Is it safe to haul pets in your trailer?

[Marjorie M.]

Thanks - that was really my main question, if there's CO2 or not.

And it's good to know there are so many animal lovers on here!

And thanks for the link to Temple Grandin, very interesting to say the least!

[Gina D.]

The following states allow riding in travel trailers. (Source: Woodalls State Polls ~2011 2011 Driving Laws for the US and Canada)

AZ, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska.

9 out of 50. Again, MOST states do not allow it, and some of the ones that do have restrictions.

Know before you go, check the state laws where you are going. As said, what is legal where you are licensed may not be elsewhere.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Joe Steadman

I think you are all worrying too much...

A: It is not against the law to ride in a trailer... I have done it many times in our 13foot Scamp (get a nap will the wife takes a shift at the wheel). I am a police officer in Michigan.

.

Perhaps not in Michigan but most other states and provinces it is against the law. Those that do allow it often have special regulations for it - most often 5th wheels only and often they have a requirement for seat belts in the trailer and two way communications between the person in the trailer and the driver.

Actually in BC you can not even let your dog ride loose in the back of your pick up.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Joe Steadman

A: It is not against the law to ride in a trailer... I have done it many times in our 13foot Scamp (get a nap will the wife takes a shift at the wheel).

It is illegal to have a human ride in a trailer in Oregon, but not animals. I understand horses like it...

[Vivian L]

Our Dog and cat who both love camping (it's just the bothersome getting there that the cat hates) both travel in our tow. However, I think the cat would prefer the trailer as he seems to know when we are getting ready to move and hides under the big bed on us if we don't grab him and get him into the car. The dog seems to sleep until we get there, however the cat keeps asking "are we there yet?" in a tiny whiney voice - worse than kids. He lays beside the dog and asks every couple of minutes. He can keep that up for an hour or more sometimes. Needless to say we travel with the radio on high until he's done.
We couldn't get him out of the trailer just once so we started out to the gate of the campground. We stopped just outside the gate to check on him and there he was wailing to come to the car.
People are right. There's just too much stuff that could come loose and cause him injury. We love travelling with them but for their safety and comfort, they have to travel in the car with us. When we stop they both go into the trailer with a window open so we never leave them in the car if we aren't there.

[Marjorie M.]

Originally Posted by donna d.

it is illegal to have a human ride in a trailer in oregon, but not animals. I understand horses like it...

lol!!!

[AndyW]

We have a carbon monoxide detector in our trailer and, if I forget to pull the battery before we travel, it will go off when we're moving. I imagine it depends on the aerodynamics of your tow vehicle and how well sealed your trailer doors and windows are. YMMV.

[Vic&Kathy]

I'd long been curious about what it's like inside of our beloved TrailMite as it rolls down the road. So a few years ago I stayed inside while Kathy drove it a short distance across a smooth parking lot. I was very surprised at how much rocking, bouncing and creaking went on even though we were going 10 mph or less. When I think of how much more intense it would be at 50 or 60 mph I'm convinced that many dogs or cats would go into a panic.

MacGregor the Border Collie LOVES his spot under the bed...when we're stopped. Which is the only way he'll ever be there.

[Marjorie M.]

My little Burro would probably catch air if I hit a bump very fast.