Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Newfsie (where are you) Has a VW Caddie rigged up for dog training. She can get several Newfoundlands into it. And it's bright red so everyone would notice it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I don't like utes because the dogs don't get any air con in hot weather and I will not travel a dog without it. Also a canopy provides very little protection if you roll the car unless you add really heavy roll bars. I used to have a Holden cargo van when I had 4 dogs and it was wonderful. If I could afford one, my pick of current vans would be a Hyundai IMax Turbo Diesel or a Kia Grande Carnival. I know people who are very happy with both of these fitted out as dog cars. If Holden or Ford made an equivalent that would be better but they don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxiewolf Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Friends of ours just got a Renault Kangoo, it would be great fitted out as a doggie car. Has sliding doors on both sides if I recall (i think these are an option). and a huge amount of space in the back. Diesel one is very economical. And has alot of space in the drivers section too... but it is only a 2 seater job really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 We bought a Mercedes Vito Van. Did not have seats in the back, can fit dog crates in there and equipment no worries. We even went camping with 3 dogs, all the stuff and had plenty of space to spare. We have an auto turbo-diesel, get plenty of k's to the tank, plus it drives exactly like a car, doesnt feel like you're driving a van at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJack Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I will second the vote for a Vito van. really good to drive and doesn't feel like you are driving a truck. I have the long wheel base model and it still has a nice turning circle. Mine came with no seats and just an empty back section so I had my brother (motor trimmer) build me a deck and line it all. I already had storage drawers and kitchen custom built for a box trailer from Drifta. We stuck those in the back of the van and built the deck around them. I ended up with a huge area above decks for the dogs (I travel with 10) and below decks is the Drifta stuff and another cargo bay in front of those, accessible from the side doors that holds a mountain of stuff. I have since sold the box trailer as everything fits in the van. I have just returned from camping last weekend with all ten dogs and crates and tent etc etc. I have a Engel fridge on a drop slide on top of the deck against the cargo barrier behind the driver seat and on the passenger side next to the fridge I have 2 small wire crates secured in there for small dogs to travel in (and the Kelpies sit on top of those.) The deck is about waist height to me (five foot 7) and the Kelpies have no problems leaping in and out. When I had this all done I had a 14 year old great dane who could not jump up so I got a collapsible table that I bought from Drifta (same as the kitchen and storage drawers.) I got my brother to make me a canvas and pyramid matting top for it that fits on it like a fitted sheet. The table legs fold flat but are also extendable to whatever height you want. I set it at about coffee table height and he could easily step up on that then step up onto the deck and vice versa. The table could hold 100kg and with the adjustable legs I could keep it perfectly flat even if the ground was not level. Much better than a ramp as he couldn't handle the slope. Just last week I had the handy brother install a gate across the back so the Kelpies can't go leaping out when I open the back door. I have also recently gotten Drifta to make me a second storgae drawer the same dimensions as the kitchen (narrower box on the right side in the pics) so I can either have the kitchen in for longer camping trips or have two storage boxes in the rest of the time. With so much storage I now find I rarely have to pack anything as it all lives in the car. Jumps, weave poles, a couple of cabanas and all the sides and floors etc. Chair, half a dozen crates and a portable stove. It is long enough for me to sleep in there if I need to as well. I like my Vito!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJack Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 2nd pic of the Vito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJack Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 3rd pic of Vito - the new back gate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC4ME Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) I bought a Mercedes Benz Sprinter (2003 model) van (like the ones the couriers drive) last year and have done it up specifically so I can go anywhere with my dogs and have all my gear in one place. I had sliding windows put into the side and I still need to have a fold out annexe on the side, and a secondary power system put in but pretty much I can go anywhere with the dogs. I had it at Camp Tailwaggers last week, you should have said something you could have had a look at it. The van is a 4cylinder turbo charged diesel engine so is economical, it is only 1ft longer and only slightly wider than my Mazda Bravo Duel Cab. I can park in a normal car space at the shopping centre. It drives just live an normal car I much prefer to drive this than my Bravo. I did get the van with the high roof so just have to watch the height when going under things. I have had the roof and walls insulated since these photo's were taken so the noise in minimal and it is nice and warm inside now. I have made flyscreens with magnets that are attached to the walls with velcro, also the dogs have a fan each which runs off the cigarette lighter (which is why I need a secondary power system for when the motor is not running and its a really hot day) and the best thing I bought was the port-a-loo. My show trolley is stored under the crates and my bed is on top of them. Most of my training gear is kept in the K9Pro training bag, its amazing how much this bag stores, I have mats stored down the one of the side of the crates and extra towels and other stuff is stored down the other. I have a small draw cupboard where all type collars are kept for easy access. I also have 2 lots of water storage so I should never run out of clean water. I have taken all my DWD props and training aids to seminars and still have plenty of room. This car has been a dream of mine for a long time and luckily I picked it up for a good price and have done it up ourselves (except for the windows). Edited August 24, 2012 by BC4ME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJack Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 