Dog Mess Containment System (Home Made... mostly)

[sheath]

(Disclaimer: Just because I've done something doesn't make it the best or even a good way of doing something. It simply fits my specific needs. Hopefully the information is helpful to someone who may be looking to do something similar. So they can make something even better that fits their needs).

I've got a hunting pup, that loves mud, stickers, and anything really stinky she can shoulder roll in.
She is way too spoiled to ride in a crate in the bed of the truck though.
The build is how I attempt to keep the mess somewhat contained, while not taking away "payload capacity".
This is how it came out:

Removed the rear seats and made a lightweight flat floor:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ultralight-rear-seat-delete-home-built.111164/

Added "coat hanger" hooks to support the dog hammock side straps:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/coat-hanger-hook-install-home-made.110937/

Made a rear window tray to hold the rear of the hammock:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/rear-window-tray-home-built.111167/

Went to an upholstery shop and had a couple cushions made to fit the floor. The Upholsterer recommended a specific kind of fill made from plastic filament material. Allowing for a lighter, thinner, more comfortable and durable cushion. They came out really nice. She had the vinyl material left over from another job and gave me a great deal on it (hence the color).

I had a dog hammock for a full size truck that she modified. It came with the center mesh which allows good airflow from the hvac outlets on the rear of the console. That helps blow the stink out the rear window.
The light gray material was added to make it wide enough to cover the whole floor. The bottom side is a rubberized material making it water resistant, but still washable.
She then sewed loops along the top edges of the two door panels ends.
I used a carbon fiber arrow shaft inserted in the loop on each end to stiffen the door side panels.
This allows keeping the support straps rearward of the window openings, so Super Spoiled Pup has the entire window openings to look out.

All projects in total, and the weight of Her Royal Highness come out to right about 60lbs. Which is less than the weight of the two seats that were removed.
Just a couple months until Hunting season, and we'll see how well this works... or doesn't.

Hope this is helpful to someone else considering something similar.

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[Dog Dad]

I have one similar to that which we use for our trip to Florida . We also put some comfortable blankets on top for our 2 dogs!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Looks like a good system! Great job! Love seeing these custom fabs to make something work like we need them to.

 

[A 2]

Nice work. Much better than what I came up with.

made a 60% for our cross country move. Mac loved it.

 

[sheath]

Nice work. Much better than what I came up with.

made a 60% for our cross country move. Mac loved it.

That's awesome! And you kept the back seats.
Very well done!

 

[ssrlewis]

Love the boxer!


Steve

 

[SummertimeCarl]

Beautiful Gordon Setter! We considered one but decided on our British lab as a flushing dog instead.

Great setup! Right now our lab just rides in his Dakota kennel with a Mud River insulated kennel cover in the bed. However, he's small for a lab and I wish I could find a kennel short enough to fit under the tonneau.

Your solution looks great too - Hope ya'll find some birds!

 

[Andybluemojave]

I have two bird dogs (standard poodles) and havent had rear seats in my gladiator since the first month of ownership. There are a few "tangs" for mounting that I have placed a plywood cover and then dog crate mats. Stapled them down and just shop vac when needed. I get it on the mess, both of mine love to roll in anything that died the previous week and bring into the jeep - was thinking of doing the camper shell/ac retrofit for the pups, but they like to be close and I am always a bit worried about jumping in and out of the truck bed, as my friends lab broke its foot once doing it and we have decided the rear of the jeep as the better option. WELL DONE~

 

[Tyler_OverlandJT]

This is brilliant. I’ve been thinking about better dog set‑ups for the bed, great real‑world build to reference.

 

[SteveJ]

Awesome set up. My black Lab would love it!

 

[sheath]

Thanks for the great comments, and for showing off what you've built.

If I were to start this project over, a 3-4mm thick aluminum plate for the floor would be a stronger solution.
Super Princess is right about 45 lbs (depending on the number of pup-cups she's had on any given week). The current solution is fine for her, but if there were two dogs back there, and the underneath wasn't so stuffed with gear, the floor might not be able to handle that load.

Every now and then we run across an abandoned dog in the back country. Anything from a little ankle biter to a big old monster of a dog. The extra strength would be helpful in those cases.
When I get ready to cut in the hatch for jack access I might swap out to aluminum plate.
Probably add about 5 lbs to the all up weight of this mod.

I did a raised floor in the back of the JKU-R made from aluminum sheet that was part of a side of an old retired Frito's Van (Grumman box van) that I de-constructed. That was 1/8" aluminum plate and worked so well both my German Shepherd and I could sleep on it.

Bought the Frito van to get the 4BT Cummins engine for another project. The entire body was made from aluminum. Cut it up into the biggest pieces possible and used all the aluminum on other projects. What a treasure trove of great materials Grumman used in those vans.

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