Keeping cats cool in a Pick-up Cab

[annoc3]

We started RVing in a Class A a couple of years ago with our 4 and 13 year old "house cats". Both adapted quite well to the new adventure. We kept them in a dog size cage behind the front passenger seat while traveling. We used the Tidy Cat Breeze litter system the second 3 month trip and it still works wonderfully both in rv and home. We haven't had any scratching problems, but we did have to put a sliding latch on the screen door because Sam figured out how to slide the handle cover open to get to the latch. 2 years later and he's still trying to work on the latch. I thought we might of been finished RVing when my husband sold our 35' Class A a few months ago, but now he came home with a 5th Wheel. The cats will be riding in the same dog cage now, but in the back seat of the PU.
My question and concern is, how do we keep the cats cool in the cab if we stop along a route, say for lunch or short shopping? In the past, we would turn on the generator and AC and always try to park the RV in the shade. My husband says because the PU is diesel, we will just let the truck run, with the AC on. Really?! Since loosing the cats has always been my greatest fear, this opens all kinds of new concerns.

[resmas]

Autostart.

I love having the key fob autostart feature - it means I can leave the truck running while I run inside to use the restroom or grab a bite to eat. There are no keys in the ignition, which I would hope would make the truck less tempting to steal. Can't get locked out, either.

My Duramax came from the factory with autostart on it, so I am assuming it is okay to use, and isn't going to void a warranty or something silly. It can't "excessively idle" as the autostart times out in 10 or 15 minutes. Of course, that also means you need to be back to the truck BEFORE it times out if you leave pets in it....

[Otterlynx]

Hi

We have travelled since 04 with 2 cats and 2 small dogs. Our zoo travels loose in our pickup and we learned the hard way not to leave the vehicle parked with the ac on. It was lucky I was in the veh when my cat decided to chase a fly out the drivers window and hit the window button. I was able to grab her before she escaped. We do have crates in the veh and now if its a short stop we put the cats in the crate and the dogs are ok as they are clipped on seatbelts. If its a longer stop we pack everyone back to the 5th wheel and let them wander in there with their litter box and food and water. Works well for us.

[PennyPA]

It's not good to let diesels run for any length of time without driving. Best check in your owner's manual. My Dodge manual says not to do it.

[annoc3]

Thanks for all your suggestions. We just moved away from the RGV and the Texas/Mx border and the thought of leaving our vehicle running, initially, was out of the question. Going to take them for a little shake down cruise next week.

[WandaLust2]

annoc3 wrote:

.....My question and concern is, how do we keep the cats cool in the cab if we stop along a route, say for lunch or short shopping? In the past, we would turn on the generator and AC and always try to park the RV in the shade. My husband says because the PU is diesel, we will just let the truck run, with the AC on. Really?! Since loosing the cats has always been my greatest fear, this opens all kinds of new concerns.

Our cats ride in the tow vehicle with us, which is a large GMC van. They're in two large cages complete with water and small litter pans. When we stop for lunch or to stretch our legs, we open every door the van has to let fresh air blow though. We don't leave them alone. We don't leave the engine running. We're right there in the TT where we can watch and hear them. Shopping together? No way... when we stop at WalMart for the night I stay in the TT with the cats and DH goes in for whatever we need or want for dinner. One of our cats learned how to open the latch so we have a hook with spring on the screen door and the bottom half covered with that clear plastic that looks like glass...I can't think of the name of it.

[2lazy4U]

Let the truck run w/ the AC on. I do that in my car. Just be sure they can't lock you out. My dogs have done that, so now I carry extra keys.

[dahkota]

We travel with a dog. If we stop for lunch, we eat in the truck or tt with the dog. If we stop for shopping and it is above 65 degrees and sunny, only one of us goes - the other stays with the truck. If it is not sunny or hot, we put the dog in the tt and turn on the fantastic fans for air circulation.

[doxiemom11]

I'd leave the truck running with the AC on. That's what many people do for their pets.