Dog Crate Kennel with Drawers

[DownTheRoad]

Looking for examples of side by side kennels on top of drawer or platform system for LXs with the third seat removed. I have two dogs 22" at withers. Sizing is in between the typical medium and large size kennels. Please share your actual experience with me.

 

[DasKeyserSoze]

I encourage you to reach out to Mark Natinsky at Kustom Krates

 

[DownTheRoad]

Nice kennels for sure, just not suitable for my needs. Looking for a modular setup where I can remove the kennels with drawers in place.

If I was to go the Kustom Karate route, then I would be sending a Sprinter for custom work to integrate kennels.

 

[customcruiser]

Ruff Land Kennels – Performance Kennels

Performance Kennels

rufflandkennels.com

 

[eatSleepWoof]

There's not a ton of room on top of any drawer system. If you want to have dogs on top of drawers, I'd opt for a divider instead - it'll allow the dogs much needed headroom in the curving area of the roof, vs. a much lower, flat roof of a crate.

I tried the dog on top of drawers approach before (numerous times, actually) and it was simply too tight for my GSD. Granted, my dog is larger than yours.

I'm currently using a crate on the floor, with a single, custom drawer on the side. Details are here: Builds - eatSleepWoof's '14 LX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/eatsleepwoofs-14-lx.1112565/page-15#post-13373850

 

[OregonLC]

I've done this in a number of trucks now. Simply fab up a two-sided divider on top of whatever drawer system. This gives the animal an unobstructed two-sided view (back and side) as well as direct access to the rear a/c vent for cooling. In the 100 it also gives direct access to the wing window opening. Though I will warn that you run the risk of getting dog hair (and scent and dirt and...) embedded in your headliner.

This particular picture was from my 2000 100 series. Somewhere I have pictures of the 200 with the same. While I still have the 200, we don't currently have the dog-mode installed as we've been without a dog since 2020. Though we just added a fur-kid yesterday, which has actually started a much bigger discussion of how to overland with three kids and a full-size dog. Space gets tight quick. And the cost of a dog is never just the cost of a dog. Anyone have an Pat X3 they'd like to part with?

 

[KenB]

My setters are 40#. They are in Ruffland intermediate sized kennels. The drawers are Dobinsons. The kennel hold downs align nearly perfectly with the D-rings on the top of the drawers. I can just see over the top of the kennels when using the rear view mirror. I’ve been using it daily for several years and am happy with the set up. HTH, Ken

 

[Tex68w]

This is the solution you seek. The have their own space, heated, cooled, lighted and free of dog accidents and odors in your vehicle. The upside is you have a lot more room to add more dogs lol.

 

[DownTheRoad]

My setters are 40#. They are in Ruffland intermediate sized kennels. The drawers are Dobinsons. The kennel hold downs align nearly perfectly with the D-rings on the top of the drawers. I can just see over the top of the kennels when using the rear view mirror. I’ve been using it daily for several years and am happy with the set up. HTH, Ken

View attachment 3053158

This is the setup I was hoping to see in use. Thanks for sharing and confirming the size and fit. Have you tried two large Rufflands side-by-side?

 

[DownTheRoad]

This is the solution you seek. The have their own space, heated, cooled, lighted and free of dog accidents and odors in your vehicle. The upside is you have a lot more room to add more dogs lol.

This is next level and I'll never get that serious, because I have Airedale Terriers that are sometimes good at work and most other times are goofballs - but I get a kick out of being the only handler/owner with working Airedales at these dog sports.

 

[danny noonan]

I asked Trekboxx to add a center divider to the Bravo system. Divider is offset to work with half the seat folded down. Four bolts to remove the center divider when not needed. Worked great for my Golden. He preferred the smaller side. currently sitting in my shop because my girls have too many friends. Loved it when I had it.

 

[KenB]

Have you tried two large Rufflands side-by-side?

I have not. I don’t think they’d fit length, width, or height.

Mock up a piece of cardboard and use the outside dimensions from their website starting with length and height. I don't think you’ll get the SUV door closed. The kennel will be tight against the glass and the 2nd row seat back. If that works, mock up height and 2X width in cardboard. I don’t think that’ll work either. You’ll hit the headliner or seatbelt brackets in the upper corners.

if it does fit, it’s going to very close. It’s going to depend a lot on the height of your drawers. The SUV option might buy you some length help, but it’ll still be close.