2nd pic of the Vito forgot to add that I chose the Vito over the VW and Sprinter and other vans as I wanted a car that had doors on both sides as where I park it I have better access on the driver side. Plus it is short enough height wise to get into any car park and I wanted to be able to keep using the work car park. Alot of vans are just a fraction too tall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmate Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 We have a dual cab 4X4 colorado diesel. Reasonably economical better than our old rodeo petrol 4X4. We have a canopy on the back with sliding windows and a false floor. We dont set crates up iside as all our dogs get along but have had a crate set up when we took my daughters friends dog along with us the otehr week. The dual cab is good for the kids and the windows open my dogs have never been hot but dont get a dark coloured one we have white yes ok very boring but its never hot in the back for the dogs they never even puff in there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 We have a dual cab 4X4 colorado diesel. Reasonably economical better than our old rodeo petrol 4X4. We have a canopy on the back with sliding windows and a false floor. We dont set crates up iside as all our dogs get along but have had a crate set up when we took my daughters friends dog along with us the otehr week. The dual cab is good for the kids and the windows open my dogs have never been hot but dont get a dark coloured one we have white yes ok very boring but its never hot in the back for the dogs they never even puff in there Tell me about it We had a Rodeo but Diesel n boy was it thirsty.. Have since brought new Toyota Hilux 4x4 Diesel n love it u dont even know u are towing dog float, And much better on fuel.. When i dont take the dog float (local shows) dogs are in canopy in soft crates beside the fridge :laugh: With trolley and that behind them... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! I could see you in a Caddy Maxi Anne! False floor/drawer for the gear and the greys on top. FHRP made a good point about vans to me a while back - avoid side windows - they add a lot of heat to the vehicle in Summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 I'm loving all these ideas! So much to research now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! I could see you in a Caddy Maxi Anne! False floor/drawer for the gear and the greys on top. FHRP made a good point about vans to me a while back - avoid side windows - they add a lot of heat to the vehicle in Summer. I know a trainer with a van without side windows and I've seen him leave dogs inside for quite a while. I was always worried about the heat which is why I was leaning towards a ute where you can open the windows, but maybe a van without windows would be cooler? Vans are great for sign writing too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! I could see you in a Caddy Maxi Anne! False floor/drawer for the gear and the greys on top. FHRP made a good point about vans to me a while back - avoid side windows - they add a lot of heat to the vehicle in Summer. enabler alert :laugh: The renault is slightly bigger in the back but might be harder to find and more expensive to service. See doing some research already. Whatever I get it must be ok to drive around town in, won't be just my dog car, it will be the only car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! I could see you in a Caddy Maxi Anne! False floor/drawer for the gear and the greys on top. FHRP made a good point about vans to me a while back - avoid side windows - they add a lot of heat to the vehicle in Summer. enabler alert :laugh: The renault is slightly bigger in the back but might be harder to find and more expensive to service. See doing some research already. Whatever I get it must be ok to drive around town in, won't be just my dog car, it will be the only car. Similar situation here. It will be my training car but will also be our main car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FHRP Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I am really enjoying this thread and now have several different makes of cars to research. Thanks to the OP for starting it! I could see you in a Caddy Maxi Anne! False floor/drawer for the gear and the greys on top. FHRP made a good point about vans to me a while back - avoid side windows - they add a lot of heat to the vehicle in Summer. I love the lack of windows in the back. When I bought the car I had a window put in on the passenger side, just behind the seat so that I had better vision for changing lanes etc. I thought I would get more later, but not having the windows is great to protect from heat and make the dogs less noticed. I have recently been toying with getting a new car as I really want 4WD but I see all the windows on 'normal' cars now and don't like it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FHRP Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) enabler alert :laugh: The renault is slightly bigger in the back but might be harder to find and more expensive to service. See doing some research already. Whatever I get it must be ok to drive around town in, won't be just my dog car, it will be the only car. I had pretty poor reports on the Kangoo from someone who had a fleet of them at their work. I'd look closer at the VW Caddy if I was buying now, they weren't around when I got my little van. eta. The little vans are courier vehicles, so made for driving around town. My van is my only car and very easy to park etc. I'm hesitant to go to something bigger for my everyday car too. Edited August 24, 2012 by FHRP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 enabler alert :laugh: The renault is slightly bigger in the back but might be harder to find and more expensive to service. See doing some research already. Whatever I get it must be ok to drive around town in, won't be just my dog car, it will be the only car. I had pretty poor reports on the Kangoo from someone who had a fleet of them at their work. I'd look closer at the VW Caddy if I was buying now, they weren't around when I got my little van. eta. The little vans are courier vehicles, so made for driving around town. My van is my only car and very easy to park etc. I'm hesitant to go to something bigger for my everyday car too. I used to have a little Ford Escort panel van many, many moons ago. Could relive my youth with a Caddy :laugh: I was looking at a Caddy 7 years ago before I traded my stationwagon in on my Mazda and decided I was cutting down on dog stuff, I should have known better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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