RV For Dog Rescue Charity

I remember someone with very similar aims asked much the same question a year or so ago. The general consensus, as I remember things, was that a dedicated animal transport trailer would be the most satisfactory system. Having several dogs (who may not know each other or you all that well) cooped up together inside a vehicle while driving doesn't sound to me like a great situation. Further, very many campgrounds limit the number of animals you can have per campsite, so instead of sneaking dogs into hotel rooms you'd quite possibly be sneaking them into campgrounds.

That said, I would look for a used RV rather than a new one, partly because the depreciation the first few years is rather staggering and so the cost would be a lot less. If you're looking at a class C, some unit with sufficient space and weight carrying capacity most commonly would be on a Ford E-450 platform, and have their gas V10 engine, assuming it's not older than about 18 years or so. There's nothing wrong with that chassis combination; it's solid and well-known and generally reliable, though not particularly modern in overall design. It basically is an enlarged E-series van chassis.

The most important thing to check in my opinion (besides whether the layout and general design of the RV would work for your uses) is condition, and condition largely boils down to not having leaks at the seams or things that must perforate the roof or walls, and having the various systems work (furnace, AC, generator, plumbing, fridge, etc.) I would much rather have a well-maintained older, lesser quality brand RV than a newer, better, but unmaintained one.

Do be aware that an RV requires a good bit of maintenance. You will need to spend time and money keeping it in good shape if you do get one. The gas milage will also be noticeably worse than with a van (maybe 8 mpg, give or take a bit, for many class C motorhomes).

We've been rescuing for a long time, and currently have 5 pups living with us (and 7 more in little oak boxes on the mantel).

When you think of buying for a non-profit, think of the Income Tax rite-offs!

I know that you aren't thinking of a new unit, I'm only showing you this for the purpose considering a "toy hauler". The rear of this one is a 8" X 9" foot garage, that will haul a bunch of crates. The rear door is a ramp that also will become a 6" X 7" foot fenced patio deck, which would be great for grooming, feeding, or just the fur babies getting some fresh air.

Just something to consider.

https://thormotorcoach.com/outlaw/class-c/floorplans/

Good luck!

"......I thought purchasing a used class C RV would be more convenient since many of my trips are long distance (I don't like smuggling in 10+ dogs into hotel rooms!)"

Wait until you try that in a Campground. they have pet limits: numbers (2 or less) weight (25#---45#) and BREED restrictions (Pitbulls, Dobies, Shepards, Rotties, Chows, Mastif, are common 'aggressive banned') PLUS keeping that many dogs QUIET

AZ has a LOT of 'banned breeds' Pitbulls galore

We looked for months for a rescue '''''''finally a Border Collie Mix.

I commend your efforts but your thought process is off base'
A toyhauler would be a good travel platform but CGs are going to be REAL problem.
Overnighting at Rest Areas, Walmarts etc might be better options. No pet limits and FREE

Best of luck.

You may want to look at travel trailer or fifth wheel toy haulers. They seem perfect for using crates. The Logans have a good idea. As others are saying, you won't be getting into most private rv parks but there are many other options.

I really admire what you do. I recently rescued a Sheltie in San Antonio who was pulled from a high kill shelter. He was going to be zapped the next day. The agency I used is very involved in rescuing dogs and then transporting them to other areas of the county. San Antonio is evidently one of the areas with a huge "surplus" of dogs that get killed. I never knew there were people like you that transported them to other areas so keep up the good work! :)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
"......I thought purchasing a used class C RV would be more convenient since many of my trips are long distance (I don't like smuggling in 10+ dogs into hotel rooms!)"

Wait until you try that in a Campground. they have pet limits: numbers (2 or less) weight (25#---45#) and BREED restrictions (Pitbulls, Dobies, Shepards, Rotties, Chows, Mastif, are common 'aggressive banned') PLUS keeping that many dogs QUIET

AZ has a LOT of 'banned breeds' Pitbulls galore

We looked for months for a rescue '''''''finally a Border Collie Mix.

I commend your efforts but your thought process is off base'
A toyhauler would be a good travel platform but CGs are going to be REAL problem.
Overnighting at Rest Areas, Walmarts etc might be better options. No pet limits and FREE

Best of luck.

x2...look for something with a generator and boondock. Limit of 2 pets in the campground, do not "sneak" them in. Most likely you will be asked to leave.

Good luck.

