Motorhome vs travel trailer for cross country with pets??

[Tortiemctortiep]

Hello!
I have been trying to research the pros and cons of each and am finding myself getting more confused!

I am planning on relocating from VA to WA next summer, and also taking the summer to explore along the way (I work in schools so have my summers free). I will be moving with my pets (two medium dogs, a cat, 4 small birds, a bunny, a tortoise, and a snake).

Safety is my biggest concern, both for my pets (needing to have climate controlled places for them to be) and myself (as a woman traveling alone), but I don’t know which option would be the safest option...

A motorhome would be climate controlled, but I can probably only afford an older one (I have seen some mid-1990s to early 2000s listed that could possibly be in my price range), and I worry about how reliable they would be going over mountain passes, and if they did break down the ease of getting them repaired (finding parts, etc.). Also if it broke down and I had no ac, how to keep the pets cool in the meantime... unless I kept my current vehicle (Nissan Rogue) to tow behind and loaded them in there.

I have read that a travel trailer could possibly be rigged up with a generator in the bed of the towing truck to be climate controlled while driving, but I would have to buy a truck capable of towing a travel trailer. With a crew cab at least some of the pets could ride with me in the tow vehicle and be transferred to the trailer at night. A newer truck would be a big stretch on my finances, but might possibly be more reliable and easier to have fixed if broken down? I was initially considering an SUV with a travel trailer, but I have been told that the transmission wouldn’t be able to handle that much towing and that a full size truck would be best.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions from experienced travelers!!

[Sjm9911]

There both right. And you have a zoo not pets! Just saying. Good luck.

[B_O__Plenty]

Full size rear wheel drive van and a trailer.

B.O.

[olfarmer]

Wow, that is a big decision. We travel with 2 cats in a motor home and in the past with a dog. I think as far as the pets are concerned a motor home is the best. They are with you so you can keep track of them plus they have their food and water, litter box etc. and they are more comfortable with you and they are able to move around as they wish. On the down side is a possible breakdown. Then you have to get the MH repaired and what to do with the pets. We have had to get towed twice and the cats were not happy about that plus we either had to leave them in the camper or find a place for them. We have done both. If you have a towed car that would be a help. With an older unit whether it is a motor home or a tow vehicle with a trailer, the chances of a breakdown are greater. It is expensive to get a motor home repaired but it is expensive for any vehicle any more. No matter what you get, you need to have the funds to get repaired or you better not go. The decision is yours, check out what you can afford and what you are more comfortable with. I recommend that you get towing insurance no matter what you do! We had to be towed 70 miles once and it cost us nothing, just think what it would cost to have a 30" MH towed 70 miles! Good Luck and best wishes!