Sarah B Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 I am thinking about getting a van. Several reasons; at the moment I have a Diahatsu move, and although extremely roomy for such a small car when the seats are down, it still lacks in space and privacy. I would like to be able to take the dogs out and not have to worry about them looking out and barking at people who walk past when we are stationary, I would like to be able to stick everything in the back of a van and go away for weekends and not have to worry about putting up a tent, and - most importantly - I want to be able to take my dogs to work with me and leave them somewhere secure, eg the van. However this poses problems. We all know that it gets hot in cars, so it must get hot in vans. How do you keep the interior cool when the engine is not running? (parking is right outside but is on the road, so leaving door open is not an option, and IMO that is not secure anyway) Is there a remote device that I could have on me that would warn me if cooling system failed and the temperature started to rise? I would be able to pop out several times to check on them and for wee breaks. It would just be nice to get up, chuck them in a van, take them for a run, go to work, be able to keep an eye on them when I am at work, finish work, go for a run then come home! Does anyone else do this? People must do surely? Can people with doggy vans also take photos of the interiors for me so I can see how you set them up? I am thinking of having a wooden bench for seating/sleeping/storage, another that will hold a cooker and have a lid so it turns into a table, storage for a couple of large water containers, and battery for internal lighting. And of course laminate flooring with the option of vetbed if they get chilly! So please, ideas, photos, discuss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Hiya I have an Astravan - same as an estate but a van I dogwalk so need the space - but have 3 dogs of my own. Re heat problems - I have found that a van doesn't heat up as quickly as a car as it's the glass that causes most of the problem - however obviously it does get hot. I have a two door tailgate guard - you can get one door as well which are cheaper - and I have two options depending on the heat outside. 1) I have two different lengths of ventlock see following website http://www.ventlock.com/ so if it's really windy but still sunny I use the shorter length and the longer length if it's less windy. Yo have to have a tailgate guard to be able to use the ventlock but I would never be without a tailgate guard no matter whether it was just for my own dogs or not and no matter how much it costs me as I find it invaluable for my peace of mind. My van is a mobile kennel If you use the longer ventlock I still put padlocks on the tailgate guard - don't want some idiot letting my dogs out for a laugh. 2) I leave the hatchback up and put padlocks on the tailgate guard doors - as tailgate is fixed to van this is as secure as you can get for 99% of situations. This makes the van into a kennel on wheels - it's not as hot inside due to no windows and has enough air getting in cos the hatch is fully open. Obviously better if you can park in shade if it's absolutely boiling. I have a couple of older dogs who I have to leave behind in the van for some walks and I have found that the above works absolutely fine. Obviously you may get barking when dogs walk past but I try and park in less busy areas or backed up to a wall. No windows in the back is also good for dogs who do bark when travelling as there's nothing for them to see to stimulate them. If you park on the roadside and you don't want your dogs barking the longest ventlock would be better perhaps as this would obscure the view a bit but they'd still see out. Perhaps you could buy some sort of screen that lets air through but they can't see through?? I don't use my van as a tent - not an option in my circumstances - also got to the age where I need my comfort so go in holiday cottages - I have carpet on the floor (cheap offcut) and use cheap single duvets from somewhere like Argos/Asda for a bed - if you use two, one on top of other, this is very comfy and can be scrunched to suit by the dogs Cheap duvet covers easy to whip off and wash. Extras - non spill drinks bowl, lots of towels etc etc. Go for it - I wouldn't have anything other than a van now. Word of warning - some insurers won't insure vans - Norwich Union will and is as cheap as anywhere. Also look around for a van that has been privately owned if possible unless you know somebody mechanical who will go with you to buy it - although they will be cheaper lots of fleet vans are really abused by "white van man". My van doesn't have a cooling system - you would have to pay extra for one of these I think - better to spend the money on a tailgate guard IMO Please feel free to PM if you want to ask any more questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Canis-Equus~ Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Cant really add much useful to that but im looking at a Combo for when OH passes his test - my mother drives one (that should be 'drives' one cos these days shes more an accident waiting to happen than a driver..... but thats another story).... Its very comfy for the driver and passenger - its got a side door as well as double rear doors. Hers has wire between front and back with a hatch behind passenger if needed so you can get into the back without opening either of the back doors or side door. (passenger has to get out for you to do that though). I really like it - cooling would be great but getting a tail gate fitted is probably what ill do, plus fans to drag air from front to back and through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooster Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 I have a Renault Kangoo van for the dogs. The floor is plywood, with 2 crates stacked on top of each other (because my dogs are diddy ). I have crate fans attached to the crates to keep the boys cool when I am travelling with them, which seem to work fine. I do a lot of camping