9 Best Dog Crates for a Camper Van (November 2026)
The best dog crates for camper vans include the Amazon Basics Portable for most camper van setups, the DUMOS 36 Inch Dog Crate for medium dogs and growing puppies, and the Carlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure for small dogs and puppies.
On this page (9 sections)
- The best dog crates for camper van travel
- How these camper van crates compare
- How we compared these dog crates for camper van use
- What size dog crate fits in a camper van?
- Should you bolt or strap the crate in the van?
- Plastic or wire crate for camper van travel?
- How do you clean a crate on the road?
- Where should the crate go in a camper van?
- Which dog crate for camper van trips should you buy?
The best dog crate for camper van trips is the Amazon Basics Portable 48-inch, because it folds flat when the van is packed and opens in seconds when you reach camp. For smaller vans and quick roadside stops, choose the DUMOS 36-inch for its two doors or the ZOMISIA 28-inch for its wheels.
A camper van crate has to do two jobs that a home crate doesn't. It has to keep your dog safe and settled on the road, and it has to get out of the way when the van becomes a living space.
That means fold-flat frames, trays that catch mess and a size that fits your free floor area.
If your dog travels in the car seat area rather than the van floor, our guide to the best dog crate for car trips covers car-friendly picks. And if you're still deciding between a crate and a soft carrier, our dog crate vs carrier comparison explains when each one wins.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
-
3
Best for small dogs and puppiesCarlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Best for ferry and air legsCheck it - 5
Check itLesure Shown on Today Show Soft Collapsible
Best for light packing - 6
Check itAmazon Basics 30-inch single door wire crate
Best for compact vans - 7
Check itFDW 48-inch foldable metal crate
Best for large dogs - 8
Check itZOMISIA 28" L Collapsible Dog Crate
Best for quick stops - 9
Check itDONORO double door crate for small and medium dogs
Best for covered night-time sleeping
The best dog crates for camper van travel
Every crate here folds or packs down, except the plastic kennel, but they solve different van problems. The top pick handles large dogs and long trips, while the rest cover small vans, quick stops, night-time sleeping and ferry legs.
Amazon Basics Portable: Best for most camper van setups
- Folds flat for storage
- Top handle for carrying
- Removable plastic tray
- Divider panel
A large wire crate that folds down flat when the van is packed up and opens quickly when you reach camp.
Pros
- Folds flat for travel
- Top handle makes carrying easier
- Divider adjusts the space
Cons
- Heavy at about 40 lb
- Single door limits where you can place it
The Amazon Basics Portable 48-inch is the crate we'd put in most camper vans with a medium or large dog. It measures 48 x 30 x 32.5 inches and is rated for pets under 46 x 28.5 inches, so a Labrador or Rottweiler has room to stand and turn.
Amazon Basics gives simple sizing advice: measure your dog from nose to base of tail and from the top of the head to the floor while standing, then add 4 inches to both numbers. Do that before you buy, because a crate that's too tall wastes van height and one that's too short leaves your dog hunched.
The frame folds down flat and has a top handle, which matters when you're clearing the aisle at bedtime. A single door keeps the setup simple, and the divider lets you shrink the space for a younger dog or a smaller traveler.
Daily use comes down to the tray. The removable plastic base slides out for cleaning, and a metal hook at the bottom stops it moving during the drive.
Lock the hook properly after each tray change.
At about 40 lb it's the heaviest pick here. If you lift it in and out at every stop, plan for the weight.
Choose it for large dogs and trips where the crate stays put once set up.
DUMOS 36 Inch Dog Crate: Best for medium dogs and growing puppies
- Double-door access
- Folds under 3 in thick
- Removable tray with deep lip
- Divider panel
Two doors give you front and side entry in a van where one side is blocked by the bed or kitchen.
Pros
- Front and side doors
- Folds under 3 in thick
- Rounded corners
Cons
- Rated for small and medium dogs
- Ships from a newer brand
DUMOS gives you front and side doors on a 36.61 x 22.64 x 24.21 inch frame. In a van, one door is often blocked by the bed or kitchen unit, so the second entry earns its place.
A large door opening with a low threshold also makes it easier for an older dog to step in without a lift.
It folds into a flat pack under 3 in thick, which tucks behind a bench or under a bunk. The deep-lipped tray catches spills instead of letting them run onto the van floor.
