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Writer's pictureHeidi Dondlinger

Embracing Family & Dog Travel: From Chaos to Comfort with an Orion 365 van

Traveling with the whole family and our furry friends used to feel like embarking on a expedition. The challenges seemed endless: little ones still working on potty training meant frequent stops and trips took forever. The dogs, crammed in with all our gear, had no room to settle in, and finding hotels that welcomed them was a constant headache. When we were all belted in, we weren't all that comfortable, and some vans didn't even have seat belts for everyone. Our teenager’s sports and tournaments had us constantly packing, driving, and staying in hotels, feeling like we were always on the go.


Setting up camp was another ordeal—whether it was driving a huge rig or dropping a trailer we had to return for later. Using tents meant the added hassle of setting them up again at home to dry out, and the hard ground was getting to us. If we rented an RV, something always seemed to break, leaving us to fix it on the road, not to mention the less-than-glamorous task of emptying the blackwater tank and refilling propane. I often felt like my stuff owned me, not the other way around. After a long weekend of travel, I needed another day off just to recover!


Family traveling in the van

Family fun with Orion 365

Our travel experience has completely transformed, and we couldn't be happier.

  • Now, we all have safe spots to sit, thanks to the DOT-rated seats that we can move anywhere in the van using the versatile L-track system. The dogs have plenty of room, and the puppy can even stay in her crate, securely tied down to the L-track. With off-grid AC and heat, we can leave the dogs comfortably in the van while we pop into a movie, always knowing their temperature through my cell phone.

  • Our refrigerator allows us to bring our own food, and setting up outside to cook takes just a minute with the included table, camp stove, and water. The swivel fridge means no more climbing in and out of the van to reach things.

  • The kids love their own full-size bunk and WiFi, and we love not having to remake beds or find storage for stuffed animals. A simple push of a button raises everything to the ceiling, and when the toddler starts melting down, another push brings down the ready-made bed, and they’re out like a light.

  • Setting up camp now takes no time at all—we just park, turn the seats to relax mode, and start a fire outside while cracking open a beverage.


The seats and drivability of the van allow us to travel much longer distances than we could with a trailer or big RV. Tournaments are so much better with space for the team to hang out and watch films during bad weather, and Orion 365 saved the hockey tournament when the bus broke down.


Travel is so much less stressful now, and we have more fun as a family. The kids are excited to go on both short and long trips, bringing their bikes and helmets along. We all get along much better without the stress of finding places to stay or worrying about the dogs. We can even go off-grid to explore new places without anxiety. The dogs, too, are happier with a consistent home base, and we feel more at ease knowing we won’t be stuck because we brought them along.


Orion 365 has given us the freedom to explore and be spontaneous, whether staying in a yurt or navigating tournaments under weather alerts. We have a place to rest and eat healthily, and we come back well-rested and refreshed, ready for whatever adventure comes next.


Keep up with your busy family and be #NeverParked! 🚐🐶🏃‍♂️

Orion 365 has turned our travel chaos into a seamless, enjoyable experience, allowing us to create lasting memories with our family and pets. We truly can't imagine life without it now


 

Interested in how Orion 365 can do so much more?

Family and dog travel is so much better with an Orion 365 van, but the real magic is how we can switch to do other things. Check out how we like to race and work from the road to see how we're #NeverParked




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