5 Best RVs for Traveling With Pets

December 29, 2020 by Charlotte Phillips

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One of the best parts of RVing is spending quality time with family. Some of the best memories I have growing up are the RV trips we used to take during the summer and hanging out at the campgrounds with my dog Happy (yes, I was 6 when I named him).

After all, pets are family, too! I’m not the only one who thinks that either! The Associated Press reports that more than 65% of RVers bring a pet with them on their RV trips! While most RVers bring dogs (about 93% of people who travel with pets) cats aren’t completely left out of the fun!

While you can convert just about any RV into a pet-friendly home on wheels there are some RVs that are clearly better for traveling for pets of all kinds. We’ll be looking at the best RVs for your furry family across several RV Classes. You can check out my favorites here and keep reading to see individual reviews of each one.

What Makes An RV Good For Traveling With Pets?

Before we dive into the specific reviews of each RV it’s worth talking about what actually makes an RV good for traveling with pets.

But it’s not all about the rig- you’ll also need to consider what kind of RV’ing experience you’re looking for.

How Big Is The Rig?

When you’re dealing with the very limited space inside an RV, every new occupant counts! Even if that new occupant is a 6-pound chihuahua! Then of course there’s the space required for food and water bowls, toys, beds, and all the other pet accessories that you’ll need to bring. For cats, you’ll also need to find space for a litterbox!

Having a bigger RV will of course make the space issue easier but bigger isn’t always better when it comes to traveling with pets.

While a huge Class A RV is going to give you plenty of space for people and pets, you’re going to have a very hard time stopping at rest stops for frequent potty breaks and walks. A Class B RV on the other hand won’t have any issues pulling over at a rest stop for a quick pee break for your pup.

Overall, larger RVs are great for cats who can have more room to roam and won’t be going on walks as frequently. While smaller Class C or Class B rigs might be a better option for dogs who need to get out and about regularly.

What Kind of Pet Owner Are you?

When it comes to living with pets in a traditional sticks and bricks home, what kind of pet owner are you?

If you’re the kind of person who sleeps with a bed full of furry friends while you wear your dog hair sweater proudly then you’re probably ready to squeeze into a Class B or a smaller Class C RV.

But if you’re someone who tries to keep your pets off the furniture and you’ve got a spare lint roller at work, in the car, and at home then you’re probably going to want at least a Class C RV to give yourself some space!

How Much Room Does Your Pet Need?

Then there’s the consideration for your pet! While there’s no RV large enough to give a dog proper exercise there is a big difference between a Class A and Class B – especially if we’re talking about a little chihuahua!

However, it’s not all about exercise alone! Your pet also needs to get some mental stimulation now and again! A larger RV gives your pet more space to play with toys or just get a different bit of scenery.

Temperature Control

It’s absolutely critical that you’re able to control and monitor the temperature of your RV at all times. That means you also need to consider the entire RV and not just the driving area. Dogs and cats are suspectable to heatstroke and sadly it can happen faster than you might think. But it’s not just the heat you have to worry about, you’ll also need to protect your pets from cold weather, too.

Dogs can be especially vulnerable to heat depending on their body condition and coat. If you’re traveling with northern breeds like a husky their thick coat (and undercoat) can quickly cause them to overheat.

So if you’re traveling with pets, a temperature monitor is pretty much required. Even though you should never make it a habit to leave your dog or cat in the car unattended there are some places that your pet simply can’t go. While a quick stop into the store might seem harmless enough, you need to know what’s going on inside your RV if you leave your pet inside for any length of time.

My favorite option is the completely wireless setup from Ideal Sciences called the Temp Stick. You can check out the latest price and read the reviews on Amazon by clicking here. You can also see it in action by checking out this video:

Monitoring temperature isn’t really an option if you’re RV’ing with pets- it’s a requirement. It’s just too risky to not know what’s going inside your rig whether you’re there or not.

The other thing to consider is how well you can manage the temperature inside your RV in the first place. You’ll want to look at how many windows you have, the shades available, and the type of insulation in the RV.

