My new "Goat Limo"

[The Tin Mom]

We took it on a trial run today - it worked great! Dh bolted the bottom of the cage to the carrier - it is very firmly attached to the carrier. For longer trips, we would tarp the top and at least two sides, depending on the weather - three sides if it is raining or cold. This was just a short trip around the block to make sure it would carry her. BTW: this is a hitch cargo carrier, not a trailer. That didn't show up very well in the pictures.

Taela is moving to a different state and this is the only vehicle I feel safe driving that far. There isn't room for her and three kids and luggage in the van. (Maybe I can put Taela in the van and two of the dc in the cage?)

Suggestions are appreciated, but please be nice!

(edited to clarify our plans for longer trips - I realized that some things weren't clear in my original post)

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Goat Transportation Unit by Tin Mom, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Oh, really, Mom? Couldn't you come up with a Limo? by Tin Mom, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Taela wants out of the cage! NOW! by Tin Mom, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Minelson]

I always put a fly mask on my horses to protect their eyes from flying rocks in the horse trailer. Also, here any trailers need a license and tags. It's cute Tin mom but I would not feel safe with that on a long journey. So much debri getting kicked up and wouldn't the goat get awfully scared of big trucks going by? Seems like she will be getting a lot of fumes from the tailpipe too..I would put my luggage in the crate and keep the goat in the car.

[Cyngbaeld]

That is SO COOL! I love it! I would put something on the leading side though to block the wind. My goats always object if there is too much wind, doncha know.

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

That is SO COOL! I love it! I would put something on the leading side though to block the wind. My goats always object if there is too much wind, doncha know.

Thanks! I am excited about it!

Yep. Tarps on at least the top and two sides, especially the leading side. This was just a short trip around the block to make sure it would carry her without problems.

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Minelson

I always put a fly mask on my horses to protect their eyes from flying rocks in the horse trailer. Also, here any trailers need a license and tags. It's cute Tin mom but I would not feel safe with that on a long journey. So much debri getting kicked up and wouldn't the goat get awfully scared of big trucks going by? Seems like she will be getting a lot of fumes from the tailpipe too..I would put my luggage in the crate and keep the goat in the car.

We will put heavy duty tarps around it, especially on the side of the car. It isn't a trailer - it is a hitch cargo carrier and can hold up to 400#.

If we put the luggage on it, we can't get the goat out of the car without moving all the luggage off of it or taking it off of the car (it is very heavy). I anticipate several stops along the way and that wouldn't work very well.

[Minelson]

Ohhh ok. Yes enclosing it with tarps will help
If it's a limo, she will need some champagne for the journey

[dlskidmore]

Could you detail the parts used?

I've been thinking about a small trailer to do similar for the Great Dane, and it could double as a goat/sheep trailer.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

That is awesome! What a good idea.

[Manchamom]

I use a giant crate like that in the back of my truck. The heavy backyard barbaque cover fits on it perfectly and doesn't flap.

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Manchamom

I use a giant crate like that in the back of my truck. The heavy backyard barbaque cover fits on it perfectly and doesn't flap.

Can you send me a link to it or post it here? Thanks!

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by dlskidmore

Could you detail the parts used?

I've been thinking about a small trailer to do similar for the Great Dane, and it could double as a goat/sheep trailer.

It is on Amazon. I measured our crate and searched Amazon. It was so inexpensive (found it on sale) that I doubt it can be made for less. It cost about 1/4 of what renting a trailer would have cost.

[mrs whodunit]

Exhaust will be a huge issue. She will right in the line of fire.

[Manchamom]

There's 3 different sizes and other covers that might be more to your liking.
Cart Style Barbecue Cover, (Medium) #53912 - Tarp & Cover Superstore


I fasten the elastic at the bottom and run two bungees over the top from on side to the other. To get into it I can just unfasten the bottom elastic and fold the end back above the door.

The exhaust can be piped to the side with a simple clamp on tip. You will want plenty of ventilation though however you cover it from the wind.

Be careful going up curbs and at the bottom of steep hills. We use one of these on our suburban to carry out ice chests. Even with that ground clearance it will scrape the road at times.

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by mrs whodunit

Exhaust will be a huge issue. She will right in the line of fire.

I had thought of that. We plan to tarp that side of the cage closest to the van with a heavy duty tarp, so that the exhaust won't go in. We will leave the side away from the van open so that she has ventilation and exhaust won't be trapped in the tarp.

ETA: also, if you look closely at the third pic, you can see that the exhaust pipe is to the side of the cage and does not aim directly at it.

[mrs whodunit]

It seems to me that the tarp would make it so less fresh air would get in to take out the exhaust.

Did you ever watch how dust or snow swirls out from under a rig then up the back of vechile?


That's what making me nervous.

[CaliannG]

I have a similarly built trailer...a bit larger, and the ramp folds up the back, so it goes beyond "cargo hauler" and needs a plate.

I was thinking of making a goat trailer out of it, but using plywood, and having vents in the top. Rubber mats on the bottom to protect the metal and keep the wind out.

I, too, would be worried about exhaust flowing up the back.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I once hauled some boxes in the back of a hatchback Nissan 240 Z with the hatch partially open. Just about got sick from the exhaust swirling up and in over the bumper.

I think I'd tarp it everywhere except the END away from the pipe. (left side?)

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by mrs whodunit

It seems to me that the tarp would make it so less fresh air would get in to take out the exhaust.

Did you ever watch how dust or snow swirls out from under a rig then up the back of vechile?


That's what making me nervous.

Good point.

I was afraid there was something I was missing in this. I knew the tarp would make less fresh air, didn't think about the swirling effect!

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I once hauled some boxes in the back of a hatchback Nissan 240 Z with the hatch partially open. Just about got sick from the exhaust swirling up and in over the bumper.

I think I'd tarp it everywhere except the END away from the pipe. (left side?)

Okay, but that is the side exposed to oncoming traffic. Hmmmmmm. Any thoughts on that? What about only partially covering that left side, so she has some protection, but it still vents?

Can you think of something for the top that would protect from the rain/ sun but be vented like Caliann was thinking on hers?

[Minelson]

I think something like this would be better. And make it so the platform is either farther back or higher. Higher would be best so you could keep an eye on things

Grreat Choice Dog Carriers - Geared for Pet Travel - Featured Products - PetSmart

and I would point the door to the back