Need SUV Help!

[SizzleDog]

Okay - my next vehicle will be an SUV... I'm really trying to avoid a minivan. Here are the problems I'm running into:

1. I need to fit two large crates in the back. I have found narrower crates specifically made for vehicles, but the rear cargo area needs to be at least 38" deep, 44" wide, and 28" high for two of these crates to fit in the back.

2. I do NOT want a huge SUV, a la Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition sized. The largest I want to go is a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander.

3. I'd prefer a hybrid, if possible.

4. I'd prefer to keep the 2nd row of seats, if possible.

5. I don't want to spend $40k on a dog car.

If I need to get a ninnyvan, I'll get a ninnyvan. I just really don't want to have to get one.

Any suggestions? Does anyone have a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander that they could get the dimensions of the cargo area? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Emmalee]

A ninnyvan? :lol-sign:

I have a red Ford Escape. Its a smaller SUV that has great gas milage. The backseat folds down so two large crates could fit easily. Its fun to drive.

 

[SizzleDog]

I'm not sure if a Ford Escape would fit two Doberman sized crates. I'd like to keep the backseat up, if possible.

The problem with many SUVs are the wheelwells - they stick into the cargo area, often shaving off as much as 2' of width of the cargo area in back. It's frustrating, that's for sure!

One other stipulation - the frontseat footroom needs to be huge, my SO is 6'5" tall, and has long legs and a long torso that need to go *somewhere* when he's sitting in the vehicle!

 

[Emmalee]

I'm not sure if a Ford Escape would fit two Doberman sized crates. I'd like to keep the backseat up, if possible.

The problem with many SUVs are the wheelwells - they stick into the cargo area, often shaving off as much as 2' of width of the cargo area in back. It's frustrating, that's for sure!

One other stipulation - the frontseat footroom needs to be huge, my SO is 6'5" tall, and has long legs and a long torso that need to go *somewhere* when he's sitting in the vehicle!

Oh ok.. the Escape would be to small then.. :lol-sign:

 

[Laurelin]

I almost took the Pilot to school, but left it at home. I have the CRV now. The Pilot is a really nice car that drives really well, but that's all I can say for right now, lol! The back seat folds down, so I don't think you'd have any issues with the crates fitting.

 

[Laurelin]

If you have to get a van, we have an Odyssey that is also really nice (for a van).

No, we're not Honda people at all. (Excluding the beamer of course!)

 

[JFrick]

My girlfriend has a Highlander....I doubt one would be big enough for your needs. I would say it actually has less room than my Chevy Blazer.

I know you said you didn't want a larger SUV, but Chevy just introduced a Hybrid Tahoe....

 

[Laurelin]

ETA: nevermind me stupid.

 

[SizzleDog]

Hmm... the aHybrid Tahoe would definitely be something to look into!

I think the *width* of the cargo area is the most crucial - if I need more length, I'll just fold down the seats... but there's no way to increase the width of the cargo area.

I'm off to go check out the hybrid Tahoe... gosh they're so big! I'm be getting a used one, which is why I'm looking at the new ones right now!

 

[Dasher's Mom]

I too am trying NOT to get a mini-van, but I think for showing the dogs, it will work out best for us. (I do like the Odyssey if I had to get a mini-van)

We have a VW Wagon which I LOVE and also a Dodge Durango. The VW will not hold 2 Dobe sized crates but I know the Durango does. I have a friend who also has a Durango and Standard Poodles. He fits 2 crates in the back. Not sure if the Durango is too big for you and unfortunately does not come in a Hybrid.

 

[Laurelin]

I do know the Chevy Trailblazer we rented was very cramped feeling.

 

[JFrick]

The Durango is a good size, kind of in the middle when it comes to SUV's....

 

[bubbatd]

Check out the Toyota 4Runner ......I love mine !

 

[joce]

there isn't much out there that doesn't cost a ton. I've been looking and to fit one huge and one smaller crate I can get a used sport 2 door explorer. But the seats have to be folded down. Other than that its the huge suvs I've been looking at. I found an 07 eddie bauer edition but it barely fits the one huge crate! Ugh!

I've been looking for weeks its not fun anymore!

 

[doberkim]

i dont think its possible to find what you are looking for.

i drive a tahoe, and i can fit two dobe sized crates next to each other with the back seats up depending on the crates- right now the onei use for rah, i cannot, or the second crate has to be very small. but the hybrid is just out this year, so you cannot buy used, and its very spendy. i also get extremely poor gas mileage.

the other smaller SUV's wont fit big crates next to each other, to my knowledge. ive looked at most of them. the element was the closest i came, and it wouldnt fit my crates.

 

[Giny]

I agree with doberkim. I have a Durango and I can fit 2 small size cages in the back but the second seat has to be lowered. Maybe I can fit ONE large cage, I've never tried but it's already a tight fit with the small cages. I have them next to each other.

I also had a mini van that could fit a large size crate, but I don't think I could have fit a second one in there.

Hope you can find what you need.

 

[showdawgz]

I have a Buick Rendezvous, its not the biggest SUV but I can easily fit 4 dogs. I can easily fit two large sized crates next to each other in the back. Then if I needed to take more dogs I fold the back seats and can fit another large sized crate in front of the door, then can fit a medium sized crate across from that one. And I still have room in front of the kennels to put all my training equiptment, water ect. Then if I needed more room I would just fold up a wire crate slide it between the crates in the back and sit a dog in the front seat with me. Then we're all off for training . But the "trunk" thingy is HUGE and you can easily fit your two crates next to each other back there and still have your front seats and back seats available.

BTW, I have the two row edition not the three rows.

 

[Giny]

BTW, I have the two row edition not the three rows.

Shoot, I just posted about having to put the second row down in my Durango but it's really the third row.

Never did count the driver and front passenger as a row. lol

 

[houndlove]

What about the Honda Element? I've heard it's pretty much the ultimate dog vehicle.

 

[showdawgz]

Shoot, I just posted about having to put the second row down in my Durango but it's really the third row.

Never did count the driver and front passenger as a row. lol

LOL, I just heard people refer to mine as a two row. But now that I think about it, most people dont think of the front seats as a row. My father has a durango, but the three rows does really limit crate space.