Currently I just use the plastic airline type crates(think vari-kennel). I really like the Gunner & RuffTuff(other than their door) but don’t like the lack of air vents in either.
Would go with aluminum if I could afford it(use 3 crates currently). Saving pennies to buy at least one shortly & replace the others as I can.
[QUOTE=SarahandSam;8251509]
I have to pack it tomorrow morning, so I’ll try to remember! :)[/QUOTE] Here’s your reminder :D.
:eek: What a terribly vivid analogy. I’d say the most popular crate in the parking lots are wire. Darned if we do, darned if we don’t? I’ve strongly looked at the Navigator plastic crates for the ventilation. I haven’t bought one because the product is new made-in-China crap. It feels like it would crack and pop open if you sneeze on it. Plus what the heck “microban” chemical will my dog be breathing?
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;8251532]I would never use a wire crate in a vehicle…[/QUOTE] What do you use? [QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;8251532]II need something that works for a pickup.[/QUOTE] I think you do IPO with Dobes so you probably aren’t asking for suggestions from internet strangers but if you are:
Dog box! I love love love dog vehicle setups, so I’ve read up. It seems hunting people lean toward small for their boxes to reduce the tennis-ball-in-the-dryer* syndrome plus fitting more dogs into a limited space.
*K9 officer used that ball-in-dryer analogy after an accident with his K9 in his cruiser. It paints a very clear picture :eek:. Still, I haven’t shoved Tim into the smaller plastic crate. It measures 21"L, 16"W, 15"H. Tim measures 11" at the shoulder. What size crate should he have? Currently, he’s upgraded to the 28"L, 20"W, 21"H wire.
Some dog box folks would say the 15"H is the safest size. If he has free access as a den at home, his adorable wee front paws poke out. If I shut the door, I can’t get a clear view to see if has to curl to fit. So much time is spent in a crate a trials I want him to have as much room as possible.
There could be an argument that I need the small plastic crate for when the car is moving and the larger wire crate for when the car is parked. I have an addiction. I don’t need a reason for more crates!
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;8252151]
Here’s your reminder :D.
…
There could be an argument that I need the small plastic crate for when the car is moving and the larger wire crate for when the car is parked. I have an addiction. I don’t need a reason for more crates![/QUOTE]
Okay, here’s my Tardis-Mini: https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11811476_10153543384146983_20586743639186842_n.jpg?oh=27f91df33655861f04be2c961bf4d706&oe=5657DFA8
I left out the X-pen since I decided I didn’t need it, but I can slide it under the two crates. I do have the two crates the dogs are in, two more pop-crates, the Sportbrella, two chairs, the sun shield, a cooler (front seat) and gear bag, though. And three dogs. 
I still do want to try to see if my one pop-crate can fit instead of the wire. It won’t be sturdy, but it would contain them with the ball-in-dryer issue and wouldn’t squish anyone in a collapse.
So it sounds like no wire crate …I can’t afford anything fancy …do you guys think I would be best off driving w my dog loose, in an inexpensive plastic crate, or an inexpensive seatbelt? Probably not loose, which is what I currently do.
How big, what kind of dog?
Loose would be my last choice. No need to have a bowling ball flying around the interior of the vehicle in a crash.
Me? Maybe seat belted in if a small dog… plastic crate for a larger dog.
^ she is a 53lb German Shorthaired Pointer/Pit mix mainly (other things too but that’s what she looks like and those breeds are confirmed to be in the mix per the owner of the bitch who whelped her).
So maybe a plastic crate? Now that I’m thinking about it I’m not sure a seatbelt would be good anyway as she likes to stand up, sit, lay down, move around a little bit, etc.
ETA: I’m not 100% sure what she measures at the shoulder, she’s on vacation at the beach w my family right now but I will get my mom to measure her so I can start looking into a crate.
ETA2: she measures 20"-21" at the shoulder, and I found a 27" plastic crate 65% off on Amazon. Only $70! Should be perfect. I just hope it stays on sale until I get a chance to buy it. Will depend on whether my food stamps come through this paycheck or not. I also hope it fits in my trunk …might have to remove the third row seats. I’ll sure miss her licking my ear while I’m driving, but I’ll feel better knowing she’s safer.
[QUOTE=supaflyskye;8254541]
So it sounds like no wire crate …I can’t afford anything fancy …do you guys think I would be best off driving w my dog loose, in an inexpensive plastic crate, or an inexpensive seatbelt? Probably not loose, which is what I currently do.[/QUOTE]
Softcrate like a Noz2Noz? My theory is that it will help reduce the tennis-ball-in-the-dryer situation and while it doesn’t offer any additional protection, there’s very little that can smoosh your dog like a waffle iron. Of course the metal frame could cause a great deal of harm but they already bend so maybe they’d just buckle out of the way.
Right now, my dog rides in that in the way back of my Subaru Outback. He has to hang out back there for dog shows/herding lessons/trials and I also want him to have a bit of room to move around. I’ll probably get a Vario at some point.
[QUOTE=SarahandSam;8254248]
Okay, here’s my Tardis-Mini: https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11811476_10153543384146983_20586743639186842_n.jpg?oh=27f91df33655861f04be2c961bf4d706&oe=5657DFA8
I left out the X-pen since I decided I didn’t need it, but I can slide it under the two crates. I do have the two crates the dogs are in, two more pop-crates, the Sportbrella, two chairs, the sun shield, a cooler (front seat) and gear bag, though. And three dogs. :)[/QUOTE]
Thanks!!! Wow your car is roomy! It isn’t even stuffed to the gills like I thought. Looks normal to me :lol:.
This is a good site, with lots of “real-life” feedback on various crates, etc…
You do have to join the page though.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogsincars/
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;8255515]
Thanks!!! Wow your car is roomy! It isn’t even stuffed to the gills like I thought. Looks normal to me :lol:.[/QUOTE]
Minis are definitely bigger on the inside!
