Travelling with a large dog

**RVRunners** · 05-25-2019, 06:56 PM

Our 94lb. Weimaraner rides in the back seat of the truck with the two teenagers. We don’t take him on trips greater than a 3.5 hour drive or so one way. We board him while on longer trips. He does well. No way he’s going to ride in the fifth wheel.

**WhittleBurner** · 05-26-2019, 07:42 AM

Chalk up one more in the don't do it camp. Dogs are family members, would you put one of the kids in the 5th wheel for the trip because of size?

**JColeman** · 05-26-2019, 08:02 AM

I have a strong feeling we're being trolled...

**Cate&Rob** · 05-26-2019, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by WhittleBurner

would you put one of the kids in the 5th wheel . . .

Hi Marcy,

Interesting that you should mention this . . . at an Indiana campground, an older 5th wheel rig pulled in beside us and when it came to a stop, half a dozen kids piled out of the trailer. At least they were in their by their own choice (I assume) and apparently this is legal in Indiana for 5th wheels only. I would still never subject a dog to this.

Rob

**Cate&Rob** · 05-26-2019, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by JColeman

I have a strong feeling we're being trolled...

Good observation . . . this is a distinct possibility.

Rob

**DougW9876** · 05-26-2019, 08:55 AM

Is it legal? Without researching I would say it probably is, there are thousands of animals hauled in trailers every day.

Would I do it? Nope, not with my dog.

If the kids have a big problem sharing the back seat space you could always put the dog in the front passenger seat and ride 3 people in the back seat.

**sande005** · 05-26-2019, 09:10 PM

Besides all the other points: With all the slides in, there may not be much room for the dog, except maybe the bathroom. And you for sure would want to crate him if you did want to put him in the 5th...and that would mean even more room that isn't available.
Our backseat passengers just have to learn to get along. I have never had to tell the dogs to stop squabbling!

**TheLexx** · 05-26-2019, 10:43 PM

Alternatively if you don't want the dog in the car, get a large crate for the truck bed and have the dog back there. Personally I'd rather have the dog inside with us though.

**powerscol** · 05-27-2019, 10:18 AM

Years back with my golden Buddy I put one of those Igloo dog houses in front of the 5th wheel hitch (tight fit). It was restrained with a cable to the bed. My truck has bucket seats in back and with 2 kids not much floor room and floor gets warm. I had a big soft bed and I tried on the floor of the truck under the kids feet, but he got motion sickness. Not a great smell and a mess to clean up. So i put the bed in the Igloo and put him in back, When camped it was out near us and the trailer so he had a friendly place to go. Traveling outside in the igloo he did not get sick at all. MY truck has a sliding glass rear window so it could be opened for him to stick his nose in.

When traveling I had him tied in a harness, with room outside the igloo to move around, We would stop often and let him out. He seemed to like it as all I had to do was drop the tailgate and he would jump in.

The down side with traveling with the dog is most all parks now will not allow the dog on the trails (unless a service dog), and I felt bad leaving him at the trailer tied up. We then decided to find neighbors to look after him while traveling.

BTW - speaking of service dogs I wonder a lot nowadays if they real are as you can get a service dog harness online. When I see a bunch of kids with a dog (service harness on) and the dog just being a dog - running jumping on them etc, it just makes me wonder.

Now the coolest dog I saw was a German Shepherd with a visually impaired hiker (he could make out general shapes) hiking in Zion. The dog would verbally and by pushing on his leg, get him through rocks and keep him from tripping. I swear he could hike faster than I could.

Nuf said, except I would never put my dog in the trailer. Friend of mine put his dog in a towed car and the dog destroyed the seats and dash as it went ballistic (high strung Irish Setter). Dog also got sick and had liquid poo in the vehicle. When he stopped the dog almost ran away and refused to get back in. Spent the rest of the trip in the pickup between him and his wife. He said he almost got divorced after that trip as you can imagine what the dog smelled like.

**the.jmo** · 05-27-2019, 11:09 AM

I'll be the defector here. I'm learning at this place, I'm either crazy, or most are overly conservative around here.
I have 2 Huskies. They go everywhere with me. They come to work, they sleep in our bed. Rarely separated from us, and definitely live a great life.
That being said. They dont go in my truck. If you've ever tried to vacuum husky hair out, even after 1 ride. It's a nightmare. In my everyday driver f350 I installed a camper shell and a bed rug. That is where they ride. In my momentum, they go in their kennel in the garage. Yep. I said it. They've been in there at least a half dozen times. We stop and check on them, let them out. They go right back in their kennel and off we go.
I have never completed a trip in the dead of summer but if I did I would just run the generator and garage ac. Probably another no-no.

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