Rooftop tents and dogs (big dogs)

Camping this weekend, and planning on taking the Taco and the dog (of course!) Heres the issues, temps are dropping to 19F or 20F, the dog does have her own down puffy jacket and her own warm socks (yeah, she looks a little hilarious, but she stays warm and doesn't complain). Here's the question. How do I get my dog into my tent with me... I don't have time to build a ramp. It's too cold to let her sleep in the bed (and I won't sleep because ill be worried about her being warm). I'm 125lbs, she's an 80lb German Shepherd. I can lift her and its precarious, but what are some mcguyvering methods that you guys have used??

I have totally considered building a metal tower with a lift on it and using her rock climbing harness to lift her into the bed, especially after the lift kit gets installed....

 

Bring a 2x6 or 2x8 and place one end on the ground and the other end into the second rung from the top so doggie can make an easy jump into the tent.

 

Find a big boyfriend

 

Nice dog bed in the truck bed ought to do just fine.

 

Here for pictures...

It is a good question though. Interested in ideas. My GSD is on 50ibs right now. Probably be just under 80 when he’s grown. I can lift him but the girlfriend won’t be able to.

I know they have fur, but those are some cold temps. I wouldn’t say leave her out in the temps for long periods of time.

 

Tough one. One reason why I am torn on RRT. No good answer I would wager. Best bet to lift her up in, but then if she has to go in the middle of the night, well, you see the struggle with RRT.

 

Put your pooch in the tent before you leave home? Ok, bad idea...

I also think a long board would be best, but you will need to put rungs on it to stop slipping paws- like carpet, or wrap it tightly with soft rope and secure the rope to the sides or bottom only with nails or screws (not on top). Harbor freight loading ramps may be combined to make a longer ramp... maybe a pair of those can be Mcguyvered into a sectional folding ramp that you can also use as an emergency sand, mud or snow traction board (don't use them for truck traction on hard soil or rocks, you will crush the sides).

 

You can get lifting harness for dogs that either have a handle or strap for your shoulder. Yes they work with big dogs but you will need to train her. I actually used a doggy life vest on our 90lbs German Shepard, supports / holds the dog in all the right places, and has a handle on it to lift her.
Something like this (can get the image to embed). I don’t think this particular one is designed so you can put the strap over your shoulder, but you get the idea.
https://www.rocknrescue.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WDOG1.jpg

Ramp probably won’t work for your quick solution, it’ll be too narrow and too steep to use without a lot of training.

Here is a better picture of what I mean and how to carry your dog up the ladder safely. Not a great pic of the actual harness though

https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/...s-of-war/a36_16063085/main_900.jpg?1420497891

 

Good idea actually. Would have to be a fairly long ramp so the angle is not to step, but this might be the best option.

 

Yeah, dogs do need training to walk ramps, but the loading ramps are wide enough once the dog gets used to it.

 

Buy an annex for the rtt and leave the dog in there. Annex's are fairly cheep, will keep the dog out of the weather and you won't have to lift her up.

 

Oh ya, I forgot about annex's. This would be the best option I think. What RRT do you have?

 

I have a teppoui (sp?) style tent, and hate the annex’s. If I’m going to put her outside, I’d rather her be in the bed- and able to get up, go out etc. When she’s in bed, she’s in bed! She doesn’t like getting up

 

Good dog Well, I would say its either lift her or keep her in the truck. Good luck with finding a solution.

PS, I love Germans

 

Yeah- she does great in the mid seasons- she does really well (especially with the puffy jacket) down to freezing and a little under (29-40F range) but any lower, and I really worry about frostbite on those big ears and paws...

she was 40lbs then she turned a year and started bulking up. I shit you not, she still has a nice healthy waist, and is 80lbs. She’s my skijouring dog, and can pull me on flat ground at a run. Or pull me off my feet . This girl is all muscle

 

Yeah: sometimes in the cab gets colder! With being in a metal box, air underneath etc... I think I will scramble to build a ramp, and get her in the tent.

 

If you have the room, an insulated igloo dog house either in the bed on in an annex - she'll stay as warm as up in the RTT.

 

Beautiful! Such amazing dogs!

 

My gsd is only about 56lbs at almost 2 years. I think she is fully grown though!