HI,

Been looking around for car crates, and cant seem to find one I like (yes I know its not for me ;))

I have a Citroen Xsara Hatchback 5 door. Cushioning isnt a problem as he has a huuuuge blankett that is really comfy for him, and is his favourite place to curl up on.

Been on alot of sites, and was reccomended ferplast. Just been on there and I like the one they have for the boot of the car, but they way my car shapes up (slants down towards the back end) the boot wouldnt close. Shame really :(

So, if anyone has the same car or similar, and use one that suits them, could you give me the website or number please.

Kind Regards

Ben

Get on special made for your type of car.  I'ts the only way to get the best fit IMO.

Ill have a look around to see where I can get it done. Or do you know of any reputable people? Dont want to be ripped off :)

If you do a search on "car cages" it comes up with afew suggestions when this question has been asked many times.

TBH, I keep forgetting about the search facility.

Ill go check now!

Lintran get my vote every time.

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

They will make to fit or send you a template to ensure your choice does fit.  The solid design keeps the car cleaner than wire cages.  And the best bit is that they last for years and years.  My first Lintran box was 10 yrs old when it was given to me with my first pup.  Seven years later I changed to a car it wouldn't fit in so got a new one.

I am reading the thread with interest as when I change my car I will get a made-to-fit cage for my two. Do you find that it is of any disadvantage not being able to see inside the cage from inside the car ie when travelling on motorways - not being able to check the dogs without stopping ??

Daisy

Daisy I feel that cages certainly have only advantages.  I can't check the cage when driving, but then nobody should be doing anything other than looking at the road when driving anyway!  I know they are safe, can't get into mischief and can be left in the car when essential (often with the cage locked and tailgate up).  I am confident that my dogs are good travellers so don't feel the need to stop and check on journeys.

We wouldn't leave our children on the backseat without restraint, so why do we do it to our dogs?  At least in a cage they can be secured in case of an accident.

>nobody should be doing anything other than looking at the road when driving anyway!

Don't forget you have to look in the rear-view mirror! That's when you can check on the dog ...

Sorry - I didn't make myself very clear :) I use cages - but with the Lintran box it has a solid back so that you can't see through it from the driving/passenger seat :)

Daisy

Daisy the top part of my Lintran box is wire mesh and so the only solid part is hidden behind the seats.  This means that I can see them but all the fur and dirt falls downwards and is contained in the box and doesn't distribute around the car.

In no way do they block the view out of the back window.

Sounds good - will look at it in more detail when I change cars, Thanks

Daisy

I believe that Barjo do them to fit most cars and they are colapsable which helps if you have limited space.

If it isn't for a canine wrecker then the ones called Hamster Baskets or is it Hamster Cages ar excellent and totally silent.  Friends of mine have one fitted into their big American style 4 x 4. 

The best thing is that they really are fitted and aren't like some of the custom made ones that waste a lot of the space in the car and dogs get more space this way :D

they are a lot cheaper than most an more light weight.

Barjo will make you whatever you need.  I have just had a tailor made guard for my kangoo.  Barjo were really helpfull.

I'm waiting for my new transit box from Lintran which is being custom made for my Impreza which has a very odd shaped luggage compartment & as I'm(paws crossed)expecting a new BC puppy & want to travel it with my cavaliers but separately at first I wanted one with the option of a divider which my current one doesn't & sadly my friend who made my current one has passed away so I had to look for another maker. They are not cheap but very helpful & I sent them full details of my car to make sure they had all the information for the model I have hopefully I will be collecting it in a couple of weeks

You can get  a dog guard  for  the back seats and a tailgate guard - with a divider  if you wish to split the boot area.

That way all of the boot space is available.

If you get a cage I think escape hatches are essential. If the boot lid gets jammed in an accident the dogs can be released through the hatch by lowering the back seat.

Beware cheap cages which are not strong. In the case of an accident they can cause horrendous injuries and even kill your dog.

Thats why I wanted a cage, rather that just a guard, plus incase the boot flies open on the motorway ( I panic too much)!

Im going to contact a few companies suggested, and find out who's more up on saftey!

Also Guardsman make very good car cages - but they are very heavy.
Barnsbrook he advertises in the dog papers and they are supposed to be rattle free too.
Then you have Barjo, MMG etc most of whom do advertise in the doggy papers and most have websites too
:)
Good Luck with your search.

We have a Barjo crate for our Picasso, which is due to be changed shortly.   Will ask me husband what he's thinking to do next!

Lintran do need to put an escape hatch in the back of their crates - if you're shunted into, you can't get the dogs out - happened to a friend of mine.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

My Lintran box is having an escape door fitted & I have always had escape doors in all my car crates

Gonzo, you sound like me - I've been involved in several accidents, none of which have been mu fault, and so am VERY wary of putting a dog in the very back of the car, and constantly imagine what "might happen"!

Will you be kind enough to let me know if you find out anything interesting from the various companies?

Lindsay
x

Unfortunately there are no cages that would hold out in a serious back end shunt or at least I could not find any when I was looking so just settled for a Lintran on the basis that they kept the car cleaner :rolleyes:.  What I would have liked is something tested to BS but when you think about it it would have to be a very substantial item probably too heavy for any of us to lift :)

My friend had a rear end shunt with a tailgate guard fixed on the car. The back was dented but the

repairer told her the tailgate had given her car added strenght. If she hadn't had it there would have

been a lot more damage to her car.

Every accident is different and the circumstances will vary.

A couple of years ago a  dog was killed on the motorway when it escaped from the owner's car after an accident. The dog was in the inside of the car and panicked at the noise of the fire brigade cutting her free from the damaged car. As soon as it saw a space it bolted onto the carriage way.

She had  her other dogs in a cage in the boot. They were safely removed from the car.

Regarding Lintran boxes mine came with an escape hatch fitted.

It's very important to have the dog secured in a crate or harness. At the moment, I have my dog in the middle of the car as I feel that's safer; she's in a harness and seat belt.

Lindsay
X

Lintran are very accomodating and will provide you with what you require.  All you need to do is ask.

Likewise, Lindsay - which works very well but with 2 labs we can't take passengers as well!!

Barnesbrook are excellent and can include your individual designs - I found them cheaper and much faster when I bought my crate from them

http://www.dogcages.net/  01243 552330

HTH