Flooring and Fabrics

Accidents happen and even the most well-trained pups might have an emergency pee break inside your RV now and again. Then there’s the issue of shedding and some material will more quickly attract hair and make it hard to keep your RV clean.

Avoiding carpet is pretty much a given since carpet will hold pet odors and make it harder to ever give your home that new RV smell. Luckily carpet is pretty rare in the RV world.

You’ll also want to consider the material of your couch and bed. Some fabrics are simply better at limiting pet problems and microfibers are going to be your best. A synthetic leather is another good option and ultra-leather is one of the most popular and practical options.

Accessibility

How easy is it for your pup to actually get in and out of the RV? While it might not seem like a big deal to pick up your small dog and help them get inside if your pup is feeling particularly brave that day and decides to jump it could lead to an injury. Even if they’re larger, older dogs might have a problem with larger steps, too.

While you typically don’t have a lot of options when it comes to the clearance height of your RV, picking up a dog ramp can make things a lot easier. You can check out our 6 favorite RV-friendly dog ramps in this article.

The nice thing about the WeatherTech ramp is that it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds which means that most people can safely use it as well. That being said, many RVs come equipment with magic stairs that will extend and make it easy for pups to get inside. But for RVs like the Winnebago Revel that feature a large barn-style back door a dog ramp makes a great option.

Keeping Pets Clean

Cats are already well known for staying nice and clean but dogs will most likely need regular baths. While many dogs can be bathed inside the bathroom, this is only really practical if you have a wet bath rather than a dry bath. Even better, are outdoor baths. My favorite Class B dogs, the Winnebago Revel, has a great outdoor shower option with a hose extension that makes dog washing pretty easy.

Pets Get Car Sick Too

Another factor is whether or not your pet will suffer from motion sickness while you’re on the road. That is why it’s so important to give RVing with your pets a test run before you go out and pick up a rig!

Remember in many cases larger vehicles will reduce the chance of people and getting motion sick so even if your cat or dog suffers from motion sickness while in a compact car doesn’t mean they can’t comfortably ride in a larger rig.

Are Most Campsites Dog Friendly?

Most campsites are dog-friendly but it’s if you’re traveling with a furry friend it’s always best to call ahead and confirm. It’s also important to remember that some campsites might have specific breed or size restrictions so doing your homework is critical.

But some campsites take dog-friendly to the next level by including huge off-leash areas where dogs can go nuts! Bring Fido put together a great piece on the best dog-friendly parks and it’s worth checking out.

Best Class B RV for Traveling With Pets

Class B RVs are some of the most popular RVs on the market and for good reason. They’re small enough to fit into most regular parking spaces but still have everything you’d need for longer trips. That makes them the perfect RV if you’re looking to transition from rural to urban environments.

The only downside is that they aren’t exactly large (most are around 16′ to 22′) and even though they’re typically smaller than a larger Class C they’re still more expensive. A Class B would be best for a single traveler and their pet or in some cases a couple.

Let’s get into the first pick!

Best for Dogs: Winnebago Revel E44

Length: 19′ 7″
Exterior Height: 10′
GVWR: 9,050 pounds
Best Pet: Dogs
Favorite Feature: The bed that lifts up to the ceiling so it’s out of the way giving you plenty of room for extra storage or to create a safe, secure place for your pup to rest in their kennel.
What We Wish It Had: The Revel doesn’t have much cook space and a very limited counter area. If you’re looking to cook some big meals on the road this might not be the rig for you.

Overview

Built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis, the Winnebago Revel is a 4×4 Class B RV that drives more like a truck than a home on wheels. The Revel falls into a special group of Class B RVs called Adventure Vans and the Revel certainly lives up to that name.

This RV is built with adventure in mind and many of the features that make it great for blazing new trails also make it very pet-friendly.

Temperature Control

When it comes to temperature control, the Revel is a real standout. First is the diesel heating system. Typically diesel fuel is easier to get your hands on compared to propane and with a diesel-based set up you’re going to have an easier time avoiding chilly pups and people.

