question for fifth wheel or travel trailer owners...

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Do any of you own a fifth wheel or travel trailer? When driving do you let the dog stay in the trailer? How does he/she fare?

We are leaving on holidays in 3 days and I am considering letting the dogs stay in the tt while driving. Room for them to stretch out and more room for us in the truck. It wont be hot inside the tt and we will check on them every 2-3 hours. Providing they dont freak out ...what do you think?

Should I give gravol first?

[Karen & Lucy]

We just bought a motorhome and Lucy loves it, but she gets a little anxious in it while riding. I think because it is not like her normal ride in the car. I do keep her tied while driving just for safety as she thinks she is a bobble head doodle and wants to lay on the dash. LOL LOL I would not have a problem with her riding in a TT or 5th. wheel IF she was used to it and was not anxious about being left in it by her/his self. Happy traveling and have a safe trip

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

What a beautiful Bobble Head you have...lol

[Karen & Lucy]

Thanks Denise, that is where she thinks she should be. I guess there is a better view there.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

She looks like she has a great view. But ours isnt a motorhome. I can only hear whats going on with the monitor. I think I will join the dogs for the first leg.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I still would be skeptical about leaving dogs in a trailer unattended. And yes there is always the concern of them detaching themselves along the highway's, even with better saftey standards today. Do they like to be in the trailer when your not there with them? Hard decision to make, if it was me..my dogs would be with me...just for the comfort of knowing they are ok...

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

There are too many opportunities for your dogs to get hurt!

We traveled, for years, in a Motor Home, but that is a lot different.

Trailers can turn over or disconnect. Keep your dogs, with you, in your vehicle so you can be sure that they are safe.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

There is no way the trailer can become unhitched from the truck short of a catastrophic rollover. Both are new (state of the art) and if you saw how it attaches you would see. (ball, stabilizer bars running from truck to the trailer, chains, pin...)

I was more wondering if anybody did it already. I think I may go in with them for the first leg of the trip as suggested and see how they fare with the movement.

But I understand and appreciate your worry. But no way can it happen - trust me.

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

We have been traveling with a fifth wheel for many years. There are no...repeat....no guarantees that the trailer cannot come off the hitch. Besides that, a travel trailer, be it a hitch tow or a fifth wheel, can get very hot inside. Rule of thumb is, would you ride in the trailer? Most states have laws that prohibit people from being in a moving trailer. We, along with everyone we know, would never subject our pets to riding in a towed trailer. But, it is your call.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

In my original post I said it isnt hot. Of course I wouldnt do it if it was hot out. I am travelling in northwest BC Canada...it will be cloudy/rainy and overcast. First day 7 hour drive with stops inbetween. If the weather changes of course I wouldnt let them ride in there. It is a 28ft trailer with lots of windows and beds. My thought is they will be more comfortable then being squashed between a 4 and 5 yr old on a bench seat. Please dont worry that I will bake the dogs! I would never do that! I also have a monitor that I can hear what is going on from trailer to truck. Oh and it doesnt sway we have stabilizer bars. I think I will just go in there and hang out for the first leg of the journey to see how they react. They are used to being in the trailer, just not in tow.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Thanks Joyce, but like DH says it would have to come off the hitch, bust the metal chains, break the steel pin and rip the stabilizer bars right off the package on the back of the truck. Nothing short of a bad accident will make that happen. Either way we are hooped, in the truck or in the trailer in that event.

[theresa wood]

i don't know if i would do that. it can get hot in the trailer. when travling down the road the trailer will be swaying from side to side some.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

We travel in a 40' motor home and I ride inside with our doodle. He has been in it since he was 8 weeks old. As used to it as he is, it is still very hard on him when we take corners or stop quickly, and there have been some really rough roads that have knocked him off his feet at times. I have often tethered him to the front cab section with me to prevent him from getting hurt from tumbling around. Problem is, your pup could get hurt and you not even know it. And unless you're traveling in Alaska, it gets hot in any RV.

I agree with you about them coming unhitched. It would take a major accident and even then I've seen them roll right along with the truck and stay on., not to scare you. So being a very seasoned RV'er, My advise would be keep in the truck. He;ll tuck himself into a little safe ball and everyone will be safe and happy.