Automotive

This modular camper van is one for the dogs (and their owners)

This modular camper van is one for the dogs (and their owners)
At camp with Dogscamper
At camp with Dogscamper
View 24 Images
The Dogscamper habitat has indoor and outdoor exits for more flexibility
1/24
The Dogscamper habitat has indoor and outdoor exits for more flexibility
Dogscamper provides overnight amenities for the canine camper
2/24
Dogscamper provides overnight amenities for the canine camper
Shown here, the Evapolar portable AC/humidifier creates a more comfortable environment in the Dogscamper
3/24
Shown here, the Evapolar portable AC/humidifier creates a more comfortable environment in the Dogscamper
The family dog packed up and ready for the ride in the Dogscamper
4/24
The family dog packed up and ready for the ride in the Dogscamper
The entire dog pen in the Dogscamper is built below the folding bed so it won't interfere with your sleeping comfort
5/24
The entire dog pen in the Dogscamper is built below the folding bed so it won't interfere with your sleeping comfort
Open up the interior gate of the Dogscamper, and the dog can come hang out with you inside the greater camper van
6/24
Open up the interior gate of the Dogscamper, and the dog can come hang out with you inside the greater camper van
With the Dogscamper, the dog stays safe and comfortable in his or her own pen, no wandering, jumping and sliding around the cabin or getting stuck sleeping on your suitcases and sports gear
7/24
With the Dogscamper, the dog stays safe and comfortable in his or her own pen, no wandering, jumping and sliding around the cabin or getting stuck sleeping on your suitcases and sports gear
The Dogscamper's fold-out ramp makes entry and exit easier for dogs that need it
8/24
The Dogscamper's fold-out ramp makes entry and exit easier for dogs that need it
The Dogscamper's bumper pad protects the vehicle from scratching
9/24
The Dogscamper's bumper pad protects the vehicle from scratching
A dog makes a great campmate, and the Dogscamper makes it a better experience
10/24
A dog makes a great campmate, and the Dogscamper makes it a better experience 
Some quality bonding time in the Dogscamper
11/24
Some quality bonding time in the Dogscamper
The Dogscamper's ramp helps dogs get in and out of the van
12/24
The Dogscamper's ramp helps dogs get in and out of the van
Dogscamper offers both VW T6 and Mercedes Vito models
13/24
Dogscamper offers both VW T6 and Mercedes Vito models
The Dogscamper's indoor/outdoor kitchen sink doubles as a shower for man and man's best friend
14/24
The Dogscamper's indoor/outdoor kitchen sink doubles as a shower for man and man's best friend
At camp with Dogscamper
15/24
At camp with Dogscamper
At camp with Dogscamper
16/24
At camp with Dogscamper
The Dogscamper's indoor/outdoor kitchen includes a removable camping stove and slide-out refrigerator
17/24
The Dogscamper's indoor/outdoor kitchen includes a removable camping stove and slide-out refrigerator
At camp with Dogscamper
18/24
At camp with Dogscamper
Perhaps the best part about the Dogscamper is that the canine and camping modules remove, allowing you to switch it over to an everyday MPV for six people or an empty cargo hauler
19/24
Perhaps the best part about the Dogscamper is that the canine and camping modules remove, allowing you to switch it over to an everyday MPV for six people or an empty cargo hauler
Both the Mercedes and VW Dogscamper models are available in all-wheel drive, making for a more capable canine-friendly camper van
20/24
Both the Mercedes and VW Dogscamper models are available in all-wheel drive, making for a more capable canine-friendly camper van
Just chillin' in the Dogscamper
21/24
Just chillin' in the Dogscamper
A look at the available grid elements and layout of the Dogscamper (note: text translated via Google Translate)
22/24
A look at the available grid elements and layout of the Dogscamper (note: text translated via Google Translate)
The Dogscamper is available in Europe on the Mercedes Vito (pictured) and VW T6 and in North America on the Mercedes Metris
23/24
The Dogscamper is available in Europe on the Mercedes Vito (pictured) and VW T6 and in North America on the Mercedes Metris
The Dogscamper's sink doubles as a spray cleaner for the dog
24/24
The Dogscamper's sink doubles as a spray cleaner for the dog
View gallery - 24 images

Camper vans are a great option for adventurous couples and small families looking to get out and see the countryside. The all new Dogscamper van helps those couples and small families bring the family dog along. The German-designed Type B motorhome makes man's best friend a priority with a modular interior that includes a flexible kennel system that fits dogs large and small, ensuring that the whole family can ride and sleep comfortably.

Dogscamper is the latest camper van brand from Martin Hemp, whose work also includes the versatile Volkswagen and Mercedes van creations of Terra Camper, and the delightfully retro VW Flow Camper. The cornerstone of Dogscamper's design is what it calls the Vari-Modular System, a series of grid walls that mount to the floor rails inside the van, allowing the owner to create kennels of different sizes and layouts as needed.

