Cargo space and largish dogs

[theoconbrio]

Hi, all--

Today was the lucky day that my '91 Corolla went to the Big Junkyard in the Sky, which means we can now get the car we've been wanting--a Prius! Our only concern is that we do a lot with our dog, an 80-lb. Labrador who loves to swim and get muddy and generally makes a mess. Those of you with larger dogs, do they seem to fit comfortably in the cargo area? And have you found good ways to keep the interior clean? I would hate to see our new car go the way of our old one (which was ratty, to put it mildly).

The Honda Element seems to offer some more options for cargo and dogs (and the ability to hose down the interior is a nice touch!), but I'm having a moral quandary because it's not available as a hybrid. Plus the Prius is so much prettier.

I did some searching on this, but many of the dog-related threads I found seemed to be about smaller dogs, so I wanted to try to narrow it down. I apologize if this has been discussed to death before.

Thanks for any advice!

Nathan

[efusco]

We haul our lab to our lake house in the Prius at least once or twice a month. I remove the cover for the hidden cargo area and have a piece of rubber bottom commercial grade carpet that sits in the bottom of the tray to keep her and other stuff from sliding around back there.

As far as keeping it clean...no luck. There are some full length cargo mats that attach to the headrests, but the sidewalls are like velcro to the hair and it's tough to get off.

BTW, we don't put the back seat down b/c there are usually 3 kids in car seats holding our Yorkie in the back seat.

[1fixitman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theoconbrio @ Aug 7 2007, 11:52 PM) [snapback]492222[/snapback]</div>

Hi, all--

Today was the lucky day that my '91 Corolla went to the Big Junkyard in the Sky, which means we can now get the car we've been wanting--a Prius! Our only concern is that we do a lot with our dog, an 80-lb. Labrador who loves to swim and get muddy and generally makes a mess. Those of you with larger dogs, do they seem to fit comfortably in the cargo area? And have you found good ways to keep the interior clean? I would hate to see our new car go the way of our old one (which was ratty, to put it mildly).

The Honda Element seems to offer some more options for cargo and dogs (and the ability to hose down the interior is a nice touch!), but I'm having a moral quandary because it's not available as a hybrid. Plus the Prius is so much prettier.

I did some searching on this, but many of the dog-related threads I found seemed to be about smaller dogs, so I wanted to try to narrow it down. I apologize if this has been discussed to death before.

Thanks for any advice!

Nathan
[/b]

My big black Lab(87 lbs), Jacks, puts out mass quanties of hair so I have a few sheets that I put in the area where she will be sitting. The sheets are queen size that I use specifially for hauling around my Jacks(short for jacklyn). She is a big dog but I have never put her in the cargo hold. Hummmm. Lets try that....
OK. She fit in the back cargo area. It is quite a large step for her and I had to pick her up and put her in there. She willingly jumped out on her own. It would probably be better if you removed the toneau(sp) cover so she could at least poke her head into the seat area. I would also recommend placing some of that green filter media(Airconditioning filters for homes) over the vent in the back seat area to prevent dog hair from getting into the traction battery compartment/ cooling fan area. Hope this helps.

[Johnz558]

Being concerned about dog hair in the cargo area including the sides I searched for a cargo cover that would cover with the rear seats down. I purchased the Duragear Waterproof SUV Van Pet Dog Cargo Liner 57X72 on ebay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=250116653855 ) .

With the rear seats down and the tonneau cover removed the cover fits almost perfect. It has velcro that attaches to the sides (approx 1" short of the plastic) so the entire cargo area is protectged from the reat hatch to over the top of the rear seats folded down. The cover when in place goes up both sides to protect the entrie area.

The cover is removed easily and folded into the hidden compartment. We have used the cover for a couple months now and it has worked great keeping the cargo area pet hair free.
Hope this helps.............

[gweeta]

We have a 70 pound German Shepherd. She is quite comfortable in the cargo area with the back seats up. Although she can't completely stand up, she has enough freedom to shift around and change positions easily. We've had her there for four hour trips, no problem. Also, she's eight and not as spry as she used to be, but she can jump in and out without touching the bumper.

As far as keeping it clean, a blanket over the floor of the cargo area seems to be all we need, but only because she doesn't shed that much. We may invest in one of the Sigma cargo mats someday, since she does love to swim, but for now, we're just drying her off before she gets in.

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Johnz558 @ Aug 8 2007, 06:17 AM) [snapback]492297[/snapback]</div>

Being concerned about dog hair in the cargo area including the sides I searched for a cargo cover that would cover with the rear seats down. I purchased the Duragear Waterproof SUV Van Pet Dog Cargo Liner 57X72 on ebay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=250116653855 ) .

With the rear seats down and the tonneau cover removed the cover fits almost perfect. It has velcro that attaches to the sides (approx 1" short of the plastic) so the entire cargo area is protectged from the reat hatch to over the top of the rear seats folded down. The cover when in place goes up both sides to protect the entrie area.

The cover is removed easily and folded into the hidden compartment. We have used the cover for a couple months now and it has worked great keeping the cargo area pet hair free.
Hope this helps.............

[/b]

Nice find...how does it fit with the floor/cover to the hidden cargo tray removed?

[koa]

My friends use Wet Okole seat covers and a dog tarp in the back seat of their Prius when they haul their four dogs. They are smaller and older than your Lab. I use my truck for my 80+ pound Lab. I can't imagine the damage she would do to the Prius.

[Johnz558]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 8 2007, 10:06 AM) [snapback]492330[/snapback]</div>

Nice find...how does it fit with the floor/cover to the hidden cargo tray removed?
[/b]

I have not used it without the floor/cover installed, but I'm sure it would work fine. I have the leather package so I wanted to be sure the back of the rear seats would be protected. The cover goes from the rear hatch to covering the rear seats (folded down) head rests. It covers both sides leaving less than one inch at the top where the carpet meets the plastic. It's almost custom made for the prius.....

Hope it helps.............

[faxman]

Koa

Very nice pic and your dog looks like are female Mocha, we also have a 100 lbs male named Harley. I really like the carrier on the back of your truck and if we ever purchase a pick-up we will ensure we have one of these for our pets' safety.

I do not allow my dogs in my Prius, they travel in my wife's Highlander. No need to laugh because I clean both vehicles. Pet hair in your vehicle is something you accept if you truly are a dog lover, mind you it does drive me crazy at times.

Cheers Mike

[koa]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Aug 8 2007, 06:45 AM) [snapback]492450[/snapback]</div>

Koa

Very nice pic and your dog looks like are female Mocha, we also have a 100 lbs male named Harley. I really like the carrier on the back of your truck and if we ever purchase a pick-up we will ensure we have one of these for our pets' safety.

I do not allow my dogs in my Prius, they travel in my wife's Highlander. No need to laugh because I clean both vehicles. Pet hair in your vehicle is something you accept if you truly are a dog lover, mind you it does drive me crazy at times.

Cheers Mike
[/b]

Thanks. I got the idea from the pig hunters who carry their dogs in welded up cages instead of PVC. The tailgate becomes the door. Now all I have to do is stop her from jumping up on the side of the truck to get in. PVC might also work as a barrier between the cargo area and back seat. When Molly was smaller she rode inside my old truck which is why I built the cage.