GT 27FB and dog

[wrgrimes]

Aspiring to the GT 27FB twin and plan to travel with our dog (85# Australian Shepard- definitely not a mini). We have never traveled with him, so we will be learning and welcome any advice.
Some technical questions: ( he loves to kennel)
On the long side of the lounge there are 2 cushions.
Do the cushions come off?
What are the dimensions of that area? Depth x length
-Small cushion?
-Large cushion?
-Both cushions off?
-How high w/wo cushions?
-Height from space (w/wo cushions) to bottom of TV?
Would this be a good place for a kennel?
Better suggestions?

I am open to dog travel advice.

I hope I don’t wear out my welcome, it would be easy if I hade a local dealer (I make many dealer trips buying vehicles, but minimize surprises).
Thanks

[Hans627]

Don't worry about wearing out your welcome. That would be really difficult to do and if not, most of us would be gone a long time ago.

Unless someone beats me to it I'll get your the dimensions you want. But it will be later this afternoon. And all the cushions are removable.

Regarding traveling with a dog the biggest concern would be keeping him cool in the AS in the summer (assuming he will not be with you at all times). There are ways to monitor the inside temperatures and control the A/C and we can cover that at a later date. And I would guess about 75% of AS owners have dogs of various sizes!

[wrgrimes]

Wow, thanks!

[CRH]

We travel with a 60 lb dog and a 25 ft twin AS. We do not use a kennel. The dog goes nearly everywhere with us. She is fine if we leave her unattended in the trailer, though.

[Dennis C]

We travel with a 110 lb. Great Dane in our 23 footer! I had a custom dog bed made for her that fits on the floor by the door. She loves it. She’s a fantastic traveler. We haven’t ever left her alone in the trailer.

[Hans627]

Do the cushions come off? Yes
What are the dimensions of that area? Depth x length
-Small cushion? 24 X 27”
-Large cushion? 24 X 35”
-Both cushions off? 24 X 62”
-How high w/wo cushions? 15”
-Height from space (w/wo cushions) to bottom of TV?25”
Would this be a good place for a kennel? If you don’t want it on the floor this would work.

I assume you are aware that this area extends another 16” to provide for an additional sleeping area. So the total area with the cushions removed would be 40 X 62” (the corner is slightly rounded on the back rest in the area below the TV so a square cage that is exactly 40 X 62” would not fit).

If there are any other question just ask.

[wrgrimes]

Thanks
My dog sleeps in a 28x42 crate at night and uses a 24x36 crate in my study. He is happy with both. I think I can figure something out.
I probably will never use the pull out.
I can see see that being the dog's area with a crate and his supplies/food in the drawer below. He can also get between the beds or under the dinette if he wants away from us.
Your information was very helpful!
Reid

[Wayne&Sam]

Our dogs love their crates (a 37lb Border Collie and a 23lb Pyrenean Shepherd). When on the road they are in the TV in crates. Once we're camped, they are free in the Airstream - although they do go back in the crates in the TV if it's rainy and they're wet. They gladly do that.

[wrgrimes]

Wife question-
If you go into Cracker Barrel to eat (we are in Louisiana and it is HOT) where is the dog? TV locked & running with the A/C on? We would not leave with TV off and windows cracked- way too hot! I’ve never seen large dogs in Cracker Barrel and not all restaurants are dog friendly. Always carry out? Your experience helps. Sorry to be naïve, but as stated above, we have not traveled with our dogs, since newlyweds in the 1980’s (had to sneak 95# boxer into Holiday Inn).

[GetawA-S]

If you are going down the road, the trailer interior tends to be close to the outside temperature- not like when it’s been sitting stationary under the blazing sun. When the wife and I are traveling, we picnic inside the trailer and turn on the ceiling fans to deal with any stuffiness. This would work with takeout as well.
I personally am not comfortable leaving the A/C on in a vehicle, between the possibility of overheating the TV, having the engine shut off, or having a well meaning stranger take steps to “rescue” your dog.

[wrgrimes]

Thanks.
I figured the AS would get very hot (in the South) when on the road. Any tricks to cut the trailer heat while traveling (I know the A/C cannot run).
With a quick internet search, I found surprisingly little advice. One dog trainer said get white interior, check frequently, and put a note in the window that you are a responsible dog owner.
So far, I am thinking a lot of take out (COVID has trained us well).

[2012FB]

We travel in a 2022 25’ RBT. Out GSD is either on the long cushion next to my wife or laying anywhere else really. We just step over her a lot. We put the bed in front of the door at night. She travels great. If we know we are going to stop for a bite in route I turn one of the trailer AC units on maybe 30-45 minutes early depending on the temp. When we stop we put her in the trailer leaving the AC on. Enjoy your future trailer. Your dog will love it.

[GetawA-S]

Wrgrimes,
As a retired chemical engineer, I could bore you with a lesson about the different types of heat transfer (radiant, convective and conductive, with convective being the most significant as you barrel down the road), but I won’t. I will suggest you get some form of remote temperature indication to keep track of your fridge temps, and experiment with them in your covered truck bed, if you have one, and compare the results when it is parked in the sun vs. going down the road. The difference will surprise you.
There are “air conditioners” that blow air over ice to cool down an small space quickly. You just need to have ice handy. (Disclaimer - I’ve never used one, check reviews.) This might raise your comfort level with picnicking in the restaurant or rest stop parking lot.
I don’t know how 2012FB runs his A/C going down the road.
Happy travels!

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

We travel in a 2022 25’ RBT. Out GSD is either on the long cushion next to my wife or laying anywhere else really. We just step over her a lot. We put the bed in front of the door at night. She travels great. If we know we are going to stop for a bite in route I turn one of the trailer AC units on maybe 30-45 minutes early depending on the temp. When we stop we put her in the trailer leaving the AC on. Enjoy your future trailer. Your dog will love it.

We have travelled many miles with a large GSD and a MinPin ... (see avatar) now we are ready to take three GSDs ... one bed on the floor in the front with us and two in crates with the rear table stowed . It is tight but the dogs travel well during the day - with frequent stops.

[wrgrimes]

Thanks
I will conduct your test. I am always a willing student.
Reid

[wrgrimes]

2012FB- I am with GetawA-S, how do you run trailer A/C while on the road?
Reid

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

I don’t know how 2012FB runs his A/C going down the road.Happy travels!

400A Battleborn/Multiplus II with MicroAir remote control Thermostat. 30A DC to DC.

[dandiego]

Originally Posted by wrgrimes

Thanks

My dog sleeps in a 28x42 crate at night and uses a 24x36 crate in my study. He is happy with both. I think I can figure something out.

I probably will never use the pull out.

I can see see that being the dog's area with a crate and his supplies/food in the drawer below. He can also get between the beds or under the dinette if he wants away from us.

Your information was very helpful!

Reid

That’s a great place for a kennel. We have our kid in a pack-n-play mounted to that slide out. I routed some holes for the wheels in 2x4s, screwed that down and locked the crib in place with some 1/16” wire rope loops as extra insurance against it moving unintentionally. It’s never shifted on us over 12k miles.

Our dogs (70 and 80lbs) just sleep all over the floor. They both have memory foam beds at home but prefer the hard floor anyway. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by wrgrimes

2012FB- I am with GetawA-S, how do you run trailer A/C while on the road?
Reid

You got me now. What is GetawA-S?

[wrgrimes]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

You got me now. What is GetawA-S?

He was post #13.
He also questioned running theA/C while driving.