As any outdoor enthusiast who is also a dog owner will tell you, there is nothing better than spending time in the middle of nature with your best four-legged friend. No dog owner likes to leave their beloved pet behind when they decide to go on a new adventure, but not all motorhomes give you the opportunity to take your dog with you when you head out.
A German company named Flowcamper has come up with an ingenious solution that makes any adventure more comfortable for both humans and their canine friends. Actually, their new campervan is primarily built around the needs of pet dogs without making any compromises on the functionality and comfort it offers to human owners.
Affectionately named "Fellschnute," which translates to "fur baby," this dog-friendly campervan is based on a VW T6.1 panel van and boasts a modular design aimed at ensuring comfortable travel for pets and enhancing the man/dog road trip experience.
To create a pet-friendly environment inside the van, Flowcamper developed a modular floor system that allows owners to customize the interior based on their needs. Inspired by the Dogscamper, the Dog Van is a refined, more modern version of the concept developed by Flowcamper's former sister company Terracamper.
Photo: Flowcamper
Most traditional campervan layouts utilize a rock-and-roll bed system, a rear sofa that reclines into a bed, or a dining setup that transforms into a bed. Neither of these formats is considered suitable for traveling with pets, as the space under the bed is usually compromised, so your dog ends up sleeping on the limited floor space between the bed and cab seats.
Thanks to the floor rail system integrated inside Flowcamper's Dog Van, the interior space can be divided into dedicated areas for dogs and their humans. The camper comes with five individual seats, all with integrated seat belts, that can be moved around or removed without the need to use tools, as well as customizable panels that can be configured to provide space for up to four dogs.
What sets this design apart from other pet-friendly campers that come with standard crates or carriers is that the innovative compartments offer dogs increased freedom of movement so they don't get uncomfortable during travel. Moreover, this camper van is characterized by versatility, as the flexible layout allows panels or sections to be reconfigured or removed entirely based on your specific needs.
Photo: Flowcamper
The wide array of panels available allows owners to create different spaces within the van and customize the dog section to accommodate up to four dogs. But unlike a typical kennel, Flowcamper's layout includes both interior and tailgate-facing doors, allowing owners easy access to their furry friends both from the inside and outside of the van.
As for the section of the van dedicated to humans, it's as cozy and well-equipped as any other camper, with a kitchenette, sleeping space, and a toilet. The layout includes a fold-out bed for two measuring 47 x 74 inches (120 x 187 cm) over the kennel, plus an optional pop-up roof that can accommodate two other people.
As mentioned, the camper can carry up to five adventurers during the ride, so there is plenty of space for the whole family. Thanks to the floor rail system, the passenger seats can be positioned in any orientation to create a more spacious living area.
A cabinet behind the driver's seat houses the kitchenette, with drawers for a 30-liter compressor fridge/freezer and cutlery storage, a sink, and a two-burner gas stove. The slide-out drawer system makes everything easy to reach and use, and the stove can be taken outside if you want to cook outdoors. Conveniently, there is a swivel table on the passenger side that can be used for that.
Photo: Flowcamper
A long sideboard against the driver's side wall is where an 18-liter fresh water system resides, supplying water for the kitchen and rear hookups. The same hand shower serves both the sink and the tailgate area and comes in handy for washing away dirt from dogs, gear, and humans.
The manufacturer also offers an optional portable air conditioner meant to ensure the dogs' comfort. It is specially designed to lower the dog kennel's area by 15 degrees, so you can't rely on it to cool off the entire camper.
A dry separating toilet is also part of the package and can be hidden away below a raised seat. Another noteworthy feature of the Fellschnute camper is the 400-watt solar power system that runs the AC and other electricals.
Flowcamper's Fellschnute Dog Van has a starting price of €70,900 (which is approximately $76,400 at current exchange rates) and goes up depending on the specs of the VW T6.1 base van. It's worth noting that this price includes the camping elements for the human section but not the dog area, since this part of the van can be customized by the future owner. For an accurate quote, you should get in touch with the company through their website.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News