Vanlife with Dogs? DIY Sprinter Van Built w/ 2 Large Dogs in Mind

Vanlife with Dogs? DIY Sprinter Van Built w/ 2 Large Dogs in Mind

Van design tips to accommodate traveling with dogs. Our van was built with 2 dogs living with us in mind, a Golden Retriever & a Samoyed. We designed the van to make it easy for us to keep the van clean after taking them out for some outdoor fun, their storage and how to keep them traveling with us as comfortably & safely as possible.

Hopefully this video can give you some ideas on your own build if you’re traveling with pets!

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Watch our entire van build in time lapse (3 months in 48 minutes) here: https://youtu.be/rvAiugI7uaI

Want to know what we used in our build?
See the list of everything on our website: https://vanimalcrossing.com/build/
(from solar panels, grey water tanks, faucets to outlets and light switches!)

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Find us on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/RinaandMichael

If you like this video, consider subscribing to our channel for future content of our lives in the van sharing our experiences with you all! Thank you for your support!

48 Comments

  1. Mike Rich on May 20, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    Very nice. Lucky doggies

  2. Gee Bee on May 20, 2023 at 12:25 pm

    I couldn’t believe all the cubby spots for their snacks, treats, shampoo, gel toothpaste, hair dryer and paw cleaner. Spoilt rotton and loving it 🥰

  3. Kanajah Symone on May 20, 2023 at 12:28 pm

    Need this for me and my two babies on a budget 🥹♥️

  4. KOSMOS on May 20, 2023 at 12:28 pm

    Thank you so so much for this! We have two large rough collies and every other van is for small dogs or a solo traveler. Seriously, thank you!!

  5. Prin Cess on May 20, 2023 at 12:28 pm

    That is pure fur love right there, saw your tour with Patrick of NJOA and I decided to follow you, the van conversion is really amazing. And of course Asian love!

  6. AlohaNet on May 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    Great van build 👏 👍 👌.

  7. Bee Figz on May 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    I LOVE yalls design and how yall set everything up

  8. Brandon Ellison on May 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    Love the video, me and my wife will be building a van with 2 Aussies in mind. I had a question about keeping tha van cool and would love your opinion. Do you guys have 2 max air fans for better circulation or just the one?

  9. stephanie behrens on May 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    We have 4 samples so we are so glad to see how you set it up for dogs

  10. Stormillenium on May 20, 2023 at 12:31 pm

    I’m glad you made this video. We live in an RV and I was thinking it would be too tight with 2 huskies, me and my husband. But seeing your Van video helps me have an open mind that it’s possible. Thank You! 😊

  11. Chana H on May 20, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    Brilliant pupstyle

  12. Jenny Yasi on May 20, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    Excellent!

  13. FLGIRL on May 20, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    Being a Dog Lover I am impressed with your layout. You have showed me areas where I can build compartments to store my Doodles supplies. I love the wash areas…I will definitely need to install for convenience. My Doodle is 96 pounds and loves mud and sand 🤦‍♀️ and that’s ok. Thank you for sharing and giving me some great ideas for my Doodle…it’s been a question!
    Safe Travels

  14. AlohaNet on May 20, 2023 at 12:34 pm

    Like 👍 31.

  15. Flor Maldonado on May 20, 2023 at 12:35 pm

    True animal lovers 🥰🥰

  16. Jillian Walin on May 20, 2023 at 12:35 pm

    Hi, What wifi system are you using for the Wyze camera and the Temperature sensor? We have two dogs and would really like to be able to monitor them when we leave them in the van.

  17. Amanda Kisah Tauti on May 20, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    This is really interesting as..I was thinking that I loved your camper van mannered and everything..one day, my partner and I would love to live inside the camper van with our future pet dogs (Shih Tzu & Golden Retriever) and also together with wifi as well for the camper van too. Im really glad you’ve got 2 dogs also. Oh! Our other future pet cats (4 female Persian too).

  18. WW2 remembered on May 20, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    What’s up with you young people and your friggin dogs? Granny and Granpa are now in their 20’s…..’Oh, I LOVE my dog….humans suck! ‘.

  19. Just War Podcast on May 20, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    Do you guys ever do activities without them when traveling and if so where do you leave them ?

  20. OneMoreTacoTV on May 20, 2023 at 12:41 pm

    So cool. I want to use a van like this as a youtube studio. Is it quiet enough to do voice-overs in it?

  21. Jophiel Lam on May 20, 2023 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Michael you video is awesome and the design of your camping car is cool. Anything you have documented for preparing all the building works that can be shared?

