The safest way to transport a dog in any vehicle is in a crate or box made especially for trucks, cars, SUVs, etc. Dogs love to ride in the truck bed! It’s easy to pat the tail end of your truck and have the dog hop up.
That’s not where the story should end though. Responsible pet owners understand the importance of keeping your dog secured in a moving vehicle. The problem is how to make sure it’s done correctly.
This post is going to give you 11 solid ways to transport a vehicle including instructions on how to do it properly.
Is It Illegal to Transport a Pet in the Bed of an Open Pickup Truck?
Some state laws have made it illegal to travel with an unsecured dog in a truck bed. California, Oregon, Minnesota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island insist that pet parents secure their dogs in a crash-tested dog crate.
The bed of a pickup truck is a dangerous place to leave an animal. Trucks are made for rugged terrain, but your dog isn’t.
Sudden swerves, sharp turns, braking, flying debris, and other dangerous can cause your dog serious harm, and even death. It’s important to realize that even short trips around rural areas can be dangerous.
Some loving pet owners have tried to get around the laws by using their own seat belts to secure their pets. Unfortunately, human seat belts are not designed with dogs in mind. The only way to truly ensure your dog’s safety is to get serious about getting a secure crate.
The Dangers of the Open Road
These days, dog owners have many options to ensure their dogs are safely secured. The following items were built to last. They’re tough and they’re perfect options for keeping your family and your pet safe in a moving vehicle.
An unrestrained dog in the open bed of a pickup truck is vulnerable to:
- Head Injury
- Leg Injury
- Hot Metal Burns
- Accidental Fall from the Truck
- Injury if the dog leaps from the truck
- Eye Injury
- Injury from road debris or tree branches
It may seem safer to tuck a dog into the back seat of a car, but that can also be dangerous. If you were to get into an accident, your poor dog becomes a projectile.
The following are 11 world-class dog crates and boxes designed specifically for truck and other vehicles.
#1.LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Cage
Keep your dog safe with this double door and locking caster design. It has 360-degree rotating, locking casters that make it easier to move the crate from truck to walkway.
Product Dimensions:
37.5″ L x 22.5″ W x 32″ H
Special Features
It’s easy to clean and durable. There’s a slide-out plastic tray for easy cleaning and is shipped with the complete hardware pack.
#2. 4X4 North American MIM Safe VarioCage Single – Crash Tested Dog Transport Kennel
Product Dimensions:
40.55″L x 21.85″W x 25.59″H
Special Features:
- This transport cage passes all front, rear, and roll-over crash tests.
- Has locking doors with gas hydraulic motion springs.
- There is an emergency escape hatch.
- The crate can be configured a number of ways to accommodate most vehicles.
#3. K9 Kennel Boss – Intermediate
This crate is made of durable and lightweight aluminum. This fully collapsible design makes it easy to put together and take apart for traveling.
Product Dimensions:
36″L x 25″W x 29’H
Special Features:
- Safe and secure
- Durable
- Travel Ready
- Versatile
- Comfortable
#4. MIM Multicage Crash tested Dog Travel Crates for Multiple Dogs
This dog travel crate is designed for multiple dogs. Whether you’re transporting rescue dogs to their ultimate forever homes, or taking two large dogs on a hunting trip, this crate will do the trick.
Here’s something you didn’t know: This crate is stackable! In fact, it’s the only crash-tested stackable multi-dog transport kennel.
This cage is perfect for transporting in a range of vehicles, motorhomes, vans, and pickups. Be sure to scoop up some anchoring brackets when purchasing the crate. These are useful when connecting more than one cage together.
Added Features
MultiCage is made of galvanized steel and is painted with weather-resistant polyurethane paint. Your dog(s) will be safe against impact due to the impact-absorbing materials. Designed to eliminate any risk of splitting, cracking or splintering.
Comes with a ratchet anchoring system. This allows for much easier installation. It has retractable lifting handles and a lockable door with gas springs. These hold the door open while loading or unloading your dogs.
I’m telling you, there’s nothing they haven’t thought of! I would totally trust the MultiCage Dog Travel Crate for my precious cargo.
Where to Buy
You will find this winner of a dog crate at Pet Pro Supple Co. You may have noticed a trend here. All the crates in this series are from Pet Pro Supply Co. There’s a reason for that! They are all made in the USA and have all undergone insanely rigorous testing protocols.
Your. Dog. Will. Be. Safe.
Go to Pet Pro Supply Co. and have a look.
#5. Owens All Season Aluminum Single Dog Box
If you can afford to switch out your dog boxes every season, go for it. Otherwise, why bother when you can get this top-of-the-line ALL SEASONS aluminum single dog box.
You’re not sacrificing quality either. This rugged powerhouse comes in standard and extra tall. Of course, if you’re travelling anywhere with a dog there’s going to be STUFF. No worries. This dog crate has extra top storage to stash your gear.
Added Features
This dog box has lockable slam latch doors to secure your dog. Gas struts easily lift and hold up the compartment lid. Trust me, this is a valuable little extra for ease of loading and unloading your big or little pooch.
This dog box comes with oversized vents for max cooling. It also has storm covers for the door and vents that convert the box for 4 season use.
Includes a corrugated liner to protect and insulate your dog. Also has a rubber floor mat to cushion the ride.
Where to Buy
Yup, you guessed it. Pet Pro Supply Co. That company is no joke. And make no mistake…they carry a huge variety of dog supplies, not just dog crates. You’ll also find top quality grooming supplies for pet owners and professional groomers.
