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4X4Dodger's avatar
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2014

Keeping the Pooches Warm and Cool

I am going to put a SnugTop OUTBACK canopy http://www.snugtop.com/product/outback on my truck for my pooches, Nigel my Australian Shepard/Border Collie and Jake my Original Dog.

I want to install systems to keep them Cool and Warm while we travel. This system will cool the area covered by the truck Canopy. I pull my 30 ft TT behind my 2014 Dodge 4X4 Crewcab 2500. This could be two separate systems or a combined system. I have thought about adding a heater core and piping it to the heater hoses of the engine for heat but I am stumped for cooling. I should mention that both the truck and canopy are Black. I would like the systems to work with the truck off for short periods of time.(like eating dinner out)

Since my truck is new I dont want them in the cab. One time when Jake got excited because someone came too close to my Jeep Grand Cherokee he bit the dashboard out of sheer frustration and Nigel sheds too much. I want to keep the truck as new as possible for as long as possible.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
  • 4X4Dodger's avatar
    4X4Dodger
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2014
    Thanks for all the replies I think I have found the solution to the heating issue but I still am stumped by the cooling. Whatever I use needs to work off of 12V or propane.

    I wont always have the trailer with me when traveling with the dogs so I need a solution that does not depend on the trailer being with me.

    Does anybody know of a propane powered aircon unit? Small one roof mounted?
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2014
    IMO, being black means you won't have any problem keeping it warm? But it's going to be a stinker to keep cool when everything is radiating heat; and don't forget that a determined dog can claw through screens (unless they're in crates) I'd make sure that the dash A/C can blast back into the truck by using an inflatable connector sleeve?

    Personally - if you're stopping for a meal, I'd put the dogs in the trailer (assuming it's white or light-colored)
  • Campinghoss's avatar
    Campinghoss
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2014
    doxiemom11 wrote:
    Not all breeds can survive in heat/cold. It depends on their coat. Man lived with no A/C not that long ago, but it doesn't mean you would like to be in 100+ heat without A/C. Would you survive? Maybe, but would you enjoy life - probably not. Same with extreme cold.


    We are right there with you. Ours are cool and warm. The little one would not survive in heat or cold. Lucky probably would but not as long as I can help it.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2014
    Not all breeds can survive in heat/cold. It depends on their coat. Man lived with no A/C not that long ago, but it doesn't mean you would like to be in 100+ heat without A/C. Would you survive? Maybe, but would you enjoy life - probably not. Same with extreme cold.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2014
    My neighbor has a border collie. 24/7/365 out side in NW WY. 20 below zero. Don't baby these animals. Before us they all lived outside. Wolves all live outside. Pretty soon we will be buliding heated hotels for deer, elk, bears, etc.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2014
    I put a many miles on one of my F150 trucks with a cap installed and a weather boot between the rear window and the truck cap... Kids and dogs loved riding back there - snug as a bug...

    Roy Ken
  • magnusfide's avatar
    magnusfide
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2014
    I like that cap with the double doors. Nice.

    I would open the rear window as wide as possible to let the AC/Heater in the dash do the work. The dogs will just hang out at that window. Another option to assist cooling is to open the side slider windows on that cap to create negative pressure that will help to pull cooler air into the cargo area. If the side windows have that screen in place the dogs can't get out.

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