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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kids and dogs in car

50 replies

popmimiboo · 15/06/2015 17:20

My parents are taking my 3 DC camping this summer. They have an estate car with a roof box and will be towing their caravan.
They also have 2 medium sized dogs who are used to travelling on the back seat. Apparently, the plan is for the dogs to sit on the DCs' knees for the 7 hour drive Shock
They said the boot will be too full and there is no other option.
AIBU to think this sounds a bit dodgy?
(The children don't seem to mind and DH said he used to squash into the back seat with his 3 siblings and dog when he went on holiday as a child, so I'm prepared to be told IABU and precious about this.)

OP posts:
MaxPepsi · 15/06/2015 17:29

I don't see a problem as such but how can there not be room in the boot when they are towing a caravan??

What the hell are they planning on putting in there?

7 hours is a long stretch however so I would suggest the parent sitting in the front seat gets a dog at their feet. I would imagine they will miraculously find room in the boot!

Seriouslyffs · 15/06/2015 17:30
Grin Yikes. Well I wouldn't like it but as our dog usually spends long journeys going between footwells and laps, I guess its manageable... And besides what other options are there? Leave a child behind, dog in the roofbox. If of course, the dcs in question are babies and the dogs, ridgebacks, but that's a whole other problem...
PandasRock · 15/06/2015 17:33

I wouldn't be happy.

But then I wouldn't be happy with any medium sized unsecured luggage in the passenger area. It's not safe, especially if travelling long distances.

How do you think your parents will react to alternative suggestions?

EvilTendency1 · 15/06/2015 17:34

Uhh I wouldn't be impressed, what do they classify as a medium dog? Some people call a lab a medium size (Confused) if it were cocker spaniel size or smaller then maybe but any larger than that and no way. It can't be comfortable for either child or dog.

Original poster
popmimiboo · 15/06/2015 17:38

Spot on, evil -cocker spaniels. Also, DC are 2 teens, 1 preteen. Parents insist the dogs are well behaved in the car. I can't say the same for the kids

OP posts:
SurlyCue · 15/06/2015 17:41

Its very dangerous if they have to brake suddenly! Dogs become lethal projectiles! Personally i would advise they pack the caravan with the contents of the boot and put tje dogs in crates in the boot or secure the crates in the caravan for the dogs.

SunshineAndShadows · 15/06/2015 17:43

I think the kids will be fine but the dogs need to be secured - if there's an accident they'll become missiles nextgendog.com/its-dangerous-to-have-dogs-riding-loose-in-cars-experts-say/

Its also against the highway code
www.rac.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/one-in-four-motorists-break-the-law-by-not-restra

Dog seat belt attachments are available

Floralnomad · 15/06/2015 17:46

Just make sure that the dogs wear harnesses that are attached to the seat belts of the dc so that everybody is secure . My dog always travels on the back seat ( with a seat belt attached ) and there is no way he would travel happily in the boot - he would spend the whole time climbing over and he doesn't like cages ( reminds him of his youth at Battersea) . Good on your parents ,sounds like the holiday from hell to me ,dogs and teens in a caravan !

Imustgodowntotheseaagain · 15/06/2015 17:46

Very unsafe for the dogs, for the same reason that we no longer allow babies to travel on laps. It's legal to put the dogs in the caravan, but some find it stressful.

Stratter5 · 15/06/2015 17:46

I was stopped by the police on my way back from seeing DD1 at uni; I'd taken her dog with me, so she could see him. I was roundly told off for having an unrestrained dog in the car, and told to get him a seatbelt the next day.

I did.

NinkyNonkers · 15/06/2015 17:48

Uncomfy and dangerous. Put em in the caravan! Or the boot contents in there.

Original poster
popmimiboo · 15/06/2015 17:50

They do have dog harnesses but I'm not sure if they can use them if the 3 seat-belts are already in use? Can they be attached to the kids like babies on planes?!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 15/06/2015 17:50

What are they storing in the boot, that can't be stored in the caravan??

Original poster
popmimiboo · 15/06/2015 17:52

They don't put anything extra in the caravan due to weight?
I don't understand how they manage to fill the roof box and (large) boot but I know nothing about camping paraphenalia!

OP posts:
bakingtins · 15/06/2015 17:56

Can't the luggage go in the caravan, and the dogs in a crate on the boot space? Having unsecured dogs in the car is really dangerous.

SurlyCue · 15/06/2015 17:57

They have an estate car and a roof box? What in earth are they taking with them? Confused

Things like cool boxes, pillows, sleeping bags can go im the footwells of the back of the car if they dont want to put them in the caravan (but they are very silly not to!)

Chattymummyhere · 15/06/2015 18:06

Dogs travel in the boot behind a guard it's not safe and illegal to not have them restrained/crated.

They did a study that a simple soft teddy can harm badly. I think the example was if you wouldn't throw it at someone's face full force it shouldn't be on the seats/parcel shelf not secured.

Original poster
popmimiboo · 15/06/2015 19:30

I totally agree about luggage going in the caravan but they have a huge awning, inner tent, camping table, chairs etc that I suppose are heavy. Not sure what goes in the roof box?

OP posts:
SurlyCue · 15/06/2015 19:33

Clothes and sleeping bags/pillows in roofbox maybe?

BlackeyedSusan · 15/06/2015 19:35

strap the dogs to skate boards and tow them behind the caravan...

or, as that might be a bit cruel, teach the kids to wing walk.

think it is a bit long to be sat upon by a dog.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 15/06/2015 19:50

No way!! Totally unsafe for the kids and the dogs. If in an accident you have two dogs loose, too many things can go wrong to list.

WeAllHaveWings · 15/06/2015 20:11

I'm not totally anal about safety and take a fairly common sense approach to it, but my ds wouldn't be going with those travel arrangements.

Stratter5 · 15/06/2015 20:12

Saw an horrific video at DD2's pre-school. A box of tissues on the back shelf becomes a brick hurtling at your head in a 30mph crash.

Now think how much a dog weighs.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 15/06/2015 20:24

2 unrestrained dogs isn't much different in weight to a child, child seat belts are just to protect the child but everyone in the vehicle. I have kids and dogs and would never travel like this

Mistigri · 15/06/2015 20:24

The answer would be no here too, for the reasons mentioned above. The dogs should be in the boot with a net.

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