Dogs in the back

So I have a friend of a friend that is looking at 4runners right now. One of the biggest selling points for her is the roll down rear window so she can put her dog in the back. But then she started to ask me about options and I let her know that some 4runners are equipped with 3rd row seating or a sliding cargo tray out back. So I'm asking, for those of you that take large dogs with you on your adventures, what options are best or do you wish you had? Which interior materials hold up best to drool and puppy paws? And how have you modded your rigs for dog safety and comfort? TIA

 

Ahhh, You know I did search the forum first. Maybe I just didn't use the right phrase or keyword. My bad. Thanks for the input tho.

 

Mine has the third row option; rarely used. When the dogs are aboard, I just remove the cargo liner so they won't slide around....though they usually migrate forward to the back seat area anyway. I haven't used it in a while but I have a Pet Barrier (WeatherTech and others make them) that I used to use in my SUVs. Might be a good idea if you're gonna roll down the rear window.

 

We have 2 Bernese Mountain dogs. No 3 row and no cargo tray. We did install a cavasback system which makes it so much easier to clean up after a trip.

 

no 3rd row no cargo tray it has a cargo liner in the rear I have a crate for the puppy and a dog bed for my 7year old both malinois

 

I have a yellow lab that will only sit in the rear passenger seat behind the driver. When not on a trip and the rear cargo area is empty, I have the passenger side of the rear bench folded down and he gets in and out through the rear cargo door. I have a set of Marathon rear seat covers on the rear bench as well as a blanket he sits on. He gets buckled in with a harness to the seat belt on long trips.

 

My dog loves to ride in the back, even more so when I toss a bed back there. This is from our recent road trip from CO to NY. Lots and lots of hair, so I will be getting some kind of canvasback cargo liner that covers up the gaps between the cargo area and the second row. I do have the third row, and a lot of hair got trapped there, too, even with the seats still collapsed.

 

I am one of the few that has the third row but it only gets used for guests (maybe once or twice a year) so they stay folded 99% of the time. Our beloved Kota would ride in the cargo area with a bed to prevent slipping. Now with Cleo, she climbs up in the back seat through the back passenger door and prefers to sit on the floor behind the driver's seat. We will have a long road trip next summer when we move so I hope she moves to the seat or if we collapse a seat in the back but she is a rescue with a VERY hard start to life so if she wants to stay on the floor, then I will let her.

 

I have two dobermans and a cattle dog. Usually only take the one doberman with me.

I do not have the 3rd row. I have the sliding cargo tray which is a non-issue with the dog(s) I used the canvas liner and a husky liner on top of that with a packing blanket folded up for comfort. All the dogs love to ride in it but only one has decided I am his human and he can't live for a minute without being by my side at all times 24/7. So I take him whenever I can. I typically lower the rear window and two side rear windows about 1/3 the way down for airflow and I never leave him in the vehicle for more than a couple of minutes.

 

The back window will let in exhaust and heat, but my dog loves the window down. On our cross country trip, he was in the back with his bed. Every time we slowed down or stopped, I’d roll the back down. Every time time we took, off my son would make sure I rolled up the back window as he would complain about the smell and heat rolling in.

 

Great points. I should clarify, I do this on short trips, like a mile to the hardware store. The only time I have taken my dogs on an extended 300 mile road trip, the windows were all up and the AC was on.

 

Two black labs. the 3rd row option was a hard no go. Got a husky liner and threw a big dog bed in the back and they are happy as clams...they love the roll down back window.

 

Excellent point. I'll make sure to advise my friend about the exhaust smell. I've experienced this too.

 

Thank you all for your replies and pics of your beautiful pups! We're gonna look at a '19 SR5 4x4 later today so I'll be sure to pass on the good advise before she makes a decision.

 

I have 2 dobermans. With short trips locally I have a covering that attaches to the back headrests and lays down in the cargo area. Providing protection for my interior and some comfort for my pups. If we’re going on a long distance trip, the seats fold down and their crates are used.

A XL/L/intermediate and Intermidate will sit next to each other.

this is not my 4runner but a picture for reference.

 

One thing not mentioned so far is dog drool. It can stain the plastic interior mouldings. On my Tacoma, I installed a piece of colour matched Naugahyde on a Velcro strip from the interior window channel that extended over the interior door handle and arm rest on the back seat where our dog liked to sit. When I sold the Taco I just peeled it off and cleaned it up. Our dog prefers the back area of our 4 Runner so that she can stick her head out the rear window. She doesn’t travel as much back there though, as she’s pretty old now but I do lift her in now and then for the occasional outing. I have a Carhartt cover back there that works well. It’s washable and the canvas is grippy enough that she doesn’t slide around.

 

No 3rd row, or slide tray.

Our cane corso LOVES the roll down rear window.

We got a large padded canvas cover off Amazon that helps immensely in terms of keeping dog hair out of the cargo area.

Luckily he is too big to try and jump over into the rear seats.

 

exhaust smell has never been bad to me but mine exits on the side. as for drool ive long ago accepted that for my cargo areas

 

Ya the drool just blends in with mine.

 

This is a great setup. Ruff Land crates are awesome. Also a fan of Gunner crates. Secures the pups, so they don't become a projectile in an accident.