Station Wagon Or Dog Trailer

[Rysup]

I have a Holden Adventra Wagon, and its awesome, I love it. I have taken 3 adults, 1 child, 5 dogs and all the stuff you need for a dog show at once.

We also have a trailer (currently unreg, and in need of a facelift) but I would never be without a wagon now!

[stonecutter]

Rysup - was that the wet trip to Bathurst for the Greater Western Show? If so - well done!

We have 1 dog and camping trips away in a station wagon are very squishy - we now hire a trailer for the weekend (or we stay in a cabin!)

[Alyosha]

Our dogs travel better in the trailer. The insulation means they stay cooler - even in the aircon if they get sun coming in a window on them they get hot. They also don't get travel sick in the trailer.

In saying that, like already mentioned, our diesel wagon (Subaru Outback) has the same fuel consumption as a small hatch like a Getz - 6.4L per 100km on average. So if you buy right you can get a bigger car without a bigger bill.

[SwaY]

Don't forget to add the cost of Trailer insurance and if your small car can tow a trailer.

I like the idea of having them in the same car I travel in (I have a van) that way they have air con, I can hear what they are up to and they can hear me.

What about something like a VW Combo, smaller then a wagon and still has plenty of space.

[Rileys mum]

Luckily its just me and the dogs so dont have to worry about kids or anything like that. At most an extra adult may tag along Im starting to lean towards a dedicated gas station wagon now. I can always get a trailer later on if i find i need one. I like the idea of having them in the car with me and im sure i could manage to fit two crates and the added extras on the back seats if i organised it all well. Also the option of having 'puppy bars' added to the stationwagon later on too. Still alot of thinking and comparing to do but thanks again for the info guys. Who would have thought it would be so damn hard hehe.

At the end of the day, both options are good. Just a matter or deciding what is best for me right at this moment.

[The Spotted Devil]

We have an X-trail...I love it although would get a diesel next time. I didn't get a wagon as sitting up higher is much kinder to my back

Plenty of room in the back for both dogs behind a safety net - leads and a bag for training gear hang off that and the rear seats. Trialling gear (gazebo, chairs, crate etc) easily fits on the back seat. If we go camping, the tent goes on the roof racks alongside the travel pod. This saves me pulling a trailer and works really well.

[murve]

Oh I forgot to mention just had a Pet cam set up in the trailer so we can spy on the dogs while traveling

its handy having a partner in the security business & deal with security camera's

[Greytmate]

Luckily its just me and the dogs so dont have to worry about kids or anything like that. At most an extra adult may tag along Im starting to lean towards a dedicated gas station wagon now. I can always get a trailer later on if i find i need one. I like the idea of having them in the car with me and im sure i could manage to fit two crates and the added extras on the back seats if i organised it all well. Also the option of having 'puppy bars' added to the stationwagon later on too. Still alot of thinking and comparing to do but thanks again for the info guys. Who would have thought it would be so damn hard hehe.

At the end of the day, both options are good. Just a matter or deciding what is best for me right at this moment.

Before you buy one, make sure you also check out the diesel wagons. Mazda, Subaru, Volvo, Volkswagen and others have diesel wagons that have lower combined fuel and running costs than a falcon on gas.