Vehicle for tent camping with a dog.

[gman88667733]

We used to use our current Skoda Octavia or Kia Sorento for camping as we have a lot of stuff and needed the space. However, we now have a dog and I'm not sure if everything will fit in either car along with the dog crate without blocking any air getting to the crate!
Is something like a Citroen berlingo or a van based MPV type vehicle good for this? Have considered a small van, but not sure if that is overkill.
Alternatively, am I over complicating this and with better packing, stuff should all fit? We have a very large tent + awning, lots of kitchen bits, a camping toilet + tent for that, so it all adds up!

[Watchman]

Your choices seem to be:

1. Estate car and better packing / take less

2. Add roof box

3. Add trailer

4. Van type car, as you have described above

5. SUV (then add roof box, trailer, etc as above)


I used to get everything into a Subaru Legacy but when I added bikes on the roof and a mahoosive tent, it would drag the exhaust over bumps. Then I added more kit (fridge, beach stuff, bike trailer for toddler) and bought a trailer to put some of it into. But then I swapped the Legacy for a Merc ML, then a bigger trailer, then I realised I was taking so much stuff with me that I really ought to just buy a bloody caravan (I haven't... Yet).

[gman88667733]

Space and reliability and fuel consumption are my main criteria!

[Packrats]

Vauxhall combo life might fit the bill .tons of room inside and a decent drive

[Pericoloso]

How many people are going on your camping trip ?

[PurpleTurtle]

Bearing in mind that many campsites have a ‘no commercial vehicles’ policy to deter our friends who like to live at the urban roadside, I would give any kind of van a swerve.

Many people use a small trailer, sometimes with secure GRP ‘top’ extension to hold all their camping kit. Another popular move is to fit a roof box on top of the trailer, so it’s out of the way of the wind/creates less drag if you are worried about mpg. Obviously towing a trailer gives you speed and lane restrictions. However many people keep all their kit packed in the trailer ready to roll, so packing is less of a chore each trip, if you have somewhere to store one securely. Absolutely loads of used ones on eBay all the time.

[Isleaiw]

Not sure how big the dog is but what about training it to go in the front footwell, leaving boot clear? You could still take the crate folded in the boot for use whilst away if required.

My dog also travels in the boot in a crate but going to start taking her in the car as she gets older - safer in an accident too I suspect.

[gman88667733]

Only the two of us and the dog.

[Howitzer]

We have a large 6 person inflatable tent, an awning, a large dog, 2 kids and me and the wife.

I will not have stuff packed inside the seating area as I don’t feel it’s safe and the dog takes up half the boot. The car is a 2006 ML so is quite big.

We have half the boot, we put in the tent, the kitchen, fold up wardrobe and sleeping bags etc and strap them down. Then everything else went in a narrow 2.3m roofbox.

What we found was that as the tent had to go on the bottom in the boot, if it was raining then we either had to put everything in the car to stop it getting soaked, which isn’t possible with a 3 and 5 year old in the back, or find another way.

We are just about to order a Thule easy base carrier for the towbar. So the tent can stay up when packing the car, keeping everything dry. Plus lots more boot space.

Would that work for you ?

Dave!

[Watchman]

You can get more into an ML and a trailer:




... but you can travel faster with a GL, a (2m X 1m) roof box and a bike carrier:

[Brads67]

PurpleTurtle said:

Bearing in mind that many campsites have a ‘no commercial vehicles’ policy to deter our friends who like to live at the urban roadside, I would give any kind of van a swerve.

This doesn't seem to be a thing. Maybe on stuck up caravan club sites that deserve to be swerved in the forst place, but most decent sites will welcome any family even if using a van.

[gman88667733]

I think a roof box may be our best bet. I do wish it was as simple as chucking everything in a larger load space inside the vehicle though!

[Watchman]

Roof boxes, roof rails and all that gazumbo is weight constrained. Usually quite generous - around 50+Kg but do be aware. Not suitable for the tent but all your clothes and shoes will be fine.

The latest big huge massive one from Halfords is the biggest you can get and now comes with openings on either side (mine is one side only). And they're in glossy black.

[LeadFarmer]

Thule Easybag fitted to a tow bar mounted bike carrier, and fabric roof box like a Thule Ranger on the roof. Both easy to store at home. Get the dog in the front footwell by the passengers feet. We do that with out labrador and theres more than enough room.

[PurpleTurtle]

LeadFarmer said:

Thule Easybag fitted to a tow bar mounted bike carrier, and fabric roof box like a Thule Ranger on the roof. Both easy to store at home. Get the dog in the front footwell by the passengers feet. We do that with out labrador and theres more than enough room.

They are great if you are just driving from/to, but not the most secure thing for parking at motorway services or staying anywhere unsecured overnight.

[surveyor]

PurpleTurtle said:

Bearing in mind that many campsites have a ‘no commercial vehicles’ policy to deter our friends who like to live at the urban roadside, I would give any kind of van a swerve.

Many people use a small trailer, sometimes with secure GRP ‘top’ extension to hold all their camping kit. Another popular move is to fit a roof box on top of the trailer, so it’s out of the way of the wind/creates less drag if you are worried about mpg. Obviously towing a trailer gives you speed and lane restrictions. However many people keep all their kit packed in the trailer ready to roll, so packing is less of a chore each trip, if you have somewhere to store one securely. Absolutely loads of used ones on eBay all the time.

Most are fine if there is no signage - especially if it's a crew cab type with a back seat, and even more so if you give them a ring without an Irish accent.