need vehicle advice for 2 big dogs...

[McDave]

Originally Posted by wvstreamer

X2 on the 7.3 Excursion. It's everything you need and lots of pulling grunt.

Dave

X3. It sounds like you are a person who likes your dog(s) with you, not back in some baggage compartment. The only way you are going to be happy is some kind of SUV or van suitably equipped to house your whole human and canine family, and suitably powered to pull your trailer. I can imagine you and your wife snug in bed in the Excella in the morning when your two daughters and two labs all pile in on top of you. What fun!

[bibbs]

Since you like the duramax look at a Chevy expresss passenger van,with tow package, lots of room inside all windows plenty of seats every body will be happy

[nevans]

When we travel, we have two Retrievers with us, and need space for other guests. Our previous tv was a Mercedes GL 350 diesel but it was too unreliable and too small to accommodate dogs, gear, etc.

We considered many of the options posted here; older Suburban or Excursion diesels but ultimately chose a GMC 3500 passenger van with a Duramax diesel. It has a typical work van ride, rough and tumble. And I miss awd. However, with 10,000 lb towing capacity and plenty of interior space, it'll do for now. At some point I might consider a Quigley conversion.

Neil

[VT Wanderer]

To Geeeer - re. VT Wanderer - 1. our exhaust pipes goes out the side of the truck - 2. our cap has sliding windows 3. that gives maximum ventilation eliminating the "vacuum in" affect 4. By short distances, I'm talking under 10 miles (going to our favorite hiking trails or lakes.

[GettinAway]

I have hauled hunting dogs hundreds of thousands of miles in the back of trucks, and in dog trailers. They get out every time like they've been sleeping in the kitchen by the wood stove. They hop back in like they are coming inside. We mostly travel during the cooler months, but I think they would be fine in warmer weather too.

[tjdonahoe]

Our austraiian shepherd rides in the back of our crew cab ram, plenty of room and has heat and ac...

[danheit]

In order to aleviate any further debate on the camper shell issue, that's a no go for me. Not for any other reason than I have a tool box hard mounted to my truck that has regular use supplies in it, thus I will not be removing it to put a shell on and off every other weekend. The idea of the cargo van sounds great, and if I can find one with a duramax, I'll be a happy camper. I have looked and looked, but have been unable to locate one, and I refuse to go to the dealer and pay $40K+ for a dedicated tow vehicle. I'm pulling a $14K camper, thus I don't need a high dollar tow vehicle.

[PKI]

You might consider a short sleeper added to the cab at the front of the bed with the tool box shifted back to clear. Dogs enter through the back seat.

Pat

[gogebic3508]

Hi, Airstreamer!

We are in our 70s and travel with a Newfoundland. We began with a 2005 Ford 250 and moved up to a GMC Sierra 2500 Diesel. It not only tows beautifully, but it has a lot of room in the back. We do not travel with a third person, so our typical style of folding up the back seat to allow our Bear his own apartment might not work for you. However, one third of the back seat folds on its own, so your daughter could easily ride in comfort. As for traveling with two big dogs, you might want to consider something like a large SUV that allows for the back one-third of the vehicle to be open for the dogs and still allow for air-conditioning and heat.

Hope this helps. Our MPG is good with the GMC. We pull a 2011 34-foot Classic Limited and get 13 MPG. One other asset with pulling an Airstream is that it has one low step for entry. Most trailers have a series of steps. This can become hard for an aging dog

Gogebic3508
Indiana

[Romulus]

We have a MBZ GL450 and it works great for our 2 Mastiffs and us. We usually have the second row seats down for our trips but they are just as comfortable when the seats are up, if we're carrying extra gear. We also have a "noggle" to get air to them. It's a venting tube designed to attach to an AC vent. So if you're worried about them getting too hot that is a good option. Our dogs LOVE it on warm days. Think it comes in 2 lengths. I highly recommend them to anyone who travels with pets. And, no I'm not a spokesperson for them, just like the product.
Also have a ramp. Training them early so that when they're older it's something they are used too.