Are Dogs Allowed In RV Rentals?

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Updated April 2, 2024

Renting an RV for your next family vacation can be a fantastic option for families who are on the go. One of the best parts about traveling by RV is that you can take your dog (or cats) along, too!

You may be wondering if dogs are even allowed in RV Rentals. Thankfully, many RV rental companies and private RV owners who rent out their RVs allow pets to come along, so yes, you can bring your dog on your RV Rental vacation.

There may be some preparation and policies to consider first. While you’re searching for the perfect RV to rent, consider the size of your dog, your travel destination, and your budget. All of these can help you narrow down a camper that will fit your traveling needs.

Read on for answers to some common questions you might have before renting an RV for your next family getaway.

Where Can I Find a Pet-Friendly RV Rental?

Cruise America and El Monte RV are both large, popular corporations that rent RVs, and both allow dogs with no restrictions or additional fees as long as the rental is returned in its original condition.

RV Share and Outdoorsy are directories of private owners who rent their RVs. They also have tons of RV Rentals that are pet-friendly, although each renter may have different restrictions or policies regarding RVing with pets depending on their preferences.

If you ever have any questions about whether or not your dog is allowed, always speak with the company or owner before you’re stuck with an unexpected cleaning bill.

On Outdoorsy, there is actually a search feature that you can check to make finding pet-friendly RV rentals a breeze. It couldn’t be any simpler. Check out the screenshot below! Just enter Pet Friendly under Keyword in the left-hand column to find the perfect RV rentals near you!

Browse Pet Friendly RV Rentals Near You!

What Type of RV is Best for Dogs and Cats?

Since RVs come in many sizes and styles and offer different amenities, it can be tough to pick the best rig for you, your family, and your pet. There are several different types of RVs, all with positives and negatives, to consider when traveling with dogs.

Class A: These motorhomes are usually bigger, more luxurious campers that can be as long as 45 feet. These provide the most interior room for your animals to play but also can come with the more expensive furniture and flooring. If you are already considering a camper this large and your dog is well-behaved and prefers indoors, this may be the best option for you.

Class B: This style of RV is often called a campervan. This class tends to include smaller vehicles that still provide modest luxury to both humans and dogs. While the campervans themselves aren’t that large, there is still enough room for most dogs to move around inside, but not much.

One of the biggest positives is that this type of camper is easier to drive and maneuver, so if you’re looking to get to a remote spot (where dogs are allowed, of course!) to roam with your pup, this might be the camper for you.

Class C: A traditional looking RV that is anywhere from 20 to 33 feet, big enough to fit the family and Fido comfortably and still rent within a reasonable budget.

These RVs often have the same amenities as a Class A camper, but usually without the upscale interior, therefore lowering your risk of returning a damaged or dirty RV. This camper is an excellent option for most families and all sizes of dogs for their traveling needs.

5th Wheel and Travel Trailers: These types of RVs are towed behind your vehicle, so they have entirely separate driving and living quarters for you and your family. Many of these campers have enough space for a larger family and a pup and are often less expensive to rent.

If you are renting a popup camper with canvas walls, you need to be careful that your dog’s nails don’t accidentally tear a hole in the canvas.

Another thing to note is that you should never let your dog ride in a towable RV while being towed. They are part of the family, and they should always travel in their vehicle with you to keep them safe and happy.

Is the Rental Price Higher if I Bring My Dog?

As mentioned above, Cruise America and El Monte RV do not charge a higher price if you bring your pet on your road trip. However, they will charge an additional cleaning fee if the RV is dirty when returned.

They also charge a damage deposit when you rent. This is the case whether you bring a pet or not. So, just clean up before you return the RV, and you should avoid any additional cleaning charges.

Private owners on Outdoorsy and RV Share have the option to charge a pet fee if they choose to do so. I have seen pet fees cost from $0 to $30 per night. All of these rentals include a damage deposit and most charge a cleaning fee.

While there is usually a separate cleaning fee listed, they can also take any additional money needed for cleaning from your damage deposit. So, you should do your best to return the camper in good condition.

A camper is considered dirty if it is returned with dirty floors or excess dog hair. So if your dog sheds a lot, it might be a good idea to find a vacuum before you drop off the unit.

