Thread: My wife says the dog must go, so now I need a trailer

What kind of mileage drop are people getting when pulling a M416 size trailer? We took a trip from Indiana to Utah and back through the San Juans (about 3400 mls?) I averaged 22.4 mpg for the trip. We averaged about the same to the Outer Banks of NC. That was with the truck stuffed full of stuff.

I have seen trailers being pulled down the road full of hunting dogs, where there are a dozen or more separate crates all combined. I think those also had some limited cargo area for hunting supplies, so it definitely can be done. You'd have to give some careful consideration to how it's built though to keep it comfortable for the dog (So he/she wants to go in the trailer) and still keep it weather proof. Also, the suspension would...

You see that around here too. Thing is though they are only going ~10kms at a time at the most. I wouldn't want a dog in a trailer for a multi-week (month?) journey. For the record I'm looking at animals as working tools, not fuzzy family members (the only animals in my house are in the freezer). I'd be leery of having the animals in a trailer for long distance travel. I dunno. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Trailers bounce...

Their might be some ideas for you by searching Sled Dog and Hunting Dog setups. I know there are a variety of differentiations in these types of builds but you might find something that suits your fancy. I would be Pro-Container setup for the family pet for safety purposes and a crating system will allow him some freedom while traveling also. Anyone I have know that had bigger pets carried them this way. P.S. I wouldn't advise sticking...

The easiest option may be putting the wife in the trailer

ive seen a goldwing pulling a little dog trailer, had a hole in the top for him to stick his head out. but id never put my dog in a trailer. in an accident trailers fly around and flip over more than the car does.

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Moose Yeah, I don't think a trailer, certainly not a light weight expedition style trailer, is the place for animals. If we were talking about a horse trailer kind of setup I could be swayed. I think the dog belongs in the bed of the truck and move whatever it takes into the trailer. Or if you have a cap on the bed maybe a roof rack for light, bulky stuff like sleeping bags and such makes sense? I'd...

Ditto, Option 1. wife goes in trailer. Option 2 All go in truck. We do and I have a Great Dane.

Quote: Originally Posted by winkosmosis The easiest option may be putting the wife in the trailer Put the wife and the dog in the trailer for 30 min. Come back to the trailer after 30 min to see who happy to see you. You can make the decision then.

If you move all of the camping gear to the trailer, then it can sit pre-staged and ready to go on short notice. I've read at least one comment that since the person got the trailer serviceable and kept in this condition that he found that they were going camping and exploring more often. Could do it with a 416 type open bed trailer, or a teardrop type trailer or some sort of hybrid depending on desires.