a wet walk, and we could keep all their beds, blankets and other bits out of the main living area.

The Peugeot is a very different setup!

There’s very little spare room once we’re all inside, and we’ve had to think carefully about where the dogs sleep, what we take with us and how we manage when the weather isn’t great.

We wanted to save money on running costs, but we’ve definitely had to compromise on space.

Where Do Three Dogs Sleep in a Small Campervan?

This was probably our biggest challenge when we first downsized.

Initially, we thought we’d put all three dogs on the three front seats overnight. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Well, that first night was a disaster!

Sky is now 16 and needs access to drinking water throughout the night. With all three dogs on the front seats, it just wasn’t practical, and I don’t think any of us got much sleep.

We quickly realised we’d have to come up with something else.

Our Solution – Sleeping in the Awning

We decided to buy an awning to give us some extra space.

Sky has always preferred being somewhere cool, and she’s quite independent. She doesn’t need to be right next to us all the time.

We tried her sleeping in the awning with her own bed, access to water and safely secured so she couldn’t wander off.

She settled really well and slept through the night.

Finally, a decent night’s sleep for everyone!

Of course, this arrangement came with its own problems.

During the really hot weather, we couldn’t use the awning for Sky to sleep in. It would have been far too hot, so we had to rethink our plans.

As September arrived and the weather started cooling down, we bought a little pop-up tent to put inside the awning, with her bed and an extra blanket.

This gave her a bit more shelter during the cooler nights, although we still had to consider the temperature and weather conditions.

It worked for us during suitable weather, but it’s not a year-round solution.

What Will We Do in Winter?

This is something we’re still trying to work out.

With winter approaching, putting up an awning every weekend isn’t really practical, and we wouldn’t want Sky sleeping outside in unsuitable temperatures.

We’ve started looking into the possibility of having a pop-top fitted to the van.

The idea would be for us to have a bed upstairs, leaving more space underneath for Sky and the other dogs.

Whether it’s worth the expense is another matter!

We’re still looking at our options, but it would be lovely to have a setup that works throughout the year.

Planning Our Weekends Around the Dogs

When I’m looking for somewhere to go for the weekend, the dogs are always one of the first things I consider.

I spend quite a bit of time researching walks before we leave home.

With Sky being 16, we can’t just head off on any walking route and hope for the best.

I tend to look for canals, reservoirs and woodland walks. Ideally, I want somewhere relatively flat, without stiles or steep climbs.

I also check the distance and try to find out what the paths are actually like. A walk might be described as easy, but that doesn’t always mean it’s suitable for an older dog.

We prefer walks where we can take our time, stop when we need to and enjoy the scenery.

Some of our favourite weekends have been in places where we can walk straight from the campsite.

I also like to make sure there’s a dog-friendly pub somewhere nearby, preferably within walking distance.

After a few hours exploring, it’s lovely to stop for something to eat or a drink without having to get back in the van.

It does mean a bit more planning, but it’s worth it when we find somewhere that works for all of us.

Finding Campsites That Accept Three Dogs

You’d be surprised how many campsites only allow two dogs.

We’ve found lovely campsites in great locations, only to discover that we can’t book because we have three.

I do find it a little frustrating, particularly as our dogs either sleep in the van or sit with us on the grass outside.

Obviously, I understand campsites need rules, and not everyone looks after their dogs responsibly, but having three dogs doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to cause more problems.

Then there are the extra charges.

Some campsites don’t charge anything for dogs, which is always a bonus.

Others charge per dog.

With three dogs, this can soon increase the cost of a weekend away.

I don’t mind paying a reasonable amount, but it really does depend on how much extra they’re charging.

When I’m comparing campsites, I always look at the total cost rather than just the advertised pitch price.

A campsite that initially looks good value can work out considerably more expensive once you’ve added three dogs.

I also check whether awnings are allowed, as having that extra space is really important for us.

Three Wet Dogs in a Tiny Campervan!

Living in the UK, we’re never going to avoid the rain completely.

And when you’re travelling with three dogs in a small campervan, wet dogs can be a bit of a nightmare!

