Forum Discussion

livewell4less's avatar
Aug 18, 2013

Dogs and travel trailers?

We're looking for our first RV. I've done a lot of research, but still can't quite figure out what would be best for our situation.

We will be traveling with 3-4 dogs and need to be able to leave them for brief periods -- probably NOT in a campground, unfortunately -- so we need something with on-board power.

We have a diesel Excursion and it kinda seems like a sin not to pull something with it ;) ... but I first looked at motorhomes because I was under the impression that travel trailers depend on campground power, which won't be available to us. After some frustration with finding a motorhome, I started to look at TTs and I see that a few (mostly toy haulers?) have some power on board. (Then I noticed that some of them don't have tanks :E ... doing without a bathroom is really not an option!)

Travel trailers seem more likely to fit within our four-figure budget, and seem to be lower to the ground for our senior chow dog who doesn't do well with steps. We also wouldn't have to worry about modifying and hitching a toad so we'd have something to drive around town if we had a motorhome.

I'm concerned about the logistics of doing the actual traveling with the critters in the truck, then having to offload them into the trailer any time we stop for a bite to eat or a relief break, then back into the truck to get going again. It seems like a lot of work, and of course any time you move them there is the risk of escape.

Oh and then there's the trailer itself. We're not great trailer-backers :o

Any TT users out there traveling with pets? What do I need to look for in for-sale ads to get the features we need? Or should I forget about TTs and go back to looking at motorhomes?

Also, is it harder to boondock in a trailer for other reasons? (e.g., do you get hassled at Walmart if you're not a motorhome? do people complain about TT generators being loud because they are not enclosed like they are in a motorhome?)

Our first trip will be to take care of some not-fun business where we used to live. We may be living in the new rig for a month or more. I need to get this right! Thanks in advance for your ideas and guidance.

13 Replies

  • Trailers and fifth wheels are not designed to be ridden in. The poor animals would be tossed around and possibly harmed. Much better if they ride in the truck with you.
    Yes, people will get upset if you run a generator. If it is a Honda or Yamaha inverter type, not very upset. If it is a contractor generator, which are much cheaper, they will be coming after you with torches and pitchforks. Trailers will operate off their batteries for a reasonable period of time, but what you will not have is air conditioning, that requires an electrical hookup or a good generator.
    Walmart is not boondocking. It is generally for overnight stays, while people travel from spot to spot. They are not for staying for a week or two. They really don't care if you have a motorhome or a trailer. Many people feel that running a generator in a Walmart parking lot is over the top, with the exception being an enclosed generator in a motorhome and even that might be frowned upon.. I wouldn't trust setting a $1000 Honda or Yamaha outside on the grounds of a Walmart, that would be an invitation to a thief. I don't think a contractor generator would appropriate under most any circumstances at a Walmart. Four dogs are going to be a challenge, even in the best of situations, and it sounds like that is not the case. Good Luck.
  • We travel with one trained dog that will stick close. However, it is extra work to take a pet. Our TT got warm inside during traveling in the summer if we parked without power. During our stops our dog would stay in the back of the PU. Have to be careful about that because there are pet nappers. In our MH we just run the generator with A/C on.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    You also have to be very extra careful with your pets in the trailer that has slides. Just read on here last week I think it was another poor animal was caught up in the slide when it was being setup. the cat didn't survive it...

    My sisters family started out to leave their big dog inside their fifth wheel trailer on their trips. Actually made a home for the dog using a doggie door going into the pass thru storage area from the hallway just inside the main entrance door. On the very first trip they headed out and stopped at a rest area about 50 miles down the road. Checking on the dog they found it going crazy - wide eyed - totally scared to death. The dog could not stand all of the moving around of things inside the trailer when being moved down the road. To this day they cannot drag their dog into the fifth wheel haha...

    Just a couple of thoughts here.

    Roy Ken