Custom Dog Storage System

[CSL]

Still have some finishing touchs...I never "finish" much...always tinkering


I didn't like how the bars came down to the floor and took up floor space in the back. Also my poor dog was getting beat up by my gear, cooler, etc. This was a $20 Craigslist Special
Before:

The grate separated in the middle, I turned each half 90 degrees and cut down the grates to fit. Took some work getting it right. Secured an aluminum angle to the ceiling and pressed the grate between the angle and another peice of aluminum with toggle bolts for easy removal when needed.

This is the side for storage of my non-permanent gear (based on what the trip is about)

This is the dog shelf side. Under the shelf is my "permanent" gear.

And here it is in the hills. Dog in place, cooler safely on the other side, with some blankets and jackets that for once will NOT be covered in dog hair and mud when I get home.

The flat spot at the back of the center divider will have a fire extinguisher and other stuff mounted to it, for easy access. It's kind of cheapy-done, but it works great. I hope it gives someone some ideas for their own mod! :bigok:

 

[SportRunner]

That looks awesome.....I wouldn't say its "cheapy-done" at all....suites your needs perfectly....nice job....

 

[Rover+Runner]

I have that cargo partition as well- did you know that it came with 2 adjustable wire mesh side pieces in addition to the main gate? I rarely use mine though because it presses into the headliner too hard and I'm concerned it will cause damage over time.

Good job with your customization - your design is much more functional and most likely safer for your dog.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have that cargo partition as well- did you know that it came with 2 adjustable wire mesh side pieces in addition to the main gate? I rarely use mine though because it presses into the headliner too hard and I'm concerned it will cause damage over time.

Good job with your customization - your design is much more functional and most likely safer for your dog.

:iagree: I think you've inspired me... Good job.
:cheers:

 

[HNTMUP]

That's a great set-up. I like the way you made a platform so you could store stuff under your dog.

Looks like you have a 3rd Gen. Would you please share your measurements for the platform and also what material did you use? I have been thinking that would be an ideal solution for me (I take my bird dogs up north a lot in the fall) and that would actually give me more space in terms of width for my dog crates.

Again, great job.

 

[CSL]

Would you please share your measurements for the platform and also what material did you use?

Oh, sure...I have to spend an hour measuring, laying out, testing fit, cussing, re-laying out, testing fit, cussing and calming down with a cold beer, trimming more, refitting, cussing for over trimming it, and finally being happy with how close I got it to all the curves and shapes inside the cargo area.

And now you want me to just GIVE IT OVER TO YOU!!!???





Yeah, man...no problem. Ha!

That's why I posted it up. I get so many ideas from this site and others, that I felt is was time to pay up a little and share my work. I am more than happy to get you a layout.

It may take me a couple days, but I will post up a diagram on this thread as soon as I can. I will even fix the slight mistakes in the diagram, so yours should come out even tighter and cleaner than mine!

Thanks for the compliments from everyone! :bigok:

 

[G.I.G.]

Very cool....and you're dog looks stoked! My little girl has been pushed around by shifting coolers, camping gear, etc. I need to find a more efficient way to transport stuff when I have my dog with me. She's a good dog though and she doesn't try to get up front, so I've never needed a dog gate.

 

[sn0wrunner]

very nice glenn!

 

[CSL]

She's a good dog though and she doesn't try to get up front, so I've never needed a dog gate.

Actually, I bought the gate last year for the purpose of keeping the camping gear in the rear from flying forward on my kids. With 5 of us, we started out bring a TON of conviences. My dog actually had to fit at the feet of my kids in the middle row.

Since then, the little ones have become hardcore campers and we don't need to bring much at all (never forget marshmellows), so I thought I could make a spot for him in the back. Now that he sits higher, the grate will keep him from being thrown forward while offroading, and I can stack camping gear to the roof on the other side.

I think my dog knows that this is his special spot...probably makes him feel like part of the family...and of course, he is.

 

[G.I.G.]

Now that he sits higher, the grate will keep him from being thrown forward while offroading, and I can stack camping gear to the roof on the other side.