Rounded corners reduce scrapes when you squeeze past it, and they protect the floor and your shins in a tight aisle.
The divider is useful for a puppy who will grow into the full space, and DUMOS notes you can also split the crate between two pets by size. Heavy-duty slide bolts lock each door, and the carrying handle is strong enough for the 25.24 lb frame.
This is a medium-dog crate. Very tall or heavy breeds will feel cramped.
Pick it for medium dogs and vans with limited doorway clearance.
Carlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure: Best for small dogs and puppies
- All-steel build
- Single door with bolt lock
- Blue removable washable pan
- Folds flat and locks
A light small crate that folds flat and locks for travel, with a washable pan for muddy paws.
Pros
- Only 12 lb
- Washable pan
- Folds and locks flat
Cons
- Small size, 25 lb limit
- One door only
Carlson's Compact crate is the light option for small dogs and puppies. The all-steel frame weighs just 12 lb and is rated for pets up to 25 lb, so it's easy to pass from the van to a friend's house or a cafe patio.
The maker lists it for smaller breeds and puppies, and it's designed for indoor and outdoor use.
The blue pan removes and washes, which helps after a muddy walk. The fold-and-go system locks flat for storage, and the single door has a secure bolt latch.
Carlson suggests it as a house-training tool, which fits van life well: a puppy who learns to settle in the crate at home will settle in it on the road.
At 24 x 18 x 19 inches it won't suit a Labrador, but it fits under a dinette seat or in a rear storage locker. For a small dog who mostly sleeps in the van and walks during the day, this is plenty.
The trade-off is size and a single door.
Choose it for a toy breed or puppy, or as a second crate for a small dog who travels with a larger one.
Petmate Sky Kennel 28-inch: Best for ferry and air legs
- Meets IATA live animal transport requirements
- 360-degree ventilation
- Tie-down strap holes
- Food and water cup included
A hard plastic kennel that meets IATA requirements and most airline cargo rules, so the same crate works on the road and in the air.
Pros
- Meets IATA requirements
- Tie-down strap holes
- Travel kit included
Cons
- For pets 20 to 30 lb
- Not a fold-flat crate
The Petmate Sky Kennel 28-inch is the pick when your trip includes a ferry, a flight or a train with kennel rules. It meets IATA live animal transport requirements and most airline cargo specifications, so one crate covers the road and the air.
Petmate still advises checking with the airline in advance, since carrier rules vary.
Interior space is 24.25 x 18.25 x 19.5 inches for pets around 20 to 30 lb. The easy-squeeze latch door has interlocks, and 360-degree ventilation keeps air moving in a warm van.
The shell is EcoTEC plastic with at least 90% pre-consumer recycled material, made in the USA.
Tie-down strap holes give you a place to secure it, and the kit includes two LIVE ANIMAL stickers, a food and water cup, ID stickers and an absorbent pad. Plastic-covered wing-nuts and bolts plus integrated side handles make it easier to carry and to check the shell before travel.
It doesn't fold flat like the wire crates, so it takes up a fixed block of storage. Pick it when travel rules matter more than packing space.
Lesure Shown on Today Show Soft Collapsible: Best for light packing
- Folds into a compact package
- Four-side mesh walls
- Reflective strips
- Self-locking zippers
A soft-sided crate that packs into its own bag and offers mesh walls for airflow in a warm van.
Pros
- Folds into a storage bag
- Four mesh walls
- Reflective strips for night stops
Cons
- Soft walls suit calmer dogs
- Zippers need checking at each stop
The Lesure soft crate is for light packers with calmer dogs. It assembles in about 2 minutes and folds into its own storage bag, so it disappears when the van is in day mode.
Lesure says it can fold two ways to suit indoor and outdoor settings.
Four zippered mesh walls give airflow, and reflective strips make it easier to see at night. The self-locking zipper system holds the mesh shut, and an integrated leash adds a second safety point.
The waterproof fabric wipes with a damp cloth, which helps on wet-weather trips.
The iron frame keeps its shape and the removable plush mat gives your dog a soft place to settle. It comes in S through XL, from 35 lb up to 90 lb, so you can size it to your dog.
The XL frame weighs 15.75 lb.
Soft walls won't contain a determined chewer the way wire or plastic will, so it suits dogs who already sleep quietly in a crate. Choose it for calm travelers and vans where storage space is tight.
