No more dealing with tangled leashes or runaway dogs at the campground. An RV dog fence keeps your best friend safe at your site while off-leash. Here are the best portable RV dog fence options for your next RVing adventure.
Use an RV dog fence for no more tangled leashes or runaway dogs at the campground.Bringing your dog RVing with you can make the trip more enjoyable. It does, however, come with some extra considerations and responsibilities. The main one is the safety of your dog. Campgrounds are busy places with lots of moving vehicles, other dogs, wildlife, and people including children. Any of these things can cause an issue with your dog.
With the exception of designated off-leash areas, your dog will not be allowed to roam free at a campground. Fido will have to be on a leash or contained on your site safely. For those of you who have dealt with tying your dog up on your site… you know some of the struggles. Wrapped around the picnic table, pulling on sewer hoses, upset chairs, the list goes on. A leash in a small campsite can be a real pain.
A portable RV dog fence can keep your fur baby safe and allow them to also enjoy the great outdoors.
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What is a Portable RV Dog Fence?
Unlike at your home, you (typically) can’t have a permanent fence at your campsite. In fact, some campgrounds don’t allow any type of fencing so be sure to check before booking your site.
Where allowed, many pet owners choose to use a portable RV dog fence at their site. There are various types of fences used but they are all pretty similar. Most are easily set up and packed up for storage and are shorter in height for use with small to medium-dog breeds.
Many of these RV dog fences come in sections and are connected to enclose the area needed. This makes them somewhat customizable to the size and shape of your campsite. As well, most are thin metal to keep them strong but lightweight and durable enough to be set up, packed up, and stored repeatedly.
Picking the Right Fence for Your Dog
Since there are many different size dogs with different energy and escape abilities, there are different types of RV dog fences to choose from. Before buying a fence, there are some things you need to consider:
- Size
- Shape
- Height
- Weight
- Material
Let’s take a closer look at each and the things you should be looking for and asking yourself.
Size of the Enclosed Area
This is probably the main factor in your decision. The size of the enclosed area needs to be big enough to allow your dog some freedom, while not constricting your campsite too much.
Some people will fence in the entire area along one side of their RV from front to back. This gives the dog lots of freedom and doesn’t interfere with your movement around the site. However, this can make for a large, heavy fence that takes up lots of room when stored.
Smaller fences are easier to set up and store easily as well, however, may limit your dog to a very small space. If you have a more active dog this may be an issue. Your dog’s energy level will determine how much space they need to stay happy and quiet.
Shape of the Portable RV Dog Fence
When buying a portable RV dog fence there will be options for structured and modular fences. The structured ones will be a fixed size and shape while the modular ones can be added to and assembled into different configurations.
The pen-style fences are quick to set up and can be round, square, or hexagon. They can vary in size but will limit your dog to that specific area. There are others that can be extended around your entire campsite by connecting sections together and forming them into whatever shape you need.
Height of the Dog Pen
The height of your fence will often be determined by the height of your dog, however, this isn’t always the case. A well-behaved larger dog or inactive senior dog may be easily contained at a height more suitable for smaller dogs. On the other hand, a small high-energy escape artist like a Jack Russell may require a high fence to keep it contained safely.
Also, consider that the height will also affect the storage area required by your fence when it’s not in use. Three-foot-high sections of fence will take up a significant amount of space when stored.
Weight
The size and material will both have an effect on the weight of your RV dog fence. Plastic fences will (in most cases) be lighter than metal ones.
For large or high fences, the weight can add up making them cumbersome to drag around and set up. Keep in mind that some small, light fences can be too light and easy for dogs to knock down and even be blown down by the wind.
Material
There will be two common choices for the material of your dog fence: metal and plastic. The majority of options are metal that is either corrosion-resistant or has a corrosion-resistant coating. Although metal may be heavier, it will likely be more durable.
When purchasing a fence you want something that will withstand wet weather and being continuously packed up and stored.
What About a DIY Portable RV Dog Fence?
As with most things, building your own RV dog fence is a possibility. The cost to buy one, however, makes most people second guess going the DIY route. Portable dog fences can be purchased for a very reasonable price so you’ll want to add up your materials and consider your time. If you have a fence that will be set up for an extended period, building your own may be worthwhile.
Some materials used for DIY fences include:
- PVC pipe
- Wooden stakes
- Chicken wire
- Mesh
Simply building a fence is not so hard, however, making sure it can be easily set up and taken down is the key. Durability must also be considered can your dog chew the materials? Will it resist rain and wet conditions long term? Will the connections last?
Finally, storage should be easy and the components have to hold up to possible damage from other stored items. The weight should also be kept at a reasonable number so it isn’t cumbersome to move around.
How Much Will an RV Dog Fence Cost?
There are lots of options from cheap to expensive. However, you should base your purchase on your needs and not just the price. You want something the right size and of good quality.
Used fences and pens are always available and you can save some money by searching for a pre-used RV dog fence on your favorite marketplace platform. If you decide to go new, prices can vary from $50 up into the hundreds.
Top 3 Picks for Portable RV Dog Fences
Here are our 3 top picks for portable RV dog fences!
FXW 8 Panel, 24″ High Dog Pen – $79.99
FXW 8 Panel, 24″ High Dog Pen. Photo from Amazon.This 24″ high dog pen by FXW is good for small to medium-breed dogs and can be configured to the shape and dimensions you need. Depending on your dog’s needs, this kit can be purchased with 6 panels and all the way up to 32 panels for extra room for your dog.
The easy-to-use pole connections make a quick and secure connection between all panels. The black weather-resistant coating ensures long life and a clean look. The 8-panel model weighs just under 25 pounds making it easy to move and store.
IRIS USA Dog Playpen 8-Panel, 34″ High – $129.99
IRIS USA Dog Playpen. Photo from Amazon.Made from durable heavy-duty molded plastic, the IRIS USA Dog Playpen is 34″ high, tough, and looks great.
The plastic design means there is no chance of rust or corrosion from the elements. The panels interlock securely with full-length connecting rods, and the pen can be positioned in different shapes for the best fit on your campsite. Made of plastic, this portable dog fence is available in different colors so it can even match your RV!
PEEKABOO 8 Panels 24″ High – $49.99
PEEKABOO Metal Dog Fence with a Door. Photo from Amazon.For $50, the PEEKABOO metal dog fence with a door is an inexpensive way to keep Fido contained. This model is a folding-style pen making it easy to fold up and store.
The portable RV dog fence can be unfolded and set up in any shape you need with just one simple connection to close the pen. The locking door makes it easy to get your dog in and out of the pen but is secure when locked.
Do I Need an RV Dog Fence?
Having your fur baby along for your camping trips makes both of you happier. Dogs in general don’t like to be tied up so the fences keep them happier as well. Not having to rely on a leash that flips all your camping chairs over will make you happier as well.
RV dog fences are pretty inexpensive and not very inconvenient so for dog owners they make sense. If you don’t camp often, using a leash for one weekend isn’t a big deal. If you camp often or for extended periods, investing in a portable RV dog fence will be an RV accessory that becomes part of your setup and your dog will thank you.
Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