But because the Revel is made to go offroad and off-grid, it also features several long-lasting batteries that can fuel the air conditioning unit too. These batteries can obviously be powered by shore power but the Revel also features a solar panel that can get you a charge. There’s also a dedicated alternator that’s sole purpose is to keep your batteries charged. That means you have three ways to keep your batteries charged and your temperature under control.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, the Revel includes a robust app that helps you track the status of your batteries no matter where you are. You can also turn on your air conditioner remotely via the app. If you combine the existing system with something like the Temp Stick you can get detailed stats on your battery, temp and make adjustments while you’re away from the RV.

Again, you shouldn’t make it a habit to leave your dog in your RV but you also can’t take your dog into every store and restaurant. In those cases, it’s critical to know what’s going on inside your RV in terms of temperature and the Revel makes it easy to do.

Interior

Because the Revel is built for adventure it has a durable and rugged interior that’s perfect for dogs. There’s certainly no carpet and besides the bed, there’s not material that you can’t spray off.

With huge barn-style doors on the back, you really could open it up and spray out the back if you wanted!

Sleeping and Storage

The Revel has one of the more unique beds not only when it comes to Class B RVs but across all RVs in general. Measuring in at a surprisingly large 6’4″ not only does this make the Revel a great Class B for tall people but it also leaves plenty of room to share your bed with a dog.

But what really makes the Revel’s bed unique is that it can be raised all the way to the ceiling so it’s completely out of the way. With the bed out of the way, you’ve got a ton of extra space to work with to store all your adventure gear or even a dog crate. There are even tie-down locations in place to secure whatever you store here. You aren’t going to find this kind of space in most Class B RVs and the fact that you can actually securing tie down a dog crate really upgrades this rig’s pet-friendly rating.

But that’s not the only extra storage space that the Revel squeezes in. While this RV of course has all the usual storage spots you’d expect the bathroom has a unique design that actually allows you to turn it into a sort of closet with modular shelving. Again, this is designed to help store all the equipment you’d want to take on the road with you but when it comes to pets extra storage is critical since you’ll need to store things like extra food, bowls, toys, bedding, coats, and more.

Keeping Your Dog Clean!

The Revel also includes a rear water station that perfectly placed for dog baths! Add a simple hose and not only can you enjoy an outdoor shower but you can also make sure your dog is nice and clear after a long day on the trail. Again, it’s these types of boondocking and adventure features that turn out to be great additions to traveling with a dog.

Limited Windows Are A Good Thing (For Dogs)!

Many people have concerns with their dogs going crazy for every squirrel and forest critter they see on the road. Huge windows, which are common with a lot of Class B RVs only make this worse. But the Revel has few windows which not only make it easier to prevent the RV from getting too hot but also decreases the chances of your dog going squirrel crazy

The Downside? The Kitchen Is A Bit Lacking

If you’re a foodie who doesn’t want to stop cooking just because you’re on the road then the limited kitchen within the Revel might be a deal-breaker. Not only are you working with limited counter space but the cooktop doesn’t come fully mounted and instead you have to plug it in to use it.

When combined with the small fridge, you’re pretty limited in what you can whip up. As a food lover myself, if I was working with a cooking space like this I’d probably find space for a portable grill as well.

You can see the kitchen and all the other features of the Revel in this video:

Dogs or Cats?

The Revel is definitely better suited to our canine companions rather than our feline friends. There just isn’t enough room for cats to comfortably hang out inside the RV and unless your cat is very well trained the risk of them wandering off is just too big. The Revel is really designed to be taken off the road where you can post up and camp out. That’s perfect for dogs but just isn’t going to work as well for cats.

Final Thoughts

There’s a whole lot to like about the Revel and if you and your dog are looking for adventure over luxury then this might be perfect. 4×4 means you can blaze your own trail without having to worry about getting stuck.