We always take coats for the dogs, even Sky, who really couldn’t care less about the cold or rain.

Her coat covers underneath her chest, which makes a big difference when we’re walking on muddy paths.

It’s not really about keeping her warm. It’s about keeping her reasonably clean so we’re not bringing quite as much mud and water back into the van.

When we get back from a walk, I usually let the dogs dry off in the awning before they come inside.

We can take their coats off, give them a good rub down with towels and let them settle for a while.

In our old van, we had the garage area for this, which was much easier.

Now, without the awning, there’s really nowhere for three wet dogs to go.

It’s probably one of the things I miss most about having a bigger campervan.

How Much Stuff Do Three Dogs Need?

You wouldn’t believe how much we take for just a weekend away!

By the time we’ve packed everything for ourselves, there’s still all the dogs’ things to fit in.

Our usual dog packing list includes:

• Enough food for the weekend, plus a little extra.
• Water and drinking bowls.
• Three dog beds and blankets.
• Leads and harnesses.
• Waterproof coats.
• Plenty of towels.
• Poo bags.
• Spare bedding.
• Any medication they need.
• Cleaning supplies for muddy paws.

It doesn’t sound too bad written down, but when you’re trying to fit it all into a little Peugeot Expert, it’s surprising how much room it takes up.

We’ve definitely had to become more organised.

I try not to take things we don’t really need, but with three dogs, there’s only so much you can leave behind.

Has Downsizing Been Worth It?

That’s a difficult one!

Our smaller van is definitely more economical on fuel, which was one of the main reasons we changed.

Going from around 27.5 mpg to 37 mpg makes a difference when we’re regularly travelling around the country.

But downsizing has changed the way we travel considerably.

With our bigger van, we had more flexibility. The dogs had their own sleeping area, and we didn’t have to rely on an awning for extra space.

Now, we need to book campsites where we can put the awning up, which adds to the cost and limits where we can stay.

We also have to think much more carefully about the weather.

Very hot weather can make the awning unsuitable, and colder winter nights bring a different set of problems.

And of course, Sky is getting older, so her comfort and needs are becoming even more important.

I do sometimes miss the bigger van, especially when we’re all trying to get organised in such a small space!

But then I think about the fuel costs and why we downsized in the first place.

We’re still trying to find the right balance.

What We’ve Learned About Campervan Travel with Three Dogs

If you’re thinking about travelling with several dogs in a small campervan, I’d definitely recommend thinking about the practical side before you downsize.

Sleeping arrangements are probably the biggest consideration. It’s worth working out exactly where everyone will sleep, particularly if you have an older dog who needs a bit more space or access to water overnight.

An awning can make a huge difference. For us, it’s been invaluable for extra space and drying the dogs after wet walks. However, it does mean we’re more dependent on campsites and suitable weather.

Always check campsite dog policies before booking. Some allow three dogs without any additional charge, while others have a two-dog limit or charge for each dog.

Research your walks beforehand. What looks like a lovely easy walk online might have stiles, steep sections or rough paths that aren’t suitable for an older dog.

Take more towels than you think you’ll need! Three wet dogs and a tiny campervan aren’t the best combination.

And finally, be prepared to change your plans.

We’ve had to adapt quite a few things over the last year, and we’re still learning what works best.

Would We Do It Again?

Despite all the challenges, we still love our campervan weekends.

There’s something lovely about packing up on a Friday, heading somewhere different and spending a couple of days exploring with the dogs.

We’ve visited some beautiful places, enjoyed lovely walks and found some really friendly campsites along the way.

Would life be easier with a bigger van? Definitely!

But for now, we’re making the most of our little Peugeot Expert and trying to find ways to make it work for all five of us.

Who knows, perhaps a pop-top will be our next investment!

In the meantime, we’ll keep exploring, finding dog-friendly campsites and planning walks that our older girl can still enjoy.

If you enjoy campervan weekends, dog-friendly walks and honest campsite reviews, you can find more of our travels here on Van Miles.

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And if you travel with more than two dogs in a small campervan, I’d love to know how you manage your sleeping arrangements. We’re always open to new ideas!