RVing with Pets

[CaitySue]

Hi,
I am new to this site, and new to RVing...so new that we haven't purchased our RV yet ;). We are currently looking at various models to see what we like and don't like. We are even heading out now to check out an RV show. We know we want a gas-powered Class A, with Tiffin being high on our list (we are hoping to purchase a "gently-used" RV.) We are also going to check into Thousand Trails, KOA, and any others that might be out there (suggestions ALWAYS welcome!).

I don't know if this is the right forum in which to pose my question, but here it is:

How many of you RV with your pets? We have one large dog, 2 small dogs and 2 cats. We will be living in the RV for about 4-6 months to start. The 2 small dogs both get carsick when traveling in a car, but I'm hoping the "feel" will be different in a motorhome. Anyone experience dogs getting carsick in a car, but not in an RV? The large dog (German Shepherd) is a seasoned car traveler. The cats have not been in a car before, except when they were taken to be neutered, so I have no clue how they will behave. They will be outfitted with collars and leashes so they can be let out to stretch their legs.

Please don't flame me if I've posted something in the wrong place - I'm new to this group and don't know all the ins and outs yet.

CaitySue

[Lantley]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
KOA campgrounds tend to be pet-friendly!

Not in my area

[Locooso]

We have 2 NewFoundland dogs (150# each), who both have had major leg surgeries & cannot climb stairs into our travel trailer. I am looking for an affordable access ramp to purchase, or for my husband to build. Have any of you had similar issues? Have you come up with an answer for your beloved pets?

[JAC1982]

We have 3 dogs, 2 basset hounds and a Boxer. We don't have a motorhome and they don't get carsick so I can't speak to that part of things. We also do not full time, just vacation.

I would suggest before heading out on a long trip with them is go somewhere local for a few days to see how they do. Every dog is different. Our oldest basset hound is happy as a clam as long as he's with us, so he's a great camping dog, except he's 12 with back problems, he can't make it up and down the steps of our 5th wheel, so we lift him up and down. Our younger basset hound is not a good camper. She gets nervous in new places and isn't the friendliest with strangers/new dogs so she barks and won't potty for a couple days. Our Boxer is a good girl but still a puppy (not quite 2), but too friendly and loves to run, so we have to keep a close eye on her. This year we tried one weekend trip with all 3 and decided it was a terrible idea LOL. We just took the boxer on the other trips this summer and left the bassets at home.

We haven't run into issues with pet limits, but we also tend to stick with state or county campgrounds and none of our dogs are on restricted breed lists.

I might suggest getting them an outdoor pen that way they can spend time outside off leash if you are confident they won't try to knock it over. We use a metal one that's about 4 feet tall. It has stakes to secure it to the ground and I throw a blanket over the top if it's hot out.

[myredracer]

We have one dog. For the first time ever, we took him on a 3 week trip and to date have only taken him one the occasional weekend trip. Worked out great and it was nice to mostly just hang out in the CGs for a change. Dogs and cats are very common at CGs all over the place. He's getting older and sleeps a LOT now and isn't hyperactive like he used to be so is much easier to have with us.

Biggest problem with a dog(s) is that you can't go sightseeing, shopping or whatever any time you want. When grocery shopping, one of stays in the truck while the other goes inside. In the past, we've used a doggy daycare on occasion which has been good but it's always been the same place and we trust them. Good excuse to drop him off for a haircut too. Many RV-ers put out a temporary fenced area outside their RV but would depend on the particular dog(s). Some cat owners use one of those long tube things connected to the entry door.

Obviously RVs have all sorts of floor plans. We have an enclosed bedroom with about 1 1/2' from foot of bed to wall and that is the only place in our TT for a dog bed. DW has to be careful not to step on him in the night. But he does invite himself onto the bed occasionally. 🙂 You might want to consider sleeping arrangements for pets when shopping for a new RV and maybe even where to store pet food and where to put down water and food bowls. I installed a sheet of lexan in the lower part of our entry door in case our dog ever decided to chase after something but he likes to sit at the door with it wide open though so he can see, sniff and here what's going on outside. There is a spot that we can tie his leash to near the door.

We are Thousand Trails members and like their CGs. They're all dog friendly that we've seen. Some California CGs might be rather hot in the summer to have dogs outside? Some Thousand Trails CGs have fenced dog runs and they strictly enforce their leash rule.

We used to be members of another CG org. in Wa. & Or. and they did not enforce their leash rule. Our dog even got attacked by an off-leash bulldog there. Someone DW knows at work got his family jewels chomped by a bulldog at the same CG and had to get stitches. We think it was the same dog. The CG did NOTHING. That was one big reason that we eventually sold the membership there.

A Thousand Trails membership is a very economical way to RV, that is if you can live with the occasional low voltage problems, lack of 50 amp pedestals and often, a lack of sewer hookups. Their CGs are usually several decades or more old and not up to "modern" standards. Doesn't bother us in the slightest. There are many high end MHs at them.

If interested in a Thousand Trails membership, forget about buying one directly from them. You can find them on CL for around $1,000 or less and can buy one from anyone in the US. We got ours from someone in Arizona for $800 (plus annual dues) and it is a top of the line membership. You need to get the membership number from a seller and then phone head office to find out what the features and benefits are because membership contracts are all different. There is usually a max stay of 2 weeks in a CG and a max. length of time you need to be out of the system unless you get one of the premium memberships. You could also buy a one-year zone pass from them to try them out (around $500). There are also other CG orgs. out there. If planning to travel much, look at where there CGs are located. Thousand Trails has none in the central area of the US. Casinos can be a good place to stay and usually have good power, water and full sewer hookups and don't cost much if at all.