While Class B RVs are already going to be on the expensive side, the Revel is certainly on the higher end with an MSRP of $185,838. While that doesn’t make it a budget RV, it is packed with features that just aren’t found in other Class B rigs.

Best for Cats: Pleasure-Way Ontour

Interior Height: 6’6″
Bed Length: 77″
MSRP: $129,805 USD
Exterior Length: 19′ 8″
Exterior Height: 10′
Favorite Feature: The huge windows that will keep our feline friends happy and stimulated.
What We Wish It Had: Microfiber material for bedding and seating areas instead of Ultraleather.

Overview

While the best RV for dogs is centered around adventure and getting out of the RV, my pick for the best Class B for cats is more about the comfort of staying inside. Build on the Ford Transit 3500 Van Chassis the Pleasure-Way Ontour is one of the more luxurious Class B RVs on the market with plenty of room for pets.

Windows

One of the most notable features of the Ontour are the massive windows. While they do allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery, when it comes to pets they can be a bit of a double-edged sword.

If your dog has a particularly powerful urge to chase down squirrels and other small animals these windows could quickly become a liability. But for cats, this can be a great way to keep their brain sharp and stimulated as they constantly have a unique view.

But the big concern with big windows is temperature control since that means a lot more sunlight is entering the RV. Pleasure-way does a great job at mitigating this with high-quality tinting and blackout blinds that can help keep the heat out. Still, you’ll need to be extra mindful of temperature and your windows especially since you’re a lot more likely to leave your cat in the RV instead of a dog.

Interior

The Pleasure-Way Ontour interior uses Ultraleather fabric for the bed and seating area. This is an excellent fabric for keeping cat hair under control and most hair can simply be removed with your hand. The only downside to the interior is that leather is occasionally a target for cat scratching. You’ll want to make sure you include a scratching post somewhere in your rig and keep your cat’s nails trimmed.

You can actually turn just about anything into a scratching post just by wrapping some sisal rope around it. It’s also very budget-friendly to do so and you can grab sisal rope on Amazon for a few bucks. I like this route instead of actually buying a scratching post since it’s more space-efficient.

Final Thoughts

Pleasure-Way is well known for producing quality RVs that go above and beyond traditional RV standards. That means things like more solar power, bigger beds, quality craftsmanship, and tons of residential-style fixtures. While that certainly doesn’t make a Pleasure-Way rig and budget RV, most class B’s aren’t exactly budget-friendly to begin with.

All of this comes together to make not only a great RV but also an RV that works well for cats since it’s so close to what you’d find in a normal home. Even though you do have to pay more for quality, the Ontour is still reasonably priced with an MSRP of $135,785 USD.

Best Class C RV for Traveling With Pets

Class C RVs are the type of RV that most people think about when they imagine hitting the road and seeing the sites. With a wide range of sizes between roughly 19′ and 29′ there is a lot of variation in this class. There are even smaller RV which some folks consider to be Class B+ RVs but for this article, we’re going to consider them just another Class C RV.

Best for All Pets: Coachmen Cross Trek

Length: 25′ 1″
Exterior Height: 10′ 6″
Interior Height: 6′ 7″
GVWR: 10,360 pounds
Favorite Feature: All the extra storage! It’s huge!
What We Wish It Had: A bit more boondocking power in the form of more energy options to power the air conditioner and other equipment

The Coachmen Cross Trek comes in at 25′ 1″ and you can tell from the picture alone that’s it pretty compact. So compact that many folks will consider it a Class B+ plus but we don’t want to muddy the water with too many definitions so we’ll be calling it a Class C.

Big Storage for Big Pet Families

What makes this RV really unique (and a great option for pets) is the massive storage capacity in the rear of the motorhome. Some people actually joke that this is a 2 bedroom RV because the storage space in the back of the rig really is that big.

So why is this good for pets?

Because it gives you a ton of extra storage space for larger items like kennels, toys or whatever else you want to bring along. If you want to store your dog’s kennel in the main cabin you still have tons of extra space to bring whatever else you want.

