three_car_packing_tips_blog.jpg
<p><img src="https://azure.wgp-cdn.co.uk/app-yourdog/posts/three_car_packing_tips_blog.jpg" alt="3 packing tips for a family camping holiday with the dog" /></p><p>Family camping holidays can be a lot of fun — especially when you bring your dog along. But, when there isn't a seat to spare in your car and you have an excited pooch travelling with you, packing your vehicle can take a lot of planning and effort.</p>
Here, we're going to give you three packing tips for when you're preparing for a family camping trip with the dog. These should ensure that there's space for everyone, and nothing vital gets left behind. Read on to find out more.
Pack your car boot with precision
When you're travelling with kids and your family dog, it's unlikely you'll have space on the backseat to store any of your supplies or equipment. So, it's vital that you pack your car boot in a way that makes the most of the space, but also allows you to access things as and when you need them. You won't want to turn up at your campsite at night, only to find that your torch is buried under everything else.
To ensure that your car is packed as efficiently as possible, don't just start throwing things in your boot in any old order. Instead, take everything you're intending to pack (including anything already in your boot) and lay it out near your car, all the while assessing when you're likely to need something and, therefore, how easily accessible everything needs to be. Then, you can start playing packing Tetris. It's a good idea to position bags so you can reach their zips. This way, if you discover that you or your kids need something out of a holdall, you won't have to empty your boot to get to it.
Once your car is stacked to the brim with tents, camping stoves, and foldable chairs, snap a photo before you set off. This will make it much easier for you to pack everything away once you're ready to come home.
Don't be tricked into thinking that packing your car for a camping trip is as simple as throwing everything in and shutting the door — there's an art to it. If you would like more advice on how to ensure everything fits and you don't have to leave anything important behind, check out Mental Floss' guide to packing a car for a camping trip.
Make sure everyone has an emergency pack of essentials
Once you've packed your car, you'll want to avoid disturbing the mountain of supplies and equipment as much as possible — at least until you reach your destination. This means you'll want to make everyone an emergency pack with the essentials they're likely to need during the journey.
For you and the kids, you should organise some snacks and a packed lunch, any games you might want to play on the journey, and perhaps a change of clothes if you're anticipating rain and have planned some pit stops.
You should think carefully about what your dog is likely to need, too. If you're going to be travelling a long distance, you'll need to stop to walk them on the way. So, it's vital that you pack a well-fitting harness and an adjustable lead. It's important that you also keep your dog watered and fed during your journey, which means you'll need to bring his bowls and some food along. We would also recommend having a towel at hand so, if he gets muddy or wet while on a walk, he won't ruin your car seats. And, of course, you'll need some bags to clean up after him. Dog waste bags from BioBag are compostable and can take as little as 40 days to decompose, which makes them a great choice if you're environmentally conscious.
Consider investing in a trailer
If your family car has a small boot or you're struggling to cut down your supplies, adding more storage to your vehicle might be the best solution. If you're planning to camp with your family and dog on a regular basis, investing in a trailer could be a great option. This can then be attached to the back of your car, increasing the amount of storage you have to play with.
If this is something you're considering, ERDE is a well-renowned manufacturer that offers a huge range of trailers, which come in a selection of different sizes. They also stock all of the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your chosen trailer. So, you can pick up everything you require in one go.
Planning a camping trip with your family and dog can be incredibly exciting, but packing can take quite a lot of thought and preparation. As long as you pack your boot with precision, make sure everyone has their essentials at hand, and invest in additional storage if you need it, you won't end up leaving anything important behind.