Expy's and dogs

[StealthyBulldog]

Hi everyone, so finally got our 2019 Expedition Limited with Stealth pkg and trying to figure out the dog setup. We had a great setup in our Escalade that basically added a platform that our dog ramp would store under and the dogs blankets and padding were on top of it.

The Expy has the problem of 1- needing to access the jack area so can't build over top as easy, 2-the floor is slanted. I guess the big thing is in the Cadillac they were removable 3rd row seats, vs fold "flat" seats. Thus if I tried to build a raised floor it would substantially reduce the headroom my dogs have, and they're big dogs so not an option. Another interesting note, the Expy rear bumper is 2" taller than the Escalades, which surprisingly makes a large difference in the angle of the ramp. Here's a couple pics of my current setup until I can figure out a better solution




The ramp isn't as steep right now since I actually can rest it on my hitch step.

I'm trying to figure out if completely removing the 3rd row seats will allow me to build something that will work.
Any thoughts welcome!
Derrick

 

[edizzle]

i just tell my standard poodles to get in the truck and they jump up in the back!! now the ****** dog has to jump to the motorized running boards then in one of the side doors but, hes a ******!!! LOL

 

[StealthyBulldog]

i just tell my standard poodles to get in the truck and they jump up in the back!! now the ****** dog has to jump to the motorized running boards then in one of the side doors but, hes a ******!!! LOL

Haha, yes, we have our two older girls in the back behind the barrier, our 5 month old "pup" currently rides in between the buckets of the second row, but he's already 43lbs, so that isn't going to last long! Our one female is on her second bout with cancer, the first time we were able to do Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, but this time it's all in her stomach so we fear her time with us will be short. She has lost a lot of muscle mass and is unable to jump. We do agility with our dogs and know that the jumping out of the vehicle is the part that is hardest on them.

Oh, found a shot of our old setup


Here's the whole family,


Thought about something like this, but then you still have to store the steps inside the vehicle as they come off quite easily, plus it sticks out the vehicle just that much further.



Once again, any thoughts welcome!
Derrick

 

[Traditional]

I run Springer Spaniels in field trials and constantly have three dog kennels in my Max. Look at https://www.canvasback.com for the Cargo area. I have Weather tech on the floor. FYI

 

[Wayne Decker]

This is why I have herding dogs, no ramps required. Ha!

 

[cmiles97]

Great looking rhodesian ridgebacks. My neighbor has a 1 year old male. It was amusing seeing him grow. He is now larger than my 2 greyhounds. He is just past that awkward uncoordinated stage.

I'm going to have to consider a step up later with mine. The male is approaching 8 the female is 7. Both hop in through a rear passenger door with the middle row seat folded forward.

I get the idea of fold flat seats as being easier but preferred my 07 Sequoia removable rear seats and fold up middle row seats which gives you another foot of space (at least) and no openings for the dogs to catch a paw in. I put down a weather tech flooring and canvas dog cover over that to eliminate the gaps buy you still have the space between the back of the front seat and folded rear middle seat. So much wasted space. Luckily the extended length makes up for it.

If I could pull out and later reinstall all the seats easily I would. The sequoia spoiled me for all the space and roll down rear hatch window. I'm not sure if the newer Sequoia models also fold the seats rather than remove them. Great for people but not for dog hauling.

 

[StealthyBulldog]

This is why I have herding dogs, no ramps required. Ha!

Yup, in their younger years it was no big deal, but now that they are almost 12, different story! Plus as I said my one with cancer, she needs help up on the bed if she even tries

 

[StealthyBulldog]

I run Springer Spaniels in field trials and constantly have three dog kennels in my Max. Look at https://www.canvasback.com for the Cargo area. I have Weather tech on the floor. FYI

Yes, been on canvasback, great place, we have a Wheathertech on the bottom (under the wood and padding) then our old Husky Liner from the Cadillac that we cut around the ramp storage box, didn't want to cut my brand new WT one!

 

[Wayne Decker]

Yup, in their younger years it was no big deal, but now that they are almost 12, different story! Plus as I said my one with cancer, she needs help up on the bed if she even tries

Yup, we've been there. We're starting anew with two young ones.

 

[StealthyBulldog]

Well, thought I'd try taking out the cargo holder and see how that works, it doesn't really. Well at least not easily.



There is some sensor in the back, underneath the cargo tray, you can see the connector by the latch point. Not sure if it is a keyfob sensor or what.

Anyway, back to the think tank

 

[GeezingInVA]

This is what we've used for our 9-years-old 95 lbs Golden Retriever since he was a pup. It's called an Otto Step. Available on amazon and directly from the mfg. You still have to store it somewhere, but it's lighter and smaller than a folding ramp. Cheers!

 

[StealthyBulldog]

Forgot about this thread, here's what we ended up doing instead of the ramp, it's accordian style steps that actually work surprisingly well. The steps themselves could use a little tweaking, but some glue on the plastic tube ends and some locktite on the bolts and all has been working well. They fold down quite compact and actually fit on the floor behind the drivers seat laying down, so not flopping back and forth in stop and go.




Excuse the dirty vehicle, this winter has been crazy, got up to -2C today, supposed to be -37C overnight with the wind chill!

 

[StealthyBulldog]

Well, upgraded the dog barrier in the vehicle last night! Been looking at these, but held off because they are far from cheap! After some more research and some great help from Norm at Bravepoint Kennels (Canadian distributor) we ordered it.
https://www.bravepoint.ca/

Came in yesterday and it seems great so far! EXTREMELY well made, even as far as having little rubber pads on anything that is metal on metal ,so hopefully no rattling, which I will update you on after some usage. This barrier is actually crash tested!

Here are some pics of it installed in the Expy, I went with the Medium size, (only comes S and M)

 

[Rancidlunchmeat]

Jesus. Is that for your dog, or your mother in law?

 

[StealthyBulldog]

I keep her in a tow behind! Haha, this company actually makes a lot of crash safe pet barriers / kennels. They have a cage that is specifically made if it will be positioned directly behind / against the row of seats that actually has a built in crumple zone so it doesn't act as a battering ram in a rear end collision.

https://www.mimsafe.com/en/

 

[John I]

Well, upgraded the dog barrier in the vehicle last night! Been looking at these, but held off because they are far from cheap! After some more research and some great help from Norm at Bravepoint Kennels (Canadian distributor) we ordered it.
https://www.bravepoint.ca/

Came in yesterday and it seems great so far! EXTREMELY well made, even as far as having little rubber pads on anything that is metal on metal ,so hopefully no rattling, which I will update you on after some usage. This barrier is actually crash tested!


That looks very sturdy! Is that mesh barrier between the rear seats strong enough to contain the dog(s) in the event of an emergency stop?

 

[StealthyBulldog]

Not sure, that is a different product that isn't tested, just works for day to day. There are a couple of reinforcement bars you can see, but doubt they would do much in a serious collision. Hopefully we never have to find out!