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Been researching this for a week and finally worked out what I'm going to do here.
On car trips (at least every Saturday) I've been putting Gilmour in an X-Large Soft Crate from Dr. Fosters & Smith.
I bought a new Escape last week, and while I can make it work, it is a bit too big for this new truck. And the back seats are a pain to fold down.
So, get the next smaller soft-crate? The large is actually the correct size for him anyway.
Or, go with a seat protector and a safety-belt system for him.
I must have 20 hours of reading into this. And I've decided on the latter.
First, since I don't have a way to really secure the soft-crate (or any crate) down, I question just how much protection it would provide (or any crate would provide) in an accident. Being in a crate can't help much if the crate itself is being tossed around inside the car it would seem to me.
Second, a replacement crate would cost around $125 for the same thing one size smaller.
For the seat protector, I ordered one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18882
I originally ordered one of these, which came in today:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11123
Unfortunately, they didn't design in seat-belt pass-through slits. This is important as I will be using a seat belt restraint system. It's boxed up for return.
Now, for the Safety Belt Harness. I spent hours and hours on this one. I read every review I could find, including some pretty indepth articles on the subject. Among all the thorough reviews, there was always one in common that came up as recommended over the others.
The Champion Canine Seat Belt System:
http://www.champk-9.com/CCSS.htmhttp://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=2http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=2
I also found out that this is the exact kit Toyota offers as an option in some of it's vehicles.
Hopefully none of this will ever be needed, but I think I've done the best I can to protect him and everyone else in the car.
On car trips (at least every Saturday) I've been putting Gilmour in an X-Large Soft Crate from Dr. Fosters & Smith.
I bought a new Escape last week, and while I can make it work, it is a bit too big for this new truck. And the back seats are a pain to fold down.
So, get the next smaller soft-crate? The large is actually the correct size for him anyway.
Or, go with a seat protector and a safety-belt system for him.
I must have 20 hours of reading into this. And I've decided on the latter.
First, since I don't have a way to really secure the soft-crate (or any crate) down, I question just how much protection it would provide (or any crate would provide) in an accident. Being in a crate can't help much if the crate itself is being tossed around inside the car it would seem to me.
Second, a replacement crate would cost around $125 for the same thing one size smaller.
For the seat protector, I ordered one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18882
I originally ordered one of these, which came in today:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11123
Unfortunately, they didn't design in seat-belt pass-through slits. This is important as I will be using a seat belt restraint system. It's boxed up for return.
Now, for the Safety Belt Harness. I spent hours and hours on this one. I read every review I could find, including some pretty indepth articles on the subject. Among all the thorough reviews, there was always one in common that came up as recommended over the others.
The Champion Canine Seat Belt System:
http://www.champk-9.com/CCSS.htmhttp://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=2http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=2
I also found out that this is the exact kit Toyota offers as an option in some of it's vehicles.
Hopefully none of this will ever be needed, but I think I've done the best I can to protect him and everyone else in the car.