well, training really

[Bill Murphy]

Rick, tell us about your dog truck. My shooting buddy had one of his salesman bring one like yours to the front of the lot for the gun box "fitting". The boxes never came out. Linda just closed the tailgate and walked inside to the check writing desk.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Rick, tell us about your dog truck. My shooting buddy had one of his salesman bring one like yours to the front of the lot for the gun box "fitting". The boxes never came out. Linda just closed the tailgate and walked inside to the check writing desk.

the truck is a 2011 toyota 4Runner - chosen for its dimensions for outfitting for the dogs. the new model is bigger than the previous version.

I built a high grade hardwood plywood platform/box to fit inside the back with two drawers in it (I see they are out in that picture) and covered it in matching auto carpet. There is a beefed up center support between the drawers to keep it from sagging and pinching the drawers. And then I topped that platform with a pair of large ruff-tough kennels with the coupling kit.

http://rufftoughkennels.com/Double-D...Available.html

they have doors at each end - so I can see the dogs and they can be reached from the front, but they can still load from the back.

the drawers for the box were fit for take down cases, plus dog gear and shells, ect. The truck's back seat will still go up with the unit in place if we have extra passengers.

I have one "round tuit" thing to do for the box yet. The box drawer area is raised a couple inches from the very bottom of the platform so that I can fit a retractable ramp in there, you can see an opening in the lower middle under the center divider. The older dog can have an issue jumping that high after a run in the heat, I have not built and installed that ramp yet, but its a must before the fall season. The canvas will come out once the ramp is in, it keeps the claws from banging up the bumper.

I'll get some better pictures of the set up in the next couple days if any one cares about them.

[Harold Pickens]

Looks like a great set-up on the 4-Runner. I hunted out of a 4-runner for years but now prefer a 4 door truck and a mid height cap, about 6" higher than the truck cab. I put 2x4s across the bed in the slots and then use a particle board/plywood across the 2x4s for the floor. I can put 2 X-large dog crates up there and have about 12" of space for storage under the floor and still have room in back of the dog boxes , plus I have the whole back seat.
This solves the odor problems with wet, muddy dogs, dog farts, etc. So, if you see a silver LIncolon truck with a cap and some tired English setters back some old logging road in the UP this October,stop and visit.