How to keep a van clean cross country with 2 dogs?

[LCBMAX]

I'm willing to do some sewing if I have to, so you know I'm serious about this.

Also in the van will be 2 grownups and 1 toddler. It's not a real camper van, so there's limited floor space. What there is, is covered with carpet.

I want something that is easily cleanable, waterproofed on the bottom, and easy for a toddler to walk on (not toooooo cushy) but comfy for the dogs too.

Any thoughts?

[nd_deadhead]

How big are the dogs? They really should be in crates in the van.

[LCBMAX]

Originally Posted by nd_deadhead

How big are the dogs? They really should be in crates in the van.

I do get that crates might be best safety wise, but it's not an option for our lifestyle, not to mention the available space. They are both about 45 pounds.

[nd_deadhead]

I don't want to come across as argumentative, but it seems to me that putting the dogs in crates would give you more room, not less. The crates go in the back of the van so you can easily let the dogs out when you stop; stuff can be piled on top of the crates; anything that you were planning to pack in that part of the van can be put on the back seat, where I assume the dogs would be. One big crate would probably work too, if the dogs are used to sleeping together.

May I ask what it is about your lifestyle that prevents you from putting your dogs in crates? The only thing I can come up with is that you believe crates to be punishment, like puppy jail. I can tell you that my Corgi slept in his crate (with the door off - he went in willingly) every night for 5 years, and only stopped because we loaned the crate to my brother when he got a puppy. He also prefers to ride in the back of the vehicle, when given a choice - for some reason he's afraid of windshield wipers.

[LCBMAX]

I don't think you're argumentative, you've got a good idea that just isn't in our scene. I getcha - I used to have a crate trained dog too. These 2 however are not crate trained, and we're leaving in 2 weeks and can't give that energy right now (house construction, toddler, life.)

The back of the van is our bed, and beneath the bed are mechanical things. On top of the bed in the day time is our gear, plus that's the hottest place. So there is just the space in front of the side door and beneath my son's feet. This was a good amount of space for the dogs last year on the same trip, but I'm hoping to refine our cleanliness technology.

What I'm looking for is a suggestion for some kind of a floor covering.

[SubliminalDarkness]

This is probably a lousy suggestion, but we use big, flat bedsheets. They're easy to wash, easy to manipulate to cover all floor space, and inexpensive. And, they can be re-purposed!

[LCBMAX]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

This is probably a lousy suggestion, but we use big, flat bedsheets. They're easy to wash, easy to manipulate to cover all floor space, and inexpensive. And, they can be re-purposed!

Do you waterproof them somehow? plastic sheeting underneath sounds effective but noisy.

[SubliminalDarkness]

Originally Posted by LCBMAX

Do you waterproof them somehow? plastic sheeting underneath sounds effective but noisy.

I don't. I guess I don't understand why the need for waterproofing? But maybe a tarp? Less noisy than plastic sheeting.

[LCBMAX]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

I don't. I guess I don't understand why the need for waterproofing? But maybe a tarp? Less noisy than plastic sheeting.

Duh, yeah, maybe a tarp would work.

Need for waterproofing is:
The floor of the van is carpeted, so if it's a rainy day the dogs will bring in plenty of wet after our romps. And then we have to drive with that for the rest of the day and sleep with that moisture at night. Our experience last year was enough to teach us that one good functional system for keeping the floor dry and clean would go a long way toward family happiness!

[nd_deadhead]

Can you get old carpet samples from a carpet store? A couple of sets that fit in the space, so you can rotate them around, and put them outside (under the van) to dry whenever possible. Or put the wet set in a big garbage bag (to contain the moisture) until you can get them dried out, with a drier set to lay/sleep on.

Have a fun trip! You are a lot more adventurous than I would be!

[Arduinna]

When we moved we just put their dog bed from home down for them

[mamallama]

I like the tarp idea--easy to whisk off or shake out.

How about a hand held vacuum? I assume you're camping...will you stay at places with electrical hook-ups? Alternately, a power inverter (plugs into your van's power outlet or directly to the battery) is an all around handy piece of road tripping gear.

[LCBMAX]

I'm liking all of these ideas - thanks! The organizer in me is already color-coordinating the carpet squares, and stacking them in prearranged groups. The cleaner in me is imagining that nice feel of a clean tough tarp that's just been swept out, with a sheet on top. And our friendly van comes with it's own hand held vac and inverter, so that's easy. I'll pack a little wisk broom up front for quickies.

Thanks for thinking it through with me y'all!

[shelbean91]

maybe inexpensive kitchen rugs - they have rubber backing to keep them from slipping. Or maybe placemats from the dollar store- they are also sometimes rubber backed.

[mrsteapot]

How about a waterproof mattress pad?