Hauling your dogs around...suggestions? - Page 2

I used to have an SUV (older model, no 3rd seat) and also a Mini-Van (Third seat is a stow and go seat, middle seats are bucket and can be taken out).  I built a platform to set the crates on, and can then slide plastic storage bins underneath for all my equipment.  It worked in either vehicle.  (I think the storage bins are about 7-8 inches tall.)

Marsha Seck

Awesome,

Thanks for the great idea.... I recently got a new van and my 2 -500's no longer fit side by side (I have been folding all the seats into the floor each time I want to load the dogs)..... I shopped new crates but the side by sides are to small for my boys.

Now I am going to see about the platform. I can see my hubby working on it Saturday  no more duffle bag full of gear but storage bins neatly organized.

Thanks Again,

Julie

Ok...can maybe one of you take a pictures of this platform so I can get a better visual??  I am definately NOT a handyman...LOL.  This sounds to be a really good idea...

phdgsd,

I have an Element, and while they are very spacious you can not fit that many crates in there! Three is about it if you use two 400's side by side, I propped one up on 2x4s so the lip thing was all taken care of, and then I put a 500 sideways behind the two 400s.  But then there isn't much room for any equipment.  The back seats are taken out as well.

I love this car for dogs, it is easy to clean, ugly as all sin, and not anything close to luxury, loud on the freeway, but drives nice for the most part, again great for dogs.  Mine is the first year the came out '03 maybe they are a bit more quiet now, but mine is loud!

I now have built a 12" shelf that is carpeted so my wire crates don't fly all around the place and this gives me a lot of space for my dog gear under the crates and my sleeping bag which is always in the car!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/kwpolicemom/100_0446.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/kwpolicemom/100_0445.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/kwpolicemom/100_0444.jpg

The last one is with the cooler in back.  I have my dogs enter thru the side doors rather than the long jump up the back.  I can fit things under the platform, have a huge cooler in back, and plenty of room between the crates and the two front seats.

Awesome!  Thank you!  Are those 500# crates or 400#? 

I have a Honda Element, which is even smaller, and I couldn't get two 400 crates in side by side, so we ditched the plastic shell types and went with wire crates instead.  We bought two wire crates that are longer and narrower than the usual wire crates commonly stocked in the pet stores.  We had to build a frame of 2x4's to lift up the crates a few inches to get them over the humps from the wheel wells.  They just barely fit in but we've got two full-size crates side-by-side.  We have removed the back seat permanently as we always carry the dogs around with us everywhere.

So, if wire crates are OK with you, then you may have different options available that you could arrange in your own vehicle.  Happy hunting!

Yvette