Take a look at all this space:

Getting Creative With Your Storage Space

If you want to get really creative, you can actually modify this huge storage space with a small pet door. that will allow dogs and cats to cross between the storage space and the main cabin.

Why is this such a big deal? Because it makes this storage area even more pet friendly as you can put dog crates or litter boxes in this area and leave the main cabin unchanged. In the video above, Matt shows you exactly where you could make this modification. While this absolutely brings up new safety concerns for your pets it’s not hard to imagine how you could place the litter box in this extra space the same way you might place the litterbox in the garage or laundry room of a traditional home.

Temperature Control

Unlike some of the other RVs on this list, the Coachmen Cross Trek doesn’t appear to come with solar as a standard option. That immediately decreases the ability of this RV to boondock and can complicate some temperature control since the air conditioning can only run off the battery.

Depending on other conditions, you should expect to get about 3 to 5 hours of air conditioner time but you’ll need to turn the car engine on in order to get more time out of it.

As I’ve already mentioned, you don’t want to leave your pet unattended but sometimes you have to for quick trips. You’ll need to be extra careful and make sure you’ve got the juice to keep the AC running (this is again where the temp stick can help).

But a better solution, especially if you want to do any boondocking is to pick up a generator specifically for your air conditioner so you have multiple power options. When it comes to temperature control for homes, and not just pets, it’s a good idea to have multiple energy sources. Enhancing the rig with solar panels is also a possible option, too.

Final Thoughts

The Crosstrek also comes in at a great price with an MSRP of right around $90,000. That means you can shop around and get an even lower price on a used model.

With massive and unique storage space, the Coachmen Cross Trek could be one of the best pet-friendly Class C RVs around- for both dogs and cats. The only downside is the limited air conditioning time. So if you’re planning on doing any kind of boondocking or long-term camping you’ll want to consider investing in a generator, solar panels, or even both.

But overall, it’s tough to beat the versatility and price of the Cross Trek which it makes it a great Class C RV for just about any pet.

Best Fifth Wheel for Traveling With Pets

Fifth wheels can give you the space of a massive Class A RV but with all the freedom of a travel trailer. For many folks, the fifth wheel is the ultimate RV vehicle but it might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to traveling with pets.

The reality is, there are many excellent options in the fifth wheel market and one of my favorite manufacturers has actually introduced an entire line of pet-friendly floor plans.

Let’s take a look at my favorite.

Best Overall: LF335MBH

Length: 37′ 3″
Exterior Height: 12′ 7″
Interior Height: 7′ 7″
GVWR: 11,900 pounds
Favorite Feature: It’s small but I love the slide-out dog food and water bowls under the fridge
What We Wish It Had:

Highland Ridge is a branch of the very popular Jayco RV company and the LF335MBH Lite is part of their line of pet-friendly floor plans. While it’s primarily geared towards dogs, many of these features are great for cats too.

I selected the LF335MBH as the best overall because it has a budget-friendly price with all the benefits of a large RV.

What Exactly Are Pet-Friendly Features?

Pet-friendly is a phrase that gets tossed around quite a bit but what exactly does Highland Ranch mean when they say their floorplans are pet-friendly?

First, there are little features like the slide-out food and water bowl. While it looks like any other drawer from the outside, this little drawer holds a food and water bowl for your cat or dog. While it’s a small addition, it can make a big improvement in your overall quality of life! Finding the right place for the food bowl is a bit of pain and I’ve seen plenty of creative RVers come up with bungee tie or other DIY solutions. But this simple drawer solves all that.

The only thing I don’t love about it is the location- it’s located directly under the fridge and while you can technically move around the kitchen still, you’re not going to want to leave this open while cooking. It would have made a bit more sense to place this off the side somewhere.

This RV, along with the other pet-friendly floor plans, also features easy to clean vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is very easy to maintain and I think it looks great in this RV. The vents that are usually mounted on the floor are instead mounted on the walls in order to prevent dogs and cats from getting caught on them. But the big benefit of having the vents mounted on the wall is so pet fur is less likely to get caught up in the vents. This can really help extend the life of expensive A/C equipment.

