Hello all,We're first time campers with our new travel trailer here in California and we have two small dogs we'd like to take with us on our travels.We've done some research and have learned that most of the time if you take the dogs away from your campsite (on a leash of course), you can only walk them around the facility. If your at the beach the dogs aren't allowed on the beach. If your in the mountains the dogs aren't allowed on the trails, etc.So I've read on other threads on this subject about people leaving their dogs in their RV/trailer with the AC on the maybe even the TV while they leave for a few hours. I'm fine with this as long as the dogs don't bark too much or try to destroy the trailer from the inside out.My question is this:If you leave the AC running and you leave your campsite and you use a generator to run the AC, what do you do with the generator? Leave it outside and locked up?Thanks,Robert

Skip the AC and use a Fantastic Fan or two. Dogs like humans survived a long time without AC.

A lot of beaches and trails allow leashed dogs. Be responsible with your pet keep them leashed and cleanup after them. Remember not everyone you meet likes your dog's as much as you do. Show them respect. We take our dog everywhere we can, some places that allow dogs it just isn't practical or safe however.Common sense usually works.Jesseannie

If you get outside of CA you might find some of those regulations ease up a bit. There are plenty of trails to take leashed dogs on but you must still pick up after your pet. Of course, no beaches here.If you are going to leave them inside with AC and you don't have full hook-ups, you should go ahead and lock up your generator. That is no guarantee the generator will be there when you return. Other options are to find wooded boondocking areas that provide lots of shade so the trailer doesn't get too hot in the first place and then use your fan off battery. Use your best judgement to not let the trailer heat up too much as trailers in the CA sun in warm areas can get pretty hot inside if you are not venting it with fans.

I agree with Jesseannie. State and Federal parks in California bar dogs on trails. Other places, like national forests have local options. BLM lands for the most part are open and do not require leashes. Your best bet is just to ask what the rules are locally.

If the weather is too hot get full hookups. If you're in the High Sierra's or the coast the weather is pretty nice, its fine to leave the windows open with the fan on. If the weather is hot and no full hookups leave generator on with air going 24/7. Generator is fine leaving it on. The more you use the generator the better it is. If the generator is in storage run it on a full load at least once a month for 20 minutes.

Camping with the dogs | Good Sam Community

LJAZ
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
We occasionally leave the dogs in the trailer for short periods of time - an hour or two with no issues. Have only done it with hookups though so the AC is on.
If you haven't done this before though, I would recommend you see how they react when you leave. Go just far enough away that you can hear them if they start to make a racket. It might take the dogs some time to get used to being left alone.
We were camped one time next a family that took off in the morning and left their 2 dogs in the trailer for most of the day. They barked almost the whole time. Seemed like as soon as they settled down someone would drive past, or kids would ride their bikes past the trailer and the barking would start all over again.
Earl_E
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
Amrya wrote:
Great topic. We had planned on leaving our Border Collie home for our 8 we cross canada track this summer. Sadly however, it looks like plan are changing.

We will be in a full or at least electrical hook up the entire time we travle. There will be times when we will need to leave the dog in her crate for a few hours to explore non dog friendly spots.

All of our reservations accept dogs and she is a non barker. If the ac is on is it acceptable to leave her in her crate for a few hours at a time??

Our two dogs have no trouble being left alone for up to 3 or 4 hours in the trailer. It's their home and is no different than the sticks & bricks we live in the rest of the year.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2017
Amrya wrote:
Great topic. We had planned on leaving our Border Collie home for our 8 we cross canada track this summer. Sadly however, it looks like plan are changing.

We will be in a full or at least electrical hook up the entire time we travle. There will be times when we will need to leave the dog in her crate for a few hours to explore non dog friendly spots.

All of our reservations accept dogs and she is a non barker. If the ac is on is it acceptable to leave her in her crate for a few hours at a time??
Yes especially in Canada where temperatures are not as hot. I just try to limit the time I'm gone. To them the RV is their home as well as the house. They usually take a nap and when I get back take them for a long walk
Amrya
Explorer
Mar 27, 2017
Great topic. We had planned on leaving our Border Collie home for our 8 we cross canada track this summer. Sadly however, it looks like plan are changing.

We will be in a full or at least electrical hook up the entire time we travle. There will be times when we will need to leave the dog in her crate for a few hours to explore non dog friendly spots.

All of our reservations accept dogs and she is a non barker. If the ac is on is it acceptable to leave her in her crate for a few hours at a time??
Earl_E
Explorer
Mar 27, 2017
We simply won't chance trusting a generator if it is HOT out...meaning over 80 or so. Many do, we don't. If it's going to be hot we stay at a place with electricity and use our air to protect the dogs. I know they can take a lot of heat, but I won't chance it. We have passed up many great dry camping spots to make sure the dogs are safe. Or we use the generator and stay at the RV. We don't camp at the beach in CA so don't know about that but have never had trouble finding places to walk the dogs and hike. Most NP's don't allow dogs on the trails. We are close to the MX border so take a couple trips a year to Rocky Point where the dogs can run free on the beach. They love it.
Knight500
Explorer
Mar 27, 2017
Well this is all really good feed back. Since we're first time campers we'll have to include this feed back when we're looking for places to camp. We don't want to park the trailer and just sit in it for a few days. We want to do things...like day hikes or the beach. Taking the dogs would be the icing on the cake. Some of you seem positive about the idea so I feel better about the prospects.

Also, I still plan on buying a generator but I'm keeping an open mind about how much we'll be able to use it. We'll see...

Thanks for the replies
Dernhelm
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
BizmarksMom wrote:
National Forests all allow dogs on trail. I hiked all over the central Sierras with my dogs - big RVs are not making it into those campgrounds, but that's a separate issue. BLM land is also wide open for letting dogs hike and wander. That means a huge swath of CA desert is open and dog friendly.

I highly recommend National Forests, have used them for years. Just be sensitive and keep your dogs leashed and you can take them a multitude of places. If you can't keep them with you, be sure the RV is well-ventilated and think about getting a heat warning device.

Not sure a generator is a great idea - did somebody already say this? Carbon monoxide is going to be a concern, and you'll be driving your fellow campers crazy. Many campgrounds don't allow them anymore.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
National Forests all allow dogs on trail. I hiked all over the central Sierras with my dogs - big RVs are not making it into those campgrounds, but that's a separate issue. BLM land is also wide open for letting dogs hike and wander. That means a huge swath of CA desert is open and dog friendly.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Mar 18, 2017
Ah, that would explain a lot. I know there are more and more beaches along the Sonoma coast that have banned dogs.
korbe
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
toedtoes wrote:
korbe wrote:
All the beaches in the north state allow dogs that I'm aware of. Some of the state parks do not allow dogs on the more popular trails. All the Forest Service trails allow dogs that I recall. All on leash, of course. We go places where our dog can go too. We find put first.

Nope. There are a few dog-friendly beaches in Northern California. But many do not allow dogs on the beach (some due to the nesting habits of the snowy plover).

If I start at clam beach in Mckinleyville and go north, I can't think of any non-dog friendly beaches. Of course, my view of California is that south of Eureka is Central California. :)

Forum Discussion

Camping with the dogs

About Pet Owners

Related Content

Camping with my dogs

Video: RV camping with dogs

dog food for old dog

Dogs in RV parks

Dog leukemia?