My wife is into dog shows and we worked with a rescue organization for 25-ish years. We fold our table down, lay carpet on that space and stack dog crates. It works really well. Do check dog limits in campgrounds. We have never had an issue but, we are ultra cautious and we don't take all our dogs. The most that we have ever camped with is 4 and they are sweet natured pug dogs. If you tried 10 rescues you might get yourself in a bind in a hurry. A generator is not optional. You must have a generator in good working order to keep the coach cool. In the summer it will get hot in there and the dash air won't keep it cool, pretty much at all. You'll have to run the roof AC when you have dogs on board, even riding down the interstate. Make sure those things work perfect or don't buy it.

I had no plans to go to campgrounds with these rescue dogs. I thought overnight in a Walmart parking lot would be a better idea. Don't all RV's come with generators? A cannot get a toy hauler because I don't own a large vehicle capable of towing. Also, I would want to be in the RV while I am driving to keep an eye on the dogs.

Also, all of these dogs would be small breed, Chihuahua type dogs. No aggressive breeds at all would be transported.

susanmaria wrote:
I had no plans to go to campgrounds with these rescue dogs. I thought overnight in a Walmart parking lot would be a better idea. Don't all RV's come with generators? A cannot get a toy hauler because I don't own a large vehicle capable of towing. Also, I would want to be in the RV while I am driving to keep an eye on the dogs.

Also, all of these dogs would be small breed, Chihuahua type dogs. No aggressive breeds at all would be transported.

Not all RVs come with generators. Most motorhomes do, although there are occasional exceptions, while the majority of trailers do not. Some RV generators are propane powered, which can be a bit problematic for extended usage due to the relatively small propane tank sizes and the occasional difficulty in finding convenient propane fill stations. (Incidentally, the term RV encompasses both motorhomes and trailers, in case you didn't realize that already.)

There are a few class C toy haulers around, by the way.

Keeping an eye on anything other than the actual driving when operating an RV seems to me to be a dangerous idea. Driving a motorhome (or pulling a decent sized trailer) requires more attentiveness than driving a car or van, due to the larger dimensions (particularly width) and the greater stopping distances and overall limited maneuverability that require one to pay attention to things further on down the road.

I don't think a towed RV will work for you (TT or 5th wheel). You're going to need to be self contained to keep the climate controlled in the RV. There are 5th wheels that have a generator but, I wouldn't trust that for hours at a time with no checks and balances. I have seen people add generators to travel trailers but again, I would feel uncomfortable with that solution. The simple fix is a working generator and roof air in the same space that you're occupying. That way you know if something stops working and can take some kind of action. The RV generators, typically Onan, are well made and will last a very long time if serviced properly. My 1990 Dometic AC still blows ice cold.

Overnighting at a Walmart is doable as long as you plan your stops and be sure that the Walmart in question is cool with overnighting. Some of them won't allow it. Also, some campgrounds might accommodate you for a night as long as the neighbors aren't negatively impacted by barking dogs and poop.

We have been RVing with dogs since 1988. Never once have we had an issue. The key is to consider your neighbors peace and quiet. Get a couple of x-pens but, don't just put the dogs out there and forget them. If we intend to give the dogs a lot of outdoor time we leash them and go for a walk. Our pugs are indoor dogs so, a short walk around the campground and they are ready to chill out and watch some TV.

susanmaria wrote:
I run a dog rescue transport charity where I bring dogs from high kill shelters to shelter in other states where they will more readily find homes. I usually rent a van, but I thought purchasing a used class C RV would be more convenient since many of my trips are long distance (I don't like smuggling in 10+ dogs into hotel rooms!)

A few times a year I have people who use/borrow/hire my gooseneck horse trailer for exactly that. I have a 'regular' 3 horse trailer with living quarters that easily holds 20 of the largest kennel crates with a walkway up the middle. Best of all they are washable and easily sterilized afterwards so you don't have to drive down the road smelling the after effects of Fido's gastrointestinal issues resulting from the stress of the trip and everything else. Did I mention washable?

Plus there's plenty of storage for water tanks, food, etc, etc, etc.

Mine has CCTV so the people in the truck can watch what's going on back there. In some states riding in the trailer (although I'm not a fan of the idea) is legal, an attendant could ride with them to care for them.

Best of all you just need a volunteer with a heavy pickup a few times a year as opposed to an expensive chassis sitting around deteriorating most of the time.

Food for thought from someone who's been there and does that.