buy travel trailer or class C ~~ with multi small dogs

John Wayne wrote:
You can also go with a 1 ton van instead of a pick up People in front dogs in back.

This is actually a very good possibility too. Full sized vans (if appropriately equipped) can be quite good tow vehicles, often up to 8000 or 10,000 pounds tow rating, and have sufficient payload capacity to tow that and carry some stuff inside at the same time.

I would look at the Nissan NV passenger van for this duty myself; it has quite flexible seating arrangements that would be nice for a long road trip. The Ford transits are also comparatively nice.

bikendan wrote:
Agree that lots of campgrounds have restrictions on that many dogs.

X2
This will be your biggest hurdle traveling with that many dogs. Most CG's have a 2 dog limit. So you won't just be able to pull off the road and stay at any CG along the way.

I managed to full time with my 4 but it did limit where I could stay. I will tell you one thing though, that if a CG does allow you to stay with your crew of dogs, they will NOT put up with ANY barking.

You can also go with a 1 ton van instead of a pick up People in front dogs in back.

I travel with 2 chihuahuas and having had both I would go with the motor home. One is usually in my lap the other on the floor in bed between us. I do have a friend who travels with 4, they seem to do fine course the total dog weight is about 30 lbs. I guess I question are 4 dogs weighing 30# total worse than 2 that weigh 90# each? If they are quiet and you pick up after them I don't see the problem.

Reading the "what would make the RV experience better thread" was a an eye opener for me. I was shocked so many people are so unhappy with some things in campgrounds. But I am lucky and I live in the country all the time.

Agree that lots of campgrounds have restrictions on that many dogs.

I too vote against 5 dogs in one RV with up to 4 adults. Won't be any fun.

5 dogs is not going to be easy in many parks. If they're barkers, forget it.

Just as an aside, what year Honda Odyssey? Model years 2004 and earlier can be flat-towed if you follow the proper pre-tow procedure. After 2004 you'd be on your own and most advise not to flat-tow, though I believe dolly towing is an option for many of the 2005 and newer Ody models.

One point that is important to note - It is ill advised to let pets ride in a travel trailer or 5th wheel while on the road.

This would not only be very freightening experince (no shocks and stuff rattling around) but foremost there is no way to control the environment. Heat in a towed camper could kill an animal.

I travel with two cats and one dog.

I have multiple dogs and started out with a trailer. Its' a pain. you have to move the dogs and their crates etc from your truck to the TT and then repeat the process when you leave. I sold the TT and bought a Class C.

More importantly how are you going to fit 5 dogs and 4 adults 'comfortably' in the truck while traveling if you tow a RV trailer.??

For me, my dogs NEVER travel loose in any vehicle for safety reasons. One slow speed accident where your dog flies into a windshield or out a window or an emt opens the door to help you and out your dogs go into traffic and get run over would change your mind about that. But I digress.

A Class C has an overhead bunk which makes for a perfect place to put dog crates to keep the dogs in while traveling etc.,and keeps them safe. And doesn't take up any room on the floor of your RV.

Also gives them a nice secure place to eat their food/water bowls/relax and to put them when the family is going in and out of the MH to keep them from being underfoot and slipping out the RV door!

All you need to do is anchor the crates in some manner to the base to keep them from moving.

My dogs love riding in the cab over in their crates.