Nascarcruzin wrote: Our cats lay on the dash. I wouldn't want them in a crate, if we have an accident, or fire, I want them to be able to get out. JMO
Rebecca
If you have an accident with your cat on the dash, odds are, you won't need to get them out.
It's like a parent dealing with a toddler who doesn't like their car seat. Parent is going to say "too bad you don't like it, you're riding in it for your own good!"
Here's a couple more reasons to crate your dog when driving..
1. The obvious -- it serves the same function as your seatbelt.... to keep Rover from careening through the windshield and out onto the pavement in the event of an accident.
2. If you have an accident and emergency services opens the door to your RV, a panicked animal will more than likely bolt away, never to be seen again. Even if "we trained them never to go out without us"... Panic overrides everything.
3. By the same token, if you have an accident and you are incapacitated but the dog was somehow not injured, and police or fire need to get inside to vehicle to help you, they are going to be facing a loose dog. If the loose dog is growling (very possible after an accident)... then many officers will have to decide how to preserve their own safety while still giving you aid. In other words, he'll shoot the dog.
4. In the event of an accident or fire, an animal who survives the initial impact is going to panic. They will hide. If you have to make a quick evacuation due to fire, you don't have time to go searching under the sofa, on the far side of the bed, etc for Fido. But you can grab a crate and toss it out the door. He might get a couple of bruises from a rough landing, but it beats the alternative.
5. Shall we even discuss accidents that are CAUSED by pets getting up in the driver's "business" on the highway?
Samantha (the poster)
Tim, spouse and driver of the Corgi-Bus
Beth, Buddy, and Pippin - Pembroke Welsh Corgis
1988 Bounder Ford 460
I personally think that the only way crates are as safe as seat belts is if they're somehow connected to the frame of the RV, which is hard to do, especially if you have multiple pets. But either a crate or a seatbelt/harness.
I've worked in the insurance industry a long time. Unfortunately, I've seen too many accidents where the family walked away from an accident pretty much ok, but Fido didn't. He slammed into the windshield. He was crushed between the passenger in the front seat and the airbag. He was ejected out a window when the car rolled. Dogs and cats in seatbelt harnesses or crates stand a better chance of surviving these sorts of situations. I know someone whose crates flew out of the bed of his truck when it rolled down an embankment. This owner had bought the highest quality dog crates available. The dogs were able to walk out of the crates on their own power. They were sore. But they were fine.
Dogs belted to the frame of the vehicle stand a better chance as well. In Oct 06, we were in a car that was totalled in a rear-end accident by a much heavier vehicle. It was travelling about 50 mph and we were stopped. The passenger compartment was seriously compromised. Our 6 month old German Shepherd puppy was lying down, belted into the rear seat at the time. He was startled, but he stayed on the seat. He would have become a projectile with that sort of hit. (Dh and I were more injured than he was.)
Family pets get injured and killed in car accidents every day. RVs are not built with collision protection/safety in mind as it is. Why wouldn't we do everything we can to protect them?
Dh, our 2 year old German Shepherd, 15 yr old Beagle/Spaniel and me.
Exploring every National Park (and Monument) in USA, Canada, Mexico & beyond.
3 well-used backpacking tents.
2008 Itasca Impulse, 24'
I personally think that the only way crates are as safe as seat belts is if they're somehow connected to the frame of the RV, which is hard to do, especially if you have multiple pets. But either a crate or a seatbelt/harness.
Another good post! I haven't yet found a way to secure crates to the frame of the RV. Heck, our old Bounder only has lap belts for us...if I could find a good frame point, I'd try to retrofit some shoulder belts for DH and I! Ours ride on the dinette with crates secured to the bottom of the seats with bungees. Not ideal, but the best we can come up with, and the quick release of the bungees allows for an emergency evacuation if needed. I wouldn't actually unhook the bungees, but one good pull at the right angle lets you slide the crate free with one hand.
corgi-traveler and 3k9mom say it all, say it well and sadly is the truth.
I purposely bought a Class C so my dogs (3) ride in airline crates in the cabover. The crates are secured into the bed of the cabover. I also made sure the model I bought had windows in the front and side of the cabover. With the Class A, taking out the swivel chair and securing the crate there works also.
I am over anal about securing dogs in a vehicle. Without this they become projectiles in a crash and/or when rescue comes to assist the humans they open the door and out they will go.
Here is my history of why;
1. I was rear ended with a loose Dane in the vehicle, I was knocked out and woke up to four cops with assault rifles getting ready to shoot my dog to save me. He wouldn't allow them to open the door.
2. Friend in Chicago, accident on freeway in van, rescue opened door to assist her, dog jumped out and was killed by car on highway.
3. Friends with truck and TT got in an severe accident, the dogs in wire crates did not survive the ones in airline crates did. These ARE built to withstand being dropped and being thrust against something.
'Dogs are den animals' and we usually deny them this part of their make up. They actually welcome the opportunity to have a 'space' that is all their own. At home mine will go in their crates all by themselves when they want to 'get away' from human activity.
If you make the crate a fun experience for your dog AND TAKE THE TIME to make it a pleasant experience for them, I have yet to find a dog that has 'never' been in a crate not adjust and actually look forward to relaxing in their OWN space for the trip to go camping with their owners.
Rock
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 BlueOx Aventa LX We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Our beagle has been trained to either sit on the passanger's lap or be in the crate. We altermnate to be sure she does not grow to expect the lap all the time.
Our friends have 3 dogs that have free roaming except when moving. They set up the table for a bed and the 3 soft crates fit perfectly. They can also look out the window, also The dogs go in automatically (with a treat} as soon as they get ready to move. Then they fold the crates up and put them behind the sofa until its time to go. Also you can do the same with your sofa. Just remember your pooches can become missles if you have have an accident.
I'm over cautious above moving vehicles and anyone inside and anything attached.
I do not let anyone hold our dog in the passenger seat, as I worry the airbag may deploy in an accident and hurt our dog -- And it may prevent the airbag from properly saving my passenger.
Just a thought. I worry about that stuff?!
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
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