Former airline guy here. Putting any animal, dog or otherwise, in the cargo hold of an airliner, is insanely risky and dangerous. It is tremendously stressful for the animal, and the cargo process is not designed for live animals - too many opportunities for escape, damage to the animal’s enclosure, or other breakdowns that could injure or kill the animal. I told everyone who asked me about flying with a dog (it’s always a dog) not to do it. Too much risk. The airlines fly animals because their customers demand it, but the airlines would prefer not to. Wes, there is a business opportunity here, but it is a difficult problem to solve without crazy high costs and prices.
Thanks for verifying what we all fear. I'm sure any opportunity here is very high lift, which explains why no one's done it. It could be as simple as a fleet of air-conditioned Sprinters with some sort of certified drivers running routes across the country. I know people who'd gladly pay $1k+ to take their dogs on longer duration cross country vacations. It could be as complicated as a new airline. I don't know, I just know this ESA thing has demonstrated that an awful lot of people want to take their pups places.
solution for traveling with pets: drive or kennel them. i think "emotional support animal" should be banned from everything. i'm tired of seeing dogs in walmart. and a service dog should have to be licensed with that license on the owner or person with the animal at all times. people should be allowed to ask to see the license.
i'm tired of people complaining about things that shouldn't be a problem. your pet doesn't belong in the store. other people's allergies or fear of dogs over rules your need to carry little fifi everywhere.
the airlines could ask beforehand if someone is planning to fly with a dog and make arrangements for that person to get on the plane first, sit in back, and have the pet in a kennel at the window seat. but it's pretty cruel to have a dog in a kennel on a really long flight. it needs to pee too.
I traveled to Guatemala with a fake emotional support dog in Oct 2020. I will travel with her as a fake service animal after the ban. They make it near impossible to put a dog accompanied luggage, so f them.
Yes. I would feel awful if I had to fake having an actual "Service Dog". As a veteran I would feel awful. But the airlines make it impossible. We tried so hard to fly our dog from Tucson to Guatemala - we literally could not find any service that would do it, the airlines made it impossible to put her accompanied. The only airline to offer a waiver for active duty military is Delta, but still the dog can't fly with you - its nuts. We were even willing to pay a service up to 5K, but just could not find one that would do it. It might be due to COVID (I have not tried to fly with her pre COVID). But yes, I would exhaust all other options before I faked the service dog.
Thank you for the clear response on Lexus GX AT tires. I was not aware tire weight made such a difference. I will consider the Toyo tires you suggested although I am worried about noise at 75mph. I hope to make reasonable modifications to the GX in the future . CBI makes a front bumper that can improve approach angles which are sorely needed in the 2021 model year and also accepts a winch. It does require trimming the lower half on the front bumper just below the parking sensors. Any feedback on that? Really enjoy your Land Cruiser articles on Outside magazine. Thanks
I really wouldn't stress to hard about the noise. You'll notice it when you drive home from the tire shop, then it'll just fade into the background. It's created by air passing through and around the tread lugs, and Toyo's spent time staggering them so that noise can't escape out the sides too badly.
If you're doing the kind of stuff where a winch might be necessary, you definitely need all-terrains! I'd just drive the truck as is for a while, and learn what you do and don't like about it, and what limitations exist, if any. A winch bumper is a pretty big modification, and will likely require aftermarket suspension to support the added weight.
Reach out once you've put some miles on the truck and we can talk about further modification plans. The tires will be a big upgrade on their own.
Should I stay with the stock 18" rims for the Toyos or go down to 17"? What are the pros and cons and if the 17" are the way to go, any recommendations on 17" rims?
You'll be fine on 18s. Advantage of sizing down would be lore sidewall for better ride off road, and access to more off road tire size options. Disadvantages are aftermarket wheels are expensive, and aren't usually available with a stock offset.
Former airline guy here. Putting any animal, dog or otherwise, in the cargo hold of an airliner, is insanely risky and dangerous. It is tremendously stressful for the animal, and the cargo process is not designed for live animals - too many opportunities for escape, damage to the animal’s enclosure, or other breakdowns that could injure or kill the animal. I told everyone who asked me about flying with a dog (it’s always a dog) not to do it. Too much risk. The airlines fly animals because their customers demand it, but the airlines would prefer not to. Wes, there is a business opportunity here, but it is a difficult problem to solve without crazy high costs and prices.
Thanks for verifying what we all fear. I'm sure any opportunity here is very high lift, which explains why no one's done it. It could be as simple as a fleet of air-conditioned Sprinters with some sort of certified drivers running routes across the country. I know people who'd gladly pay $1k+ to take their dogs on longer duration cross country vacations. It could be as complicated as a new airline. I don't know, I just know this ESA thing has demonstrated that an awful lot of people want to take their pups places.
solution for traveling with pets: drive or kennel them. i think "emotional support animal" should be banned from everything. i'm tired of seeing dogs in walmart. and a service dog should have to be licensed with that license on the owner or person with the animal at all times. people should be allowed to ask to see the license.
i'm tired of people complaining about things that shouldn't be a problem. your pet doesn't belong in the store. other people's allergies or fear of dogs over rules your need to carry little fifi everywhere.
the airlines could ask beforehand if someone is planning to fly with a dog and make arrangements for that person to get on the plane first, sit in back, and have the pet in a kennel at the window seat. but it's pretty cruel to have a dog in a kennel on a really long flight. it needs to pee too.
I traveled to Guatemala with a fake emotional support dog in Oct 2020. I will travel with her as a fake service animal after the ban. They make it near impossible to put a dog accompanied luggage, so f them.
Fuck airlines. But, do you not think you're incrementally threatening the rights and wellbeing of the disabled by faking a service dog?
Yes. I would feel awful if I had to fake having an actual "Service Dog". As a veteran I would feel awful. But the airlines make it impossible. We tried so hard to fly our dog from Tucson to Guatemala - we literally could not find any service that would do it, the airlines made it impossible to put her accompanied. The only airline to offer a waiver for active duty military is Delta, but still the dog can't fly with you - its nuts. We were even willing to pay a service up to 5K, but just could not find one that would do it. It might be due to COVID (I have not tried to fly with her pre COVID). But yes, I would exhaust all other options before I faked the service dog.
You're identifying a real need for some sort of pet travel service, even if it's expensive.
Thank you for the clear response on Lexus GX AT tires. I was not aware tire weight made such a difference. I will consider the Toyo tires you suggested although I am worried about noise at 75mph. I hope to make reasonable modifications to the GX in the future . CBI makes a front bumper that can improve approach angles which are sorely needed in the 2021 model year and also accepts a winch. It does require trimming the lower half on the front bumper just below the parking sensors. Any feedback on that? Really enjoy your Land Cruiser articles on Outside magazine. Thanks
I really wouldn't stress to hard about the noise. You'll notice it when you drive home from the tire shop, then it'll just fade into the background. It's created by air passing through and around the tread lugs, and Toyo's spent time staggering them so that noise can't escape out the sides too badly.
If you're doing the kind of stuff where a winch might be necessary, you definitely need all-terrains! I'd just drive the truck as is for a while, and learn what you do and don't like about it, and what limitations exist, if any. A winch bumper is a pretty big modification, and will likely require aftermarket suspension to support the added weight.
Reach out once you've put some miles on the truck and we can talk about further modification plans. The tires will be a big upgrade on their own.
Should I stay with the stock 18" rims for the Toyos or go down to 17"? What are the pros and cons and if the 17" are the way to go, any recommendations on 17" rims?
You'll be fine on 18s. Advantage of sizing down would be lore sidewall for better ride off road, and access to more off road tire size options. Disadvantages are aftermarket wheels are expensive, and aren't usually available with a stock offset.