Reccomendations of Kennel for under Tonneau Cover?

[Cobber]

Hey guys-

Have always driven a truck with either an open back or a topper, just bought myself a Dodge 1500 with a Tonneau cover and trying to figure out how to make a kennel work in the back on the trips out west or when it's crummy weather.

Does anybody have any reccomendations on a kennel for under a tonneau cover- where I can find one and who makes the best one?

Thanks!

Cobber

[DaSwede]

I'm assuming it's a hard cover Tonneau cover and not one of the roll up type (that's what I have). If it were me, I'm not sure I would kennel a dog under a hard Tonneau Cover. I'm questioning how much clean airflow there would be for the dog under it, especially when it's hot. I could be way off on this, but I know even with my soft cover it has a warning about exhaust and people/pets being under it.

My buddy that had a hard cover always just put his plastic kennel back by the tailgate and left the Tonneau Cover up. He was only driving a couple miles out to a farm though.

Just my two cents...

[Cobber]

No, it's the soft top one, wouldn't dream of putting a dog back there under a hard top (or either, for that matter when it's warm).

I'm looking for on the cooler/rainy days this fall so I can keep my gear back there as well as the muddy dog in her kennel.

Thanks-

Cobber

[Capt'nMorgan]

Have a friend who built a wood box that fits under the roll up cover, he normally leave cover rolled up, in the case of inclimate weather or at night its nice to shut it if you want, hes got is mounted near the back of the truck so all you do is open tailgate and open doors of kennel. make sure to drill big enough vent holes in the kennel for circulation

[B-man715]

There are quite a few places that build custom boxes for what you are looking for. Google "dog boxes" and start making phone calls

Dog boxes are expensive, and custom ones are of course even more so.

I built this one myself to suit my needs. It sleeps 4 beagles comfortably, and will transport up to six. It fits under a tonneau cover (19 1/4" high). It also can be moved by one person. You can see in the pics that I also strap it onto the back of a wheeler to be really mobile. This lets me get off the main drag with ease.

The box is roughly 31"x34"x19", and I have a partition wall dividing the middle. It comes in handy when hauling an unfamiliar dog with my dogs. It has 12 holes for ventilation. They are rings that are used on a computer desk to drop the cords through. The box is wood framed and sheeted (screwed and glued). The metal sheets are galvanized air duct material. It's trimmed out with aluminium angle and stainless hinges. For traction, I cut apart a new bicycle tire (into strips) and screwed it to the bottom. It makes a huge difference! For bedding I like to use pine shavings. It makes even a wet dog smell good

I think I had around $200 into it?? The aluminum trim is the spendy part.

Use common sense for ventilation. If it is warm out, I don't roll out the cover. If it is warm and raining, I strap the box down and drive with the tail gate down and cover rolled out. When it is cold I have the gate up and tonneau rolled out, but leave the velcro loose on the sides for some ventilation.

Hope this gives you some ideas!!

[Cobber]

B-Man that's a great post- a lot of really good info!

Real nice to collect some of these ideas together, I think what I'm looking for is more in the way of a single-dog, lightweight 'pet porter' type of kennel

It's been an interesting search!

[B-man715]

B-Man that's a great post- a lot of really good info!

Real nice to collect some of these ideas together, I think what I'm looking for is more in the way of a single-dog, lightweight 'pet porter' type of kennel

It's been an interesting search!

Just trying to help

Not sure if there are any plastic types that would fit under a tonneau made for anything bigger than a shih-tzu???? Wish I could help ya more.

You think there would be a larger market for the hunting crowd??

If it came down to it you could always build something light out of corrugated plastic or similar?? It would be lightweight, weather-proof, and insulated.

Let us know what you end up with It will most certainly help out somebody in the future!