Dogs have always been good companions to our family, even when we travel. For those of us who have been camping outside for the past few weeks, it’s no wonder we want to go out and enjoy the sunny days of the summer sun. But sometimes problems arise and you can’t entertain your beloved companion. The only thing we may be able to do is leaving our dog in a camper van for the day. But is it safe?
Is it safe to leave the dog in the RV? Do not leave your dog alone in the RV, as safe temperatures are never guaranteed, even if you are monitoring your dog remotely. A severe storm or other accident can cause the air conditioner to malfunction. This can cause the air conditioner to go out and the RV to heat up fairly quickly.
Of all the problems you can face when you leave your dog in your RV, the temperature should be the number one concern for you. Whether it’s too hot or too cold, it’s deadly to a dog. Keeping the temperature inside the RV constant is not difficult by relying on the air conditioner to keep the RV cold or warm.
However, the problem is that these devices need power. What if the electricity goes out at the camper van? Also, it is not possible to keep the engine running all the time to support the air conditioner. So if you can take your dog, don’t leave it in the car. Leaving the dog in the RV exposes the dog to extreme temperatures. On summer days, when the ambient temperature is 35 ° C (95 ° F), the temperature inside the cabin can reach 65 ° C (149 ° F). However, not all places and activities are dog friendly. What if you can’t take your dog?
As mentioned above, the temperature is the main danger to a dog in an enclosure space and it may be necessary to leave the dog in the camper.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect your dog from extreme temperatures：
The biggest fear when a camper leaves a dog in an RV is that the electricity goes out and the air conditioner doesn’t work. There isn’t much you can do to prevent a power outage, but there is one thing you can do to make sure the air conditioner is on. Basically, you have a generator and you need to make sure it works as soon as the power goes off. A generator can literally be a lifesaver when the air conditioner is not getting power from the RV camp. However, most generators do not have an automated start controller.
Also, a good start controller for an automated generator can cost hundreds of dollars. The operating time of the generator is especially noteworthy. For small generators with small fuel tanks, it may not be possible to power the AC unit while it is in operation. However, when choosing an RV generator, keep in mind that you need sufficient runtime and output power to run RV on AC power.
And of course, you need to make sure that the generator’s fuel tank is full so that the generator can power the air conditioner for a long time. Remember that generators can be noisy and destructive to your neighbors. Therefore, leave the generator as the last option.
Ceiling fans are usually only included with large and expensive RVs. Ceiling fans do not provide cooling power for air conditioners, but they also use less power. For this reason, it is advisable to leave the ceiling fan on if you are away for an extended period of time. However, keep in mind that ceiling fans are not very effective in hot weather. Your RV air conditioner is your best choice. Not only that but rotating ceiling fans can cause dog safety issues. Therefore, leaving a ceiling fan is not the best option, but it can still be considered.
You should prepare your RV for extreme temperatures. Outside of winter, the RV should be well insulated and equipped with a portable heater to keep the dog warm. If you use a heater, remember that it will work even in the event of a power outage.
Of course, the first thing to do in the summer is to keep the air conditioner running. Keep in mind that even if there is a power outage at the campsite, you need to ensure that it can be done. Therefore, an air conditioner that is not idle is best. Also, portable air conditioners are more flexible and lighter.
Second, give the dog plenty of cold water so that it can be hydrated. Not all dogs rely on sweating to cool off in hot weather, but they still need to be watered. You can leave the RV window open to block the air, but if you do, it’s a good idea to install a screen on the window to prevent the dog from escaping the RV.