Local to me both Cabelas and Sportsman’s Guide has them in stock and on the shelf. Ruffland themselves show up with a booth at a dog/hunting annual event nearby called GameFair. If you’re set on Large you’re going to have to find one or two to try in person. Ask if they’d let you take one out in the parking lot.

I’ve since added the bolt-on D rings to my kennels and now the kennels are fastened to the drawers. I notice they‘re missing from the photo. It takes 5 minutes to disconnect everything, 10 minutes to reconnect.

HTH, Ken

 

[DownTheRoad]

I have not. I don’t think they’d fit length, width, or height.

Mock up a piece of cardboard and use the outside dimensions from their website starting with length and height. I don't think you’ll get the SUV door closed. The kennel will be tight against the glass and the 2nd row seat back. If that works, mock up height and 2X width in cardboard. I don’t think that’ll work either. You’ll hit the headliner or seatbelt brackets in the upper corners.

if it does fit, it’s going to very close. It’s going to depend a lot on the height of your drawers. The SUV option might buy you some length help, but it’ll still be close.

Local to me both Cabelas and Sportsman’s Guide has them in stock and on the shelf. Ruffland themselves show up with a booth at a dog/hunting annual event nearby called GameFair. If you’re set on Large you’re going to have to find one or two to try in person. Ask if they’d let you take one out in the parking lot.

I’ve since added the bolt-on D rings to my kennels and now the kennels are fastened to the drawers. I notice they‘re missing from the photo. It takes 5 minutes to disconnect everything, 10 minutes to reconnect.

HTH, Ken

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing with just rough tape measurements. This weekend will be mocking up with tape, cardboard and some 2×4s. If I have anything that looks reasonably helpful in my mockup, I'll post it back here for others that might have interest

 

[DownTheRoad]

I asked Trekboxx to add a center divider to the Bravo system. Divider is offset to work with half the seat folded down. Four bolts to remove the center divider when not needed. Worked great for my Golden. He preferred the smaller side. currently sitting in my shop because my girls have too many friends. Loved it when I had it. View attachment 3053245

This solution is growing on me and has me rethinking the drawer + kennel option. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TrekboxX]

Our pup loves his spot on top of the Alpha system. I think it's just a factor of being high enough to see out while laying down. In other cars he seems to get a bit car sick, but loves riding in the 200. Whatever you do, putting them on top of the system is a good idea. Also gives them more space side to side since you are above the wheel wells.

Crates don't fit well on top of the systems. If you get a system like the TB or the DIY above you don't really need a crate. I had a customer insist on a custom crate to fit his large pup on top of the system and it was ridiculously complex with all the angles. I'd say crate for small dogs is ok, for med or large dogs just get some type of divider system.

 

[DownTheRoad]

Our pup loves his spot on top of the Alpha system. I think it's just a factor of being high enough to see out while laying down. In other cars he seems to get a bit car sick, but loves riding in the 200. Whatever you do, putting them on top of the system is a good idea. Also gives them more space side to side since you are above the wheel wells.

Crates don't fit well on top of the systems. If you get a system like the TB or the DIY above you don't really need a crate. I had a customer insist on a custom crate to fit his large pup on top of the system and it was ridiculously complex with all the angles. I'd say crate for small dogs is ok, for med or large dogs just get some type of divider system.

View attachment 3056021

I like this a lot. I have 2 Airedales, 22" and 24" at withers, 52 & 65 lbs. So, I will need the bravo. I hope the Trekboxx move is completed soon.

 

[Air Down Gear Up]

We have had a handful of Air Down Gear Up customers running various kennels with a few of our configurations. First picture is obviously a customer that opted to not have the drawers themselves, but that can certainly be added to the system. Second picture shows another kennel on top of a set of drawers. 3rd Picture is a recent install we did with a very-low-profile platform to accommodate two large kennels. We could accommodate a low-profile drawer with that as well.

 

[TrekboxX]

I like this a lot. I have 2 Airedales, 22" and 24" at withers, 52 & 65 lbs. So, I will need the bravo. I hope the Trekboxx move is completed soon.

Me, too! I stopped taking orders a while ago - which isn't great for the cash flow!

 

[Tex68w]

We've used the Gunner kennels in the past, good stuff.

 

[WCDAVE]

This Trans K9 has worked well for me.

Leaves room for storage on the sides.