Community Forums

Hooper · 03-03-2012, 05:50 AM

We have had our MH for a little over a year now, and after a few local trips are about to embark on a long distance trip to the Carolinas next month. We haven't had any serious problems, but she is an older coach and I just want to be prepared for anything. My biggest fear is breaking down and needing to be towed to a garage. We have two Cocker Spaniels that will be making the trip with us. I'm assuming the tow truck driver wouldn't be allowing them in his cab during the tow. Has anyone had to be towed with pets? Any advice? I know I'm sounding a bit neurotic, but like I said, just want to be prepared for anything...

RustyJC · 03-03-2012, 05:53 AM

It sounds like you aren't planning on pulling a toad. If you were, there's really not a problem - the pet rides with you in the toad.

Rusty

Hooper · 03-03-2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

It sounds like you aren't planning on pulling a toad.

Correct, that's why I'm wondering what would happen with the pooches.

Cousin Ed · 03-03-2012, 07:07 AM

Just carry pet carriers with you.

EelKat · 03-03-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooper

We have had our MH for a little over a year now, and after a few local trips are about to embark on a long distance trip to the Carolinas next month. We haven't had any serious problems, but she is an older coach and I just want to be prepared for anything. My biggest fear is breaking down and needing to be towed to a garage. We have two Cocker Spaniels that will be making the trip with us. I'm assuming the tow truck driver wouldn't be allowing them in his cab during the tow. Has anyone had to be towed with pets? Any advice? I know I'm sounding a bit neurotic, but like I said, just want to be prepared for anything...

Love Cockers! I had mine 16 years. He was a rescue dog. I miss him. Planning to get another one soon.

Hopefully you don't need to get towed, but you never know, so it is best to be prepared for anything.

Seeing as it is just 2 dogs, couldn't you put them on a leash and walk? But than that'd only work providing the garage was under 20miles from the breakdown sight (I know from personal experiance with multiple breakdown w/ my dog that 20miles is the max your dog is going to go before they say they've had it!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

It sounds like you aren't planning on pulling a toad. If you were, there's really not a problem - the pet rides with you in the toad.

Rusty

Your answer works for someone with 1 pet...but what about someone like myself? i have a TOAD and no way me, 11 cats, and 1 bird are all going to fit inside of it all at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Ed

Just carry pet carriers with you.

That's work for a small dog, but Cockers are pretty big dogs - mine weighed in a 46lbs - I've seen overweight Cockers top the scales at 62lbs. Females are much smaller than males and are usually 35lbs. No matter how you look at it, 2 of these dogs is going to be no less than 60lbs combined and as much as 120lbs combined - that's a lot of weight to try to carry in a bulky, difficult to manuver pet carrier. They need a rather large carrier - far too big to be carried by a single person once the dog is inside it, and than multiple that by 2 dogs.

Than you have to consider the size of the carrier - WHERE exactly would they fit it on their MH? No place inside is going to fit it, and rare is the rig basement big enough for a carrier large enough to carry a Cocker - provided you have a basement in your rig at all. Me in a 22' Class C - I've no room for a carreier inside and no basement outside to put anything in, carrier or otherwise.

So the solutions you have offered will help in certain situations of course, but many situations they would not be helpful. There are a lot of variables to consider here.

RustyJC · 03-03-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EelKat

Your answer works for someone with 1 pet...but what about someone like myself? i have a TOAD and no way me, 11 cats, and 1 bird are all going to fit inside of it all at the same time.

Well, I would think that your situation is somewhat unique!

Rusty

bsirby · 03-03-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooper

We have had our MH for a little over a year now, and after a few local trips are about to embark on a long distance trip to the Carolinas next month. We haven't had any serious problems, but she is an older coach and I just want to be prepared for anything. My biggest fear is breaking down and needing to be towed to a garage. We have two Cocker Spaniels that will be making the trip with us. I'm assuming the tow truck driver wouldn't be allowing them in his cab during the tow. Has anyone had to be towed with pets? Any advice? I know I'm sounding a bit neurotic, but like I said, just want to be prepared for anything...

You raise a valid concern, which I never thought about.

The cat I can put in a carrier, but our dog is 45 lbs, so doesn;t have a carrier. I would hope the tow driver would let her ride with us but that's no guarentee. Hope someone comes on here with some good suggestions.

Hipshot · 03-03-2012, 10:39 AM

If you are not to far from a town you could try calling a car rental. Some deliver and pick up. Other than that I am at a loss. Good luck.

SarahW · 03-03-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EelKat

Seeing as it is just 2 dogs, couldn't you put them on a leash and walk? But than that'd only work providing the garage was under 20miles from the breakdown sight (I know from personal experiance with multiple breakdown w/ my dog that 20miles is the max your dog is going to go before they say they've had it!)

Walk 20 miles??? Yikes.

RoyM · 03-03-2012, 01:00 PM

MartySQ · 03-03-2012, 01:23 PM

Most crates break down either by folding like most wire crates do, or like the clamshell types do, and you takes the screws out and invert the top into the bottom. You can fill them and use them to keep things from rolling around. or store them on the outside in case of emergency. You could put 2 cockers in 1 cratre if they like each other for a little while such as the towing experience. No, something that big won't go in the tow cab, but might would be a way for them to ride safely while being towed in the MH until you get there unless it would get too hot. Open the windows for air.

SueMac · 03-04-2012, 01:17 PM

We had to have our 5th wheel and truck towed as one unit due to a break problem with the truck. We have a cat that goes everywhere with us and altho' he likes his harness and leash, we always have a carrier available. He went in it and road in the crew cab tow truck just fine. The driver forgot we even had a cat for he was so quiet. Guess he'd had loud cats before.

ottffss · 03-04-2012, 01:24 PM

Am I missing something?
Why can't the pet(s) ride in the moho/camper/5er while it's being towed?

Ed S · 03-04-2012, 01:32 PM

I have been on the road going to dog shows when people I know with vans have broken down with a van full of dogs. Could not be towed until all the dogs were out. The main reason I drag a toad behind me is if we would break down or if one of the dogs or humans would be ill.

If you have no toad, maybe you want to look for a small scooter you can take with and attach small dog carriers to if you had to??