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.
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.