Amazon Basics 30-inch single door wire crate: Best for compact vans
- Folds flat
- Top handle
- Removable plastic tray
- Divider panel
The smaller version of our top pick, sized for vans where every inch of floor space counts.
Pros
- Folds flat
- Light at 16.6 lb
- Divider for smaller pups
Cons
- Short for tall dogs
- Single door
This 30-inch Amazon Basics crate is the same design as our top pick, shrunk to fit small vans. It's rated for pets under 26 x 17 inches, like a Beagle, Dachshund, Shih Tzu or Chihuahua.
Run the same measuring method as the 48-inch model: nose to tail base, head to floor, then add 4 inches.
It folds flat and carries by a top handle at 16.6 lb. The single door and divider keep the setup familiar, and the removable tray cleans up the same way as the larger model.
The metal hook that holds the tray is worth locking down every time, since a sliding tray in a moving van is the last thing you want.
The smaller footprint means it can sit in a doorway or between the front seats without eating the whole aisle. For a solo traveler with a small dog, that's a real gain in living space.
It's short for tall dogs. Pick it for compact vans and small breeds, and step up to the 48-inch version for anything bigger.
FDW 48-inch foldable metal crate: Best for large dogs
- Double doors
- Leak-proof plastic tray
- Rust-resistant wire
- Handle for carrying
A big double-door crate for large dogs, with a tray that catches spills in a moving van.
Pros
- Front and side doors
- Leak-proof tray
- Folds for storage
Cons
- Large footprint in the van
- 32 lb to lift in and out
FDW makes the large-dog crate with the most van-friendly doors. The 48 x 29 x 31 inch frame has front and side entrances, so you can load from whichever side faces the open door.
In a van where the sliding door is the only clear access, that second door is the difference between a usable crate and one you have to drag out to use.
The leak-proof plastic tray runs the length of the crate and catches accidents in a moving van. The surface is textured, so food and water dishes sit without slipping.
Rust-resistant wire handles energetic dogs and chewers, and a carrying handle helps with lifting the 32 lb frame. It folds down fully when the trip is over.
It's among the largest crates here by floor area. In a short-wheelbase van it will take most of the aisle, so measure before you buy.
The double doors make it more usable in tight spots than a single-door crate of the same size.
Choose it for a large dog in a long-wheelbase van where the crate can stay set up for the whole trip.
ZOMISIA 28" L Collapsible Dog Crate: Best for quick stops
- Two wheels and side handles
- Folds to 5.7 in
- Squeeze-latch door
- Plastic and wire build
Wheels and handles let you roll this crate from the van to a picnic table or campsite without carrying it.
Pros
- Rolls on two wheels
- Folds to 5.7 in
- Squeeze-latch door
Cons
- Small size
- Plastic and wire mix
The ZOMISIA 28-inch crate is the one to grab for quick stops. Two smooth wheels and handles on both sides let you roll it from the van to a picnic table or campsite without carrying it.
That matters when your hands are full of camping gear or a leash.
It folds to 5.7 in and sets up with squeeze latches that are easy for you and hard for a clever dog. The plastic and wire build weighs 19.85 lb and measures 27.95 x 18.9 x 21.65 inches.
ZOMISIA lists it for indoor use, road trips and temporary outdoor containment.
ZOMISIA says it fits in most mid-to-large SUV trunks, which is a useful guide for a camper van's rear storage. It suits a small or medium dog who joins you at outdoor meals.
The wheels add height and hardware, so it's less compact than a plain fold-flat crate. For wheel-focused options, our roundup of dog crates with wheels has more choices.
Pick it for short trips and frequent in-and-out stops.
DONORO double door crate for small and medium dogs: Best for covered night-time sleeping
- Double doors
- Crate cover included
- Leak-proof removable tray
- Carrying handle
A small double-door crate that comes with a fabric cover to darken the space for sleeping in a bright van.
Pros
- Cover included
- Two doors
- Leak-proof tray
Cons
- Small and medium dogs only
- Cover is hand wash only
DONORO bundles a cover with its double-door crate, which solves a camper van problem: bright mornings. The 600D Oxford cover slips over the top and holds the door panel with hook-and-loop tape, giving your dog a darker space to sleep.
DONORO describes it as a den-like space that also helps with housebreaking and reducing chewing or barking.
