10 Best Dog Crates for RVs in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

There’s nothing like hitting the road in your RV, setting up at a campsite, relaxing, and enjoying the scenery around you. However, as a pet parent, you want to take your dog on these adventures, but an RV is only so big.

Luckily, there are quite a few options for dog crates and carriers that will fit in your RV. We’ll give you a list of our top 10 favorites below with detailed reviews. No matter what size RV you have, there is a doggie crate or carrier that will fit. We’ll also answer a few of your questions in the buying guide, so join us.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Dog Crates for RVs

Our best overall pick for the best dog crates for RV travel goes to Midwest Canine Camper Single Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog crate for its lightweight, sturdy metal frame. After all, when you’re traveling with your dog in an RV, you need a crate that’s lightweight, sturdy, and easy to carry. This crate checks off all three of those boxes. It collapses for easy carrying, and the nylon canvas is water-resistant. The crate has a faux sheepskin pad that covers the bottom of the crate, so your pet can be secure and comfortable when you travel.

If you have a pet that digs, scratches, or is otherwise destructive, this isn’t the best crate for you, as it won’t hold up to this type of abuse. The Midwest Canine is also quite expensive.

If you’re looking for an affordable yet durable model, the best crate for the money is the Sport Pet Travel Kennel Dog Carrier. This carrier works for almost any budget and is made of hard plastic for added durability. The metal door has a latch that keeps it secure, and it comes with a handle so it’s easy to carry your pet from the RV to the motel and back. This carrier is also IATA-Airline approved and should pass most of the specifications needed for flying.

The carrier was a bit smaller than we were expecting, and it only comes in three available sizes. However, if you have a small to medium-sized dog, the Sports Pet Carrier is worth checking out.

Our premium choice, the Frisco Indoor & Outdoor 3-Door Collapsible Crate, features an extra storage pocket and roll-up doors. The crate is made of lightweight canvas that’s easy to carry, so you don’t have to struggle to take your pet from the RV to your destination. The pocket is on the outside and collapses for easy storage when you’re in your RV and on the road.

Three roll-up doors make it easy to get your pup into the crate, and they clip easily as well. The Frisco crate is available in sizes that easily accommodate a large or small dog.

Some pet owners mentioned that the crate has no padding at the bottom, which makes it uncomfortable for a dog over a long distance. It’s also not recommended for dogs that are destructive or super energetic, as they will tear up the crate easily. 

The Frisco Plastic Dog and Cat Kennel is our top choice for puppies. Its hard plastic shell is damage resistant, so it can withstand scratching and biting from within the crate. It is easy to clean and disinfect and comes in different sizes, so every pup in your home should be comfortable in one. Because it’s easy to clean and disinfect, it’s worth the money, as every pet parent knows how much of a mess a puppy can make when being trained.

The crate is quite a bit smaller than we expected and too small for large puppies or adults. It’s also expensive, especially if you’re on a strict budget.

The Elitefield Four-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate is a crate that has curtains to give your favorite furry pal the privacy it might crave during a long road trip in an RV. It is soft-sided, collapsible, and has excellent ventilation, so your pet isn’t hot when traveling. The mesh top of the crate zips open to add space and includes a carrying bag to store your pup’s treats, toys, and other necessities. There’s also a fleece bed included to keep your dog comfy during a long trip.

The Elitefield crate comes in 20 colors and five sizes, so there’s something for every pet owner and their dogs here. Some dog owners reported the zipper stitching as ripping, while others said the thin nylon made it easy for their dogs to escape. Another common complaint was that it wasn’t durable enough for energetic dogs.

If you’re looking for a hard plastic model with a wide entrance that’s easy for your pet to walk through, we recommend the Petmate Compass Dog Kennel. The double-lock setup is perfect for opening from the left or the right because everyone knows that space is limited when you’re traveling in an RV, and you might not be able to open it in one direction.

On the downside, the Petmate is more expensive than most competitors, and it has no handles or grips, making it hard to carry. It’s also possible that extra large or giant dogs won’t fit into this crate, so check the sizing before purchasing.

As pet parents, we all know that accidents happen, especially if you’re still training your furry friend while traveling. That’s where the leak and water-resistant DogGoods Do Good Foldable Travel Dog Crate comes in. Not only is it leak and liquid resistant, but it also has rolldown blackout shades to keep the sun out of your dog’s eyes.

It’s easy to clean and comes with a carrying bag to store all of your dog’s accessories.

Pet parents have reported that the folding system breaks easily and that it’s not very durable. It’s also not the best choice for eager, energetic pups for that very reason.

If you’re searching for an airline-approved carrier that is adorable, the PetAmi Premium Airline Approved Soft-Side Dog and Cat Travel Carrier are for you. It is a duffle bag carrier that fits almost any budget. It comes in a variety of colors, from pink to light blue and from grey to heather taupe, so you can keep your dog safe in the RV in style.

The downside to this adorable carrier is that it only fits toy breeds, and its strap clips aren’t as durable as they could be. Some reviewers also said it isn’t durable enough for dogs that like to dig or scratch. 

If you’re looking for a kennel that you can use not only in your RV but also on most airlines, you’ll want to check out the Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog and Cat Kennel. The kennel comes in a variety of colors and has a hard plastic design that makes it easy to clean and maintain, especially if there are accidents.

It’s not as durable as it could be, and many pet owners said it was hard to assemble. It’s also best for small to toy dogs only, so if you have a larger dog, look at the other options on our list instead.

When you’re traveling, you’re often on a budget and can’t afford a pricey dog carrier to place in your RV. The Midwest Spree Hard-Sided Dog and Cat Kennel is affordable for almost all budgets and is lightweight.

While this one did make it on our list, the plastic is flimsy, and the locks break easily, according to some customers. The carry handle is fixed into the crate, which can make it difficult to carry, and it’s only for small dogs, not larger breeds. However, if you need a budget carrier, this one will work.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Crates for RVs

Now that you know the types of crates that are out there for RV travel, we’ll answer a few of your other questions in the section below.

Where Do Dogs Sleep in RVs?

While it’s essential to keep your dog in its crate when you’re traveling down the road, when you get to your destination, you’ll want to figure out where your dog is going to sleep. Some pet parents let their dogs sleep in the bed with them, but others need more space when sleeping.

It’s best to get your dog a comfortable bed to go on the floor next to your bed or make sure that the crate you purchase for travel is comfortable enough for the dog to sleep in.

What Should You Look for When Purchasing a Crate for an RV?

When searching for a crate to put in your RV, there are two factors to think about. The crate needs to fit your dog and the space you’re going to put it in. This, of course, will be determined by the size of your RV, so you’ll want to take measurements before shopping.

Most of the crates we’ve listed above should have no problem fitting in an RV. You’ll also need to make sure that you have a place to store the crate, though many of the ones on our list are collapsible for easy storage.

Final Thoughts

We hope that our picks for the best dog crates for RV travel in 2023 and our reviews helped you choose the best way to travel with your furry friend. Our top prize goes to the Midwest Canine Camper Single Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog crate for its lightweight, sturdy metal frame. Our overall pick for the money is the Sport Pet Travel Kennel Dog Carrier for its affordability and lightweight feel. Our premium choice, the Frisco Indoor & Outdoor 3-Door Collapsible Crate, includes a storage pocket and roll-up doors. Find the crate that works best for you, then get on the road in your RV with your furry friend for a grand adventure.

Featured Image Credit: Nigel Wiggins, Shutterstock