We stayed in a Thousand Trails in Morgan Hill (near Gilroy) last summer. Nice CG but hotter than Hades and most folks were inside with the AC going full tilt. Awfully hot for taking a pet outside. It's shut down this year due to being flood-damaged (after years of no rain).

We stayed in a Thousand Trails in Chehalis, Wa. a couple of weeks ago and it is the nicest CG we've ever been to (except no sewer and voltage was low). About 360 acres in a beautiful forested setting with most sites spaced well apart. Lots of dogs there and great place to take them for a walk.

I think you'll find that membership CGs get RV-ers that are more respectful of others and also their pets.

Low voltage can be solved by using a Hughes autoformer. Make sure to get a Progressive Industries EMS if you plan to get around much. If you need AC to keep pets cool, you need to do what you can to make sure power won't go out on you.

[2012Coleman]

When looking, keep in mind that you will need a place for a litter box. I would not mention the cats when registering - they are most likely going to be kept inside, so non issue. Good luck!

[Campinghoss]

Ours started going with us from the very beginning. They have never been car sick. You have received some good advice. I would start them on trips very close to home limiting the time they spend travelling and in the camper. I would tend to think if you take them on an extended trip from the onset it may cause them more problems getting use to travelling.
It may take several close trips but play your cards correctly and they should adapt very well.

[CaitySue]

bukhrn wrote:

CaitySue wrote:

bukhrn wrote:
That's quite a menagerie you have there, we only have one, a long haired Dachshund, he's never been sick in car or RV, he loves to ride.
You have named two of the most expensive places to stay, but that's OK, we all camp/RV differently, as far as your extended family, Old Biscuit has it, State and Federal Parks may be your best bet, but few have hookups and as said, you are restricted to 14 day stays in most cases.

I listed those 2 because they are the only ones I've heard of. I'm open to hearing about more campgrounds, that's for sure. As I stated, we are SO new to RVing. Went to an RV show today to see what we like/don't like. Lots of research to do!

There are State Parks, National Parks, National Forests, Corp Of Engineers (COE), those are generally much cheaper than the private CG's, There are several discount clubs, We use Passport America, Good Sam, and the America The Beautiful Senior Pass. Just something else to research. Good Luck

''

Thank you for that information. I will start researching. Do you have a park# or name so I can put you down as the person who referred us to passportamerica?

[CaitySue]

doxiemom11 wrote:
I would make sure that all of the pets spend some time in the rv prior to taking off in it. We spent weekends not moving and let them get comfortable with the surroundings. Then we took a few short trips with them. We are full-time and the previous pets have passed and the one we have now has known no home other than the motorhome. None of our pets (dogs) ever got sick.

What a great idea! Thank you for that tip.

[CaitySue]

AJR wrote:
When I adopted my dog she was known to up chuck in a car. In fact she did on the way home in the back seat. Not knowing what to do I started putting her in the passenger seat whenever I went someplace so I could reach over and lay a hand on her. I do not think she ever got sick in the front seat. Within a week she was moving into the back seat on her own and not getting sick.

I always have her in the front seat. I even got one of those high up seats that attach to the head rest so she can see out if she wants. Nothing works. She has been known to upchuck in less than a mile....and her groomer is 4 miles away....we never make it there and back :(. Our German Shepherd used to get carsick, but we would drive her a mile to Starbucks and then back every day. Then we increased it. Eventually she got to where she can ride the entire day without any issues - in fact, she LOVES to ride with us. BUT she is 10 1/2 years old now and her hips are starting to give her problems.

[CaitySue]

Steve B. wrote:
You will have your hands full with all of your pets! One thing I had to do was put carpet runner down on the linoleum floor so that my little guy wouldn't skid all over. It was helpful when he would jump off of the bed as well. We lost him on the 1st and we're heartsick over it. He made one more camping trip with me just 2 weeks before he went and we had a great time. I'll always be happy about that. They're awful hard to lose, our laps and house are so empty.

I'm so very sorry for your loss! I know how hard it is to lose our furbabies.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

KOA campgrounds tend to be pet-friendly!

[AJR]

When I adopted my dog she was known to up chuck in a car. In fact she did on the way home in the back seat. Not knowing what to do I started putting her in the passenger seat whenever I went someplace so I could reach over and lay a hand on her. I do not think she ever got sick in the front seat. Within a week she was moving into the back seat on her own and not getting sick.

[bukhrn]

CaitySue wrote:

bukhrn wrote:
That's quite a menagerie you have there, we only have one, a long haired Dachshund, he's never been sick in car or RV, he loves to ride.
You have named two of the most expensive places to stay, but that's OK, we all camp/RV differently, as far as your extended family, Old Biscuit has it, State and Federal Parks may be your best bet, but few have hookups and as said, you are restricted to 14 day stays in most cases.

I listed those 2 because they are the only ones I've heard of. I'm open to hearing about more campgrounds, that's for sure. As I stated, we are SO new to RVing. Went to an RV show today to see what we like/don't like. Lots of research to do!

There are State Parks, National Parks, National Forests, Corp Of Engineers (COE), those are generally much cheaper than the private CG's, There are several discount clubs, We use Passport America, Good Sam, and the America The Beautiful Senior Pass. Just something else to research. Good Luck

[CarolynandBob]

We have 3 dogs. 2 small and 1 large.

Some campgrounds only allow 2. We just find one down the road that allows 3.

1 of ours gets car sick. We give him a Dramamine 1 hour before we leave and put him in a small kennel. He usually just sleeps. We are full time and travel a lot and he hasn't gotten sick.

[ryegatevt]

We're down to just one dog (Sheltie) now, but in the past have traveled with two dogs, a cat, and a goldfish - all at once! "Fishie" stayed in a supported wine carafe; dogs and cat curled up on the floor or beds. Now the dog does travel in a crate. Oh, and we camp in a 21 foot Roadtrek Class B...