Space For a Dog

[geochris35]

Hi Everyone,

I am in need of ideas. I have been planning my trailer with my wife and we have a medium sized (35 pound) dog. My wife refuses to let the dog sleep in the car, she thinks the dog will get scared and lonely, and I cannot convince her otherwise. Also, she cannot sleep in the bed with us, because my wife thinks she will keep us up all night. I dont want to give up any space in the galley, and building a spot for her in the cabin is not an option. What I am thinking of is building out a small recess on the front of the trailer (We are planning on using the generic 5x8 benroy plans) where there would normally be a storage box. Has anyone tried anything like this or tried putting a kennel on the mattress in the bed. Any ideas would be great.

Also, if I put it out front do you think I will have an issue with leaking?

Thanks,
Chris

[Woodbutcher]

There was a build awhile back that made a slide out where the second door would be. It had a window in it and it was maybe 30" long and 24" high. Worked good but there could be a fight over who gets to sleep by the door. You may also consider building a bump out over the tongue of the trailer as a bunk.

[GerryS]

Look at a campinn ultra 560....they build in about 24 inches of bunk bed. Our chow sized dog fits nicely, and doesn't bother us at nights all.....

[KCStudly]

There was a guy that did a slide out box to make room for a dog bed. Can't remember if it took the place of one of the side doors, or if it was in addition. Sorry, I don't remember the other details that might help you find that build.

do you think I will have an issue with leaking?

I suppose that depends on how well house trained the dog is.

But seriously, I am planning to do something similar on my build. My wall is only about 1-3/4 thick (5 mm ply inner, 1-1/2 inch foam, and about 1/16 inch paint and canvas) but I want to integrate a sporting goods locker in the front wall, so I am going to build the tongue box through the front wall and have a bulkhead divider in the box further forward from the front wall. I, too, am concerned about the trailer frame flexing and trying to pry the box in and out of the front wall, so I am going to mount the bottom of the tongue box to the frame using rubber isolator mounts, while the cabin will be hard bolted using only sealant as a bedding compound.

[geochris35]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I think I found a solution after scouring the forums and internet all day today. I was gonna do the bump out thing over the tounge of the trailer, but to be honest I am not confident enough in my building skill. What I am gonn do is insetad of cabinets in the cabin, I am gonna just put a shelf, kind of like a bunk bed, the dog can sleep there, and when we are not with the dog it can be used for storage.

[mikeschn]

What if you build put the front end like this, and let the dog sleep in the alcove? You could make the alcove as big as necessary for the size of your dog!



Mike...

[mallymal]

Excuse the very rough Photoshop - but how about a drop down shelf with a canvas side & top. If you were prepared the sleep heads against the galley wall instead, you could even put a little window in the front (where the headboard would normally be) so the dog could see you. He woouln't get spooked, and you wouldn't have to inhale his dog breath!

[bdosborn]

How big is your dog? Ours always sleeps with us on the bed.



Hmm, I wonder if that's why I made the bed a lot wider on the second trailer?

Bruce

[Alleged User]

As much as we want to avoid tents of any kind, we will be getting a bloodhound when it's time for us to adopt. There's no way he's going to fit in the TD with us comfortably, so a side tent will be the solution. LIkely custom made.

Go, doggies!

[bobhenry]

Sadie has her spot in the barn !



Since we enter in the rear of the barn there is a small 2'6" by 2'6" entry area she claims it when it hot, but may curl up at the foot of the bed if it's cold.

[Forrest747]

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=46135&start=180

Zach Went with an open concept for his interior. also look at page 9 where he is putting it together. simple storage area and move it to the car during the nights and the dog can sleep there.

Sierra love teh loft when the kids are not up there or when i am doing the build.

[geochris35]

Wow, I love the pics, especially Mallymal's photoshop. Beleive it or not our dog is part border collie, so the dog in front was pretty right on. I also like the sleeper cabin up in the front but I really want to keep that Benroy shape (it just looks so cool), so we are gonna go the bunk bed route like Forest posted. You guys are certainly a creative bunch, I love all the ideas. Only 3 more weeks till I get to start building!

Also, I figured I had to add this!



Cheers,
Chris