Trailer or Dog Box

[CowboyBirdDogs]

I'm trying to decide on whether to build a 6 hole dog box that will fit in the be of my truck or to build a 6-8 dog trailer. I have the resources to do either/or, just can't decide on which to do. Opinions? Thoughts? Pros-Cons? I hunt mostly public land in TX, KS, and hopefully a few other states in the next few years.

[Cajun Casey]

Box. Less to get stuck in the mud and it won't knock the dogs around as much on washboard roads.

[PntrRookie]

Vote for box. Less to worry about IMO

[topher40]

Box. Especially if you get into trialing some day you will end up pulling a trailer for the horse. Never say never, I can see you shaking your head no.......

[Meller]

I like the Trailor ; I find it the dogs can load up easy, plus I can keep all my dog and hunting stuff in the extra storage, which I have more room in the vechicle I'm driving, but in my opinion depends on how many dog's and people are going with you.

[Firemedic]

Both. You won't be sorry.

[Coveyrise64]

Both. You won't be sorry.

+1 trailer for long trips and box for short ones.

Coveyrise64

[Mountaineer]

I would think it would depend, to a degree, upon the country.
Flat-ish says a trailer can work....mountains, bad weather, narrow roads, tough pull-offs, etc. of the Apps., for example, favors a box.
But, returning from Kansas in the recent bad weather/ice storm says I would not want to pull a trailer in conditions where the mistakes of others is as likely to get me in trouble as quickly as my own....irregardless of land flatness or easy pull-offs.
Most trailer ads take place in the sunshine.

[Redfishkilla]

Box is better, IMO.

I heard with the TPWD budget shortfall they may do away with public hunting in Texas, FYI.

[dan v]

Box. For everything.

Watch small utility trailers going down the road...sometimes the wheels barely contact the road surface from the bouncing. Now, do you think that is an exhausting ride for a dog?

[CowboyBirdDogs]

The only thing I like about the trailer would be the room in the bed of the truck for luggage. And it would be a 10ft. 2 axle trailer. But it is a safety issue and a pain to pull nationwide. Problem would be finding a way to build a 6 hole double stacked dog box and fit the luggage in at the same time.

[Firemedic]

Do you have a travel trailer you pull? If not, go with the trailer. That is why I have a box, not a trailer. I pull my camper everywhere the dogs and I go.



Dog trailers that are designed right, do not bounce that bad when going down the road.


But, you can also build a box with storage on the bottom. My MTCK box has a 48x58 inch slide out drawer, plus a front closet for luggage and such.

[Pineywoods]

The only thing I like about the trailer would be the room in the bed of the truck for luggage. And it would be a 10ft. 2 axle trailer. But it is a safety issue and a pain to pull nationwide. Problem would be finding a way to build a 6 hole double stacked dog box and fit the luggage in at the same time.

A topper would leave the bed for storage and cover it in to boot.
Look at the toppers below
(http://www.mtck.com/gallery/Gallery.aspx)

[Firemedic]

The only thing I like about the trailer would be the room in the bed of the truck for luggage. And it would be a 10ft. 2 axle trailer. But it is a safety issue and a pain to pull nationwide. Problem would be finding a way to build a 6 hole double stacked dog box and fit the luggage in at the same time.

A topper would leave the bed for storage and cover it in to boot.
Look at the toppers below
(http://www.mtck.com/gallery/Gallery.aspx)

MTCK are the best of the best. I had mine build last spring, and I couldn't be happier. John, Ben and family are some of the nicest people you could meet.

Actually thinking about selling the one I have now and upgrading to an 8 hole topper........

[Kmack]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that I think a trailer is much handier for hunting than a 6 dog box in a truck or a dog topper. The reason is that the trailer doors are low to the ground and easy to load and unload multiple dogs. With a six dog box configuration you will either have 3 doors above the bed sides or possibly all six. You will either have to have a ramp/step setup or you will be lifting dogs in and out all day. That is no fun if you are moving from place to place several times though-out the day. A three dog box where the dogs can get on the tailgate then into the boxes is OK but for more than 3 dogs, the trailer would be my choice.

[SwitchGrassWPG]

Only thing I don't like about a trailer is the amount of dust that gets sucked in going down dirt roads. Now, if you had one like Coveyrise is trying to sell, that may be another story...

My vote goes for a dog topper.

Jay

[CowboyBirdDogs]

Thanks for the link to MTCK! I never considered a topper but that looks like it is the best option. Its an expensive option but a good one.

[gonehuntin']

Having used both for many years, I vote "Box". A trailer is dustier and beats up the dog's more. I also typically get in spots where either the trailer has gotten me stuck, or once there I couldn't turn it around.

[CowboyBirdDogs]

Ya I really like the MTCK 6 dog topper but they prefer it to stay on your truck permanently, and due to work I can't do that, it also costs $9,000 and that doesn't include the trip from Texas to Virginia. I think I'm going to build my own 6 dog box. Make it to where is doesn't sit higher than the cab of my truck, I may get a headache rack for more protection too.

[Pineywoods]

Electric Shorthairs.
Scroll down this page and look at the topper this guy built.
(http://wenaha.blogspot.com/search/label/Equipment)

And here is another one
(http://wildwestgundogs.com/forum/diy-4- ... -t330.html)

If you are going to build a box think about building a storage box like the truck vault
that comes up even with the top of the wheel wells so you have a flat surface the full
with of your bed giving you storage and room for a much bigger dog box.