Dog Trucks....

[FOM]

I have finally gone over the edge with my "hobby" but I can claim that the love of my life pushed me!

We were talking about the travel arrangements for the dogs, trainig gear, ect and how little space I have in my truck. He's been eyeballing those pretty dog trucks you see at HT/FTs. He has encouraged me to start looking into them. Dang him, we have a wedding we should be saving for?!?!

We are thinking about sticking with a smaller truck i.e. Dodge Dakota like I have know or upgrading to a Dodge Ram 1500 or the likes. Can a smaller truck handle a dog box? We are looking at a 4-6 hole version, water, storage, ect. We talked about just a topper but seem to agree a full blown dog box would be better. Put the dogs up high and storage down lower since I'm short. Also keeping in mind - using a smaller truck, would I still be able to pull a trailer with ATV?

I need ideas, recommendations, stories of you trials and tribulations of getting a rig, ect. What do you do with the truck bed? Can you take a box off an older truck and move it to a newer one in the future? Is it a good idea to go with a smaller truck?

If you wish, feel free to email me at: lkshinsato@earthlink.net

Thanks in Advance,

Lainee, Flash and Bullet

[EdA]

you could get by with a 4 hole "topper" on your Dakota, but if you want a chasis mount box the minimum truck would be a full size 3/4 ton with trailer towing package, I would also get 4 wheel drive as these trucks are heavy and tend to get stuck easily

the beauty of a chasis mount box is that you will have a place for everything, the downside is that it is a single use vehicle

[pistol]

if i'm not mistaken lee jolley used to have a chassis mount box on an s-10 truck. probably 4 holes. kinda funny looking.
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Ford explorer picture

[BIG DOG]

There is one gent I know with a Tundra 4x4 with a custom made chasis mount`(8 or 10 holes can't remember) but any way he has had wheel bearing trouble due to the load (I give him a ride one weekend cuz he broke down).
so as usual Dr A is right need at least a 3/4 ton truck for a chasis mount

I just bought a 6 hole cross over unit from Vickie Lamb that is the way to go IMHO, the unit sits behind the cab of the truck and is basically 2 3hole units stacked on top of each other BUT made as 1 unit. I still have some bed space as well to haul wingers. birds etc etc.

btw...i bought a new(er) truck too Chevy 2500 HD 4x4 cuz I pull a 8 hole trailer everyday

and...toppers work well because you can put all your wingers, box launchers, birds, ice chest etc etc under neath the topper

[Gerard Rozas]

Pistol (Peter) wrote:

lee jolley used to have a chassis mount box on an s-10 truck

And there was a reason he only had it for a couple of years.

Next time you saw him - he had a 1 ton Ford HD.

[Normal]

http://www.freeridinretrievers.com/n...k%20Talk&w=&t=

[David Baty]

I just put a 5-hole Ainley chassis mount on my 3/4 ton short bed Silverado this past October. My box is stainless steel with an aluminum frame and we still needed to beef up the suspension with an extra leaf on each side. Make sure you have the trailer towing package as well as you will need it to pull the four wheeler trailer. The next thing you will get will be a camper trailer and you'll already have the towing capability. I highly recommend Ainley for the fabrication. Ron, Jane and Chad are the best and they'll give you any advice and recommendations you want or need. Couldn't be happier that I got a box. Feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns. Remember, 3/4 ton at a minimum.

[msdaisey]

I have a 12 hole Deerskin box on an F350 Crew Cab Dually diesel 4x4. Works out really well. Just take the bed off the truck and save it for when you're finished with the truck. You can put it back together and sell it as a normal truck.

[FOM]

http://www.freeridinretrievers.com/news/pivot/archive.php?c=Truck%20Talk&w=&t=

Already read Ted's article, good start.

Okay bigger truck it is.....

I thought about a topper also, but I already hate it when things slide toward the front of the truck bed cause I'm too dang short to reach it, I got smart and put my decoy retriever hok thingie in the back and that works, but with a topper on the back I think it will only make it worse....

Thanks guys, keep the ideas and thoughts coming!

Lainee, Flash and Bullet

[Martha Lancaster]

I thought about a topper also, but I already hate it when things slide toward the front of the truck bed cause I'm too dang short to reach it, I got smart and put my decoy retriever hok thingie in the back and that works, but with a topper on the back I think it will only make it worse....

http://www.bedslide.com/contractor_grade.html