mfoster711
College Station Tx
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I plan on camping for a week with our dog and on several of the days we will be making day trips and leaving the dog in our camper. I am a little worried about the heat in case something happens to cause our camper to lose power and A/C. I am wondering how hot is too hot? Is 105 degrees too hot?
My camper is stored on a lot without any shade. In the past few weeks we have experienced 100+ days here in Texas. Inside my camper I have a thermometer that tracks the highest/lowest temp that it has experienced. Even with outside temps getting to 100+ the inside of my camper never got above 105 sitting outside in the direct sunlight. I am convinced those people that try to compare the inside of a camper to the inside of a car are foolish. A camper is insulated and offers a little protection from heat which is why it only got to 105 in my camper.
That being said, 105 is still freaking hot! We will be camping at a campground that we have used over a dozen times. We have never had power issues at this campground. Out exact site is heavily shaded so it should offer some protection from the heat. I plan to leave a large water bowl for out dog when we are gone.
All that being considered, I highly doubt our camper would get over 100 degrees even if the power went out shortly after we left the campground. Even if it did, the dog would have a large water bowl so I am wondering if I should be worried knowing that she might be left in the camper for many hours at 95+ degrees.
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vjoek
Simi Valley,CA
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Your a dog.... you love to jump, run and play.... your locked up in a trailer .... it's approaching 105 .... you love your Master, don't you? I'm just saying.
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Quick trip
Cerritos, Ca.
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It takes less than 30 minutes at that temp and your dog goes into convulsions and her brain starts to boil and then she's gone!
My dog goes where I go -- period!!!
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Acampingwewillgo
USA
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Yep....in less Im completely at ease leaving the pups inside the MH, the DW and I have already come to terms with one of us staying put to ensure their safety. Normally I stay behind to keep them comfy and besides I get to relax, isnt that the reason we go camping/RV'ing...well, ok, it is for me.
* This post was
edited 06/18/11 01:03am by Acampingwewillgo *
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rfryer
Phoenix
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Someone may jump in with some credible information, but my reaction is I wouldn’t leave my dog in 105 degree temperatures, I think it would be cruel. There’s a huge difference between those temps outside in the shade with a breeze and in an enclosed room. I know I can function at 90 and maybe a bit more if I’m outside in the shade and there’s a breeze. Inside, though, at 85 I become a miserable lump and I can’t imagine how bad it would be at 105. Even a fan only helps a little. So I guess I’m weighing how much more abuse can my dog take than me.
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More To See
San Diego Area
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For a few hundred bucks you can buy an alarm system that will call you if AC power is lost or if any temperature you have set on a thermostat is reached. It uses a dedicated cell phone module for which you have to establish an account. I go yearly on it since we travel year round. Alarm Recommeneded
It has it's own 12 volt backup battery. It will either text message you or you can buy an optional voice module which can be recorded with any message you want to place on it. This is a full featured alarm system with capabilities way beyond what I've described.
A forum search will provide additional details about this system.
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louiskathy
Oregon (presently)
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I didn't read any of the answers to your post... I just read the OP's post.
Do Not Leave Your Pet Unattended. Inside or outside your rig.
Find someone (maybe the camp host??) to watch your pet.
Kathy
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Come on people, he is not talking about leaving the heater on, he will leave on the air conditioner, and leave the RV cool. In a few hours, even if the power goes off right as they leave the campground, the RV will not instantly overheat.
WHat about dogs that live in Las Vegas or Phoenix, and live outside? They get used to the heat, and can survive. I even worked in 118 weather in Phoenix in the summer of 2008, and while it is unsafe to leave a pet in a car that can reach 135F in a few minutes, it is not a car with little insulation, and huge windows without curtains.
And even if the top of the RV gets above 100, the area near the floor is much cooler. Yes I have checked.
My RV sits out in the sun every day, and I have not run my air conditioner since April, - yes it has been cool here lately, and I leave the fans on inside. Outside temps wil reach 85 during the day, my indoor/outdoor thermometer reads a peak indoor temperature of only 90 near my bed, and 94 in the living room, near the ceiling. And that is without running the A/C unit. Only the Fantastic fans.
I don't think it is un-reasonable to leave a dog for 3-4 hours in a RV. If the air conditioner works, they will be fine, and if it fails, it will still take a couple of hours to warm from 75 to 95, and you should be home before that time.
How many times have you camped and had the power fail? I can't remember a time, and so I consider it rare. And you will be checking on the dogs after 3-4 hours, so it is not like you are leaving them all day.
Fred.
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Pawz4me
North Carolina
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mfoster711 wrote:We will be camping at a campground that we have used over a dozen times. We have never had power issues at this campground. Out exact site is heavily shaded so it should offer some protection from the heat. I plan to leave a large water bowl for out dog when we are gone.
I would go and not worry about it, given your experience with the reliability of the power supply at this campground and the fact that your site is heavily shaded. Also, as Fred said, we've never experienced a power failure at a campground, so I have to assume they're rare.
For peace of mind I'd recommend leaving your cell phone number with someone (neighbor, camp host, office staff) and ask to be called immediately if the power goes out. Given that the RV will already be cool in the very unlikely event the power goes out, and the site is shaded, you'd probably have ample time to get back before the RV warmed up very much.
That is, of course, assuming your dog is used to being left unattended and you know she will be well-behaved (i.e., not bark).
Another alternative is to find a vet or boarding kennel in the area and board her for the day.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
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dturm
Munster, IN
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A dog's thermoregulation is not as good as many other species. 85 without shade and a huge water supply can cause severe heat problems. 90-105 is a condition asking for trouble.
That being said, we will leave ours in the RV with AC on. Knowing your rig and the campground lessens the possibility of problems and as MoreToSee said there are alarm systems that can give you peace of mind. Having a back up in the campground is also a good suggestion.
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
Jill (9yr old Golden)& Charmin (15 yr old something)
Henry (non-camping cat)
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