Dog Platform, Ramp or Stairs

[Molter1867]

Throwing this out there, looking for recommendations for a platform that you can put in the rear seats of an R1T for my Dog. See them on Amazon, tons to choose from. Also seen some of the foldable stairs or ramps too. Most of these are more for the rear loading on an SUV but I would need to load on the side. And my dog is a big girl, Mastiff/American Bully Mix. Planning longer trips in the future and want her to be more comfortable.

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[PVguy]

Throwing this out there, looking for recommendations for a platform that you can put in the rear seats of an R1T for my Dog. See them on Amazon, tons to choose from. Also seen some of the foldable stairs or ramps too. Most of these are more for the rear loading on an SUV but I would need to load on the side. And my dog is a big girl, Mastiff/American Bully Mix. Planning longer trips in the future and want her to be more comfortable.

Molter, as my dog, Okie, gets older, i too, am looking for a solution to ease the entry/exit. I made a plywood ramp last week as a possible prototype. It was 48” in length and was on the steep side. The real problem seems to be that the rear doors do not open to 90 degrees, perhaps 80. This makes it difficult to install the ramp square to the vehicle. The test ramp is 16” wide. Okie is not very “adventurous “ and was not interested in using the ramp. I could try making it narrower but then he would be even more unsure about using it.

 

[lyonothecoast]

I bought this ladder platform and affixed indoor outdoor carpet on a board mounted to the top. My dog didn’t need a ramp, just the ability to hop into the back seat. Also folds and fits in the gear tunnel.

Harbor freight platform

 

[runwithscissors]

I haven't bought it but should. Pet Loader side version: https://www.petloader.com/product/pet-loader-flip/
Other threads that I've come across in the past: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/dog-steps-for-r1s.16930/page-2

I'd probably get the trunk version but I wish our dog was in the second row instead of taking up the trunk. I love blasting the air for him back there but loading stuff in the 2nd row gets old.

 

[Zoidz]

Okie is not very “adventurous “ and was not interested in using the ramp. I could try making it narrower but then he would be even more unsure about using it.

Is Okie food motivated? My dog is very food motivated. If she balks going up the ramp, a treat thrown in the back of the R1S motivates her.

 

[1stPlace]

I posted in the other thread linked above, with pictures. The pet loader 5-step works for side entry with the 2nd row seat folded down in an R1S. It is tight, however. Some 2nd row doors on the spectrum of production may lie between 80-90 degrees fully open (at least that's my own doors variance), and I think you risk a lot of damage to the interior areas that the pet loader will eventually bump into. If you are trying this with an R1T with the seats upright, a 4-step might be a better bet. That new side version being smaller width may eliminate some of the car damage potential. Though, you still will always need a mostly open parking space to that side available for any entry/exit, which can be difficult in parking lots sometimes.

 

[PVguy]

Is Okie food motivated? My dog is very food motivated. If she balks going up the ramp, a treat thrown in the back of the R1S motivates her.

Okie does like treats and this may be helpful. Thanks!

 

[PVguy]

I posted in the other thread linked above, with pictures. The pet loader 5-step works for side entry with the 2nd row seat folded down in an R1S. It is tight, however. Some 2nd row doors on the spectrum of production may lie between 80-90 degrees fully open (at least that's my own doors variance), and I think you risk a lot of damage to the interior areas that the pet loader will eventually bump into. If you are trying this with an R1T with the seats upright, a 4-step might be a better bet. That new side version being smaller width may eliminate some of the car damage potential. Though, you still will always need a mostly open parking space to that side available for any entry/exit, which can be difficult in parking lots sometimes.

The PetLoader looks good. I need to consider ramp vs. steps. Perhaps make a step prototype. Or start saving for a PetLoader.

 

[1stPlace]

The PetLoader looks good. I need to consider ramp vs. steps. Perhaps make a step prototype. Or start saving for a PetLoader.

A ramp to seat height would have to be very long. I have the weather tech pet ramp for another reason at my house and the angle up into the R1S seat is too steep when I tested it.

If you are handy enough to make a larger platform that could rest on the ledge and be large enough for your dog to jump onto fully and then into the seat and back down in reverse, you might have something. But it might not be compact, and it might not work in the dog's oldest years.

 

[Swezey]

This is where I miss my RAM's flat floorboard. Really wish Rivian had this.

Here's my setup in the R1T:
https://blog.swezey.io/riding-b-ch-...ends_link&sk=3086df7b684f3df214c46ab4fa5ca7a3

I added a piece of left over engineered hardwood to go over the two storage boxes to get rid of the gap in the middle.

 

[CosmicRivian]

This was my solution:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-set-up-for-the-back-seat-with-caveats.32551/

Good luck!

 

[PVguy]

This was my solution:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-set-up-for-the-back-seat-with-caveats.32551/

Good luck!

Thank you to all that have replied. I am getting some good ideas. I like filling the “wells” with a box as this will prevent Okie from falling in there should I need to make a sudden stop. Cosmicrivian, do you have dimensions? Plywood?

 

[COdogman]

Not a single dog photo in this entire thread.

 

[zlhunter]

I am a professional search and rescue dog handler and my dog comes with me everywhere in my R1S as we are always on call. I am a huge advocate of dogs in kennels in vehicles for their safety. But know that’s not for everyone. I have no affiliation but am a huge fan of Ruffland Kennels. They make one specifically to fit in the back seat of a vehicle. Worth a look if kennels are your jam.

https://www.rufflandkennels.com/products/backseat-rider-kennel

on a side note, and most likely a different thread I’m still looking for a platform that fits in the r1s with the seats down on one side

 

[PVguy]

Not a single dog photo in this entire thread.

Better?

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