Any trucks with room for big dog crates INSIDE the cab?

[scruffy_the_cat]

I have horses but I also trial my dogs. My dogs ride in crates in my car- I want the climate control for them, and also the ability to have them have the protection of the interior of the vehicle. At a trial, I put an aluminet over the whole vehicle and open up the windows and tailgate and run a fan and they are happy and comfy.

I have to buy a truck to haul my new-to-me horse trailer. I’d prefer an SUV for the dogs but there’s no SUV that I know of that has the tow capacity I’m looking for. I’m really looking for a 3/4 ton hauler at this point. So that leaves trucks. Are there any models you know of that have removable rear seats so I can set up the crates? I’d want room for either one or two crates for 70 lb dogs.

[cutter99]

A RAM Mega Cab may have the room you are looking for.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/ram-2500.html

[hosspuller]

Our Chevy extended cab was good for two 85 pound Dobermans. We just folded the back seat up and let them have the entire back. Never worried about the truck getting stolen or broken into with them in it. If you took out the back seats, two crates might fit in a full sized crew cab truck.

[clanter]

@scruffy the cat

I’d prefer an SUV for the dogs but there’s no SUV that I know of that has the tow capacity I’m looking for. I’m really looking for a 3/4 ton hauler at this point. So that leaves trucks. .

Ford’s Expedition with optional heavy-duty trailer towing package is rated to 9,200 pounds towing capacity

[csaper58]

If the trailer is a bumper pull you could put a topper on the bed, open the rear window and let A/C into the covered truck bed

this site has truck toppers www.leer.com/100XR

I use these crate fans, (found at Bed & Bath, WalMart etc.) to help move air around for my dogs. www.o2-cool.com/crate-fan

Would a Diesel Suburban work for your trailer? Check them out, they were made in 1996-1999 I think. There are even shops that specialize in converting gas suburbans to diesel. www.duramaxsuburbans.com

[OverandOnward]

@clanter

Ford’s Expedition with optional heavy-duty trailer towing package is rated to 9,200 pounds towing capacity

Right. Mine tows a WB-sized bumper-pull 2-horse with dressing room. I use weight distribution bars (very easy to for me to manage), and if it’s windy I put extra weight in the SUV. Have done long hauls up to 1,000 miles. Been using this SUV + trailer for over 10 years to keep largish dog and tack comfortable and safe.

[moving_to_dc]

@csaper58

If the trailer is a bumper pull you could put a topper on the bed, open the rear window and let A/C into the covered truck bed…

I spent my entire childhood riding in the bed of a single cab pickup with a topper - cap - shell on it. I can tell you that the AC DOES NOT flow into the truck bed UNLESS you get a large bicycle inner tube (or small motorcycle inner tube) and position it between the truck and topper and fill it up so it is tight. It makes an airtight seal so the cool air will flow to the back. Without it, the air doesn’t move to the back at all.

We have a mega cab Dodge and LOVE IT. If I fold the seats down I can fit a full size mattress in there. The doors are bigger than standard crew cab doors. It has a taller interior height than my GMC, too. The only thing I don’t like is that the back seat has “posts” under it, so it cannot fold “up” to give you clear floor space like my GMC’s back seat does.

[TwoTrickPony]

I pull a four horse stock trailer, sometimes with four horses, with a bumper pull '78 Chevy Suburban. I think a slightly newer versions could work just fine.

[Guilherme]

We had Saints and Bernese Mountain Dogs. No way proper crates for those critters would fit in the back seat of a crew cab pickup. Yours are slightly smaller but I still wonder. If the crate will fit in the space will the dog fit in the crate? Some experimentation is likely in order.

G.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I towed for years with an Expedition, then Suburban before going to an extended cab F250. I kept getting the SUVs because of the dogs (when my dad died, I loaded 3 people and 5 dogs- 3 GSDs, 1 JRFT and a small mutt- into the suburban and off we went.

I moved to a truck so I could up my tow capacity, and my 2 travel dogs have since passed.

One of my larger dog crates fits in the back IF I assemble it once its in. It is a fold up crate. It is------ a challenge but I can do it.

[Buford]

Until 2007, GM crew cab rear seats folded flat, making a perfect spot for a crate, and other non human cargo. For some reason, probably some perceived safety gain, they are now like the fords and dodges and the seats fold up, making the area useless.
My 2007 3500 has only 50,000 on the clock. I will keep it as long as I can for this one valuable feature…

[csaper58]

@moving to dc

I spent my entire childhood riding in the bed of a single cab pickup with a topper - cap - shell on it. I can tell you that the AC DOES NOT flow into the truck bed UNLESS you get a large bicycle inner tube (or small motorcycle inner tube) and position it between the truck and topper and fill it up so it is tight. It makes an airtight seal so the cool air will flow to the back. Without it, the air doesn’t move to the back at all.

We have a mega cab Dodge and LOVE IT. If I fold the seats down I can fit a full size mattress in there. The doors are bigger than standard crew cab doors. It has a taller interior height than my GMC, too. The only thing I don’t like is that the back seat has “posts” under it, so it cannot fold “up” to give you clear floor space like my GMC’s back seat does.

Luckily truck toppers have improved in the years/decades? that have passed.

[Bicoastal]

The Dog Sport Vehicle Ideas and Setups FB group is helpful (it’s as serious as COTH, so enter at your own risk ). Many build a platform in the rear passenger area to create a level floor on which to secure crates. Another idea is a K9 insert.

[moving_to_dc]

@csaper58

Luckily truck toppers have improved in the years/decades? that have passed.

I don’t think so… My $4k Leer topper that I bought new in 2012 still has the same issue.

It’s an airgap issue, not anything that can be improved unless you close the airgap.

[csaper58]

@moving to dc

I don’t think so… My $4k Leer topper that I bought new in 2012 still has the same issue.

It’s an airgap issue, not anything that can be improved unless you close the airgap.

I am sure the OP will be able to suss the issues and possibilities out to his/her satisfaction.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I have a 4 door 2013 GMC Sierra. The rear seat completely folds up, so I have a totally flat floor. I have my 84lb doberman’s crate in the back. It takes up two spots, you can’t fit two crates for a dog this size. Look at the Rough Tough Kennels. They are a little narrower (I use an airline crate, but would like something without the side lip and plan to get a RTK). Or if you want to spend more, go custom. OR if you really want a giant kennel you could take out the two person bench and just leave the single seat next to it to fit one, giant crate.
If it is only ever the dogs, you can take the seats out and do a custom K9 insert, like a cop car has. Then you could fit one on each side. Depends how badly you want to take two dogs and how much money you want to spend.

[candyappy]

We have a Ford F-250 4 door truck. We bought it in 2000 after several months of trying to put small kids in car seats in just an extended cab. Plenty of room and you can actually get in an move around normally doing it.

[scruffy_the_cat]

Super info, guys. Thanks a lot.

[soloudinhere]

The “outdoorsman” trim level in ram trucks does have a fold flat rear floor that is specifically designed for this.

[scruffy_the_cat]

Thanks!