Gun Dog Forum

I currently have a truck topper for my dogs. I've been kicking around the option the idea of buying a trailer to haul my dogs instead of using a topper so I can get full use of my truck bed back. I'd like to hear some pros and cons from you who have used trailers for hauling your dogs.

Thanks

Pro-you can get some pretty nice trailers, with room for all the dog stuff. If a skunk gets your dog, it is outside the cab.

Con-in the wet slop, a trailer is a mess to pull. I have hunted in MO and other similar places where the wet clay just balled up around the trailer tires and the trailer became a skid. The wheels would not turn. And in the dust roads of ND I have seen dogs totally coated.

I dont know what you want to haul in your bed but if its just gear I would keep the topper and get enclosed trailer for the gear. Then you could just drop the trailer at your camp or hotel.

Personally I think trailers suck for hauling dogs.

I thought this'd be a really interesting topic - dog "trialers" - "Pros" & "Cons" - dyslexia - darn !!

I love my trailer I think it makes hauling them easier. The bad thing is it isn't as easy to turn around really have to think about where you park. Recomendation is to get one you'll love it.

I go with bobman. I've had several of both. I like the dogs in the topper and an enclosed trailer.

Trailer Pro's: They look neat. You can put a capper on the truck and get storage.

Cons: The dogs get dirtier from the dust in a trailer.
It is a rougher ride for the dog's.
It is more dangerous because of break aways and rear ending.
In some of the places I go, you have to unhook them to turn the truck around.
Tough to pull on muck or ice.
Something's always wrong with the wireing.
Easier to detatch and steal dog's and trailer.

As you can tell, I'm no big fan of dog trailers.

gonehutin' nailed it dead on. Especially the wireing.

I have a trailer and if I had more than 2 dogs I would keep the one I have forsale. When I go to Michigan and Nebraska it's nice to unhook the trailer after a day of hunting. When we head to dinner or the local watering hole for a beverage I don't have to take the dogs with me.

The other nice thing is I keep everything in the trailer so their is no loading and unloading a truck

Hoosier; I personally would never, ever, leave any dog of mine in a trailer when it was not under my surveylance. That's my personal view, but I'm really paranoid about that.

Pro's: The dogs and all the dog equipment can go in the trailer. The truck can be used for other stuff, like camping gear, food.

Con's: Dust; turning around; finding a parking place on the road, added weight affecting fuel mileage.

My brother has a Jones 4 hole. Built in water tank; top storage; everything can be loked up, even the hitch if we need to leave it at the camp site. We use it when we have more than two dogs to take hunting. It's nice to have. I would definately consider it if you have more than two dogs.

gonehuntin'

Don't think I leave my trailer in some hotel/motel parking lot. We have a cabin in Michigan and I stay with friends in Nebraska. I just put my trailer in the yard and chain the dogs to it so they can jump in and out of the boxes. Of course I lock them up when I leave to go somewhere. I put a padlock in the tongue, so if someone wants to hook on and take the trailer they are going to have to cut the lock.

Yah, they'd be OK for that if you could drop them at a cabin or house.

Thanks guys for the comments.

I have a 4 hole and for me the pros out weigh the cons if you have more than two dogs. I work with my dogs as much as I can on average 4 times a week. I was getiing really tired of loading/unloading then forgetting something at the house and not being organized. My trailer allows me to have all my equipment, guns, water, shells, etc. with a simple hook up to the trailer and everything being organized. I was also tired of shuffling around dog boxes in the back of the truck. 4 boxes doesn't leave much room for anything else in the back when training or going on ahunting trip such as luggage, coolers, dog food, water, etc. If you get one my advice would be go for the extras it's worth it such as the water tank, insulation, fans, storage box, tie outs, and lights. To me, this is what makes the convienence of a trailer work. Also I usually don't take long hunting trips by myself and it has been great to have the extra room. The dogs seem really comfortable in there and in the cold months I have never worried about them getting cold. On a recent trip to Idaho we had a hard time finding a motel that would take dogs, a trailer makes this a lot easier on us. For the cons my biggest worry would be an accident. Also I have heard stories about dogs getting fumes from the exhaust and doing harm. The early season can be a concern with the temps. As brought up before parking can be tough but a minor issue.

Had a trailer, everything Gonehuntin says is true. Plus I will add you have to store the trailer when not in use. I came to the conclusion nothing is perfect for hauling dogs. But I bought an Ainley SS 8 hole size w/ only 6 holes. It is 8ft. long and in the back where the 7th and 8th hole should be I have storage. I have a bed slider underneath with my storage box on it. When I need somthing out of the storage unit, I pull it out too me and get what I need and slide it back in. When all the way in I have room enough to put all my luggage and coolers in the back. It works very well.
If I am traveling with alot of stuff I have an enclosed utility trailer for all my gear. The only problem is I lift the dogs into the topper. I have a ladder but I don`t like to use it. But I don`t handle any dogs over 70lbs anyway so it is not a problem. But if you have big dogs or a bad back a trailer is more convenient.
Trailers on mud or dirt roads are a pain. They take a beating back there also. Plus you are dealing with trailer bearings and two or 4 more tires to buy. They have thier place tho.
Buy what works for you.