German Shepherd dog

I am looking for info on dog trailers. I've found website with tons of options, but almost none of them have prices. I'd be more interested in a place to find used trailers for sale, as I have a bit of sticker shock from the new ones I've seen priced. I'd be interested in anything from 4-8 dog capacity. How are dogs typically kept cool/warm in these? I have to say, I am totally ignorant to them, but think that one might be exactly what I need.

Really good used trailers are hard to come by. There are not that many people who have them, and those who do, do not often part with them. I have an excellent stainless steel, 6 stall trailer, extra large stalls, separate bar doors on the doors so the solid door/windows can be open, a high capacity fan and a few other options. Believe me, it cost me a fortune. When I was looking i did contact Jones and others to see what they had in the way of used trailers. Most had none or there was a long waiting list. If I sold my trailer I could expect to get back every penny I paid because it is stainless and has appreciated in value. Checking eBay periodically is also an idea, but be careful about what you buy. Some people do not take good care of their things, and other stuff is homemade and can be junk. Whatever you do, you want to be able to look at it or go with a company that is long established. Jones, for example, has been in business for many, many years and is a primary contractor to the military, police and private individuals.

Stainless is the best and all Jones units are insulated. There are many options to choose from. I live in a very cold climate during the year and there was no need for extra insulation. As well, I have never used the fan and even though the temps can climb here in summer, I have never felt a/c would have been necessary. If you park sensibly, at an angle to the sun, keep doors open like I can, the dogs are fine. In a climate with high humidity perhaps one would think differently about a/c but I believe a/c gives people a false sense of comfort about how the dogs are. And a/c can fail without warning and result in tragedy at times.

Prices at Jones probably now range from $5,000 on up for smaller, non-stainless, and probably in the range of $9,000 on up for stainless or larger units. Having looked at every brand, there was no substitute for quality I saw in my Jones unit and that is what I chose. Fortunately, they were also closest to me and the expense of pickup or delivery can add a considerable sum, along with tax and license for your plates. Some people have tried to tell me quality has fallen off at Jones, but i can attest to excellent workmanship in my trailer. It is as new as the day I bought it 5 years ago, except for a few small dings from some softball sized hail that hit one year. One must look at it as an investment and probably there is no need to have one unless one has a lot of dogs. But then it is invaluable.

I did something a bit different.  I bought a Wells Cargo trailer, added windows, roof venting, side awning, front sidedoor and double back doors, and 6' ceiling height.  With a 10' trailer, I easily fit 6 extra large aluminum crates, stacked two high and strapped into place.  One wall is used for hanging harnesses, leashes, vest, tugs, sleeves, people and dog first aid kits.    There's room for extra shoes, boots, rain gear, chairs, cooler for lunch and drinks.  In a hot area is would be fairly easy to add roof air,  I'm in the Pacific Northwest, I did fine with crate fans and when trips to to hot side of the state were made (95 degrees plus) added bottles of ice hanging beside the fans and put two water buckets, one water, one ice, in each crate.  And the trailer cn be used for more than one purpose then.

I had a Joes trailer, and liked it, however with A/C generator, etc, it was pretty heavy. I sold it and when with an inclosed trailer, which turned out very nice. I paid extra for insulated walls, roof vents, side vents, etc and it works GREAT and looks very nice too.

Jeff Turner

K9 Solutions Center

www.dopedog.com

I have a two Dog WT Metal  and it is first class. well made and easy to clean

Steve

I have a  Swab 6 dog transporter that is designed to replace a pick-up truck's bed. It bolts on in place of the bed. It can also be used as a trailer by bolting it to a conventional trailer like the ones at Tractor Supply or Lowes. These are very expensive to buy new  ($10,795.00) but this is a fairly good condition used that my wife wants it out of our drive before she calls the trash man. I will take $750. Her is a link to the manufacture. http://www.swabwagon.com/home.html   Thanks,Jim

My all-time favorite set up was my 24' RV with my 4-dog trailer (trailer not picured below). The Class C RV was configured with a fold down dinette/queen size bed in the rear.  For shows when I had to haul a lot of dogs, I would take the matteress/seat pads out and could then put three #500 crates where that bed/dinette was, 2-3 puppy crates on top of them, another 3 #400's on the side dinette folded down, and still sleep 2 comfortably in the cabover berth. Add the dog trailer and I could haul 13-15 dogs and puppies.

I put 160K miles on that beast, almost all dog-event-related. The naturally aspirated 460 engine only got 6.5 mpg. The 3500 watt generator ate about 1/2 gal/hr., would run a/c, appliances, lighting for training, lots of things. Even with gas at $4.00/gal. the comfort and convenience on a long trip, portable club house features, savings in hotels, rental cars, eating in restaurants, for more than 1 person especially, would still make that gas hog an attractive option today for any trip of multiple days' duration. Just not having to haul suitcases in and out of motel rooms en route was a blessing. I could un-hitch the trailer and put it in the shade of the awning, pull the picnic table set and BBQ grill off the roof to feed/entertain friends and owners of dogs I had for training/handling. Let the rain fall or the heat scortch the ground and I was the most popular person at the event! LOL  Throw the crates out and it would sleep 4-5 quite comfortably, more not so comfortably. I think I had at least 6 friends and club members, adults & kids sleeping in it at a Raiser seminar in Coyote, CA one time, but usually it was just me and sometimes maybe one or two traveling companions.

Pictured below at the '97 Sieger show in (Hot!) Bakersfield just after arrival during the week before the event, not fully set up with picnic set (still on the roof) yet. The trailer was over under a nearby tree or something as I recall. With so many dogs I spent most of my time in the parking lot anyway. Might as well just sleep there too.

If I ever get a few extra bucks, I'd buy another RV in a heart beat. I'm told the newer models get better mileage... say 8-12 mpg. gas, 15+ diesel. Hauling a trailer didn't make any difference mileage-wise, no matter how heavy a trailer it was or how much stuff I loaded into/onto the RV.

SS

Yes, that's Tim and Dawn Burke, Robert Lang, and an unidentified friend going over the show catalog. I don't know where Dirk and Christian were... probably brushing out freshly-washed dogs somewhere down-wind as not to get hair in the beverage cups.  :)