(Mostly dog) stuff we use every day living in our van
(Or at least every other day, because sometimes routines get weird. First published in January 2024 and last tweaked in July.)
Here are the small handful of belongings I think we could not thrive without in our converted camper van!
Dog-specific things
Travel crate
Scout rides in her secure kennel whenever we’re driving, the same way Sean and I always wear our seatbelts. More on our crate selection process here!Non-slip water bowl
We recently got this Wilderdog stainless steel bowl. It has a rubber ring on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around, so we don’t have to pick it up every time we’re about to hit the road. Sean and I are both obsessed.Airtight food storage
Both to keep freshness in… and dog-food smells out of the rest of our house. We store Scout’s kibble in its original bag inside a basic, plastic airtight bin.Tailgate poop bag dumpster
Storing Scout’s poop inside my house doesn’t sound great to me. But we don’t always have access to garbage cans, especially if we’re out on public land. This Kurgo dumpster has held up well after we reinforced it with a stronger magnet!Slip lead
Ideal for quick bathroom breaks. Scout’s usually naked inside the van, so a slip lead enables us to quickly leash her up to potty without fumbling for collar clasps.Medicine
Scout’s on a twice-daily anticonvulsant for idiopathic epilepsy, so naturally we need to keep that on hand at all times.
Cleaning supplies
Small handheld broom
Because between the three of us, we track a lot of dirt inside. Our door mat is no match for it.Extra towel
The best tip the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy ever taught me (iykyk)! A “bonus” towel to wipe up everything from muddy paw prints to spilled coffee. We love ours from Nomadix, probably in part because their tagline is “own less do more” (perfect message, clearly).Vinegar, water, and lavender mixture
We store this in an old spray bottle and use it as needed, especially on the surface of our composting toilet. It’s safe to use in a tiny space and smells pretty darn good thanks to the lavender essential oil!
Van gear
Window covers
Okay, if we’re out on public land where it’s dark and the weather is warm overnight, we won’t put these on. All other times? Our window covers from Van Essentials and Vanmade Gear make deep sleep possible.
Miscellaneous
Slip-on shoes
The equivalent of a slip lead for humans. Anything to make Scout’s bathroom breaks quick and easy!Basic human toiletries
Hopefully goes without saying. (Although as of this spring, I’ve pretty much cut out all shampoo, so my list of supplies here keeps dwindling.)