Car Restraints

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

This was on our local news this morning and passing along as FYI.  Although I know that I should not have been, I was surprised at some (not all) of the results.   A good reminder and I will be going shopping later today.http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/2-investigates-do-dog-seat-bel...

[Sally S Miles]

I am sticking to my guns on crate for travel.

[Deborah Brown]

We've been using a crash tested restraint for awhile now but I feel it gives the dog a bit too much movement.  This week we finally broke down and bought a "dog car" - a big SUV.  We are getting the variocage which seems to be the only crash tested crate available in the US.  It's expensive but not as much as that new car!  ;)  

You can see the variocage at http://4x4northamerica.com/

I want to be protected from flying projectile dogs but also want the dogs to be protected.

[Sally S Miles]

Now I feel better - I'm shopping for a larger vehicle to accomodate the dogs also.

I think those crates are just awesome and as soon as I get my next 'canine carrier' I'll be up for them. 

We are still chewing on the idea of a mini-van (so I have issues with the whole concept as well as the handling of said box, none handle worth a darn) or a larger SUV (other issues such as gas and parking, access and egress) and since nobody makes the perfect vehicle, it takes time.   Deborah, what did you get?  I'm up for ideas and why's -  I'm serious - I do get tired of looking at cars.

Between airbags, loose stuff in vehicle, and all the possibilities for injury or worse - for all involved - the price of the variocage is really not so bad.  "Mythbusters" did an episode some time ago about the damage that can be done when a tissue box gets tossed around in a vehicle - it was quite interesting, scary as well.

[Deborah Brown]

We went to the Chicago Auto Show with the variocage in mind and a tape measure in hand.  Since we have 3 doodles, we were trying to fit the largest size variocage.  To be honest, the minivans have the best fit. The floor is lower to the ground so a tall crate fits better and the driver can still see out the rear view mirror.  Plus it is easier for dogs to get in. The Honda Odyssey looked great but I just did not want to drive a minivan again.

We focused on the SUVs.  Having third row seating is important if you want to put dogs in the cargo area with the third row folded down.  SUVs designed for third row seating have more protection in the back because they are expecting people back there, not just cargo.  Also, we needed a somewhat boxy shape to hold a crate. The contenders were Ford Flex, Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Mazda 5, Lexus GX460, Mercedes Benz ML350,GMC Acadia (which is the same thing as the Chevy Traverse and the Buick Enclave), Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60.

Some which seemed huge, such as the Ford Flex, were eliminated because the wheel wells encroached on the cargo floor space making it impossible to fit the crate.  Some were just ridiculously expensive and I didn't like the ones that were more of a truck, ie 4Runner.

The best space was in the Acadia, 4Runner and Pilot.  We ended up picking the Highlander which was a tad smaller. Not everything was about the dogs and we liked the drive and features of the Highlander best.

Sally, there is so much that can happen in a crash.  The dogs become 500 pound missiles and can injure the passengers.  Also, if the dogs are loose and scared, they can escape the car, bite emergency responders, run into traffic.

So... now we are ready for a road trip with the doodles!

[Pam Thomas]

Well, I will be getting a crate, and tethering it to the car.