Getting into the 5th wheel

Thank you for the help, the sling certainly sounds like a good idea that we may have to use, as for picking him up he's a bit heavy for me to lift. We use a ramp now, but I like the idea of the 2x6 as the ramp we use now makes it difficult for us to get in and out. We have him on Metacam, MSM, Glucosamine and Vitamin E, for the last couple of months, it certainly has made him more stable.

I give my dogs joint juice, if you buy it from sams club it's $20 a case. I used to give my lady dasaquin, do not buy it from 1800petmeds, if you do, shop around and have them price match. They want a ridiculous amount for it. I payed about half of what they wanted. It really does work after a week or so.

One advantage about 5th wheels is all the steps is on the outside!

Not sure if you're able to, but the easiest way would be to retract the steps. Then lift him up from behind his front legs (so he can get his footing on the floor), when he's in the house / cabin / whatever you call the interior? .... after which it's all down hill cause all you's gotta do is push the rest of him in-side!

I couldn't do that with our Eagle (because more then half the steps are in-side), so I use to help Harlee up by pushing / lifting her from the behind.

I bought a folding aluminum ramp for her, but there was no way she'd use the dang thing. So I got an aluminum ramp in the storage bay for Calvin when he'll need it. But it'll be more then likely that I'll be doing the same with him as I did with Harlee.

Good Luck!

Pops

We have a 90# yellow lab and purchased a 5' pet store plastic ramp but dog hated the sandpaper feel. I glued outdoor carpet to it and she now walks it easy to get into truck. Dog is 11 year old and 2 bad knees she don't like steep slopes. The plastic ramp that worked for the truck was too steep for the trailer unless I only covered 2 of the 4 steps which defeated the purpose of the ramp. I ended up with 2 2x6 that are 8' long that I carpeted for the trailer use. Side by side for dog and then I pick one up and lay on the other for when people need to use doorway. Less slope and carpet was key for us. Randu

Because she's so large, and not knowing your physical limitations, I can only suggest a sling for her hips. Something that you slip under her belly, that you can lift up on, to take some of the strain off her hips. You'll still have to walk up the ramp with her (which may be an issue unto itself), but it would make things a bit easier on her.

You can try it with a towel or pillow case folded up lenght-wise, to that it's about 4-6" wide, and if it works, maybe get something that you can have a handle on, to make it easier for you.

There is a lot to be said for having 5# dogs :B....even 8 of them!!:B