DOG SHOW VEHICLE IDEAS
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We have a Honda Element and this is how we pack !
We fit 3- 36" hard plastic crates for our Standard Poodles.
The secret with packing the Element with "3" crates, is to load
them from the side doors and push to the rear as they will not load from the rear
(make sure cage doors open from middle)
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2006 Ford E350
Inside measurements: 134" long by 50"- 54" tall (ac vents reduce height in some spots)
This size van will comfortably hold 5 cages lower and 4 cages upper (Grreat Choice size: Large: 36"L x 25"W x 27"H)
However 4 more cages could fit (2 on either side of the wheel well and stacked in front of the other cages)
Eventually every breeder has to upgrade to a bigger vehical as they grow.
This is a 15 passenger van (reclassified from bus) bought from http://www.cargovancanada.com/
I installed a MaxxFan MaxxAir RV Ventilator Smoke Lid w/Remote
bought online (half price) from http://www.adventurerv.net installed by an RV dealership.
This will suck the hot air out of the van keeping the dogs cool.
Now no one gets left behind, and friends can help with the gas bill to the show
We also cut to fit VersaRoll PVC Garage Flooring Coin Pattern
over the flooring so that I can easily mop out and keep clean and dog free smelling
Now we have room for our friends and their dogs, to help split the cost of gas !
*NOTE... some people just use regular vinal flooring on their van floors.
Ford Transit
video of Ford Transit
2012 Nissan NV HD 2500 SV V6
Nissan NV HD is 241" long and The Transit Connect is 181" long.
The Nissan is 5 feet longer than the Ford Transit
Nissan NV tour
Nissan NV trek and Radio shack fitted
A lot of big breeders have Cube Vans with Air Conditioner Units installed in the cargo area
Then they tow a trailer. Stand up room and room for crates on either side and all the set up equipment.
They also come in diesel
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Custom Van Conversion - Sprinter Dog Transporter
Carpod cargo carrier allows you to carry an additional 13ΒΌ cubic feet with you on your camping, shopping or day trips.
The hitch basket is design with folded mesh sides and a welded one-piece base frame allowing for a 450 lb weight capacity.
Steel detent pins provide the locking mechanism of the cargo basket's walls allowing it to fold for storage or to be folded out
for unloading, helping to avoid back injury from awkward lifting. To prevent rust and corrosion the cargo carrier
has a black powder coat finish and the base frame has been galvanized. The cargo basket weighs 50 lbs and can fit a 2" receiver hitch.
$255.00
This owner travels with her greyhounds in the Van and then they all sleep in the travel Trailer
TOY HAULER STYLE TRAILERS
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RV Guide is an excellent resource to start with.
When I decided to purchase a trailer I found it VERY confusing with all the choices.
I did hear from dog breeders that legally dogs may not travel in travel trailers, so this had me looking at RV's instead
Find Towing Laws by State or Province
But I did include travel trailer "toy hauler" information for everyone as well.
I could buy used for cheaper, but then they are usually heavier so cost more gas to run.
I could buy new which would be more money, but lighter in weight and often longer (some frames are twisting) and cheaper financing
I could buy gas motorhome which would be expensive for long travels but cheaper to repair.
I could buy Deisel which would be more expensive repairs should it need any but cheaper on fuel.
I am hoping the following information will save people the hours I spent educating myself.
I have started with the most economical choice and progressed up from there, as this was my process.
Travel Trailers combo toy hauler (no garage divider) benefits they are shorter and less expensive to purchase
down side is you are sleeping with the dogs noise and mess from outside and less room for dogs, equipment and guests.
Dogs also can't travel "legally" in a trailer so you need a vehical that will manage all the dogs you bring and tow.
People select travel trailers bumper tow so that they can park their trailers and then drive off to shop
go out for dinner and or a coffee in the morning. Also no mechanical maintenance as there is on a truck and lesser insurance cost.
Click to view Travel Trailer Toy hauler reviews
Travel Trailer with Seperate Garage Pros are that the dogs have their area and
humans have their area, and nicer interriors with room for guests.