The 30 x 19 x 21 inch crate has two doors and two slide-bolt latches on each, plus a leak-proof removable tray and a carrying handle. It weighs 17.71 lb.
The two doors give front and side entry, which helps when the crate sits against a wall.
The cover is hand wash only and should be air-dried, so plan to air it between trips. The crate is for small and medium dogs, so large breeds need another pick.
This is the lowest-scored crate here because it adds a cover rather than extra size or travel hardware. Choose it if your dog wakes early and you want a den-like sleeping spot in the van.
How these camper van crates compare
The table puts size, weight and travel features side by side so you can match a crate to your van's free floor space. Check the door count too, since a second door matters when one side of the crate faces a wall.
Fold thickness matters as well: a crate that packs under 3 in can slide behind a bench, while a plastic kennel takes up a fixed block. Weight tells you how much lifting you'll do at each stop.
And pet weight limits set the ceiling for your dog's size.
| Product | Best for | Size | Weight | Doors | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Portable | most camper van setups | 48 x 30 x 32.5 in | 39.99 lb | 1 | 9.7 |
| DUMOS 36 Inch Dog Crate | medium dogs and growing puppies | 36.61 x 22.64 x 24.21 in | 25.24 lb | 2 | 9.0 |
| Carlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure | small dogs and puppies | 24 x 18 x 19 in | 12 lb | 8.8 | |
| Petmate Sky Kennel 28-inch | ferry and air legs | 24.25 x 18.25 x 19.5 in | 2.2 lb | 8.5 | |
| Lesure Shown on Today Show Soft Collapsible | light packing | 42 x 28 x 30 in | 15.75 lb | 8.3 | |
| Amazon Basics 30-inch single door wire crate | compact vans | 30 x 19 x 21 in | 16.6 lb | 1 | 8.2 |
| FDW 48-inch foldable metal crate | large dogs | 48 x 29 x 31 in | 32 lb | 2 | 8.2 |
| ZOMISIA 28" L Collapsible Dog Crate | quick stops | 27.95 x 18.9 x 21.65 in | 19.85 lb | 8.1 | |
| DONORO double door crate for small and medium dogs | covered night-time sleeping | 30 x 19 x 21 in | 17.71 lb | 2 | 7.5 |
Which crates fold flat and which don't
The wire and soft crates here fold down. The Amazon Basics 30 and 48-inch models, the DUMOS, the FDW, the Lesure and the ZOMISIA all pack into a flat or bagged form.
The Carlson folds and locks flat too. The Petmate Sky Kennel is the one that doesn't fold, so plan a permanent spot for it if your route includes a flight or ferry.
How we compared these dog crates for camper van use
We scored each crate on how well it handles van travel: whether it folds or packs down, how much it weighs to lift, its door layout and its mess control. Fit came next.
A crate that's too big for the aisle fails the camper van test no matter how good it is at home. We also checked the accessories each crate ships with, since a cover or a travel kit changes what you need to pack.
We also weighed the dog. Large breeds need the 48-inch frames, while small dogs do better in a 24 to 30 in crate that leaves room for your gear.
Scores reflect specs and features against what a camper van owner needs, not lab testing.
What size dog crate fits in a camper van?
Measure your free floor area first, then size the crate to your dog. A camper van rarely has the square footage of a living room, so the crate has to fit both the dog and the van.
Amazon Basics' guidance is to measure your dog standing and add 4 inches to both the length and height.
Small vans and micro campers
A 24 to 30 in crate is the safe range. The Carlson Compact at 24 x 18 x 19 inches and the Amazon Basics 30-inch both fit between seats or under a dinette.
These suit dogs up to about 25 lb. The DONORO at 30 x 19 x 21 inches is the same footprint class if you want a cover.
Standard conversions
A 36 in crate like the DUMOS is the middle ground. It fits a medium dog and still leaves an aisle.
Measure the gap between your bed and kitchen unit before choosing. The DUMOS folds under 3 in thick, so you can stow it when the bed is folded out.
Long-wheelbase and large vans
Go to 48 in for large breeds. The Amazon Basics 48-inch and FDW both need a clear stretch of floor, so plan to remove a seat or use the rear garage area.
A large crate takes up most of a short-wheelbase aisle, so reserve it for vans with real floor length.
