We rescued Maggie back in 2023 (or did she rescue us?) and since the very beginning she has been such a huge part of our life. We’ve taken her with us almost everywhere we’ve traveled. At last count she’s been to 32 states! Most dog people will agree that if you’re going somewhere, whether just for the day or especially if it’s an overnight adventure, you’re going to try to find a way for the pups to come with you. They’re part of your family! Our Wayfarer Vans conversion (we have the Wilma which is built into the 148” wheelbase, Ford Transit, Medium Roof Van) makes all that possible with its thoughtful layout and durability. The three of us can be pretty hard on our gear. We don’t baby it. We use it, it gets dirty, it gets wet – we really put it through the paces. But it’s built for this kinda thing. 

We have a couple of great accessories to keep us all safe and comfortable. The Maxx air fan doubles as a way to get rid of excess moisture but it also helps keep us cool. We typically run it while also opening our side vented window for maximum air flow. We also elected to add the Propex heater and Velit air conditioner which keeps us all comfortable, no matter the weather. Living in the southwest, the AC was a must-have. Our van, LaVerne, is set up to run on shore power so the AC keeps our cabin climate pet-friendly for unlimited periods of time. It is also set up so that we can run the AC off our portable battery, the Oupes Mega 2, for a few hours so we don’t always have to be plugged in to keep our gal comfortable. This allows us to camp on BLM land and other spots that don’t have power. It gives us more flexibility which is always a bonus when you’re traveling in a camper van. You never know when you’ll want to stay a little longer than planned. 

Another thing we really love about our Wayfarer is that there’s plenty of storage space. We haven’t had to leave anything behind because we can’t find a spot for it. Maggie has her own dedicated cabinet for all of her snacks and food. The boot boxes stow all of her toys, pillow, and blanket. She adores the Wayfarer bed but there’s enough room in the van to bring two of hers so we don’t feel too bad making her sleep below us. And though it can be an inconvenience when it’s raining outside, the floor, walls, ceiling, trim, and cabinet doors are both scratch and water resistant, so cleaning up is quick and easy. We opted for our own custom fabric but Wayfarer’s standard cushions are also pet-friendly given their durable, stain, water resistant, and washable materials (which are also made from post consumer recycled material).

In the beginning, we were worried about how Maggie would adapt to van life. She loves her sofa at home and is so comfortable in her space. Plus, because she’s a rescue, we don’t quite know how old she is but the vet thinks she’s about ten. We were worried we might be asking too much of her to travel with us in a van, given her age. But despite the fact that she’s getting up there, she loves the van! She’s got a couple of favorite spots: sitting in the passenger side swivel seat, just inside the sliding door, and on the bed where she can look out the windows. We added some running boards to help her get in and out more easily. And while the scenery changes frequently when we’re traveling, we have found a rhythm to the road. In some ways she’s adapted faster and easier to the camper van lifestyle than we have! It’s been such a fun and sweet experience to see her enjoy traveling as much as we do.

We joke that the van was made for Maggie and we’re just along for the ride, although it’s perfect for us humans, too. People have asked us if it’s more work traveling with a dog and the answer is: not really. She loves doing everything we do and when a place we visit isn’t pet friendly, we have peace of mind knowing that she’s in her safe space. We both prefer having her with us than having to leave her behind. There was a job last year where we had to leave her with a sitter for two nights and they were the longest nights ever. It’s much better when we can all stick together as a family and the van lets us do just that.

Erin McGrady and Caroline Whatley are photographers and filmmakers. They have been traveling in an adventure vehicle for the last decade, sharing stories about the outdoors and the people who recreate in them. You can keep up with them on Instagram via @authenticstoryco, @e.mcgrady, and @carolineperdue and on YouTube at @authenticstoryco