There is also a company called Real Goods which sells 12V items for off-grid homes.

I like them because their products are fairly bulletproof; they are made for daily rather than occasional use.

They are also used to coming up with innovative solutions for unusual situations. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Pat

Thanks VC, I will definately check them out, I have always loved the big trucks, and yes Chevy!!
Of course, as you pointed out...this is an indication that I am not right in the mind


Well, as I can see, it is either a crew cab p/u or a Yukon/Suburban that would most likely be the next choice, I will now do some careful comparrison shopping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pat and Maggie, thank you very much for the directions to a search of cooling equipment.

I just bought a 2005 Honda Element. Had a Pontiac Aztek. The Honda is AWESOME! How could you go wrong w/ a vehicle that has no carpet flooring, could almost be hosed out. The back seats remove and the floor is flat. The head room is the most I've ever seen. Not to mention the dog's have their own sun roof...yes, their own sun roof. AND, it comes out and a net can be placed to ensure no dog's stick their heads out the vehicle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> The hatch window flips open and the bottom hatch opens down. It has suicide doors. It's very nice. And a Honda will last forever along with the retale sale is awesome.

The only problem with the Honda Element is that it looks like it came out the ass end of my dog.


It's REAL ugly, although if you had one of those Azteca things anything is a step up in the looks department. . .even dog poop.


<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You could always buy a Ford Bronco. Lots of cargo room. Great off-road capabilities to find those hidden tracking fields that no one else knows about. That is, if you want to re-work the entire front end every three years. And you wouldn't mind standing around your truck with the new training group you just met, and have someone say they smell gas... come to find out your tank is leaking and you have 200 miles to drive home! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> BTW, it's also fun when pieces of your exhaust system fly off your vehicle at 60mph.... I'll stop now.

I don't think the Element is that bad. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
The Aztek or as my Brother called it, Asstek, now the only good looking thing about it, was it's front end, but the rear...yes bad.
I'm not made of money,as most Police Officer;s aren't and for what you get w/ the Element, it;s worth it. Great price, perfect for dogs, handles like a car, plows thru the rain and snow, and it's a Honda. What more can one ask for. And hay, if it looks like what VanCamp says...as long as it gets the job done, is all that matters. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Jeanette -

Virtually all models of pickup trucks come with the option of a sliding rear window. Some have it standard. (go to http://www.cars.com to see all makes and models with options and prices) If you go with the p/u and camper shell, you really should get the sliding rear window as it allows direct access from the cab to the shell. A rear window de-fogger won't help you in a p/u since, with a p/u and camper shell, your real "rear window" is the rear window of the shell.

"Installing" a temporary electric fan like I have is no problem. Just get a 9" fan, plug it into a "Vector" brand 400 or 750 Watt inverter (they cost about $40 and ALL Wal-Marts, Targets and Best Buys have them), and plug the inverter into your power outlet (formerly known as a cigarette lighter). Total cost about $55! You should do this through the sliding window or you won't get the advantage of the blowing a/c cool air from the cab, and airflow throughout the shell won't be as good. One last thing. With a p/u and camper shell, there is a 2" gap between the shell and the p/u cab. Camper shell dealers know this and sell a cheap ($20) device that looks like a clear rectangular child's swimming inner-tube. You put this between the p/u cab and the shell and it acts as an airtight "tunnel" from the cab to the shell. Main advantage of all of this - it keeps hair and d-o (doggie oder) out of the passenger space!

Jackie, LOL!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> My husband had one of the 1st Ford Bronco's(1985), and it was a horror!!!Everything was wrong with that thing at one time or another!! I can remember it breaking down ( tranny died....again....) while I was out with it and having to tie it to the bumper of my friends tiny Nissan Sentra to get home!!We have avoided Ford since then, perhaps unjustly...but nonetheless...

Thank you Ray, I really appreciate the info. It is very useful to know those things <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jeanette-I had a GMC 1ton Crewcab(4door) truck with an 8ft bed. Held all the dogs and people you want..however. Don't worry about cold weather so much...the dogs will be fine. Its the heat thats a killer. I had to wait 3 hours in August 2 years ago to cross back from Vancouver BC to Washington state from a trial. It was 98 degrees and on the pavement according to trucks thermometer it was 118 degrees with exhaust and engine of 1000 cars and the blacktop. I had my wife take the dogs out and wait in the shade in this park by the border. Her walking pace was way faster than my trucks anyway. But the heat in truck beds is killer-literally and so is exhaust at stop signs etc. I went to a Dodge Durango 8 passenger-I've never used the 3rd row of seats always folded down for 2 big crates in the back. I can also fold down 2/3 of the 2nd row so my daughter can fit in her carseat and we can carry 3 crates and a couple sleeves and various equipment. I like this rig because it has rear AC and rear heat and then what I call rear rear AC for the very back. Cuts down on the panting in the summer big time and don't forget whatever you buy get it with or add to it real dark glass in the rear that helps a ton also. I love the Durango but their are times when I wish I had more space. Derek

The best you can buy is not available to everyone. You have to be special to get your hands on one of these puppies, so for the sometimey dog trainers don't even think about locating a classic 1985 Chevette, thats right, baby Chevette, running late for a show this baby can rocket from 0-60 in only four min. Because of the built in speed excelarating sensor they call a four cylinder it will stop your dog from getting sick from the rough stops and goes. It can safely hold up to 3 dogs comfortably. With this car you don't need crates because it has a factory upolstry that you really don't give a crap about. You an get to the ISS on 3/4ths a tank of gas. Oh for you that are wondering what's the ISS thats the international space station. If you change the oil every two years she will purr like a kitten. Be prepared to pay though if you find one it will probably set you back 2,3 maybe even 4 Micky D coupons. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />