Crates & SUVs - Anyone with ideas/pics to share?

[Northern GSDs]

OK, so I've really been toying around with some different ideas for crate set ups in my 4runner.

Here is my list "criteria"....

1) Double dog set up for 2 GSDs

2) Entry/exit door for each via the back hatch

3) Doors on the other end for emergency exit via the side passenger back doors.

4) Preferably round bars (at minimum at the tops of the crate/box) as my one gal really does a number on her nose when she's vamped up hearing other dogs working during protection etc

Here is the MAIN problem issue:

1) Space between the interior wheel wells is only 41.75", so unfortunately that rules out the midwest suv side by side crates (plus I'm really not sure if they would be wide enough for my 90 lb guy). and the wheel wells are also quite high so an elevated platform would likely not work well (the height of the crate would then be too low).

I may have found someone who could do a custom aluminum crate set up for a great price locally but I'm trying to get some ideas (and I've been looking online and still can't find exactly what I am envisioning).

So who here has some ideas they would like to share? Pretty please

[Riley's Mom]

I'll be watching for some good answers here. I have a Ford Escape, tried the seatbelt thing, but they were constantly getting their legs caught in the belts, could have broken their legs twice now. It would be real easy for them to strangle one another with them, too. We had to stop fast once and although there was no accident and no in-car injuries, I can most definitely see that I don't want my 80lb dog to come flying from the back seat. Crates are not supposed to be real safe either. In an accident, they crack and break.

To bad vehicle makers don't offer a "Pet Lovers" version of their vehicles, with safety features already in place that have been safety tested. This would also be cheaper in the long run - us pet owners spend fortunes trying this and that only to find out this or that doesn't work.

[MJF]

I don't have a crate but for Trip I use a harness/seatbelt thingie that you are supposed to put the seatbelt through. Well, the first time he got tangled in about 5 seconds. So, I purchased an awesome leash that has a seat belt latch about 6 inches or so from the clasp. I hook the clasp to the harness ring and the seatbelt goes in the seatbelt latch. Magic, he can get up and turn around, doesn't get tangled, but also can't go flying or jump over the seats. Good luck!

[Riley's Mom]

MJF - can you post a link to what you bought or give us an actual product name, anything to go on so folks can follow up?

[Liesje]

Originally Posted By: Nicole L

Here is the MAIN problem issue:

1) Space between the interior wheel wells is only 41.75", so unfortunately that rules out the midwest suv side by side crates (plus I'm really not sure if they would be wide enough for my 90 lb guy).

That's a big issue. I was going to suggest those crates, they are the only ones I've found that can go side-by-side in my minivans (which measure 50" across according to specs BUT the seatbelt anchors on the floor make it impossible to fit two normal 36" crates side by side).

Custom is probably the way to go.

[Liesje]

Originally Posted By: MJFI don't have a crate but for Trip I use a harness/seatbelt thingie that you are supposed to put the seatbelt through.

This is a good suggestion but dogs doing protection work must be crated. They all get amped up and many of them would chew out of that seat belt in 2 seconds and destroy the interior of the car.

[CWhite]

HI,

I know a woman who has one of the professional crates in her Ford. I can't remember if it is an Expedition or Explorer but she loves it.

I hear these are wonderful, but they cost a good penny.
http://www.kustomkrates.com/

[MJF]

Here's the leash, by Bamboo: http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Quick-Contr...46730103&sr=8-2

The harness was from walmart, it's adustable and made out of material similar to seatbelts: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10315335

As you can see the harness pic shows the car seatbelt going through the loop in the back but if you try it, it gets tangled and the dog can't move. So instead I hook the leash end to the D-ring and then use the leash seatbelt latch. So far it has worked great, I've had to stop short a few times and the pup has been secured. But, I understand from another post that this really isn't an option for the dogs doing protection work. For general purposes its a safe and easy way to transport.

[Northern GSDs]

The ones from KustomCrates have had me drooling for quite some time now. They are pricey but they sure look to be of incredible quality in terms of workmanship and space utilization . The shipping combined with the cost of the crate likely isn't going to be a route for me though

So on the that note, here are a few planning options I am considering (thoughts & feedback welcome and I am definately open to suggestions!). I am probably meeting with the fabricator on Monday so I'm trying to figure out some plans for then:

Length can be as long as needed (I don't use the back seats at all and they are currently out of the vehicle anyways). So probably at least 38" long (the extra space when the escape doors are open/out would allow them to have lots of free space if they exit the kennel when they don't have to be in the kennel - would be lots of extra room for turning around etc when they do not need to be confined when we are not driving etc).

1) Side by side (or double box) aluminum unit built that conforms (is "angled in") at the bottom around the wheel wells yet is wider above that so the dogs are able to comfortably turn around.



2) Elevated platform (with equipment storage underneath which would be a total luxury) then have a double box on that that would then be wider but tapers top corners. So it would be quite a bit shorter - maybe too short? (about 24-25" high).



3) Straight double box. Pros: cheapest & easiest to put in/take out if needed. Cons: May be too narrow for the dogs (each compartment about 20 1/2" wide). Pros: nice and tall (could be as high as 32").



Hmmmm.....what would be better...wider or taller.......thoughts? I've looked online to see if anyone has any custom crate pictures for their 4runner but nothing out there for large dog boxes. Or should I just pack it in and keep to my plastic crate set up

[GSD4LIFE21]

Wow, nicole, thanks for this. I am searching for an older SUV and right now I am just not sure. I am waiting for my hubby to come back in Aug until we actually go out searching but we are trying to figure out what make and model for the crates. We would like to fit two crates and still room for my son to sit in the back..How pricey is the custom crates? This would be worth looking into for us...