We currently have a 27 foot travel trailer, being towed nicely by our 2012 F-150 Ecoboost. The Supercrew cab provides ample space for our two rottweilers, because the floor is flat and the seats fold up.We want to upgrade to a fifth wheel, and understand that we need to probably jump to a full ton pickup to tow the floorplans that are catching our eye.Here's the problem. All the prospects we've looked at have storage configurations under the seats, making the floor unworkable for a couple big dogs.I'm calling on the collective wisdom and experience here, looking for ideas that don't degrade the value of an expensive pickup investment.Thank you for your time.

Easy to make a flat floor in any vehicle. A sheet of 1/2 inch ply wood and some marine carpet should do the trick cheaply.

On the Rams I think the higher trim levels have fold flat floors in the crew cab models, and I know the Megacab does. You can also use some indoor/outdoor carpet and a piece of plywood and make one for any truck - just use google image search for some ideas. The main drawback with that is it isn't an integrated solution, so you've got a piece of plywood to wrestle around with.The other option is a couple of good quality dog boxes tied down in the bed. Good kennel covers handle just about any weather. I know some people don't want their dogs in the bed, but I think they're safer in well secured dog boxes than they are loose in the cab.

I cut a piece if 3/4" plywood to fit the back seat. Two of them actually to make it easier to get in and out. One for the driver side and one for the passenger side. And then I got a roll of that blue foam pad:AmazonAnd covered the top, be sure to wrap it around the edges to protect the upholstery. I just stapled it on with a heavy stapler (not an office type):AmazonThat gives the dogs some traction and protects the seats. I had some 3/4 plywood but I'd guess that 5/8" or maybe even 1/2" would work.

Here's how we tackled it for our doggie:1. Install an inflatable seat extender between the seats. This makes a large platform for the dogs.Seat Extender2. Next install a pet hammock similar to this one:Pet HammockThis set up will allow both your pooches a comfortable place to travel, good visibility for them to look out the windows, and protection of your new investment.Jim

We use totes that are the size of the space between the back seat and the front one. Two deeper ones for the sides and a shallower one in the middle. One of the taller totes carries all of the dog things we need in the truck, one carries our survival kit and the shallow one carries some MRE's. I made a large pillow that covers the entire back area which fills in whatever gaps are left. Sometimes we just stash our beach towels under the pillow.This way we make good use of the space and also have everything we need if we are on the road away from the trailer.

Fifth Wheel tow vehicle with 2 rottweilers | Good Sam Community

colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2016
treeofliberty wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
Forgot to say the platform gave me a space 58"x 45".

That is a ton of space, and I'm glad to see someone was brave enough to take out the seat, because we've discussed that and I've been on the fence about taking that drastic of a step. It makes the most sense and if we want to transport other people, we'll take our car.
Mine is the base model Ford F-250. I can take the platform out and put the seat back in about 15 minutes. I use 1 2x4 for the back board 1 2x12 for front board 1 piece of plywood 58x45 inches and some cabinet attachment screws. This gives me a level platform with room to store things underneath. I renforced the plywood with 2x4's. This would hold 3 large Collies. The dog beds came from Wallyworld, measure to get correct size.

I do not know what is needed to do other makes of trucks.
treeofliberty
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
colliehauler wrote:
Forgot to say the platform gave me a space 58"x 45".

That is a ton of space, and I'm glad to see someone was brave enough to take out the seat, because we've discussed that and I've been on the fence about taking that drastic of a step. It makes the most sense and if we want to transport other people, we'll take our car.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 12, 2016
Forgot to say the platform gave me a space 58"x 45".
treeofliberty
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
I want to thank everyone for the ideas, and I have to admit that they all seem quite plausible. Building a leveling platform seems like the most attractive.

However, after visiting a Ford dealership, and learning about the 2017 Superduty, I'm seeing that Ford is about to solve this problem for me, if I can be patient. And the projected extra power, and all the cameras (including one that can mount on the back of the trailer) may be enough to make me wait.

If I don't wait, the platform is probably going to be the best option for the most space.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 12, 2016
donn0128 wrote:
Easy to make a flat floor in any vehicle. A sheet of 1/2 inch ply wood and some marine carpet should do the trick cheaply.
This is exactly what I did. I took out the back seat and put it in the garage in plastic. I built a wood platform but instead of using carpet I put in two dog beds. Works perfect for my two full size Collies. They go to sleep on long trips.
Taz_23
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
Like others have indicated the Ram HD's have a fold flat floor in the crew and mega cabs, I don't know about the club cabs.
I have a 2015 ram 2500 crew cab with this and we use it for our135 lb newfoundland
dcg9381
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
treeofliberty wrote:

Here's the problem. All the prospects we've looked at have storage configurations under the seats, making the floor unworkable for a couple big dogs.

I believe the dodge quad-cab, not the mega-cab, has fold-up rear seats that make a flat floor.

We have 2 German Shepherds. We have the megacab. On long trips they ride in 2/3 of the rear seat space, which fold flat, but not to the floor. The non-megacab is probably what you're looking for.
Murphsmom
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
We use totes that are the size of the space between the back seat and the front one. Two deeper ones for the sides and a shallower one in the middle. One of the taller totes carries all of the dog things we need in the truck, one carries our survival kit and the shallow one carries some MRE's. I made a large pillow that covers the entire back area which fills in whatever gaps are left. Sometimes we just stash our beach towels under the pillow.

This way we make good use of the space and also have everything we need if we are on the road away from the trailer.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2016
Here's how we tackled it for our doggie:

1. Install an inflatable seat extender between the seats. This makes a large platform for the dogs.

Seat Extender

2. Next install a pet hammock similar to this one:

Pet Hammock

This set up will allow both your pooches a comfortable place to travel, good visibility for them to look out the windows, and protection of your new investment.

Jim
agesilaus
Explorer III
Mar 12, 2016
I cut a piece if 3/4" plywood to fit the back seat. Two of them actually to make it easier to get in and out. One for the driver side and one for the passenger side. And then I got a roll of that blue foam pad:

Amazon

And covered the top, be sure to wrap it around the edges to protect the upholstery. I just stapled it on with a heavy stapler (not an office type):

Amazon

That gives the dogs some traction and protects the seats. I had some 3/4 plywood but I'd guess that 5/8" or maybe even 1/2" would work.

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Fifth Wheel tow vehicle with 2 rottweilers

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