Security
While it’s much safer to use a dog crate for your dog when riding them in a truck, the level of safety your furry buddy gets may differ significantly from one product to another.
If you tend to ride at higher speeds, then you would want to avoid a crate that’s very light-weight, as you run the risk of it falling off.
Similarly, the latching system is another safety factor to never compromise on. If the latching system is weak, there would always be a risk of the crate getting detached from the bed and posing a significant security threat to your pooch.
Finally, the door locking system shouldn’t be ignored either. If the door gets unlocked easily if your dog tries to unlock or damage it, then the dog may escape and land itself in a life-threatening situation.
Distracting your dog with interactive puzzle dog toys also can be another option, so that your pooch wouldn’t focus its energy on getting the latch open.
As an added precaution, you consider putting a GPS tracker on your pooch. This allows you to track your dog if it scurries away unexpectedly.
Quality
The quality of the crate is more critical than you may think, especially when it comes to a crate that will be used for your truck bed. We are talking of issues beyond the smaller ones like rusting here.
If the crate is cheaply made, it may not offer any protection to your dog in case of an accident. The sturdy ones made using high-quality aluminum, however, would turn out to be much better and safer for your dog during such situations.
All the dog crates on our list are made using high-quality aluminum – with the apparent exception of Gunner Kennels G1 – but it too has high-quality aluminum frames installed in it and is hence a sturdy, durable product. These strong material allow the frame to withstand the rough environment of the truck beds when you are on the road, giving your pooch paramount protection and you minimum worry.
Of course, you should also consider the fact that cheaper dog crates may need to be replaced much more frequently, while the more durable ones would stand the test of time for a long, long time.
If you are looking to pair your truck bed dog crate with an indestructible dog bed, we have compiled a list of recommendations for you.
Insulation
It’s surprising not many dog owners consider the insulation when choosing a crate for a truck bed. This is because you will likely be traveling through different weathers and using the crate in different seasons, including extreme climates and temperatures.
With no or poor insulation, your pooch may have an extremely hard time staying in the crate, especially during longer rides. Crates with no insulation can make it unbearably hot or cold for your dog during summer or winter, respectively.
Our top picks come with a significant level of insulation which would undoubtedly protect your dogs against these and other elements that could trouble them through the ride. However, there are some cheaper dog boxes for truck beds on our list that do not, and you should only consider getting them if you won’t be traveling for longer durations or in extreme weathers with your dog.
Appropriate Size
Most dog owners do heavily consider this factor when choosing a crate for their dog; however, they only think from just one angle. They are just concerned about whether or not their dog would comfortably fit into the crate, and if it would fit their truck bed well.
However, there’s more to it. While the crate shouldn’t be too small to make it uncomfortable for your dog, it also shouldn’t be too large for them. Also, if the weather is hot, do consider putting in a dog cooling mat inside the dog crate so that your canine buddy wouldn’t overheat.
If you put your dog in an oversized crate, they may end up getting banged hard into the walls when your truck takes sharp turns at high speeds. Further, they would be at much greater risk if a terrible case of an accident does take place, as there will hit the crate’s sides with a lot of force due to the extra space available.
This could be prevented if there’s just enough space for them to be comfortable in the crate.
The dog crates on our list come in varying sizes suitable for truck beds, so make sure you choose the one that’s right for your dog based on what we said above. Further, for most dog boxes, you will also be asked some details about your truck to ensure that the product fits your truck bed perfectly as well.
Ventilation
This is another important factor that usually doesn’t get the attention it deserves. If the insulation is good and the size is just right for your dog, the crate environment could still get uncomfortable for your pooch if the crate isn’t ventilated enough.
Some crates are only ventilated at the doors, but not at the sides, which isn’t good for long rides. When there’s all-around ventilation or thoughtful airflow design, it would certainly make your dog feel much more comfortable even during longer rides.
To aid with ventilation, you should also make sure that your pet pooch is groomed regularly with a pair of dog clippers.
Again, most of the dog crates for truck beds we have picked here come with a great level of ventilation, without compromising on safety.