Should you bolt or strap the crate in the van?
Yes, secure the crate before you drive. A loose crate can slide into a person or a door in a hard stop, and a tipped crate can hurt your dog.
A crate that moves around also gets chewed at the edges.
Use tie-down holes where the crate has them. The Petmate Sky Kennel has tie-down strap holes built in.
For wire crates, run straps around the frame and clip them to fixed anchors in the van.
A rubber mat under the crate adds grip on smooth flooring. Check the straps at each stop, since vibration can loosen them over a long drive.
Keep the tray hook locked as well, because a sliding tray is a common source of noise and mess on the move.
Plastic or wire crate for camper van travel?
Pick plastic for mess and travel rules, and wire for airflow and packing space. The right answer depends on how you use the van.
A plastic kennel like the Petmate Sky Kennel wipes clean and meets airline and ferry rules. It doesn't fold flat, so it takes a fixed block of storage.
It's also the easiest to hose out after a wet walk or a carsick episode.
A wire crate like the Amazon Basics or DUMOS lets air move and folds down when you need the space. It also lets your dog see out, which can help a nervous traveler settle.
The open sides make it easier to reach in and comfort your dog at a stop.
If your dog gets carsick or travels wet from the beach, a plastic crate with a tray is easier to hose out. For hot climates, wire or mesh walls keep air moving better.
Our guide to the best plastic dog crate covers the hard-sided options in more detail.
How do you clean a crate on the road?
Pull the tray, wipe it and let it dry before your dog goes back in. Most crates here have a removable plastic tray, which is the part that takes the mess.
The Carlson pan and the Petmate absorbent pad cover the small-dog and travel cases.
Rinse the tray at a campsite tap or with a water bottle and a cloth. For soft crates, wipe the fabric with a damp cloth and air-dry it fully before folding.
A wet soft crate folded away will smell, so leave it open in the sun when you can.
Keep a spare towel and a small bottle of pet-safe cleaner in the van. A tray with a deep lip, like the DUMOS one, keeps spills from running onto the floor while you find a place to stop.
The DONORO cover is hand wash only, so a spare towel also helps keep it clean between washes.
Where should the crate go in a camper van?
Put the crate on a flat, secured surface away from the cooking area and the sliding door. The floor behind the front seats or a fixed bench works well in most vans.
The ZOMISIA's wheels make it easy to move the crate to a better spot when the layout changes.
Keep it out of the walkway so nobody trips at night. Leave enough space to open the door fully and to slide the tray out for cleaning.
A double-door crate like the DUMOS or FDW gives you more placement options when one side is against a wall or a bed.
If your dog sleeps in the crate, a spot away from the cab keeps them out of the way when you move around after dark. A covered crate like the DONORO helps block early light.
The Lesure's reflective strips also make the crate easier to find at a dark campsite.
Which dog crate for camper van trips should you buy?
Buy the Amazon Basics Portable 48-inch if you have a medium or large dog and enough floor space to leave it set up. It folds flat for storage and its tray handles the mess of van life.
The divider helps if your dog is still growing, and the top handle makes the lift easier.
Go smaller for tight vans. The DUMOS 36-inch wins for medium dogs with its two doors and its sub-3-inch fold.
The Amazon Basics 30-inch suits compact campers. For small dogs, the Carlson Compact is the lightest pick at 12 lb.
The DONORO adds a cover for darker sleeping.
Pick the Petmate Sky Kennel if your route includes a ferry or flight, and the ZOMISIA if you want to roll the crate to a campsite table. Match the crate to your dog's size and your van's free floor space, and you'll have a setup that works at every stop.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
-
3
Best for small dogs and puppies
Carlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Can a dog crate stay in the camper van while driving?
A crate can travel in the van, but it needs to be secured so it doesn't slide or tip. Look for tie-down points or strap it to fixed anchors, and choose a crate that fits flat against the floor or a bench.
How do you stop a crate sliding in a camper van?
Place the crate against a wall or bench and strap it to a fixed anchor point. Crates with tie-down holes, like the Petmate Sky Kennel, give you a place to clip straps.
A rubber mat under the crate adds grip.
Do dogs need a crate in a camper van?
Not every dog needs one, but a crate gives a familiar den on the road and keeps your dog safe while you drive or cook. It also gives you a place to leave your dog safely when you step out of the van.
