Wagons

[Red Fox]

We've just purchased a 2nd hand wagon (Ford 94 Futura) and so have the option of putting Kei in the back now rather than the usual fur covered back seats

I'm just wondering what the best option are?

So far ideas are:

Cargo barrier, boot liner and harness (secured to the child safety bolt thingo) - easy to clean, easy to set up, relatively cheap ...but I can see me using the backseat most if the time if he's in a harness simply because it easy

Custom built crate - this is my preferred option but not sure on price or how I would go about it. Can you buy these ready made and just fit them in?

Wire crate anchored down somehow - plenty of room for it but not sure how I would secure it down?

Back seat hammock covers are a no go since there are no head-rests in the back. (same problem I had with the last car and the reason why the back seat is filthy)

I prefer him in either a crate or a harness, not keen on just putting up a barrier and having him loose in the back.

[Norskgra]

We've just purchased a 2nd hand wagon (Ford 94 Futura) and so have the option of putting Kei in the back now rather than the usual fur covered back seats

I'm just wondering what the best option are?

So far ideas are:

Cargo barrier, boot liner and harness (secured to the child safety bolt thingo) - easy to clean, easy to set up, relatively cheap ...but I can see me using the backseat most if the time if he's in a harness simply because it easy

Custom built crate - this is my preferred option but not sure on price or how I would go about it. Can you buy these ready made and just fit them in?

Wire crate anchored down somehow - plenty of room for it but not sure how I would secure it down?

Back seat hammock covers are a no go since there are no head-rests in the back. (same problem I had with the last car and the reason why the back seat is filthy)

I prefer him in either a crate or a harness, not keen on just putting up a barrier and having him loose in the back.

When I had my Commodore wagon, I used your first idea and this was successful. I have just bought a dual cab ute for the dogs and I am having a cage custom made for it. They are making it eactly the way we wanted. They are also making a ramp for the dogs to use to get in the tray. I can send you the details of who is doing it if you would like.

[Rysup]

I use soft crates in the back of my wagon. I also have a ledge that OH built, so that I can put a trolley underneath. When the crates are on the ledge, the two crates dont move an inch. If I have just one crate in there for a trip to the vet or something, I have to take care when going around bends. I have had it roll before LOL. I have tie downs I can use, but I dont think Fords have them.

I dont like the cargo barrier because it limits how much you can fit in, plus the dog hair would be a bitch to get out of the carpet

[Red Fox]

When I had my Commodore wagon, I used your first idea and this was successful. I have just bought a dual cab ute for the dogs and I am having a cage custom made for it. They are making it eactly the way we wanted. They are also making a ramp for the dogs to use to get in the tray. I can send you the details of who is doing it if you would like.

Thanks Norskgra, I'm not in Adelaide but if you want to PM me the details I will give them a call if I can't find somewhere closer

I use soft crates in the back of my wagon. I also have a ledge that OH built, so that I can put a trolley underneath. When the crates are on the ledge, the two crates dont move an inch. If I have just one crate in there for a trip to the vet or something, I have to take care when going around bends. I have had it roll before LOL. I have tie downs I can use, but I dont think Fords have them.

I do have a soft crate but I would be worried about it rolling, also what would happen from a safety aspect if I had an accident. Same goes for a steel crate unless I could securely tie it down somehow.

I dont like the cargo barrier because it limits how much you can fit in, plus the dog hair would be a bitch to get out of the carpet

Yeah it is Thats why I was going to go for a bootliner too

Problem with a barrier I guess is having to pull it out whenever you want to lay the seats flat. But without it Kei will jump over into the back seat guaranteed unless he is crated.

[Norskgra]

I will pm you the details. When I had my wagon, I used to attach a metal crate to the cargo barier with several 'd' clips. It held the crate securely.

[Red Fox]

Thanks for the idea.

Does anyone have any recommendations on cargo barriers? Are the cheapies that you can buy in the pet section of Big W any good? Or better off to get something else..?

[dancinbcs]

Thanks for the idea.

Does anyone have any recommendations on cargo barriers? Are the cheapies that you can buy in the pet section of Big W any good? Or better off to get something else..?

A cargo barrier is useless unless it is specifically made and fitted to your wagon. You need either the genuine Ford one for your model or one made by a specialist cargo barrier company. A proper cargo barrier is the safest option but they can be expensive. You might be able to pick one up second hand though.

Otherwise a large wire crate that almost fits the entire back secion of the wagon will work nearly as well. If it is large enough it won't have room to move around so doesn't need to be secured to anything. My Commodore wagon has two 60x90cm crates squeezed into the back for my BCs. I only have about 2cm to spare to get them in so they can't possibly move around much. For a larger dog, get a bigger crate with side opening door.

[Red Fox]

Thanks for the idea.

Does anyone have any recommendations on cargo barriers? Are the cheapies that you can buy in the pet section of Big W any good? Or better off to get something else..?

A cargo barrier is useless unless it is specifically made and fitted to your wagon. You need either the genuine Ford one for your model or one made by a specialist cargo barrier company. A proper cargo barrier is the safest option but they can be expensive. You might be able to pick one up second hand though.

Otherwise a large wire crate that almost fits the entire back secion of the wagon will work nearly as well. If it is large enough it won't have room to move around so doesn't need to be secured to anything. My Commodore wagon has two 60x90cm crates squeezed into the back for my BCs. I only have about 2cm to spare to get them in so they can't possibly move around much. For a larger dog, get a bigger crate with side opening door.

Ok thanks, I will keep that in mind. Any ideas on price for a new one?

My wire crates are 42" and looking at the car today I'm not sure that they will fit height wise so will be measuring that up over the weekend. If it comes down to spending a few hundred dollars though I think we'll go for a custom built, bolted down crate over anything else

[Lab lady]

i have a commodore wagon and have a liner which is moulded to be the exact fit, it's wonderful as it is really tough and easy to pull out on hose off, some hair does get under the edges but not a great deal and it saves having to vacuum the whole cargo area.

I only have a cheapie barrier that i picked up at aldi, i do have the proper full barrier but it's a pain to take out. I have tie down strips on the floor which i have attached lead to and then clip to the harness or collars. My lot are all really good travellers and the cheap barrier does the job i need.

it's a bit hard to see it all here

[voloclydes]

lets see my magna had a barrier the proper one... if the dogs refuse to stay while i shut the lid i tie to a strap tied to the child restraint attachment. i have carpet very cheap nylon stuff taken out of a motel. which allows me to sweep hair out.

this carpet is over the normal lot to keep it clean.... with the barrier in they all just sleep in the back... not a sound.

[Red Fox]

i have a commodore wagon and have a liner which is moulded to be the exact fit, it's wonderful as it is really tough and easy to pull out on hose off, some hair does get under the edges but not a great deal and it saves having to vacuum the whole cargo area.

I only have a cheapie barrier that i picked up at aldi, i do have the proper full barrier but it's a pain to take out. I have tie down strips on the floor which i have attached lead to and then clip to the harness or collars. My lot are all really good travellers and the cheap barrier does the job i need.

it's a bit hard to see it all here

Thanks for the pic Lab Lady

Question re the highlighted part, what are tie down strips? And can you secure a crate down with these?

Have you had any problems with the cheap barrier as opposed the the proper one? I realise that from a safety point of view they are not ideal, however at this point I only need it as a deterrent to prevent Kei from attempting to jump over the back seat (he's already secured with a harness to the child restraint anchor point) until we can organise a more permanebt solution.