Biggish dog in pick up truck?

[Vagabond_Homesc]

Hi, newbies here. We are researching trucks and travel trailers as we'd like to do some long term travelling within the next year or two. We have two boys (8 and 5) plus one 60lb Goldendoodle. As we look at pick up trucks with extended cabs we realize we might have a problem with where to comfortably put our dog.
Those of you with pick-ups and large dogs. Where do you put your dog when the 2nd row is already occupied? We live in Texas and there is no way we can put him in the bed during summer.
We thought about looking at larger SUVs but that seems it would limit our trailer options.

[JAC1982]

No kids here but 3 dogs... a nearly 50lb basset hound, a 65lb boxer, and a 80-90lb (we aren't sure as he's still growing) bloodhound/boxer mix. They all ride in the backseat with plenty of room. I think your kids and dog will be fine. We do fold the seats up so they travel on the floor.

[Johno02]

Generally big dogs travel better in crates, as they do not have to fight to retain their balance in a moving vehicle. As they do not have hands to grip with, motions, expecially quick or hard stops, can cause them to fall or have to scrabble to keep their balance. In our motor home, our two, (50 and 80 pounds) wantyed their crates back on the back bed, usually with the doors open, where they could lay down, curl up, and be safe. They liked the security of the smaller space.

[Jebby14]

a half ton crew cab has a ton of room, remember most manufacturers have 3 cap choices. the little backseat and the big back seat are very different. as an example my f150 crew cap has WAY more room in the back seat than my wifes explorer (that a lot of people buy because its a good 'family' vehicle

[Grit_dog]

Think about a dog riding in the truck continuously. Space isn’t the issue, but I couldn’t do the hair and dirt and grunge regularly.
Have 3 dogs and the rodent terminator cat. If I couldn’t leave them home, I’d have zero pets, or they’d ride in the bed.
We took our dogs everywhere for a while. Topper on the truck bed. Hot weather is tough. We’d wet them down regularly when hot.

[blt2ski]

I hate to say this. But, there is not a truly good answer per say. My two malamutes at 125-150 lbs usually rode in crates in the pickup bed with 6 people in a crew cab, there is no room for large dogs! This place generally speaking worked, until the day it was 100+F. I found that day they preferred being in crates over the trailer axles. I went from fight them to get into their crates, to they went into crates, plopped down and looked at me with a let's get going, we're happy!
I'm not going to get into a right, wrong etc here. As there are many opinions on this. This is what worked for me.

Marty

[wowens79]

I fold down the 40 side of the 60/40 split and the 80lb golden retriever gets that section, the 60% goes to my teenagers that are 5’9”, and 6’2”. My daughter normally rides in the middle, and the dog is half in her lap, so the dog wins.

[bikendan]

Vagabond Homeschool wrote:
Thanks to all for your responses!

It sounds like truck cabs might be bigger than I think. I was thinking the amount of space in second row would be similar to our current vehicle (Mazda CX9). Our second row is too small when boys are there hence we put doggo in the third row area with seats folded down. Seems like the bigger trucks might have more room. We'll just have to start shopping around and see. We've never owned a truck before 😉

Then you'll be surprised by how much room crew cab pi kups have. Our F150 crew cab has amazing room in back. The amount of floorspace is big. Plenty for two kids and a large dog. And we owned an 80lb golden retriever.

[DownTheAvenue]

Teach the dog to ride on the floor board. He will be safer there in an accident and out of the way. That is where my dogs ride.

[ford_truck_guy]

Vagabond Homeschool wrote:
Thanks to all for your responses!

It sounds like truck cabs might be bigger than I think. I was thinking the amount of space in second row would be similar to our current vehicle (Mazda CX9). Our second row is too small when boys are there hence we put doggo in the third row area with seats folded down. Seems like the bigger trucks might have more room. We'll just have to start shopping around and see. We've never owned a truck before 😉

Ive had my 22 year old daughter and her boyfriend and the 2 labs in the back with room for more... the cabs have gotten larger on these full size trucks

[Vagabond_Homesc]

Thanks to all for your responses!

It sounds like truck cabs might be bigger than I think. I was thinking the amount of space in second row would be similar to our current vehicle (Mazda CX9). Our second row is too small when boys are there hence we put doggo in the third row area with seats folded down. Seems like the bigger trucks might have more room. We'll just have to start shopping around and see. We've never owned a truck before 😉

[Thermoguy]

We have an 80LB dog and 1 boy in a crew cab Chev. My son gets the small seat and we fold up the larger side. The dog takes up the entire 3/4 of the back seat. We have gone camping with him and a friend and gave the dog the 1/4 section. He doesn't like that - very much intrudes on the boys leg room. In the end it worked, but wasn't the best drive. Because of that I usually figure out how to not have a friend come on the trip.

I think a smaller dog like yours might be OK sitting on the seat in the middle seat, but not sure how easy that would be with your boys.

[kellem]

We have traveled for years with 2 older children and a 60lb Border collie without issue in full size pickup.....it's a non issue, enjoy the family.

[ford_truck_guy]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
We have always travelled with our 2 kids and Back Lab,,, recently we have had our 2nd Lab as well in the back seat with no issues....

Not Sure what brand you are looking at but the 2020 Ford 3/4 and 1 ton interiors have changed and there is a LOT more leg room... One or our labs decided she wanted to just say on the floor when camping..... No worries, plenty of room..

Try your question on the Tow Vehicles forum.
(Does Ram/Dodge still make the "mega cab?").

The Pets forum ("RV pet Stop") would be good also - but not as many posters/viewers.

OP asked.... Think you quoted me in error?

OP, good idea here... check on the Pets forum....

[ol_Bombero-JC]

ford truck guy wrote:
We have always travelled with our 2 kids and Back Lab,,, recently we have had our 2nd Lab as well in the back seat with no issues....

Not Sure what brand you are looking at but the 2020 Ford 3/4 and 1 ton interiors have changed and there is a LOT more leg room... One or our labs decided she wanted to just say on the floor when camping..... No worries, plenty of room..

Try your question on the Tow Vehicles forum.
(Does Ram/Dodge still make the "mega cab?").

The Pets forum ("RV pet Stop") would be good also - but not as many posters/viewers.

[ford_truck_guy]

We have always travelled with our 2 kids and Back Lab,,, recently we have had our 2nd Lab as well in the back seat with no issues....

Not Sure what brand you are looking at but the 2020 Ford 3/4 and 1 ton interiors have changed and there is a LOT more leg room... One or our labs decided she wanted to just say on the floor when camping..... No worries, plenty of room..