Just bought an SUV and need to figure out a crate for a large 72 pound dog and another crate for a 30ish+ Pound dog. I can’t afford the super duper expensive variocages that are like $1500-2000… what are your suggestions and can you share pictures? Thanks
This Facebook group might be a helpful starting point - https://www.facebook.com/groups/DogSportVehicleIdeas/?fref=nf
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I would concur on the above FB group (first thing I thought of when I read the subject).
Lots of examples of what people do as well as how well different solutions survived the unthinkable (nasty crashes).
I love this topic! I need a little more info.
- Do you want rear seats up or folded? Do they fold flat? Do they split?
- Will the crates be in 24/7 or do they need to be easily removed?
- What are the dimensions between your wheel wells and front to back of the cargo area (with seats up or down depending on your needs)?
- Do your dogs need maximum ventilation? IE plastic or wire?
- Budget?
My current setup is rear seats folded flat and one side-door crate between rear wheel wells. My dog’s crate is covered to prevent crate guarding from the car. Rachet straps to rear seat anchors and tie down D-rings. Anti-fatigue mat in crate. Soggy doggy knock-off mat rolled over the bumper when loading and unloading and rolled up during transit. Soft woven basket in corner stores water bucket, toys, sunblock, bug spray, etc. Pencil case attached to crate has dog and owner info, emergency contacts, and holds rabies cert and dog license.
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I have a 2015 Subaru Forester… the seats do not lay completely flat but I could do a little platform to make them flat if I wanted. The seats do split.
Currently I stuff two std poodles and one small border collie in the back seat of my camry. Not very safe, but they ride nicely together. So I think they would potentially fit in the back of the Forester with the seats up. But either way is fine. Most of the time I’ll be hauling two dogs who will need crating. The larger of the two poodles (a thick boned 72-75 pound girl) and the border collie.
the measurements are 42 inches between the wheel well, 32 height, and 34 length of cargo area to back seat.
I just can’t decide if I need to spend the big bucks and do the vario barrier and gate which would give the most room… and possibly allow me to carry 2-3 dogs in the cargo area… or if I i’m ok getting a plastic vari kennel for the poodle and border collie in back and then when traveling with all three do a harness in back seat.
I’m not sure that its all that safe to have to have the seat down unless i figure out a way to tie the crates down …
ABSOLUTELY tie down any crate or equipment. Otherwise you have a 40 - 90lb projectile coming at the back of your head!:eek:
There’s two basic reasons for confinement. Prioritizing your reasons will help narrow the best options for you. 1) Reduce distraction/possibility of dog creating an accident. 2) Confine and protect dog or passenger in an accident. A third reason could be confinement once at your destination, which has a lot more options.
I think the Variogate is nifty but expensive for what it is. The hatch gate is a barrier for when your hatch is open, nothing more. The headrest cargo barrier they use is sold elsewhere and I don’t believe has any guarantees. Based on it’s design, I wouldn’t want to best it would stop a projectile from coming over the backseat. In the event of an accident, you still have broken rear windows where dogs may escape.
The Variocage is designed to protect passengers by absorbing some impact in it’s crumpling design. (It has become the gold standard in dog circles. I kinda scratch my head: the design is to spare people in the backseat and squish the dog. No?) Ultimately, we do the best we can with the info and resources we have.
I used this barrier in the same way you’d use a Variogate. Unfortunately, I deleted the photo of my setup after I took it down when Car Cujo cranked up. It worked great for what it was and drew curious and positive comments. With some creative rigging, I used it at the rear hatch, not behind passenger seats, to confine my dog with hatch open when parked. https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Pet-Vehicle-Barrier-Hammertone/dp/B00416HUCA
Lots of Subaru lovers on that FB group, so if you do FB and like groups, ask to join. I’d sit back and watch a while before posting. You don’t want to be like a newbie coming to COTH posting photos of barbwire paddocks decorated with tractor tires, harrows overgrown with weeds, and a roundbale of peanut grass.
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Agree completely with securely fastening down dogs, crates and equipment.
Nice that I am not the only person with that view of the Variocage. I get they are nice and designed for the individual car models in which they are available. However, right, they keep the animal in the rear crumple zone that car manufacturers build into cars (the rear crumple zone is behind the last row of seats).
I was fortunate enough to be able to install my custom Zinger using wheelchair tie down straps behind my driver’s seat as I have no middle row of seats in my mobility conversation van. Yes, the dogs might be at risk if I am T-boned on the left but the crate will probably not move. I might even be at risk with a left T-bone (and I do have side curtain air bags). I did include photos of my relatively unique setup in the FB group maybe late 2015 after I got my Sienna and Zinger 
I think that’s TransK9 that has different crate models based on the vehicle. The Variocage can adjust lengthwise back to front some, thanks to their crumpling design. I think people do the best they can with what they have, and Variocage has done a good job marketing their crate as the best. Nevermind if customers remove passengers seats or install them sideways. EEK!
I would agree that Variocage does the best they can. Yes, they need to be installed correctly and the, as I recall, rear seat back must be up. However, behind the read seat is the designed-in crush zone… it just is (that was my only point as I do agree that Variocage does make a quality product).
FWIW, my center row of seats in my minivan were removed as part of the mobility conversion (along with many other modifications to a standard Sienna). I also worked with the vehicle I had to make the safest arrangement for both myself and my dogs
Everyone needs to do what makes both human and canine occupants as safe as possible when the vehicle is being operated 
The aforementioned FB group has some very scary crash photos where the occupants came through relatively unscathed compared to the visual damage.
so…I found another crate solution possibility… Mad Agility makes crates specific to the cars. Looks pretty from what I saw in someone’s car… and its cheaper. I may go with that depending on their real price quote.
I’ve heard that but I haven’t seen any and there is zero info on their website. Please share what you find out!
The most important thing is to stabilize the crate somehow. Somehow glue, I saw the finished crates to buy
There are many different crates to the Rocket League, in each you can draw other rl items. In my opinion, it’s best to buy rocket league crates where they are trusted to sell to the Rocket League. This is very important, so what do you recommend? Do you have any trusted store for RL? I buy rocket league crates on this site https://odealo.com/games/rocket-league
I just bought two RuffTuffs that I can secure in the car. I have a Kia Soul, but I’m looking at a Ford Escape for next year. I need 4WD for my job.
