Converting pick up bed for dog and tools

[forestboy1978]

Hello all, 

 

Getting a hard top fitted to my ranger next Tuesday cos got a baby on the way. Not myself personally but the mrs is banging one out fairly shortly.

 

Anyhow, the main reason is cos the dog needs to go in the back for obvious reasons. 

 

He's a big chap. 45kg shepherd. 

 

I want to put a shelving system on the right hand side for various items and 2/3rd remaining floor space on the left for the dog. But I want to shelf off across the top below the glass above the bulkhead and cover the glass so I can store stuff above the dog. 

 

My concern is that he wont feel comfortable. He'll be able to lay down with his head raised up but not stand up and possibly not turn around. 

 

This is kinda good cos obv if there is an accident he'll be more enclosed and wont be bouncing around etc but I'm thinking of ventilation and all the other issues. 

 

If anyone has any advice or experience with doing something like this would be well appreciated. 

 

Ta

Edited July 30, 2020 by forestboy1978

[Stephen Blair]

I have full length roller drawers on the bottom, checker floor and then high canopy with air vent and dog guard to split.

  You need the extra height for the dogs plus I can stand under and shelter.

  I can hide it out too.

  Front sliding small window can be opened for fresh air.  Just chuck a big bed in and dog will soon settle and feel secure 

[monkeybusiness]

Yeah, I’d get the dog onto the top of your shelf into the top half of the canopy if entry/exit is feasible. Much better for ventilation etc and they can see out if the canopy has any windows.

[forestboy1978]

Haven't got high hard top. It's standard. 

 

I do have front sliding window though and I am going to leave an avenue for air travel from that to his compartment. 

 

Perhaps the answer is to make his side with a higher shelf but I'm not sure. 

 

I've seen these dogs in quite tight cages and I always thought it was cruel but from a safety aspect it makes a lot of sense that there is minimal room to rattle about in the case of an accident. He'll never be in there for more than 30 mins at a time unless travelling through europe perhaps where I'd limit it to an hour. 

 

 

[forestboy1978]

Just now, monkeybusiness said:

Yeah, I’d get the dog onto the top of your shelf into the top half of the canopy if entry/exit is feasible. Much better for ventilation etc and they can see out if the canopy has any windows.

Yes. That's why I came here. Make a sub comparment for shit and dog above it so glass can remain unobstructed and he can see into the cab. Great idea. 

[Conor Wright]

You and dog in the front, missus and baby in the back, dog guard between front and back seats. Sorted.

[Khriss]

1 hour ago, forestboy1978 said:

Hello all, 

 

Getting a hard top fitted to my ranger next Tuesday cos got a baby on the way. Not myself personally but the mrs is banging one out fairly shortly.

 

Anyhow, the main reason is cos the dog needs to go in the back for obvious reasons. 

 

He's a big chap. 45kg shepherd. 

 

I want to put a shelving system on the right hand side for various items and 2/3rd remaining floor space on the left for the dog. But I want to shelf off across the top below the glass above the bulkhead and cover the glass so I can store stuff above the dog. 

 

My concern is that he wont feel comfortable. He'll be able to lay down with his head raised up but not stand up and possibly not turn around. 

 

This is kinda good cos obv if there is an accident he'll be more enclosed and wont be bouncing around etc but I'm thinking of ventilation and all the other issues. 

 

If anyone has any advice or experience with doing something like this would be well appreciated. 

 

Ta

Ratchet strap old sofa in there . Water bowl - Done . K

 

( My old Alsation just rammed her head out of the window choking me on my seatbelt  ! K

[forestboy1978]

On 30/07/2020 at 20:24, Khriss said:

Ratchet strap old sofa in there . Water bowl - Done . K

 

( My old Alsation just rammed her head out of the window choking me on my seatbelt  ! K

Can't tell if you're being serious or not...

[forestboy1978]

I like the idea of dog on the raised floor so he can see through the glass and has more head room. 

 

What I don't like is having a collision and him going though the window. Could harness him perhaps with the right length tether that can get up and move about a bit but not tie himself up. 

 

Other issue is getting to stuff way in deep under the deck. Solution is to have the deck in releasable segments perhaps so that when no dog in there I can remove bits and climb in and lift out. Bit awkward though with memory foam topper etc. 

 

Really wanna smash this out in one day next week cos don't have time to mess about with it for a while. Kinda wishing I'd put my foot down and got a terrier. Mrs idea to get the shepherd. Though I do love him to bits, he's a ****************ing pain.

[Khriss]

22 minutes ago, forestboy1978 said:

Can't tell if you're being serious or not...

Oh, Sheba loved the old bedford van, she could climb in the back as her hips were buggered. Then as i drove off she would force her head out the windon n leave a metre long trail of slaver down side of van as we drove. Hilareous. Think if yr aftr realistic crash protection. Its gonna need thought. 50 kilo dog in 40mph crash weighs same as baby elephant.   K