Down side is that the trailers are generally over 27' and more difficult to tow and heavier.
Dogs also can't travel in travel trailers so you need a vehical that can tow and fit all the dogs.
People select travel trailers bumper tow so that they can park their trailers and then drive off to shop
go out for dinner and or a coffee in the morning. Also no mechanical maintenance and lesser insurance cost.
5th Wheel Toy Hauler
WOW WOW WOW..... if you can afford the vehical to tow this... check it out !!!!
Pros are that the dogs have their huge garage area along with a queen drop down bed or two for guests
and humans have their area with HUGE nicer interriors with room for guests.
as well as seperate amazing plush bedroom area for owners with his/her closets and on ocassion 2 bathrooms !
Just a more spacious trailer for sure. Benefits are that you can set up and still go
off with your truck to shop or tour. Cheaper to purchase than an RV, so more bang for your buck.
Roaming Times Review
Class C RV Toy Hauler pros are that you pull up and you are done. This means you can stop
at a Walmart along the way and crashing for the night if you are tired and go check how the dogs are doing
make a meal and use the washroom. No problems for driving to a coffee shop.
Dogs and guests can travel in RV and there is accessible working TV and entertainment.
There is also a dedicated sleeping area above the front driver's section for privacy
and lots of guest sleeping areas in trailer and in garage area for guests.
Dogs and guests can travel in RV which means you can leave all your dog supplies all year round in the trailer
Cons is that this model of RV is said to be more prone to leaks, so if buying used, check out
inside and above cupboards, corners ect. Models come in a variety of price ranges.
Also you can't just take off to get a coffee, without unhooking the hydro and water and jacks.
Class C Motorhome Toy Hauler Review
Class A RV Toy Hauler pros are that you pull up and you are done. This means you can stop
at a Walmart along the way and crashing for the night if you are tired and go check how the dogs are doing
make a meal and use the washroom. Jacks are automatic so no problems for driving to a coffee shop.
Dogs travel and stay in the rear
garage area that also has tons of room for
Dog show supplies
and guests can travel in the
RV living area where there is accessible working TV and entertainment.
Less likily to have leaks because of rounded shape. Usually VERY plush interrier with lots
of toys and a price tag to match. Con (AND IT IS A BIG ONE), is that there is not usually a dedicated bedroom
and because of this, there is no room for guests unless they sleep on a pullout or in the garage above the dogs.
and no room for the owners to have any privacy unless they sleep in the garage above the dogs.
Such as the 2008 fourwinds Windsport 34Y and the Safari Simba
Also you can't just take off to get a coffee without unhooking the hydro and water and retracting jacks and sides.
*UPDATE In 2011 we started to see Class A toyhaulers with seperate bedrooms
above the garage area such as the Thor Outlaw
or the Gulf Stream Bounty Hunter
a walk through bedroom as well such as the Newmar Cannon Star
The biggest difference in the Class A types are if they have an exit door from the garage (so essential)
or a seperate master bedroom area.
TRAILERS CHOICES LISTED BELOW
RV Buying Advise !!
Bunk house model Travel trailers are going to be your most bang for the bunk if you have a limited budget.
Breeders usually take out the bunks to put cages in that area or use bunks to stack cages.
Try to find one with an exit door from bunk house area so is easier to let dogs in and out.
Keystone Outback Kargoroo
RV planet Outback Kargoroo
This trailer is a great idea if you are single and have noisey dogs.
However if you add up the bed area and slanted roof you may have less room
in cargo area than you bargin on. Check it out in person with your cages.
Keystone NRG
This is a combination toy hauler and trailer.
Good idea for having an area for the cages that is easier to clean.
Puma Unleashed
Some of these toy hauler/trailer combo's have a more "plush" interrior and furniture
Weekend Warriors
Kz Toy hauler
RV Guide to Toy Haulers
Driving in one means no quick transportation for errands
But with toy haulers like the ones below, who would wish to leave !!
Class C Motorhomes Reviewed
Class C Video
2013 Wine Country sampson state park
Class A Motorhomes Reviewed
Video of Class A toy hauler
