Just wanted to pick everyones brains as to which you have found the most suitable for you dogs.
We already have a crate but wondered whether anyone has any thoughts on the pros and cons of using the one crate for two dogs ( thinking of possible irritability maybe on a long journey)? Or whether its best to use two smaller crates, a custom made car crate or just a dog guard for the whole of the boot space.
Car in question is a Volvo V40 estate so plenty of room available.
Current Thoughts for custom made crate or guard is that it eliminates the need to assemble/unassemble the crate everytime we go out.
Anyone have any thoughts?

Custom Car cages are stronger than indoor crates.
They can have a divider to separate the dogs.
You can have escape hatches put in in case of a rear end shunt.
Some have locks or you can padlock them if you need to leave tailgate up.
You don't have to lift it in and out all the time.
Dog cannot damage the car.

If you have a dog guard this will need to be bolted in to prevent it collapsing during an accident.
You will also need a tailgate guard if you want to leave the vehicle tailgate up.
You will get snotty nose prints on your windows and possible vehicle destruction if you have chewy dogs.
Some dogs prefer to travel in a more "confined" space provided by cages rather than being thrown about in the back if it is large.

lol, at snotty nose prints :D  I have a guard and I get my rear window washed every time I go out :rolleyes:  I am interested in this post as I am thinking about a car crate but the thought of putting it up/taking it down when I need boot space puts me off.

<<<You will get snotty nose prints on your windows >>>

I still get them with the kids anyway :D

You've made some pretty valid points there Tohme with regard to safety and being able to leave the boot open etc without the dogs jumping out etc.
Has anyone else bought a custom made crate - and if so who did you use??
I've just had a quick browse and although they are pretty expensive at just under £400 they are still cheaper than the cost of a replacement dog - god forbid should anything happen  :)

http://www.dogcages.net/

Barnesbrook are excellent quality made by a retired aircraft designer; they are also known as the Silent Traveller as they do not rattle!

I have friends who have custom made cages for their specific requirements (not just vehicle) and they work out cheaper than Barjo or anyone else.  I have just ordered my new cage from him as I was so impressed with the quality, workmanship and attention to detail.  It worked out £45 cheaper than the Barjo equivalent!

Cages last practically for ever or, as in my case, until you change your model of car.  My current cage has been in use since 1996 in two vehicles and has racked up over 200,000 miles so on a cost per use basis it was dead cheap and I will be able to sell it on too.

I have fitted car crates that are bolted together & if I needed to use the luggage area I could just unbolt the rear panel leaving the sides & front panel in situ(doesn't need a top because of the car shape. I also have a folding middle section that I can pop in & out as needed & I simply use plastic ties to fix it to the back crate.it has a top that bolts on if I need it.

The rear crate has an escape hatch that can be assessed even if the rear seat is up(which it rarely is)

I wouldn't be with out it. there's plenty of room for my cavaliers just in the back part

I can also fit a soft crate or folding free standing crate in the middle section if I want. 

http://www.lintran-products.co.uk/

I wouldn't be without mine and was the best money ever spent.  I feel totally unsafe with my dogs loose in a vehicle now.

Expensive yes but excellent service.  It's light to lift in and out when needed and my dogs know it as a second home so if we go to visit friends and need to cage the dogs for a while you can take it out in a shady place and leave them safely in it for short periods of time.

I've got a custom made Lintran box too.
It's fab.
It's light enough to lift out when i need the boot space for other things too. I paid the extra for an escape hatch (it was £50). The total cost of it with postage was £300. To fit a small car, so it would be more for an estate/large car.
The good thing about the Lintran cages is that they can be hosed down when dirty, and with having solid sides and tops, if dirty dogs shake in them, the muck doesn't get into the car :)
Lintran were excellent, and i would def recommend them.

I forgot to say one of the best things about them is the lack of doggy smell in the car.  Because all the hair, shakings, etc stay in the box the car doesn't whiff so much.  That means I can borrow my daughters car, put the box in the back (it fits her fiesta and my mazda estate) and she doesn't complain about the smelly dogs! 

As Snoopy says, hose it out and all clean again!

Thanks everyone :)
its good to hear everyone elses views as you sometimes cover things I hadnt even thought of :)
I saw Lintran at Crufts and thought they looked good - and the point about doggy smells and mess is pretty good too.

Lintran boxes are great, unfortunately they do not fold down which for someone with limited storage space like me is a minus.

I bought a Barjo crate for my two affies, it has a removable divider, 2 front doors, and two rear escape hatches. It was a crate custom built for someone else, but I managed to get it on ebay...it was local so i could check the size first. Second hand was a very reasonable price. I would certainly recommend a divided cage, as it makes it much safer when it comes to getting the dogs out of the back. when just had the one dog I used to keep her behind a dog guard....I find the crate is much better, and she is much more settled in the snug space....less tendency to wobble around. :O)

I think at present the Lintran is looking the most favourable :)
The fibreglass surround will contain any hairs/mess/muck etc and help to keep the car clean. They can also put in a solid dividing partition ( which I think is a sensible option) and an emergency hatch for additional charges and they are lockable too. They are also reasonably priced .
Thanks for everyones advice and help :)

Hiya Lel.
I think Lintran do reconditioned cages too. Might be worth asking about.
I know they didn't have one for my punto, but i don't suppose many people get them for little cars like mine. :)

I will ring them and see - thankyou Snoopy :)