  22. Natalie Tingle on May 20, 2023 at 12:45 pm

    I actually really love this! It’s a great video with true dog lovers and I’ve been trying to look for van lifers with dogs!

  23. lolimi on May 20, 2023 at 12:45 pm

    Love this!

  24. ragga skool José on May 20, 2023 at 12:48 pm

    Tell US how your dog’s Feel when you are van life Trip

  25. SimpleCrazyBOCs on May 20, 2023 at 12:48 pm

    Great lifw

  26. Cortney Sylvestre on May 20, 2023 at 12:50 pm

    Super great woof

  27. John Torma on May 20, 2023 at 12:50 pm

    Cool snack bags & dark blue paint tip; thanks for the video!

  28. Killiski on May 20, 2023 at 12:52 pm

    We are going to use a campervan to move from our island in the Caribbean to British Colombia with our three big dogs (2 Dobermanns and one island mixed breed) and are looking for a layout and if it’s even possible! I really like your van and your beautiful dogs! Thanks for the little tour!

  29. Rita Stern on May 20, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    Awesome build. Beautiful dogs. Happy Life.

  30. Murray Mint on May 20, 2023 at 12:55 pm

    You live in the dog’s van 😂

  31. Jaime Flores on May 20, 2023 at 1:01 pm

    worst food you can give them pedigree

  32. Hsia H on May 20, 2023 at 1:01 pm

    So much fur.. 😫hard to clean with the Samoyed. Great that you have designed the layout based on the companions!

  33. Jeanie Koechley on May 20, 2023 at 1:01 pm

    Love it! I’d want to build my van around my dogs, too!

  34. Leila L on May 20, 2023 at 1:02 pm

    Beautiful 🐶 🐕 😊

  35. The Gift From God on May 20, 2023 at 1:04 pm

    Hmmm van all about the dogs😍💞

  36. Catherine Estabillo-Maniacup on May 20, 2023 at 1:04 pm

    Your van is well built and you really considered your dogs needs… great work

  37. Gill Osborne on May 20, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    Thank you. That’s the first video I’ve seen that considers the needs of the dogs only. I will be travelling with 1 large and 2 medium dogs. In the U.K., we are not allowed to have the dogs loose between the seats when travelling, they have to be retrained. I.m in the planning process at 5he moment. I’m now looking to take out the passenger seat and have some sort of dog seatbelt idea, or a full kennel under a double bed.

  38. 老张 Senior Zhang on May 20, 2023 at 1:09 pm

    so smart. love your dogs

  39. AlohaNet on May 20, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    Subscribed to channel and will see you on the next one 👍 😀.

  40. Goberian Chloe X on May 20, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    I love how you have the camera and the temp to monitor the dogs. Most people are not as efficient ! Well done you care for your fury friends as they should be x

  41. Michele James on May 20, 2023 at 1:12 pm

    Love that you guys do so much for your dogs. I’m currently looking for my first van to build so I can travel with my two large dogs. The painted wall is gorgeous and the water bowl in the shower is brilliant!

  42. MF B on May 20, 2023 at 1:13 pm

    This is exactly what I’ve been searching for!! I have 2 big collies and have been struggling with designing around them (where they hang out while you’re driving, showering them, etc.) and not anything else (bed, toilet, etc.) Thank you!!! Love love your van setup!

  43. Elizabeth on May 20, 2023 at 1:13 pm

    Great video! Can you share what camera and temperature control device you use? Also, is Visible’s hot spot consistently reliable? Do you also have any alarm system? I have a 12 pound pup and look forward to traveling with him. Thanks for the great tips!

  44. pug123 on May 20, 2023 at 1:16 pm

    Thanks for the video.
    I also wonder how long you can leave your dogs in the van?
    No judgment, I really dream about having a campervan but I am a little bit scared how it’s gonna look like, because they are old ones and they can’t walk a long walks.

  45. tobe wiser on May 20, 2023 at 1:17 pm

    It would be nice if you have an air conditioner sensor to turn on the air conditioner to keep the van comfortable for them when you guys are out.

  46. kokopuffs on May 20, 2023 at 1:18 pm

    What do you do if it gets too hot while you’re away?

  47. Okie Jammer on May 20, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    EXCELLENT. ⚘ NEEDED. APPRECIATED. SUBSCRIBED.

  48. emmachomao on May 20, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    Where do you stand in the shower? The toilet bowl takes up all the space.

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