Dogs in back seat…

[crashmtb]

I have a Tacoma and previously had a Ridgeline. Before that I had various small SUVs, etc. Over the years I have tried almost every option for trucking dogs around that exists. I partially do this on purpose because I work with dogs all day and our customers often ask for our advice on different products. I like being able to give them decent personal opinions on what I think works the best. Obviously there are so many different sizes and shapes of vehicles AND dogs, that each solution is subjective.

It’s also important to note the difference between what is safest and what most of us end up doing with our dogs in our vehicles. The only truly safe option for both you and your dog is to keep them in a crate while being transported. If you are in an accident, your dog will have the best chance of surviving if they are contained, and a crate will help prevent them from running away if the accident causes a door or hatch to open. It also keeps you safe because a dog flying around the interior of your vehicle in an accident can injure you as well. This is hard to do if you have larger dogs or multiple dogs. At one point we had 3 Rhodesian Ridgebacks - we would have needed a small bus or large van to put 3 crates inside that fit dogs that size. There are companies that make a more narrow “travel” crate designed to fit in SUVs, but still you would be lucky to fit 2 of them in your vehicle.

Second safest would be attaching them to a seatbelt connection. This is a good option because it can keep them in the vehicle should a door open unexpectedly and it can keep them from flying through the cab freely. It also can work with some of the other available solutions like a seat cover. The problem with it is if you have multiple dogs and they move around, getting tangled up with each other LOL.

I’ve tried Leer caps, which was great for keeping the interior of the cab clean, but then I was worried about leaving the dogs back there in hot/ cold weather, as well as how they would do if there was an accident - I didn’t trust that back glass hatch at all. So I added this crazy thing to my rear vent and left the back truck window open to the cap. It was ridiculous and I hated the cap after like 3 months because I couldn’t fit most taller items under it. The vent extension did work fairly well though…

So most of us end up keeping our dogs in the cab with us, which I admit I like as well - except when I forget to lock the window and I suddenly hear the rear window being opened because my dog is standing on it. The best options in my opinion are the hammock seat covers. I love these because they keep the fur off the floor and seats and all I really have to do is some extra cleaning of the carpet near the doors. Some of the better ones even have covers that come up on the sides, helping to keep the fur inside the seat cover. I also like this option just for carrying stuff. It provides a nice large area to put things and protects the seats. I’m always surprised when I remove the cover to wash it how the rear seats look brand new compared to the front. You can also use a seat belt connection to attach your dog if you want.

Over the years I have purchased expensive versions of these hammock style covers, but honestly I prefer just buying the cheaper ones from Amazon because after a few months of use and washing several times I don’t feel bad about tossing it and getting a new one. This is the one I’ve used for the past couple years:

These are nice if you want to spend more. The only thing I don’t like about these is they don’t have any protection on the sides.
https://www.canvasback.com/truck-liner.html

If you have a little dog or a even a medium sized dog that stays put when driving, these contained seat carriers are a good option. Dogs that get nervous in the car might enjoy these because they have their own little safe place to lie down. One of our customers uses this with her english bulldog - he looks like Oscar the Grouch with his head sticking out of the top. You can also use the seat belt connection with most of these:

Sorry for the long post - I just thought I would share what I’ve learned over the years on the topic. Do what works best for you and your fur friends!

Canvasback would probably make side covers on request. I have one of their liners in my car, actually the first one for that particular model, and they accommodated some customistation readily. Great to deal with.

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[Iwantatesla]

somebody needs to make a cap or the truck bed.

 

[COdogman]

Canvasback would probably make side covers on request. I have one of their liners in my car, actually the first one for that particular model, and they accommodated some customistation readily. Great to deal with.

that’s good to know! I love everything else about their cover. It’s probably the only one that might last more than a year.

 

[crashmtb]

somebody needs to make a cap or the truck bed.

ARE, Lund etc likely will once there is demand.

 

[Iwantatesla]

ARE, Lund etc likely will once there is demand.

any company in NY? I'd be more than happy to lend out my R1T to them to get started.

 

[Mcalc55]

I like the idea of capping off the top of the storage bin too. Maybe a drop in piece that fits right in almost like an upside down bread baking tin or something. A dog bed could sit on that. I imagine reconfiguring the rear seats would be too challenging for Rivian to do anytime soon

 

[No.92]

Works fine

 

[Morus]

Works fine

Oh, nice!

We have obtained the same from owleys company this summer for our labrador puppy. We are so happy with it because of its soft and non-allergic material!

Our previous one from Kyttle was rough and toxic a bit... Maximus had a rush on its body because of that.

 

[Hopper]

Get a dog hammock like the kurgo one. They work great.

+1. 65lb pointer and the hammock is working fine.

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