Forum Discussion

empty_nest's avatar
empty_nest
Explorer
Oct 05, 2014

RV travel with multiple dogs

So, we plan on purchasing a piece of property down south to set our 5'r on, once we retire. With eight small, lap dogs we feel it is best to have our own place to have the dogs.

However, the question is where do you find places to overnight on a 2-3 day trip since most parks will take no more than 2 dogs?

We love our pups and would never think of boarding them or have others watch them for 3-4 months. It's just not an option!
  • Cracker Barrels are good for overnighting. Their restaurants usually empty out around 9PM and you can park in designated RV parking overnight, walk your pups around thier spacious grassy/parking areas and have a hot breakfast in the morning before you take off. No hassles with campgrounds and you'll save $ in the process. I pick up trash in the parking lot while I'm walking the dogs and make sure to leave a good tip after I have my breakfast. Everyone is happy including the dogs.
  • toedtoes wrote:
    Unlike the situation in the other thread, I think your situation might be doable because you're trying to find just a single night location.

    Doing as Rockhillmanor does - stopping overnight at truck stops, etc. - would be the easiest.

    Call some parks and ask them if they would allow you to stop twice a year for one night each stop. Be honest and just explain that you need to get from point A to point B, you're not looking to residence there, you'll keep the dogs inside all night, and only take 2 out at a time for potty breaks. Perhaps add that you will not be using any hookups except electrical for a/c if needed (do you need to for two one-night stays?). Your situation and your honesty might get you an exception to the rules. If they allow you to stay, make sure you follow your agreement carefully.


    This is a great idea, and honesty will get you much further along.
  • Unlike the situation in the other thread, I think your situation might be doable because you're trying to find just a single night location.

    Doing as Rockhillmanor does - stopping overnight at truck stops, etc. - would be the easiest.

    Call some parks and ask them if they would allow you to stop twice a year for one night each stop. Be honest and just explain that you need to get from point A to point B, you're not looking to residence there, you'll keep the dogs inside all night, and only take 2 out at a time for potty breaks. Perhaps add that you will not be using any hookups except electrical for a/c if needed (do you need to for two one-night stays?). Your situation and your honesty might get you an exception to the rules. If they allow you to stay, make sure you follow your agreement carefully.
  • In most cases I'd rather have a family with 8 dogs beside me than a family with 8 kids. In my experience camping dogs are MUCH better behaved than most of the kids. I've seen parents just "turn their kids loose" the whole time they camp. Just my 2 cents.
  • empty_nest wrote:
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    empty_nest wrote:
    So, we plan on purchasing a piece of property down south to set our 5'r on, once we retire. With eight small, lap dogs we feel it is best to have our own place to have the dogs.

    However, the question is where do you find places to overnight on a 2-3 day trip since most parks will take no more than 2 dogs?

    We love our pups and would never think of boarding them or have others watch them for 3-4 months. It's just not an option!


    Interesting there is another forum member in the same quandary!

    You can read this running thread about an RV'er that asked the same question with the same amount of dogs!

    Albiet they were planning to full-time RV with 8 dogs. But you will get the gist of hard it might be for your even though you only need it for 2 to 3 days.
    http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27983017.cfm

    Unless you are staying at friends once you are down south you will still have to stay somewhere while you are looking for property to buy. So you really need a CG for more than just 2 or 3 days right?


    I read that thread but wasn't real comfortable with some of the responses. Hoping for some feedback from fellow dog lovers. ;)

    Maybe I did not explain myself very well. We do have family where we can park, once there, if necessary. However, we hope to have the property purchased before we even begin snowbirding. Really, the question is for overnighting on the way there. Thought maybe others might have a similar experience. Thanks


    Oh good you have a place to stay that helps a lot.

    I travel with 4 dogs and with the onset of the stricter CG's rules when I would head to Florida which is a 2 day trip, I decided to power drive the trip after numerous calls trying to find a CG.

    I use the rest areas for potty breaks, set up their expens and/or walk them and then I took that stop to nap. Most rest areas are either closed or if open strictly enforce the no overnight parking and hoover over you when you pull in.

    So for the mid evening stop I find a real nice and big truck stop and take a nap there.

    Flying J in the area I will stay overnight in one of those. It's all RV's parked next to each other in the lot so safety in numbers for me.

    So do a search for Flying J's near your route down.

    Anyway you look at it traveling in any RV with 8 dogs is still not going to be fun for you or the dogs nor anyone you park next to.

    You are going to snowbird back and forth from your property each year so sadly it will be a never ending problem.
  • From a dog lover: You will find that many state parks and Army Corps. Of Engineer parks do not have a limit on the number of dogs.

    I would suggest some research on the stops you plan to make, find a state or COE park, and then check their website. If no limit is mentioned, you SHOULD be O.K. but a call to the park, will confirm it.

    Happy camping.
  • rockhillmanor wrote:
    empty_nest wrote:
    So, we plan on purchasing a piece of property down south to set our 5'r on, once we retire. With eight small, lap dogs we feel it is best to have our own place to have the dogs.

    However, the question is where do you find places to overnight on a 2-3 day trip since most parks will take no more than 2 dogs?

    We love our pups and would never think of boarding them or have others watch them for 3-4 months. It's just not an option!


    Interesting there is another forum member in the same quandary!

    You can read this running thread about an RV'er that asked the same question with the same amount of dogs!

    Albiet they were planning to full-time RV with 8 dogs. But you will get the gist of hard it might be for your even though you only need it for 2 to 3 days.
    http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27983017.cfm

    Unless you are staying at friends once you are down south you will still have to stay somewhere while you are looking for property to buy. So you really need a CG for more than just 2 or 3 days right?


    I read that thread but wasn't real comfortable with some of the responses. Hoping for some feedback from fellow dog lovers. ;)

    Maybe I did not explain myself very well. We do have family where we can park, once there, if necessary. However, we hope to have the property purchased before we even begin snowbirding. Really, the question is for overnighting on the way there. Thought maybe others might have a similar experience. Thanks
  • empty_nest wrote:
    So, we plan on purchasing a piece of property down south to set our 5'r on, once we retire. With eight small, lap dogs we feel it is best to have our own place to have the dogs.

    However, the question is where do you find places to overnight on a 2-3 day trip since most parks will take no more than 2 dogs?

    We love our pups and would never think of boarding them or have others watch them for 3-4 months. It's just not an option!


    Interesting there is another forum member in the same quandary!

    You can read this running thread about an RV'er that asked the same question with the same amount of dogs!

    Albiet they were planning to full-time RV with 8 dogs. But you will get the gist of hard it might be for your even though you only need it for 2 to 3 days.
    http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27983017.cfm

    Unless you are staying at friends once you are down south you will still have to stay somewhere while you are looking for property to buy. So you really need a CG for more than just 2 or 3 days right?