I am looking to replace the vehicle I currently use when I travel w/ my dogs. It is a '97 Chevy AWD Astro van, that we took the 3rd row of seats out of to fit 2 large Varikennels in. The 2 crates just fit, I beleive the width is approx 52 -56 inces?

Anyway, my husband was leaning toward the Crew Cab Chevy Silverado w/ a 6 foot bed. The idea was to get a cap for the bed, and we can put a few crates w/ plenty of room. BUT, then I was thinking about the possibility of temerature extremes as we travel. Do any of you use pick ups to travel, and if so, how do you deal w/ the varieties of temperature.

I was thinking about the Suburban too, but is there really enough room for the big crates? I really didn't want to go with another van.....that said, one such as the GMC Savannah looks big enough, but I prefer the AWD or at least the auto 4wd option on the pick up.....


This would also be the vehicle I'll tool around town in w/ my kids when not hauling dogs. And when we travel, since we are a large family, we pack LOTS of stuff <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> !!!!!

Any ideas of what works for others and why would be greatly appreciated, as I weigh all of the options out there and try to figure out what would best fit our needs.

If you're hauling dogs without kids, then I would suggest the Honda Element. It has a 4X4 option and is the ideal dog car/truck. It has no carpet (hard, vinyl flooring), seats fold up - or come right out - and is very easy to keep clean. Lots of cargo room when travelling with the family. Also has a roof rack option.

If, however, you're travelling with dogs *and* kids, forget it. But if you're flexible, this is an ideal dog vehicle.

Am surprised Honda hasn't gone after the dog-owner market more aggressively with the Element.

Anyway, there's my two cents.

Well, the whole problem it has to be able to haul both dogs and kids.....

I use a Mazda MPV. It can transport 4 adults in comfort plus a large dog crate. You might manage two slightly smaller dog crates--I imagine I could fit two full-grown GSDs in. Alternatively, with a crate in place of the right-hand removable middle seat, you could probably fit five kids and adults in using the rear seats, which fold away neatly.

It's also a very safe vehicle, as this picture will illustrate. Don't try this at home.

I have a pick up with a topper, Basically the only thing I worry about is the carbon monoxide from the truck when I'm stoped. If I'm stoped for a while I shot the engine off. The cold weather is not much of a concern for me, the dogs are protected from wind, rain and snow. If you have shepherds or other dogs with an under coat, your fine. Put a small bed in there for them if they won't destroy it. you should be fine.

I avoided it for years and years, but I finally broke down and bought an 18 passenger van and removed all the seats but the front two and the next bench row. I can fit four adults and four 500 crates, along with tons of equipment.

It's a drag to park, but the room makes it all worthwhile..

I just purchased a 2005 Toyota Sienna (van). It is an 8 passenger van (new optional 8th seat for the Sienna) The back row of seats FOLD INTO the floor board (you don't have to remove them!), either one side to fit one crate in(you can also fit one 500 crate in the very back, sideways and have seating for 8 adults, comfortably), or both sides, leaving room for either one 500 crate and 6 adults, or two 500 crates and seating for 5 adults. (the second row of captains chairs are also all removeable, as with your current van, in which case you can fit four 500 crates and 2 adults) The back windows are also power windows that roll down just like the front windows, which beats former years. I am really enjoying it!

I'm a Military Working Dog handler in Alaska and we use a 6-pack pick-up for our kennel support vehicle. It has a cap on the back and is used to haul dogs and explosive in conditions where either of them freezing is a bad thing. We purchased an auxilliary heater for the bed area. It cost about $100.00 and is hooked to the vehicles engine cooling system. If you need it to stay really warm, you can route the hoses from the engine before they circulate through anything else and the heat coming out will be very toasty.

Yukon XLT

I've got a pickup with a topper and it's been fine for me. It has an 8 foot bed and can carrie five large crates. Plus My kids fit fine in the front. I've also camped out in the back of the truck with my dog's when it was about 45 or lower outside and I was suprise I was warm and dry. But I would go with a club cab.