You can see the pet-friendly features in action in this video:

Not Just For Pets!

The LF335MBH has everything you’d want to see in a great RV regardless of whether you’re bringing pets along or not. As an avid on the road cook, my favorite is the kitchen. I absolutely love the kitchen island which gives the RV the feel of a residential space instead that’s perfect for making big meals. There’s plenty of space and storage too.

I’m also a big fan of the overall layout of the RV with its big open space. While that makes it feel more like a studio apartment than a home, that’s something I actually love about the LF335MBH! You can see yourself cooking up a nice dinner while family or friends relax in the sitting area.

Final Thoughts

The LF335MBH Lite is an awesome fifth wheel not only for folks that want a pet-friendly RV but for anyone who wants to camp with luxury. It’s a great entry into the world of fifth wheels since it’s light but luxurious and affordable. Depending on the options to go for, the 2021 model of the LF335MBH Lite has an MSRP of $60,975.00. I’ve also been able to find used older models for less than $50,000 which makes this a great entry point into the world of RVing- especially if you already have a vehicle that can tow this relatively light RV.

Best Travel Trailer for Traveling With Pets

Travel trailers are one of the best ways to start your RVing journey. If you already have a vehicle that can tow a travel trailer (and most trucks can) then you can avoid paying all the vehicle components that go into a Class C, B, or A RV.

But are they good for pets?

While some travel trailers are so small that you wouldn’t want to have more than one person in them, there are larger travel trailers that are pet friendly and large enough that you and your furry friend can stay comfortable.

Best Overall: UT2102RB

Length: 26′ 9″
Exterior Height: 11′ 1″
Interior Height: 6′ 9″
GVWR: 7,000 pounds
Favorite Feature: The huge bathroom!
What We Wish It Had: A little more functional storage. While they’ve squeezed in a lot of storage not all of it very useful outside of specific items.

The UT2102RB Ultra Lite is part of the pet-friendly collection from Highland Ridge RV. Every RV in this line up features small but certainly noticeable, pet-friendly features like more durable vinyl flooring, special storage for pet bowls, and strategically placed air vents to prevent extra hair build-up. With a GVWR of 7,000 pounds of the lightest version, this rig is also surprisingly easy to tow with any kind of mid-sized truck.

What Makes This Travel Trailer Good For Pets?

We’re already talked about how important flooring and materials inside your RV are when it comes to pets and the folks at Highland Ridge RV are doing it right! They’re added durable vinyl flooring to every RV in the pet-friendly line which makes these great for dirty dogs! And what dogs don’t like getting dirty at the campsite?

They’ve also placed the heating in cooling vents on the baseboards instead of the floor. While this might not seem like it makes much of a difference not only does it prevent pups from getting their feet snagged on the vents but it can also decrease the amount of hair that gets caught up in the vents.

What About People?

Pet friendly is great…but what about the people that also have to live in the rig?

Like most Highland Ridge RVs, there’s a lot to like! One of my favorite features is the spacious bathroom which is larger than a lot of bathrooms in a traditional home! I love the beautiful sliding door that leads into the bathroom and you can see it here:

The only thing I don’t love is that while there is plenty of storage space squeezed into all the usual spaces, much of it is pretty shallow so it’s not as functional as I’d like. Whether or not this is a big deal will depend on how you like to travel.

Final Thoughts

With an MSRP of $39,620 for the 2021 model, the UT2102RB is also reasonably priced. While there isn’t any particular feature that really makes this rig stand out, that’s actually part of the appeal. It doesn’t everything well without going too far in any particular direction. Quality features and fixtures combined with a focus on pets make this a great option.

Closing Thoughts

Just because you’re hitting the road doesn’t mean you have to leave your pet behind! I hope this quick list of my favorite pet-friendly RVs has given you the inspiration to take your furry friend on the road with you this season!

But I’d love to hear from you! What RV are you using for your furry family? Is there one that should be included?