SUV guy curious about Truck with shell instead. Dog, kids, etc..

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by dogskool

I use a TurboKool RV Evaporative Air (Swamp) Cooler on my truck shell and my dogs love it. It's run off a Deep Cell RV battery and a solenoid to keep it charged and separate from the starter battery.

Do you know the temperature difference of the air going in and the air coming out?
I would like to see some photos of your setup.

[spclkaz]

I like the Burb for sure, but for my purposes... and...everyone's is different... I prefer a pick up with a shell topper. I live in Arizona so I would never put the dogs back there for a extended ride...it's just too hot for them. They ride in the back seat of the extended cab. (No kids for me...). My ARE topper has a set of reinforced Yakima tall boy racks mounted on it for the canoe, bikes or kayaks, cargo carriers I occasionally carry depending on the destination. The large 8 foot truck bed is for all the chairs, generators, water and fuel cans, tent canopy, coolers, etc. etc. that I need for each trip... all secured in a lockable shell with blacked out windows.

[carlose]

Originally Posted by Zeitlupe

When I ordered the Leer topper for my F250 they had an option for a Thule (or Yakima) rail set for whatever type of accessories you might want to add for cargo, etc.

They also had several window options to create different venting scenarios. I would think your dog would be okay with that and the truck and topper sliding back and front (respectively) windows as long as you are moving. You might need to bring him/her in the cab with you in really hot conditions.

Yes, Leer is the way to go... they have many options for set up...

[dannydimitt]

When hauling a generator and gas can or cans , the only way to go is separate from the passenger compartment and that can only be accomplished with a truck .

[silverwheels]

Hi Dannattherock,
I have the option of towing with my husband's F250 Truck or my Infinity QX56 (SUV) w/folding 3rd row seat. I always chose the Infiniy! I LOVE IT! I especially love the turning ratio which allows me to back the trailer in easily. I put our dogs in the 2nd row and our equipment in the 3rd row with seats folded flat. This allows access from three different doors/angles.

My husband tows the AS with his F250 which has a LEER shell that has a built in roof top rack system (for top loading of our Kayaks) and windows with dog guards (optional feature). We put our two 70 lb dogs back there which is convenient but it gets super HOT even with the windows open and a fan forcing air through the cab window. So when its hot we bring the dogs inside the cab and they sit on the back seat.

pros for the truck: dogs can go in back when the temp is just right
pros for the suv: good turning ratio and you can get to your equipment from several different angles (not just bumper side). More Comfortable seats for longer drives, better options such as lane assist (for blind spots) parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and high-tech safety features designed to either prevent a crash or protect the occupants in the event of one.

When we use the truck I tend to see my husband jumping in the bed of the truck to re-arrange stuff to access the equipment he needs. Happens every time, even though he packs it according to the most frequently used items.

Best of luck with your decision! PM me if you have any questions regarding the Infinity.

[dogskool]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Do you know the temperature difference of the air going in and the air coming out?
I would like to see some photos of your setup.

I am in California, with dry heat up to 107 degrees and had 20 to 25 degree difference.

pictures attached.

[ericpeltier]

Similar to dogscool setup, I had a friend that actually mounted an AC unit on his topper so the dogs stayed cool while he was at work. I think it must have run off propane? Extreme measures, yes.

[ericpeltier]

Also, I've heard that the QX80 is a fantastic tow vehicle, especially with the (not standard equip) body motion control system.

[jayseejay]

We towed a 25' for 2 years and now a 27' 2015 EB with the QX80. Very happy, but note we have not taken on any mountain towing.

[xrvr]

Any of the 2500 if they were diesels would work.

[Glenritas]

Well there is one more option that hasn't been mentioned .

The Nissan NV 2500 or 3500 passenger van or cargo van either with the low roof or high roof.

I wanted one and test drove it with our Tradewind it worked great and we loved it.

Unfortunately the dealer thought I should pay full sticker price on a unit they had in stock for a year and a half. No sale and they still had it 4 months later but the sales manager was gone, fired.

So the next day we bought a Tundra 5.7L , installed an ARE cap and been towing happily ever since. BUT I still like the NV better for the room and you can partition of the rear for the dirty stuff.

[Thiatt55]

I have 3 dogs and have always been concerned about CO build up in the bed area while driving or idling. I have heard some stories that make me unwilling to do this. Now it may only be a matter of having a proper functioning exhaust system (mufflers and pipes). I just figure it is worth throwing it out there.

[reelfastgreg]

in WA and i believe OR, its against the law to have people riding in the bed of your truck, covered or not. it is a matter of seat belts. wow, AC for your dog??

[Danattherock]

We spent the day at a few large volume Chevy and Ford dealers in Charlotte, about 1.5 hours up the road. We are going to buy a silver F-350 or Chevy 3500 HD single rear wheel 4x4 with longbed. Gasser most likely, but I'm still smiling from the 6.7 test drive a few weeks back.

Yeah, that only took us a month to decide on

Skipped over 3/4 ton for tire clearance mainly as I'm putting 35x12.5x18 Cooper ST MAXX tires on 18x10" Custom wheels. Also, won't have to worry about any rear end sag that I've read about with some 3/4 tons. Will special order truck so we can get lots of add ons the typical white work trucks don't have. Among them a 4.30 rear end if going with gas.

Life's too short to be stressed out on vacation. By going entry level trim, we can special order and get a very nice truck with lots of add ons for about $36-38k. Basically, just leaving off the on board Navigation and computer screens that I don't want anyway.

Simplicity and reliability, not cost, is why we are custom ordering an entry level truck as opposed to buying fancy off the lot. It will be exactly what I want, without unreliable, unneeded, and expensive to repair/replace down the road electronics. Some folks love them, which is fine, I'm just in the simpler is better camp. I can navigate the planet with a map and compass. But even I use my Garmin and a cell phone occasionally. Ha ha.

Custom wheels/tires add about $3k. Getting long bed rather than planned short bed and will skip the topper so we can carry whitewater rafts, kayaks, mountain bikes, generator, etc.. with us. And we won't have our German shepherd in bed as originally planned, so no topper needed anyway.

Will buy four custom black leather bucket seats for front and back as leather is the only option we want that isn't availble on the entry level trims. This will also include a 2015 center console up front. Dog will have his perfect space in rear floorboard between the kids captains chairs. Problem solved for about $45k.

Where can I buy the sexy lady rear mud flaps


Dan

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Danattherock

We spent the day at a few large volume Chevy and Ford dealers in Charlotte, about 1.5 hours up the road. We are going to buy a silver F-350 or Chevy 3500 HD single rear wheel 4x4 with longbed. Gasser most likely, but I'm still smiling from the 6.7 test drive a few weeks back. ............
Where can I buy the sexy lady rear mud flaps:

Dan

Dan... there are many 'options' on Amazon. Just search 'mud flap girl'. And I do mean many...