Large dog lying on a Teraglide car camping platform bed inside Tesla Y at a campsite, with gear stored neatly underneath.

Car Camping with Dogs: Safe, Cozy Setups in Tesla and SUVs

Sharing the road with your dog is one of the best parts of car camping. Nose on the window, paws on the blanket, you in the back on a flat bed – it’s hard to beat. But if you’re planning to sleep in your car with a dog, you need a setup that’s safe, comfortable, and practical for both of you.

That’s where a Teraglide camping platform comes in. It turns your Tesla or SUV into a small, organised cabin: you sleep on a flat bed, your gear lives underneath, and your dog gets their own safe spot to curl up nearby.

Why Car Camping with Dogs Is Different

When you camp with a dog, you’re not just thinking about your own sleep. You also have to consider:

Temperature – dogs overheat and chill faster than we do.
Ventilation – fresh air without drafts or escape routes.
Restraint – your dog should be secure while driving.
Space – where exactly the dog sleeps when you’re on a platform bed.

Animal welfare organisations remind us that pets should travel safely restrained and never be left alone in a hot car. SPCA New Zealand, for example, recommends crates or crash-tested harnesses, back-seat placement, and frequent breaks on longer trips. You can read their practical advice here: SPCA: Top tips for transporting your pets in the car.

If you’re unsure about your dog’s health, anxiety, or motion sickness, talk to your vet before planning a big road trip. The American Veterinary Medical Association also has a helpful overview on travelling with pets here: AVMA: Traveling with your dog or cat.

Temperature, Ventilation, and Night-Time Safety

Car camping with your dog should always mean: you are in the car with them. It is never safe to leave a dog alone in a parked vehicle in warm weather, even “just for a few minutes”. Interior temperatures can climb dangerously fast.

Tesla owners: use Camp Mode (and understand Dog Mode)

If you’re in a Tesla, you have a big advantage. Camp Mode keeps the climate running and powers USB/12 V outlets while you sleep. That means a steady temperature for you and your dog overnight. Tesla explains how it works in their official guide here: Tesla Support – Camp Mode .

Dog Mode is great for short stops when you step away and leave your dog inside the car in view of others. It is not designed for full-night camping, and you should always be nearby and monitoring your battery level.

Non-Tesla EVs and regular SUVs

If you’re driving another EV or an ICE vehicle, you’ll need a different approach:

Park in shade where possible and avoid hot-weather daytime sleeping.
Vent windows slightly (or use window vent shades and insect screens) while keeping the car secure.
Use a portable power station and 12 V fan for gentle airflow – your dog should never be in a sealed, unventilated vehicle.
Always sleep in the car with your dog – do not leave them alone overnight in a parked vehicle.

For extra comfort and organisation in non-Tesla vehicles, a custom platform like the Teraglide custom car camping platform lets you sleep flat while your dog relaxes safely beside you.

Where Should Your Dog Sleep in the Car?

There’s no single “right” place – it depends on your dog’s size, your vehicle, and your platform setup. The main rules are:

Your dog should be secure while driving (crate or harness attached to proper anchor points).
At night, they need a flat, non-slippery spot where they can stretch out.
Their sleeping space should not block exits or your ability to move.

SPCA and other welfare groups strongly recommend either a secured crate or a properly tested harness that’s anchored to the vehicle. That still applies on a road trip – you can unclip them when you’re parked up and ready for bed, but they should be restrained while the car is moving.

Option 1: Human on the platform, dog on the floor (PRO or CORE)

For larger dogs, the simplest setup is often: you on the platform, your dog on the floor beside it.

With the Teraglide PRO platform or the lower CORE platform, you get:

A flat, slatted bed frame for you.
Storage underneath for bags, food, and cooking gear.
Floor space near the doors where you can lay a dog bed or thin crate.

Many people put a padded mat or dog bed on the floor where the rear footwells meet the cargo area. Your dog stays close enough to feel secure, but not on top of your sleeping space.

Option 2: Solo traveller + dog (SOLO platform)

If you’re travelling alone with a dog, the Teraglide SOLO platform is designed exactly for that:

60% of the rear becomes your full-length bed.
The other 40% is for gear – or for a small/medium dog bed or crate.
Storage underneath keeps food, leads, bowls, and toys organised.

This works especially well for people who want their dog up at bed height but not on the same mattress – the “gear side” can double as a dedicated dog zone.

Option 3: Big dogs and the CAB front-seat bed (when parked)

Some owners of larger dogs use the Teraglide CAB front seat bed as a sleeping surface for their dog when the car is parked:

The CAB spans the front seats, giving a full-length surface above the seats.
Your dog gets their own “front-room bed” while you sleep on the rear platform.
In the morning it folds away into the frunk so your everyday driving space stays clear.

Important: this is a night-time, parked-only solution. While the car is moving, big dogs should still ride safely in the rear area, secured by a harness or in a crate as recommended by welfare organisations.

Keeping Your Dog Calm and Comfortable on the Road

A relaxed dog makes for a relaxed trip. A few simple habits make a big difference:

Build up slowly: start with short drives and one-night trips before you attempt a multi-day road adventure.
Keep a routine: similar mealtimes, walks, and bedtime each day help dogs settle in unfamiliar places.
Pack familiar items: their usual bed or blanket, favourite toy, and your scent help them feel at home in the car.
Plan breaks: stop every couple of hours for water, toilet, and a short walk.

A complete guide like this one from the American Kennel Club can also help you think through the details of long-distance travel with dogs: AKC – Complete Guide to Traveling With Your Dog .

How Teraglide Platforms Help When You Travel with Dogs

A good platform doesn’t just give you a place to sleep – it makes it easier to stay organised and calm with a dog in the car.

Flat, stable bed for you: you actually rest, instead of waking up sore from uneven seats.
Storage underneath: food, bowls, towels, toys, and leads all live in drawers or open storage – not on top of your dog.
Flexible layouts: PRO, CORE, and SOLO let you choose where your dog sleeps (floor, side, front CAB bed).
No permanent mods: the platform straps in using existing points and folds back into the trunk when you’re home.

Our platforms were first designed for the Tesla Model Y and then adapted for other EVs and SUVs. We build them to fit your specific vehicle, so you’re not fighting with a universal box that wastes space and makes your car harder to use every day.

You can see all current setups here: Car camping beds & kitchen platforms – quick & easy set up .

Legal & Practical Planning

Rules about sleeping in your car with a dog depend on where you travel. Before you go, check:

Where overnight car stays are allowed (rest areas, campgrounds, designated car camping spots).
Whether dogs are allowed in that campground or park, and on which trails.
Local rules on leads, noise, and waste.

If you’re exploring specific regions, our legal guides can help:

Final Thoughts: You, Your Dog, and a Flat Bed

Car camping with dogs isn’t just about logistics – it’s about feeling safe and at home together on the road. When you have:

a flat, comfortable bed for yourself,
a clear, cosy space for your dog, and
a car that stays calm, organised, and well-ventilated,

…the whole trip feels easier. One night at a lakeside rest stop, a weekend in the mountains, or a month-long road trip — it all starts with a setup where both you and your dog can genuinely rest.

If you’re ready to turn your everyday car into a dog-friendly camper, explore our platforms here: Teraglide car camping beds & kitchen platforms . Your dog will probably be the first one in the boot, waiting for the next adventure.

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