So I've mentioned in a few threads that I've customized the cargo area in my VX to allow me to carry my dog, and a few members have PM'd me asking for pictures / how-to's. Now I'm pretty mechanically challenged, so I wouldn't think of posting this in that section of the site, but I have learned a few lessons as I've tinkered over the last few months that I thought some might find useful.
Background and caveats: I have a 45 lbs. German shepherd - Husky mix, which makes for an incredibly smart and equally stubborn dog that is nothing short of a Houdini when it comes to escaping from almost any barrier you put in front of her. She's very athletic (she actually jumped a six-foot privacy fence at my old house) so anything I put in the back must be fully enclosed and strong enough to handle her pushing on it. Tight space is not too big an issue for her; I used to have an old minivan that I used as a party bus for tailgating weekends and she actually preferred to cram herself between the seats and door. So depending upon your situation, whether you have a bigger dog, multiple dogs, or dogs that prefer more space, this may not work out for you. But maybe so...
So given that background, my requirement is for a completely enclosed space, floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall, with a soft area for her to lay on and some sort of method for keeping her cool during the summer. Based on that list, this is what I've come up with:
Reply With Quote