The system is designed to save on weight and bulk when compared to a permanent dog room or portable crate, while offering a more comfortable, adjustable space for one or more dogs to relax in during the ride and at camp. The Vari-Modular dog area closes securely and keeps dogs safely in place during the ride. Interior and exterior doors can be opened up at camp, allowing dogs to roam in and out of the vehicle and retire for a nap when desired.

Some quality bonding time in the Dogscamper
Some quality bonding time in the Dogscamper

The dog area mounts neatly below the folding bed, so that humans also have a comfortable place to spend the night. The pop-up roof offers a second bed, providing sleeping space for four people.

Other helpful features for dog owners include a ramp that lets Fido or Fifi board and deboard through the liftgate with ease, a dog food/accessory case that hangs on the back next to the spare tire, and a wall mount/hook system that provides a place to hang up leashes, as well as other items, like coats and lanterns.

Beyond its dog-friendly features, the Dogscamper is a smartly laid out camper van that relies on Terra Camper's expertise in modular furniture design. It features an indoor/outdoor driver-side kitchen area with removable camping stove and slide-out refrigerator. The fridge can be accessed from inside or out thanks to a pull-out that rides right through the sliding side door. The sink includes a sprayer hose to double as an outdoor shower, another feature that promises to be quite handy for dog owners.

The Dogscamper's sink doubles as a spray cleaner for the dog
The Dogscamper's sink doubles as a spray cleaner for the dog

The kitchen equipment is secured to the floor rails, allowing it to be easily removed, and the van can then ride as an open cargo van or as a passenger van with seating for up to six, making it a truly versatile work and play horse. Owners can also add other removable modules, such as a toilet. The modules feature an aluminum and composite construction for a combination of light weight and durability.

Dogscamper offers its conversions for both the Volkswagen T6 Kombi and the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer. Volkswagen versions can be ordered in short- or long-wheel base and front-wheel or 4Motion all-wheel drive with engines ranging between 101 and 177 hp. The Vito version comes on the long-wheelbase model only and can be configured in front-, rear- or all-wheel drive with engines between 87 and 188 hp.

Dogscamper offers both VW T6 and Mercedes Vito models
Dogscamper offers both VW T6 and Mercedes Vito models

Dogscamper doesn't have a price list on its website, but a number of German motorhome publications list the starting price as €49,900 (US$52,000).

North Americans aren't out of luck with this camper van, the way they often are with cool European-designed vans. California-based Terra Camper North America just launched its Mercedes Metris (American market Vito) camper vans and is offering the Dogscamper as an optional equipment upgrade on the Tecamp model. The Dogscamper package starts at US$1,799 for the front and rear walls, each with a door, the ramp, and a bumper pad to prevent the ramp from scratching up the bumper. Additional kennel walls are available optionally.

The Dogscamper is available in Europe on the Mercedes Vito (pictured) and VW T6 and in North America on the Mercedes Metris
The Dogscamper is available in Europe on the Mercedes Vito (pictured) and VW T6 and in North America on the Mercedes Metris

The Tecamp conversion with pop-up roof with bed, folding cabin bed, floor rail mounting system, indoor/outdoor kitchen, two removable seats, and accompanying cabinetry and equipment starts at $35,900. That price is for the conversion only and doesn't include the price of the base Metris Passenger Van, so you'll be up around $70,000 for the entire Dogscamper, possibly well over that figure if you start darkening option boxes.

Most motorhomes aren't nearly as pet-friendly as the Dogscamper, but there are a few other man-dog camper designs out there. One of our favorite motorhomes of 2016, the NOAH Cross City Capsule, showed what a compact Japanese-designed canine-friendly camper van looks like. And if you'd like to try out a dog-friendly motorhome without committing to buying it, Germany's 4pfoten-Mobile (4paws Mobile) rents one with a dedicated dog compartment with padded floor, anti-dribble water bowl, camera system to keep an eye on the dog during the journey, dedicated exit/entry with non-slip ramp and other dog-friendly features, not to mention plenty of amenities for the humans, too.

Source: Dogscamper (German), Terra Camper NA

View gallery - 24 images
2 comments
2 comments
AndyHale
We purchased a Horizons Unlimited Innovation 1, based on a 16ft long Ford Transit in 2006, more than a decade ago. It had four individual belted seats that turned into twi single beds or a double. Four roof lockers, a half height wardrobe, a swivel Thetford toilet with modesty doors, a fridge, a sink with hot and cold tap, three gas burner hob, acres of kitchen worktop and a 2ft deep space between the rear wheel arches. We filled that space with a purpose built metal dog crate that had a removable central divider and doors into the van interior and van exterior. It had a foot high space above to store folding puppy pen, folding grooming trolley, folding chairs, grooming bag, plastic basin and dog towels.
That sounds like a much more practical dog camper van than the one in the article.
MarkGatti
so a paw mans camper .. sorry