Do dogs like to look out ? Mohos with low level windows ? (Extra vertical)...help

[SteveInPEI]

Hello all..

Trying to find a new Class A. Bit of a newbie. Heck, full newbie. Have 30' TT. Never had moho. We are in BC, Canada.

A bit cash strapped right now, so looking for good quality, used, up to $50k+- Moho.
Will be doing maybe 10k+ km in next year ...to see if this is something we like. Trade up later with due research....have 3 weeks to pull trigger now. Have two large dogs and find that every time I see a coach with large, low to high windows, I can't help but think the dogs would like that. If they're comfortable, maybe I am. Along the lines of happy wife, happy life....

Looking at newmar, tiffin, country coach, rexhall, airstream land yacht, foretravel, etc. Windows like those in Dutch Star 3865, see ya Alfa, Rexhall Rexair 35TS, http://m.rvt.com/Rexhall-AERBUS%20XL...-ID5312682.htm, etc that have large windows, seem appealing for both the animals and good light. Our house has a lot of floor to ceiling windows, and when we moved in, I said to my DW that this was a pet friendly home. ( to see outside )

Thinking up to maybe 36-38 ft, (just us and dogs) ... Could get air endorsement on drivers licence, but don't have it now (re: air) Not a timid driver. Somewhat indifferent to gas vs diesel but can be convinced. Not concerned about price of gas.... Is what it is and have good long term financial health. Would like to have a tow behind .... Curb weight is 4000#... Maybe on trailer ?

Questions:

1. Recommendations on similar type coaches (windows) ?
2. Do dogs actually watch outside ? Or just sleep most of time ? (Our dogs are Great Pyrenees ....like to hang out car windows and seem interested in what's outside our vehicles)
3. Issues with larger windows ? Leaks / other ? Coaches to avoid ?
4. Recommendations on units, power (ac will be an issue and needed, no doubt), styles
5. Travelling with BIG dogs.... Caveats, must dos ?

Thanks kindly,
Steve D.

[Mr_D]

Usually our dogs curled up on the couch as we traveled. Both have now passed so we have 6 cats. Here are three of ours while we are on the road.

[H. Miller]

Note we have 4 "girls" that go everywhere the MH goes. One couch is always kept covered with the window shade opened behind it. That way anyone desiring to look out has an opportunity. Strange but they all know that couches are off limits in the stick house.

[Gormleys]

For an introductory coach that is pet friendly, check out the Thor ACE line. They have a special low level window for the pets as well as a built-in food station. But of course our dog is part cat and would rather climb up on the dash and watch out the front, too!

[Melmoses]

Beautiful dogs! I have a half lab, half bloodhound (ie 125 lbs of love) that travels with us. Jack won't fit well on the sofa, he prefers the floor. He doesn't care about what is going on outside either until we stop for a break. Then he is first to the door. Now when we are parked, he will sit and look out the door window for a short while if we go outside without him, then he just goes to his "place" on the floor and naps. It is a totally different story when he goes outside with us: he loves going in the toad with his head hanging out the window if we let him, looking everywhere, loves walking around a campground meeting folks (great icebreaker my Jack). Inside the coach it is like we gave him a sleeping pill or something he is so laid back. What I am suggesting is that you need to find a motorhome that you and the wife like: a floorplan that is best for you and not worry about windows for the dogs. With dogs this size you probably don't want them to be looking out when someone passes too close to the coach. Jack can be very protective when duty calls. What he doesn't see doesn't bother him.

[oldsmasma]

Our boxer rides on the couch. His seat belt lets him walk front to back on it but he usually rides head front looking out the windshield. For 5 min. till he is fast asleep. When set up in camp he is tall enough to see out the windows from his couch.

[HabitatGuy]

Our 85lb Rottweiler loves to travel! She is seat belted on the couch(we use a heavy material couch cover to keep her from damaging the leather). She likes to watch the traffic out the side window and also to see where we are going. She will look around the slide wall or poke her head through the open little window in the end of the slide right over my head and keeps track of things. When we stop to get gas we will open the big window so she can sniff out the window and see what Dad is doing. She does not sleep all that much on the road unless it is on the way home and she is worn out from several days of being on the go.

[Arizona Lizards]

We have two dogs, one loves to look out the front window when we are moving. The other will lay down somewhere and sleep most of the time. The little one loves to lay at the small window on the floor by the passenger seat and people watch.

[sc3283]

our dogs when traveling in the pick up have the folded down back seat to use and love looking out....both seem a bit afraid/skidish when in our Dynasty. We don't allow them on furniture, so they can look out. I do think they do not like the movement without the ability to see outside.

When we had the camper trailer..the lab would lay in the driveway in frt of the truck when it was attached to the camper...as if to say...."your not forgetting me!"....She has to be almost forced to get in the Dynasty

Once inside...they both seem to settle down...then fall asleep. I guess once the realize they are safe...they relax

[SteveInPEI]

One has to smile when they read about our 'dependents' dont they ?

Thanks for the replies ... all manners of differences in behaviour no doubt. Fortunately, Melmoses, we like the big windows for brightness etc. and won't likely be spending too much time in the southern blazing heat... but great point.

The idea of seat belts didnt really occur to me ... but makes good sense. Don't know how they'll react to sitting still. Any other tricks on that subject ? A Judogi or a Karategi with leash ? hehe

[hackman]

Our Mya is part husky part collie mix. She has apparently decided she doesn't like travelling in the MH, so in protest, she tries to stand for the 1900 mile trip from Canada to Florida.

She'll get over it

[TXBart]

We travel with 2 Old English Sheepdogs, each about 85 pounds. They love the MH and traveling.

On our first trip they sort of took turns standing on the doghouse, leaning on the dash so they could watch out the windshield. A couple attempts at getting a nuzzle from Dad prompted us to get a baby gate to clip behind the front seats. They last thing we want is for one of them to decide he wants to look out the driver's window as we go down the road. They are fine in the back without seeing sights go by but when the gate comes down they each take a seat and go on guard duty!

[SteveInPEI]

Originally Posted by TXBart

We travel with 2 Old English Sheepdogs.....when the gate comes down they each take a seat and go on guard duty!

Hilarious. Great shot of co-pilot ! ha.
Thanks for adding it.

[SarahW]

Our dog is a little guy, so he's a lap-sitter or at my feet when traveling.

One thing to consider in the gas vs diesel decision is the weight of your towed vehicle. You estimated 4,000 pounds plus a trailer...that will be pushing the limits of many hitches and most gassers. (We have a gasser and we love it, but we do realize the limits.)