Best layout for 4 big dogs

BCSnob wrote:
Crates are indispensable for safely transporting dogs (think car seat for dogs) and for containing the mess from sick dogs. Explosive diarrhea all over the inside of an RV can ruin a vacation; the inside of a soiled crate and a messy dog can be cleaned using the outside shower.

I know you're right about safety.
Mine don't ride in the RV. I removed the back seat (crew cab F-350) and built a wood platform with dog beds on top. They sleep most of the trip as long as the A/C is cranked. Traveled all over the country and Canada and it has worked well for me.

That said a unrestrained dog becomes a missile in a accident.

Crates are indispensable for safely transporting dogs (think car seat for dogs) and for containing the mess from sick dogs. Explosive diarrhea all over the inside of an RV can ruin a vacation; the inside of a soiled crate and a messy dog can be cleaned using the outside shower.

Crowe wrote:
SIL modified her Class C by removing the bed in the rear bedroom to accommodate multiple crates (she breeds/shows labs). She used the cab overhead bed for herself and the pull-out sleep sofa if she had extra people with her. Doing this left the bulk of the unit intact and usable. CAVEAT: If you go this route please make sure your rear axle can handle the weight of 4 large dogs plus crates.

I've never used them either.

Our dogs are trained well enough that they wouldn't touch anything. However, when crate training is done properly it serves as a "safe haven" and can be indispensable during thunderstorms, travel times, etc.

It's that "when done properly" part. Too often it's used in place of socialization and training rather than in conjunction with. I had one rescue, an akita, who had been crated. I brought him and the crate home and every night he went into his crate without being told. Until the night I took the top of the crate off - he climbed in, then about 5 minutes later looked around just realizing he wasn't confined. He got out and slept on the floor by my bed. He never went into a crate on his own again.

Cdaddy wrote:
We travel with 4 big dogs thinking of a you hauler so the dogs have their own space. What laThe yout do you all like that works for dogs. We have a 30 single slide bunkhouse TT now

What do you consider big? I have to buy large breed stuff for my 60lb dog but she looks like a baby next to my 180lb husky/great pierenese mix.

We have a 374bhs Roamer. Works perfect for us as they can go on the bed during travel as it's easy to get to and not on a slide so no potential weight issue.

I did like the Alpine 3900re which had a small toy hauler section for them or would let me bring a tv if we went somewhere.

SIL modified her Class C by removing the bed in the rear bedroom to accommodate multiple crates (she breeds/shows labs). She used the cab overhead bed for herself and the pull-out sleep sofa if she had extra people with her. Doing this left the bulk of the unit intact and usable. CAVEAT: If you go this route please make sure your rear axle can handle the weight of 4 large dogs plus crates.

I've never used them either.

Our dogs are trained well enough that they wouldn't touch anything. However, when crate training is done properly it serves as a "safe haven" and can be indispensable during thunderstorms, travel times, etc.

colliehauler wrote:
I had 4 large Collies at one time. For a small trailer a Toyhauler can't be beat for floor space. If going with a large TT a large slide-out gives enough room (unless laying in the doorway) for getting around them.

When looking at TT try to imagine 4 dogs laying on the floor or take 4 dog beds when you look. Place them on the floor to give you an idea of the space it will require.

In 50 years of dog ownership I have never used a kennel. Just don't want to deal with the space they take up.

I've never used them either. Having done rescues, I found that too many people use them as an alternative to training. Then when they give up the dog,I have to break the dog from the habit of attacking from its crate because it doesn't know how to handle life and it's afraid of the world.

We compete in sheep herding competitions; toy haulers and living quarters horse trailers are common since most of us travel with 5-14 mid sized dogs (35-55lbs). Lately a few people are showing up with work/play model trailers which have very open floor plans.

Recently at one of the RV resorts I saw a 5th wheel toy hauler, the back ramp was down and inside at the rear of the garage area there were four large dog carriers. I spoke with the RV owner, they have show dogs and were attending a dog show near the RV resort. He had two carriers facing the center of the toy hauler on each side. He had placed a box fan blowing air towards the dog carriers. He said they would move the carriers outside under the patio awning during the day when there was shade.

It looked like a nice setup.

My dad had an Akita and he and a friend traveled to shows with at least 2 akitas, a brittany and a rat terrier. He started with a toy hauler - it fit the kennels well. However it was awkward for two to three people not in a relationship to share.

He then went to a 5er with bunks up front, then the LR/kitchen , then bath, and then the bedroom at the back. It worked better for the people. They removed the bottom bunks and put the crates there and his friend slept in the upper bunk(s). The crates just fit under the top bunks, I can tell you it was h@11 getting them out (I somehow got stuck with that job).

My advice (after watching my dad), is if you kennel, measure the crates and do your homework and measure the RV to make sure they fit - measure twice and all that. And watch for lips, ridges, turns, etc., that could impede the crate going in or out.

I have two dogs (85 and 65lbs) and we are quite content in our 21ft C. But they are couch dogs and sleep on the bed (I have a set of dog steps for them to get from the couch to the cabover bed). If all 4 large dogs sleep on the bed, I would get a dedicated bed below (not the cabover) for simplicity and potential weight issues.

With two dogs, the floor space isn't an issue. They can both sit in the cab seats to watch what's going on. While driving, they rotate between the passenger seat, couch, dinette seat, and floor - usually picking one spot each and then moving after a stop. And they can get around each other with minimal issue on the floor. With 4 dogs you may need more floor space just so they can get past each other without an argument and you may want more "sitting" space for them so they aren't always taking up that floor space.

You're not really going to be able to bring the dogs with you while you look, but I suggest bringing a few buddies - that will help you get a feel for how the dogs will have to interact to get around. Congestion at the door can be dealt with, but you want to minimize congestion in other areas.

Also, consider where you'll feed them and put their water. Some dogs can eat right next to each other - some need more space.

Also remember that a lot of campgrounds and RV Parks don't allow you to tie up the dogs outside while you're inside - so don't count on that to ease a tight place.

As I write this, I would look for something with an open floor LR/kitchen area and a bedroom on either side of that. A slide in that center area will be far more important than in the bedroom. That gives the dogs a place to lay on the floor without blocking a narrow corrider. You could put two in each bedroom

I had 4 large Collies at one time. For a small trailer a Toyhauler can't be beat for floor space. If going with a large TT a large slide-out gives enough room (unless laying in the doorway) for getting around them.

When looking at TT try to imagine 4 dogs laying on the floor or take 4 dog beds when you look. Place them on the floor to give you an idea of the space it will require.

In 50 years of dog ownership I have never used a kennel. Just don't want to deal with the space they take up.