You may be required to carry RV insurance that will also cover your pet.

What if I Need to Leave My Dog in the RV?

When RVing with dogs or bringing your pet along on your pet-friendly road trip, it’s essential to plan the trip ahead of time to make sure that you’re not just having them spend most of their day in an RV while you’re romping around the woods (unless of course, they don’t mind the all-day naps!).

The most important factor to consider is their safety. If the dog’s life may be in danger at any point because of temperature, weather, or any other unavoidable scenario, it’s best not to leave them to their own devices.

It’s also important to know the RV campground or RV park rules since many campgrounds are now requiring dogs to stay in their camper while their owners are away. Check out our article Is It Safe To Leave a Pet in an RV? to avoid putting your pet in danger.

Because most RV rentals charge a fee if the dog causes damage to the RV, it’s important to consider whether or not your dog can handle being in the RV alone, with new sounds and smells, and without destroying things like the carpet or seat cushions.

If your dog is properly crate trained and you can fit the crate inside, it might be best to bring it and have it set up while you’re gone. You can also keep the dog safe by keeping him or her in the crate while traveling.

Also, make sure to bring some toys and familiar comforts of home while traveling to help your dog get accustomed to his new temporary house.

What Items Will I Need for My Dog?

Many items can help you and your dog be more comfortable while on the road. Many of these items you probably have at home already, like an extra leash, collapsible water bowl and toys from home.

You might also find it to be a good investment to purchase a pet monitoring system that can help you keep an eye on your pets while away. Some can even throw them a treat remotely! Other essentials include a dog bed, extra dog collar and name tags, crate, safe dog seat, and vet records.

You can find a list of 11 Essential Dog Accessories for RV Camping here so you don’t forget anything.

How Can I Find Pet-Friendly Campgrounds?

Just like you can find an RV rental on the web, there are great resources available for you during your trip planning to find pet-friendly RV parks, campgrounds, hikes, hotels, restaurants, and cafes too.

Some of these websites include Bring Fido and Dog-Friendly (dogfriendly.com). You can also refer to the bigger RV rental company websites, such as Cruise America and El Monte RV, for ideas on where to bring your pup.

If you already know your activities and are merely looking for a place to park your rig, KOA also has dog-friendly options on their site.

Many state and national parks in the United States allow dogs to be allowed in developed areas, on many trails and campgrounds, and in some lodging facilities. But before you rent an RV for your RV adventure, read the rules for each destination.

4 Tips for Camping With Dogs

Try and make them comfortable. While you may quickly adapt to your RV rental, your dog may need some time to get used to it. Bring their favorite toy or bone along with you to help them get accustomed to the new space.
Always have a leash. Whether or not your dog is well trained, it’s important still to have a leash because most campsites require it, and it may be the best way to keep your dog safe from chasing after that pesky rabbit or keeping them away from other potential dangers.
Bring your vet records. The last thing any of us wants to do when traveling is to bring our dog to the vet for any reason. But it’s essential to have their records on you in case of an emergency. They are also required for most doggy daycares to prove vaccinations are current.
Explore WITH your dog. You’re bringing your dog with you for a reason, so don’t just coop her up all day while you’re romping around the woods! Try to find a fun hike you can do together, and let them sniff and explore the new area, too.

CONCLUSION

RV camping is fun and rewarding, and even more so when traveling with your dog. And if you’re thinking about renting an RV, you can now rent with confidence and have an awesome family camping vacation, including your dog!

Do you have a tip or comment you would like to share about bringing a dog camping in an RV rental? Please leave your comments or any questions below.

Mike Scarpignato – Bio

Mike Scarpignato created RVBlogger.com over five years ago in 2018 to share all we have learned about RV camping.

Mike is an avid outdoorsman with decades of experience tent camping and traveling in his 2008 Gulf Stream Conquest Class C RV and 2021 Thor Challenger Class A motorhome.

We attend RV Shows and visit RV dealerships all across the country to tour and review drivable motorhomes and towable trailers to provide the best evaluations of these RVs in our blog articles and YouTube videos.

We are 3/4-time RVers who created RVBlogger.com to provide helpful information about all kinds of RVs and related products, gear, camping memberships, tips, hacks and advice.

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