If this topic has been covered, I am sorry. I searched key words and found nothing.

Here is my dilemma. I have just found out that my family is going to grow by two humans. Last November we added a canine. This means that my normal extended cab pick up truck will no longer hold all the humans and the canines in the cab. Previously I only need room for two big humans, one small human, and one medium canine. Now I will need room for two big humans, three little humans, and two medium dogs. Good news: I get to buy a new vehicle. Bad news: I still need a pick up. So, an SUV is out of the question.

Here is my real question: What should I use to transport my to dogs (GSD/Lab and GSD) in the open bed of my pick up? I will say off the bat that I am not thrilled about the whole thing. I don’t want them sucking diesel exhaust or standing in a 75mph wind. Pretty much I don’t want them to be hurt or uncomfortable when we travel as a family (pack). Should I use their travel kennels tied down in the back? Should I face them in a particular direction? Should I buy a cap for the pick up bed?

Oh, by the way, putting the dogs up front and other humans in the back will not fly. I already thought of that one. The boss used some word that started with a “D” when I suggested it.

i have a pick-up and when i transport my dogs i use a kennel. i got it from petsmart. i have it secured to the side hooks so it does not slide around the bed. this is what works for me.

Why not buy a cap for the bed? Some even allow for the cap to have an open connection to the cab by way of the rear (sliding) window.

Kathy,
I am leaning towards the cap. Obvously, there is the cost od the cap, and I would loose some of the advantages to the pick up bed. I guess I am wondering what others do. Has anyone had dogs that had ill effects from riding in the open bed?

I have seen dog boxes that are designed to fit in the bed of a pickup. They are heavy duty something along the lines of this, http://www.camdenrvservice.com/indexdogboxes.htm
If the dog is in here it would probably not be affected by the wind. I don't think you need to worry so much about fumes unless you are sitting in traffic. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Don't let him ride loose though. I saw a dog standing on top of a tool box in the bed of a truck and the driver was doing 55 down the highway. If that dog had fallen he would have been a goner.

I have always had a pick up. My dogs NEVER travel 'loose' in the bed. First it is illegal here. Second it is not safe. They are always in a crate/kennel. Usually I also have a canopy on it as this is the safest, keeps them out of the weather. I haven't worried too much about exhaust in an open bed with crates.

Thanks, Leah. Those are what I need. Heck, they even look cool. The price is the same as the cap. Boy, this whole thing is going to be a real decision.

I used to have an open bed pickup and transported my dogs in kennels secured just behind the truck cab .

I now have a pickup with a topper and I still put my dog in a kennel . I've heard about some hunting dogs dieing from the exhaust coming in the topper while going on a long trip so I leave the topper windows open on both sides and check on my dog regularly if he's in there .

If you're going to leave your dogs to roam free in the topper make sure the windows on the topper are strong enough to contain your dogs . I had a friend severely bitten in the face while walking passed a truck with topper . The dog burst through the screen window of the topper and bit him before he knew it .

I guess my big thing about transporting the two dogs in their plastic crates in an open pick bed is the whole wind and maybe the exhaust thing. I know they are dogs and they are tough, etc. But, I don't want them to dislike traveling. I would guess that they may need to be back there for three or four hours at 75mph. And, I think about the times I have ridden in the back of a pick up.

Everyone's thoughts are welcome.

I took my dogs on long hunting trips that way (open bed in kennel) and it never had a negative effect on them . The weather wasn't always the best either . We had a cover for the kennel in cold weather and in hot the airflow kept them cool enough plus we just took a few more breaks to let them out .