Dog has trouble jumping in due to plastic bumper

[SeattleBrian]

Just picked up my 2012 trail edition in the metallic grey. Loving in. The only issue I have at the moment is my dog has trouble jumping in the back. Not so much the height. The issue is the back bumper is plastic, so when she jumps on it she slides around. Does anyone know if they sell like a rubber liner I can place on top of it? I just need a strip of rubber over the plastic bumper so she can grip it when jumping in. Thanks

 

[Jaker]

Just picked up my 2012 trail edition in the metallic grey. Loving in. The only issue I have at the moment is my dog has trouble jumping in the back. Not so much the height. The issue is the back bumper is plastic, so when she jumps on it she slides around. Does anyone know if they sell like a rubber liner I can place on top of it? I just need a strip of rubber over the plastic bumper so she can grip it when jumping in. Thanks

I'm sure you can pick up something from Lowe's or Home Depot that'll fit the bill quite nicely.

Otherwise, one of these might be a good idea:

 

[SeattleBrian]

Is that a random picture you found or is that yours? I'd actually like that, as it appears to fold in half for easy storage. Most of these dog ramps are huge and take up a boat load of space. That, looks simple and easy. The dog is getting old and I'll probably need one in a year or so. Her back gives her issues sometimes.

 

[Intruder]

Here you go...

PetSTEP® Folding Pet Ramp for dogs, cats and pets | WeatherTech.com

 

[brockeverly]

You guys are nice! Turbo gets a swift kick in the ass from my boot. That generally gets him to hop his 110# ass up there! I have some scrapes on the plastic back there from times he has not quite made it, but meh, its a truck.

 

[Jaker]

Is that a random picture you found or is that yours? I'd actually like that, as it appears to fold in half for easy storage. Most of these dog ramps are huge and take up a boat load of space. That, looks simple and easy. The dog is getting old and I'll probably need one in a year or so. Her back gives her issues sometimes.

It's a picture I took from the Weather Tech website...but it looks like Intruder posted a link to the product.

You guys are nice! Turbo gets a swift kick in the ass from my boot. That generally gets him to hop his 110# ass up there! I have some scrapes on the plastic back there from times he has not quite made it, but meh, its a truck.

 

[GrantK]

If you just want to make the bumper non-slip there are a few options.
*) You could place non-slip tape on it. This is usually several inches wide and the surface is coated with grit to make it feel like sandpaper. It's available in assorted colors. It might be hard to get it to match the patterns in the bumper though.
*) You can get a spray can of DIY textured bed liner from your local auto parts store, mask off the bumper as needed and spray the bumper's top where puppy steps.

 

[Jtraskell]

Having had dogs and SUV's/Pickup's for years, I can attest the pet step is the best product for larger-older dogs. It is a quality product and yes, the one I have does fold in half. Since I always had two dogs at the same time, I would have to place the pet step in the back seat of a SUV when going somewhere so there was enough room for the dogs in the back, but that was the only "hassle" as it were.

The non-skid tape/texture suggestion also works, but it is kind of a pain when washing/drying your bumper as it tears apart your towel leaving bits of it stuck to the "sandpaper" part of the tape. And your skin if you are not careful. There may be those products that are not as aggressive as the one I had, might work better.....

A 3rd suggestion you can use prior to the animal getting too old to "hop" in, is get a canvas type of material. (Tough stuff that the dogs nails can grip in to) cut it wide enough so it reaches end to end the opening of the door, or at least too the cargo rings located on the floor near the rear door. Then make sure your material is just long enough to cover the top and a little over the back of the rear pumper. Attach a rope or whatever through the material and through the cargo rings. Roll up the material like a bed roll. Close the door. When needed, open the door, un-roll the material, send the dog up, roll it back up etc.

I used this when my labs were young to save the scuff/scratches on the rear bumper, worked well for years until they could not jump anymore.

Be safe.

 

[Stifler]

Otherwise, one of these might be a good idea:

exactly what I have for my American Bull! I bought the leg kit as well and use it for tailgating/camping

 

[TOPDECK]

My dog had the same issue, and scratched up my bumper from his claws sliding around when he would jump up there.

I just coated the top of mine with spray on bedliner from Duplicolor. It took about 30 minutes to tape everything off and spray the bedliner. It works great. As you can see, I didn't need to put down a heavy coat.

 

[SeattleBrian]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to go with the ramp. On a side note, i have decided to start a dog ramp biz. At 200 bucks a pop I can make a killing on these. Maybe for 350, you can personalize it with your dogs name, maybe your favorite football team or hey maybe even your car logo.

Really, 200 bucks for the ramp... My dog is getting old, so I'll fork over the $$$, but wow!

 

[Skeletor03]

I like this a lot because my pups have scratched it up a little. On my list for next mod.

 

[36bound]

If you cannot physically lift the dog into the truck, I second the suggestion about using a ramp. Over time, a dog ramp is much easier on the dog's joints and ligaments.

 

[Jaker]

If you cannot physically lift the dog into the truck, I second the suggestion about using a ramp. Over time, a dog ramp is much easier on the dog's joints and ligaments.

+1 :iagree:

 

[Jtraskell]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to go with the ramp. On a side note, i have decided to start a dog ramp biz. At 200 bucks a pop I can make a killing on these. Maybe for 350, you can personalize it with your dogs name, maybe your favorite football team or hey maybe even your car logo.

Really, 200 bucks for the ramp... My dog is getting old, so I'll fork over the $$$, but wow!

Check the shipping weight, these things are built solid! I just bought a fiberglass dock box, close to 800.00, for a damn box! Yea, these things get expensive but will last for a long, long time. Be safe.

 

[brockeverly]

:zoom: If my fat butt has to jump in there, then so does my dog! Of course, he is a beast. He runs with me while we do trail runs for miles, so he really does not care about the small jump into my truck. Only dog I have ever seen with an 8 pack :wow: