Suggestions for SUV cargo area and our Mastiff

[mtnwhale]

Trying to come up with something for the far back cargo area of my Suburban.

My family and I are adopting a 3 year old South African Boerboel (Sampson) and when we throw all 6 of us in the Suburban, he'll most likely need to hit the far back for his riding accommodations. I know they sell SUV cargo/storage boxes, but I'd rather not fork out $300.

So I'm thinking about making something myself that is high enough to slide the basics under, like camp chairs (we just have the ones that fold down and slide into the canvas tubes), standard auto items, etc...some support in the middle for Sampson's big ol' butt, with a nice little something covering the top shelf area for him to sit/lay down on.

I've got a general idea of what I want, but I thought people out here might have some great creative ideas on design or even materials...all suggestions welcome!!!

Thanks!
Wayne

 

[Sabrina]

Take some pictures when you finish because I am also in the figuring out stages for my Tahoe...

 

[Mongo]

Instead of raising the floor to have storage under him, why dont you just divide the storage space in half? Either put his kennel in there (that would only take up one side of the trunk). Or tather him to one side and keep the rest open for whatever needed.

The higher he is the more unsafe it would be for him... if you were to slam on your brakes he will go flying right over the back seat.

 

[mtnwhale]

Sabrina, I'll keep you posted!

Mongo, I was thinking this morning that being higher up like that would be worse off for his balance...so you're definitely on with keeping him lower. The bulk of stuff we keep back there is usually just 6 lawn chairs (lots of kid's sporting events to attend ya know), which can just go vertical. So a vertical divider is probably the way to go. Thanks for the input!

In case anyone cares, the average area (since the back seat leans towards the back some and the "ceiling" is uneven) I'm dealing with is 48" wide (the spare tire is a space killer), 36" high and 36" deep.