in the summer with the boys, but have a tent, I manage to fit all my camping gear in the van no probs - I've even managed to get a gas powered fridge to keep my wine cold!!! My kangoo is really comfortable - this is my second one, in my first, I drove all the way down to Cardiff from Manchester in it without stopping for a break, because I just wasn't tired!! Since September, my van has done 18000 miles with me (mostly motorway), and yes, it has had it's problems, such as the CV joint going, something with the airbag system (which noone has figured out what it is, so I just drive around with the airbag light flashing ). Good point that Mole made though - trying to get insurance is a real pain. Most of the ones advertised on the tv won't quote vans (esure, shiela's wheels, post office etc). I started off with Tesco, and am now with CIS, who are reasonable (£639 for 21 year old with 4 years NCB - fully comp) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 why not get a proper camper van? my friend uses hers all the time for her and her 3 large dogs. It is fully equipped with an overhead bed,a cooker,fridge,portaloo etc. The dogs have the seat beds and she has one that pulls out over the drivers seat. They are all extremely comfortable in there. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 You could try having the van panelled out and insulation fitted behind it, the yellow stuff that is used for houses. Someone was just showing me today how cool his van was fitted out like this. The outside of the van was hot to touch, but the inside cool as anything. He did it himself, didn't cost a fortune, but there are places that will panel a van out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Thanks guys I think the insulating thing is going to be a must. I do like the idea of the ventlock, but because it will be parked on the road I am a bit wary of it. I can get some insects netting that you can't see through to cover the bottom half of the tailgate though so the dogs cannot see out. Also will get two of the ventlock fans, one to use and one as a spare. And I am muchly liking the idea of the fridge for the alcohol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reds Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Have to second the insulation 'stuff' suggestion. Someone I know with Leonbergers had a problem last Summer with their van overheating and they were tipped off about the lining. They fitted it themselves and I don't think it was too expensive. Best bet would be to go to the working dog forums (agility, obedience, water rescue etc.) as they'll be the people in the know about dog vans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy Bear Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 We have a Mercedes Vito Van (= Ford Transit ). This has a strong steel mesh bulkhead behind the front seats (3 of them). DB has made a false floor (plywood - which we cover with a hessian type rug from Ikea + dog beds) and this comes in two parts so we have the whole floor covered or just half of it. It sits on a framework built to accommodate folding plastic boxes - it takes about 20 of them single height. This is great for when we go caravanning and even just for shopping. Still lots and lots of room for two Newfs. It will also take a huge crate. We have had it fitted with the means to take a put it in/take it out bench seat in the back, without the false floor, which still leaves plenty of space behind it for dogs but you can also then take passengers too. We also had fixed windows put into the side door. We use a small enclosed electric fan attached to the bulkhead and run from the lighter point. We decided against ventlocks as currently we can get into any multistorey car park but ventlocks would take us over the height limit. We also insure with CIS about £280 fully comp two names drivers (oldies). I am interest to hear about the insulation idea - must look into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 What is it you use for insulation then? The fluffy orange stuff or the foamy plasticky stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndwoman Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 I have a Renault Kangoo van for the dogs. The floor is plywood, with 2 crates stacked on top of each other (because my dogs are diddy ). I have crate fans attached to the crates to keep the boys cool when I am travelling with them, which seem to work fine. I do a lot of camping in the summer with the boys, but have a tent, I manage to fit all my camping gear in the van no probs - I've even managed to get a gas powered fridge to keep my wine cold!!!My kangoo is really comfortable - this is my second one, in my first, I drove all the way down to Cardiff from Manchester in it without stopping for a break, because I just wasn't tired!! Since September, my van has done 18000 miles with me (mostly motorway), and yes, it has had it's problems, such as the CV joint going, something with the airbag system (which noone has figured out what it is, so I just drive around with the airbag light flashing ). Good point that Mole made though - trying to get insurance is a real pain. Most of the ones advertised on the tv won't quote vans (esure, shiela's wheels, post office etc). I started off with Tesco, and am now with CIS, who are reasonable (£639 for 21 year old with 4 years NCB - fully comp) I have just bought a Kangoo too and yes, it is really comfy and pleasant to drive, just feels like you are in a car as the cab is quite smart. I have had a Fletner vent fitted which give extra ventilation for the doglets. I had an Escort van before and that was so reliable. I had it for 8 years and it never let me down but I felt it was time for a change as I didn't want to run it into the ground. The only problem with the Escort was that it didn't have power steering and was quite heavy on the steering which I was struggling with due to my arthritic hands! The 'R' reg onwards were fitted with power steering though(mine was a 'P' reg). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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