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As full-time RVers it isn’t practical for us to always take our dog Ted with us when we leave our travel trailer. However, it is essential for us to know that Ted is safe while we are away.
To keep Ted safe, we never go far, and we installed Waggle RV pet monitoring devices so we can always keep an eye on our furbaby. Keep reading to learn why an RV pet monitoring system is essential and why we chose Waggle to keep Ted safe in our RV.
This post is sponsored by Waggle, our RV pet monitoring system. We love this product and use it to monitor our own pets.
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Why RVers Need a Pet Monitoring System
Many campers naively think that leaving cats and dogs alone in an RV is the same as leaving them alone in your home. The truth is, it is actually more dangerous. Due to their thin walls and tight quarters, RVs heat up fast.
Campground outages and air conditioner failures are not uncommon occurrences, and without AC, the interior temperature of an RV can quickly reach dangerous levels. On a sunny day when the temperature is 85°F, an RV interior can easily reach 95°F to 105°F.
Using a reliable RV temperature monitor can alert you when temperatures begin rising, giving you time to return to the RV before conditions become dangerous.
We are never more than 20 minutes away when Ted is alone in the RV, so we can always get to him if the temperature is rising. We also keep the number of the campground office handy, so we can call someone onsite in case of an emergency.
The Best RV Pet Monitoring System
There are quite a few RV pet monitoring systems on the market today. When choosing one, we were looking for three things:
- A temperature monitor that would alert us if the RV got too hot
- A camera so we could actually see Ted while we were away
- A reliable connection that didn’t depend entirely on campground WiFi
After researching several options, we decided to go with Waggle.
The company offers both a Pet Temperature Monitor and a 4G Mini Cam that work together to help RVers keep an eye on their pets while they’re away from the campsite.
Waggle Pet Temperature Monitor
The most important feature of any RV pet monitoring system is temperature monitoring.
The Waggle Pet Temperature Monitor continuously tracks the temperature inside your RV and sends alerts directly to your phone if conditions move outside the range you’ve set.
This means that if campground power goes out, your air conditioner stops working, or temperatures begin rising unexpectedly, you’ll know about it right away.
The monitor also tracks humidity levels, which can be useful in hot and humid climates where conditions can become uncomfortable even before temperatures reach dangerous levels.
One feature we particularly like is that the Waggle monitor uses cellular connectivity instead of relying solely on campground WiFi. If you’ve traveled extensively in an RV, you already know campground internet can be hit or miss. Some parks have excellent service while others struggle to support basic web browsing.
Because Waggle uses a cellular connection, you can continue monitoring your RV even when campground WiFi isn’t available or reliable.
Setup was surprisingly simple. After charging the device, we downloaded the Waggle app, turned on the monitor, and connected it to our account. The entire process took only a couple of minutes. Once connected, we attached the included adhesive wall mount inside the RV and snapped the monitor into place. From there, it immediately began reporting temperature and humidity readings through the app.
Waggle 4G Mini Cam
Temperature monitoring tells us that Ted is safe. The camera lets us actually see how he’s doing.
The Waggle 4G Mini Cam provides live video access through the same app, allowing us to check in whenever we want. As an RV security camera, it gives us total peace of mind by letting us monitor our rig from anywhere.
Like the temperature monitor, setup was straightforward. After charging the camera, we connected it through the Waggle app and placed it on its magnetic mount. The magnetic mount makes it easy to quickly remove the camera for charging or while traveling between campgrounds.
Most of the time, when we open the camera feed, Ted is asleep on the bed or stretched out on the sofa. But it is reassuring to be able to see him for ourselves instead of simply assuming everything is okay.
The camera includes night vision, so it works even in low light conditions, as well as motion detection alerts if activity is detected inside the RV. We positioned the camera near our front door facing the couch as that is where Ted usually hangs out. If Ted moves out of view, we can turn the camera from the Waggle smartphone app to find him.
Another useful feature is two-way audio. This allows you to hear what’s happening inside the RV and even talk to your pet remotely. Ted is 13 years old and has lost most of his hearing, so we don’t talk to him over the camera, but many pets find hearing their owner’s voice comforting.
Like the temperature monitor, the 4G Mini Cam uses cellular connectivity, making it a good fit for RV travel where internet options vary from one campground to the next.
One App for Both Devices
One feature we really appreciate is that both the temperature monitor and camera are managed through the same Waggle app.
Instead of switching between multiple apps, we can quickly check the RV temperature, humidity levels, camera feed, and alerts all from one place. Before leaving the campground, we can confirm everything is working properly. While we’re away, it only takes a few seconds to open the app and check on Ted.
For us, the biggest benefit comes from using both devices together. The temperature monitor tells us that the RV environment is safe. The camera lets us visually confirm that Ted is doing well.
For example, if we receive a temperature alert, we can immediately open the camera feed to see how Ted is behaving while we’re heading back to the campsite. Or if we’re simply curious what he’s up to while we’re out exploring, we can take a quick look from our phone.
Waggle Discount Code
If you’re looking for a way to monitor your dog while away from your RV, Waggle is currently offering Travels with Ted readers a discount.
As RVers, we know firsthand that leaving a pet behind can be stressful. Having a way to monitor both the RV temperature and your dog can provide valuable peace of mind whether you’re out for dinner, sightseeing, running errands, or spending the afternoon at a ballgame.
Tools like the Waggle Pet Temperature Monitor and 4G Mini Cam can help you respond quickly if something goes wrong and make it easier to enjoy your time away from the campsite knowing your pet is safe. Read our complete guide to RV living with dogs for more tips and tricks.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