I've thought of bringing my dog 4-wheeling with me but I'm worried she wouldn't like getting tossed around back there for hours on end. I might have to buy her one of these so she can start wheel'n with her ol' man.

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachments/dogs/7458d1207346799-why-dont-you-put-seat-belt-your-dog-sbeltlg.jpg

 

[CSL]

I've thought of bringing my dog 4-wheeling with me but I'm worried she wouldn't like getting tossed around back there for hours on end. I might have to buy her one of these so she can start wheel'n with her ol' man.

You should definetly bring her! As soon as I start loading the T4R, my dog jumps in the back and waits. With my crew, sometimes that's for 30 min. or more getting everyones stuff together and loaded. He just sits and waits... He seems to do okay wheeling, as he has come with us basically everytime. He learned quickly to lay down and stay close to the floor. Just make sure when you make stops to let her out to run around and explore!

 

[Colemanfu]

I showed your set up to my beast and told if she was bad I would send her to the back.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I showed your set up to my beast and told if she was bad I would send her to the back.

:lmao::lmao: I have one like that too... Mine thinks he's a prince, the cargo area is a great place for extra people (in his mind).

 

[Ron Helmuth]

that is the KennelAire

My dog gets all the back end and the middle is for the cooler and the recovery gear. I usually just have the one teen up front with me.

I like what you have done but yes if you had the side wings all along you likely would have gotten even more creative.

That is the KennelAire doggie divider-it is from PetCo or PetSmart I forget which one.

I want to see this in action one of these days.

You are so creative-thanks for sharing. I never come up with original ideas like this.

 

[CSL]

Re: that is the KennelAire

You are so creative-thanks for sharing. I never come up with original ideas like this.

Thanks.

Trust me...my pooch thinks he is a GOD now that he has his very own special spot. Last year's camping season he had to sit at the floor below the kids feet.

squished, kicked, stepped on and all, he loved to come with us. I will miss him laying his head on the center console for some scratches though...

 

[purrfactor]

that looks really good

i have to confess, I bought the 4runner for the dogs!

I have an Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky. I wanted something that fit them both with room to move and so they could both have their own windows, the back one rolling down totally sold me, not to mention the awesome ride, and all the great things about the runner... but yep, I ended up a runner gal cause of my dogs.....

 

[CSL]

A little more progress

I got the fire extinguisher, maglight and 7 gallon water tank with spigot installed. I also modified my cargo mat to fit the dog area. I can remove it and wash it easily, and it folds up the sides, so when the dog jumped out of the lake last weekend, he can get right in and drip where he wants.

I haven't forgotten about the request to post the geometry of the divider peices. I am having a hard time getting a file that will be visible on this site. Every time I try to scan the drawing then post it, it is so tiny you can't see anything.

 

[CSL]

Still tinkering with the cargo mod...

Okay, here is a new addition to my dog storage mod. It is really become a cargo area mod.

My RV is becoming more so... after putting the built in water tank and spigot (replaced the cheap plastic one with a nice brass one) I realized that it would be nice to have a table to set the pots and glasses on while filling. So I made a fold up kitchen prep table for camping. It will go well with my new cargo door light overhead. Here are some pics.

All folded up for travel:

After loosening the wing nut that holds it in the folded up position, it slides out on one drawer slide that I got from home depot for $13:

Then it folds down (had some hinges in my junk drawer:

It rests on this little metal angle I also found in my garage junk drawer. Look right by the red first aid kit:

And here is a pot ready to make mac-n-cheese:

I whipped this out this morning just before our trip. In the future I will probably put a formica top on it and maybe make a fold-down leg that rests on the bumper (further out from the little metal angle), since I am sure its only a matter of time before one of the kids trys to sit on the table.

Like I said in the first post of this thread...I never finish anything...I am always tinkering.

I hate having been reduced to part-time at work and broke as $#it (damn recession), but it has giving me time to do some cheap-ass mods.

 

[BlairB]

Very cool!