RTT's and Large Breed Dogs - How Do You Cope?

[VicMackey]

We have a smallish boxer who loves to sleep with the family. I run an M101A3 with a truck cab on it and a RTT. The entrance to the tent is at about the 7 foot mark. Boxer dog, while not too heavy, is too squirmy to lift up and down from that height.

I recently picked up a 16' aluminum extension ladder that someone threw away. I am planning to trim the ladder to make something to stand on while packing/zipping the tent. I am thinking of using the remaining piece to make a dog ramp of some kind. Maybe use some tech screws to attach plywood and cover with some carpet or non stick tape. I will post pics if I come up with something good. On the flip side, if I come up with something horrid.....I will just forget this thread exists.

 

[VicMackey]

Although we tow a teardrop rather than have a RTT, we travel with 5 big dogs (Borzoi). Since we do not want them in the TD with us (where would we sleep?), we had similar issues. Resolution is that they get the entire back of the AstroVan when we're driving, and for overnight, we attach a rear porch via the AL strip at the bottom of their platform, and we have an additional piece of x-pen we use to lock them in so they can't go chasing skunks, or whatever, at night.

View attachment 410890

We also have a lightweight "dog yard" that goes around the ARB awning poles so they can go potty in the middle of the night without us having to get up.

I can provide a lot more pictures if it might be helpful.

Might be a typo in your post. It says you travel with 5 dogs. Nobody is that much of a glutton for punishment. The dog noise while traveling would drive me nuts .

 

[eviioiive]

Crated in the car. I wouldn't even want a small dog up there

 

[Doug E]

Might be a typo in your post. It says you travel with 5 dogs. Nobody is that much of a glutton for punishment. The dog noise while traveling would drive me nuts .

Fortunately, they're Borzoi, who don't bark or otherwise make noise, UNLESS they see a black lab next to the van :Wow1:. Why specifically a black lab? Who knows. If they see jackrabbits, antelope, etc, they let out their "prey yip", but only one. Here's Sarah leading the tired pack back to the campsite after a long hike:


And yup, 5.

 

[VicMackey]

Fortunately, they're Borzoi, who don't bark or otherwise make noise, UNLESS they see a black lab next to the van :Wow1:. Why specifically a black lab? Who knows. If they see jackrabbits, antelope, etc, they let out their "prey yip", but only one. Here's Sarah leading the tired pack back to the campsite after a long hike:
View attachment 411626

And yup, 5.

Thanks for the info. I am/was unfamiliar with the breed. Great pic by the way!