They have top-notch air purifiers for the home (great for dogs or people with respiration problems or allergies), ramps for dogs, and a ton more!
#6. Owens Aluminum Dog Box for Trucks (Triple)
This dog box is perfect for short bed trucks. It has a triple compartment lined dog box. If you’re a serious hunter, dog trainer, or handle police/military dogs (K-9 handler), you might want to check this out.
The notched sides at the back of the outside compartments allow for short bed configuration. This dog box has maximum width across the truck bed because the vents were put in the rear and not on the side.
Added Features
This dog box has lockable slam latch doors to secure your dogs. There are rattle-free spring-loaded handles that make it easy to move. Flush mounted latches prevent the box from snagging on brush in the field.
This beast of a dog box comes with removable storm covers for doors and rear vents to keep your dogs safe from bad weather and unwanted attention.
Where to Buy
You guessed it: Pet Pro Supply Co. There’s really no where else to get any kind of dog box worth their money.
#7. Owens Pro Aluminum Double UTV Dog Box w/Storage
This DELUXE PRO dog crate is made by a top US diamond tread aluminum manufacturer with over 40 years’ experience. This Hunter Series Double Kennel UTV Dog Box is perfect if you have to travel with two dogs. Perfect for use in a utility vehicle UTV.
This box allows you the ability to transport your dogs into the field with you.
Added Features
This dog box has a convenient built-in top storage compartment that can be used for hunting and training supplies.
TIP: This box is designed to fit the Polaris Ranger.
You can expect a strong but lightweight design. It’s forever free of rust or rot. The box has dual compartments to securely transport two dogs.
Vent holes are also included in the compartment divider.
Want even more storage? This powerhouse of a dog box comes with a spacious bottom drawer. Perfect for storage of electronics, hunting gear, training supplies, etc.
Where Can I Buy?
Pet Pro Supply Co. does not mess around with your dog’s safety. They know what it takes to get out in the field safe and organized. Remember, these crates have been tested for durability and safety.
#8. Zinger Professional Airline Compliant IATA CR 82 Travel Dog Crate
For those of you who need to travel for a move, transport rescue dogs safely, or just need to get on a plane with your dog (for any reason), you’ll want a dog crate that is airline compliant.
The Zinger Professional Airline Compliant IATA CR82 Travel Dog Crate is perfect for dogs from 29 pounds to 49 pounds. You just choose the size when you place your order. It’s well known that the door on any crate is the weakest point. The last thing you want is your dog to escape into the hatch while in flight.
This dog crate has a specially made, heavy-construction, reinforced door with extra bars, welds and bracing. It also includes a secondary locking plate to the door frame.
All of this heavy-duty construction and locking features make the crate sound like a prison, but nothing could be further from the truth. These crates are designed with your dog’s comfort and safety in mind.
Added Features
These crates are made with aircraft-grade aluminum. They are known for their durability and strength yet they’re still lightweight enough to handle.
Even if you’re not travelling anywhere, you can use this crate for dogs prone to destroying or breaking free of cheaper plastic and wire crates.
Zinger crates exceed the strength and ventilation requirements of most airlines. It comes with an Airline Travel Kit (pre-installed) and complies with IATA CR-82 rules. This means that you can transport any dog breed by air.
Where Can I Buy?
Zinger professional dog crates are sold online through Pet Pro Supply Co.
#9. Ruff Land Kennel Dog Crate for SUVS and Crossover Cars
This SUV/crossover crate is made specifically for SUVs and crossover cars. No crate space is compromised in the design. Your dog will still have plenty of floor space. This is because the crate is designed more steeply and angled back.
This feature accommodates cargo doors on these types of vehicles.
Added Features
These crates have been tested (even a 12 foot drop!) and showed no trace of cracking. These are made of superior quality molded PE plastic. They have a one-piece stackable design with doors that open in both directions.
This crate is easy to clean and is designed by dog trainers and outfitters.
Where to Buy
You’ll find this dog crate for sale at Pet Pro Supply Co.
#10. Ruff Land Kennel Single Front Door Dog Crate
This BEST SELLER is perfect for multi-function use. Whether your dog is really small or extra large, there’s a crate for you. Choose from small to extra-large.
This is the most popular dog kennel on the market today. It’s made from high quality plastic and is molded into a single piece for durability. These crates are stackable and have been field-tested to hold the weight of a 350 pound man.
Added Features:
The doors on this crate open in both directions. The rugged composite door will not rust. Do you have/need multiple kennels? The crate has sturdy metal inserts for attachment. It’s lightweight and easily moveable.
You’ll get a 100% made in the USA dog crate with a 1 year comprehensive warranty.
Where to Buy:
You’ll find this wallet-friendly dog crate at Pet Pro Supply Co. alongside a wide range of professional quality dog crates and supplies.
Summary
We all know it’s not safe to travel with unsecured dogs. Whether they’re in the back of an open pickup truck or in an enclosed space within your car, major problems can arise. When shopping for crates and boxes, opt for higher quality. Choose sizes that fit your dog and your vehicle.
It also can’t be stated strongly enough….never leave your dog in a car unattended. On a hot day, even with a window down, your dog can suffer from heat related injury and death.
You love your dog and his/her safety is vital. Take care of yourself, your family, and your hard-working loyal pooch!
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this post. Feel free to embed the infographic below in your own posts and be sure to return to this website again for more useful information on your dog’s health.
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