Dog Crate dimensions - Will someone measure for me?

[blackbrit]

Hi all you helpful folks,

I'm going to be buying a used 4Runner, probably a 2004-2007 depending on what I can find. One of the things that I'd like to settle is whether the dog crate I use in my truck (Tacoma) is going to fit in the 4Runner where I'd like it to.

The dimensions of the crate (a heavy wire Kennel-Aire) are 20.25 inches wide, 26 inches tall, and 36 inches long. I'd like to be able to fold down the small part of the back seat and have the crate's long side parallel to the long side of the bed of 4Runner.

I've tried this in a friends '98, and the crate just barely does not fit, not on either side with one-half of the back seat folded down. Of course, it fits fine in the cargo part of the back with both seats up, but then the only thing that fits in there is the dog, with no room for anything else.

If someone has a few minutes this weekend, and a good tape measure, would you measure the area that you get when you fold one of the seats down, and see if you think I will be able to use the crate?

 

[chaz]

ive got an 06. let me see if i have it correct, u want to fold down the smaller back section of seat to slide in the cage & leave the larger part up? 20.5 wont fit on the small side but will with the larger side down . (u can slide a 25 in wide cage in that side & leave the smaller section up). i have to use both sides down to fit either of my cages in,( they are big, for my 115 lb. shep.) so no one can use a rear seat. my larger cage is 32H x 46L X 32W. hope this helps.

 

[blackbrit]

ive got an 06. let me see if i have it correct, u want to fold down the smaller back section of seat to slide in the cage & leave the larger part up? 20.5 wont fit on the small side but will with the larger side down . (u can slide a 25 in wide cage in that side & leave the smaller section up). i have to use both sides down to fit either of my cages in,( they are big, for my 115 lb. shep.) so no one can use a rear seat. my larger cage is 32H x 46L X 32W. hope this helps.

Thanks, chaz, not quite what I wanted to hear (crate on the small side of the backseat would be my preference) but better than I feared from the experiment putting it in the '98. That had me thinking I was going to have to stick with a newer Taco or ditch the crate, which is a dog safety issue I'd rather avoid. Plus, we often need the crate where we are going.

I'm actually surprised that your crate fits at all! That's one big dog, and one big crate. Great info for me.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

What about a fairly beefy pet barrier and no crate? If you're super worried about crashing and Rover getting hurt put film tint on the inside of the windows with this: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTt4XTE58TXEVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--

I can't imagine the crate being much safer unless it was too heavy lift and strapped down.
:cheers:


PS-I don't do it like I should but you're wise to be concerned about Rover's safety.

 

[blackbrit]

Yeah, I actually strap it down pretty securely when he is riding in it - or when it's in the truck, period. The Kennel Aire is a very rugged wire crate. That's not to say he doesn't just ride in the back seat. He does, and I think everybody prefers it that way. But there's no doubt he's safer in the crate, and most of the time I have to transport the crate, too, so dog-in-crate makes most sense.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

...most of the time I have to transport the crate, too...

I got it now...

 

[Ruffian]

Hello,
We have German Shepherds, so of course, have the largest sized crates. We don't have the metal bars ones like you referenced. However....I'm willing to go toss the large shipping crate in the back of my t4r, snap a pic and share.
This is the style crate I'm referencing. The large 36" one.

PETMATE ULTRA VARI KENNEL 400 36X24X27 LARGE [DO21533] - Discount Pet Supply,Electronic Dog Training Supply,Cat Supply

I'm willing to do this as I ALMOST have my mom talked into buying a 4Runner, but she's leaning towards a Highlander. Her only requirement is that a large crate will fit in the back. I told her I think I can get two crates in the 4Runner. We haul our dogs so the crates are sitting sideways in the back. It's easy to get the k9 into the crate and then spin the crate so the k9 is facing out the side windows of the SUV. In my old 1997 4Runner, I had to do a panic stop that threw a very large male GSD into the crate door and his impact bent the door hinges. If he'd been loose, either he or I would of been injured.