Slider "filler" for dog safety

I have a set of RCI sliders without a top plate and every time my dog gets out she puts her paws on the door sill and I'm afraid she's going to slip and have her leg go into the slider gap which will likely cause serious injury as she is big.

Currently I just block it with my foot, but I'm wondering if there is a way to add some sort of top plate. Well, I'm sure there is, but I'm not sure what or where to find. I was thinking something I could just attach with a hose clamp. I don't want or need a full top plate. Just this section.


Thanks for any help.

 

Maybe a piece of expanded metal? If you have any machine shops around you they probably have some, or even at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

I thought RCI offered fill-Ins as optional? You can ask them if they can sell an individual fill-in plate

 

There are lots of ways to add a flat surface to something with a frame like this, but the safest would just be to have a proper top plate welded on or find a different way for your dog to enter / exit instead of using these as steps. You might be able to get them from RCI, or just grab new ones with them and sell the current ones. IMO it would look pretty tacky using a hose clamp on a random piece of metal that does not belong. Making some sort of temporary structure (i.e. - wooden planks secured with bolts, etc) could work but it would be an eyesore and having to install / uninstall it every time the dog needed to use it would get old pretty quick. In the long run a set it and forget it solution will be best.

 

I could have ordered the sliders with the top plate but at the time didn't want that. I don't know if you can get a partial plate after the fact. They are local to me so I could stop by, but didn't see anything like that on their site.

 

There isn't any other way to get in, so I need to cover the gap somehow. I'm not too concerned about being tacky, but I think a piece of aluminum cut to fit and strapped (can't weld to powder coat I've been told) is the best option. I don't have any way to make such a piece though and I kind of doubt RCI will make me a one off piece when they are busy making the regular stuff. I might swing by on my way home though and ask. I was just hoping something might already exist that I just haven't been able to find.

 

Since you are local to them, I would call them and maybe see if they would be willing to swap them out for a set with the top plate. The top plates are $150 extra on the website, so they might be willing to trade them out for the price difference.

 

You just have to grind the paint off where you want to weld, it will forever be scarred unless you strip the whole thing and powder coat it again.

 

Something does exist.. and is available when you order the pieces. Aftermarket not so much because there is already a mfg option. Worth asking RCI about it. They should have these precut and might be available separately for a price - else a local shop can make you something I'm sure.

Correct, you cannot weld to power/paint but you can grind/media blast the coating off, weld, and recoat.

For other accessibility options I meant something like a long board, pick her up, etc. I agree this is not a safe option for animals and appreciate you looking out for your critter.

 

Even if RCI doesn't offer fillers separate, you should be able to find a local welder who can trace, cut, and weld a plate out of steel or as someone else suggested expanded grating.

 

If you're willing to hose clamp something, couldn't you use a Piece of ABS or Plexiglass?

 

That would be nice, but since they are used I don't think they'll trade me. Buying new and selling mine would probably be a $500 difference.

 

Yeah, maybe. Didn't think of that. I tired a piece of 1x wood but it's too thick and the door won't close.

 

I had tube sliders for about 10 years and she always jumped over or was ok enough to only half-step on them on the way out only.

But I did have your same concern.

I did recently change to Body Armor 'step sliders'. VERY stout, but they wont be as slidey as a real slider on rocks ect. As a dog/wife friendly slider, they are very impressive, and I highly recommend.

 

Folding steps. Eliminates the need for slider plates. They fit perfectly behind the front seat.

 

Thanks. She's 80lbs and getting out is the tricky part. I'll see what RCI might be able to do and if nothing look for a local welder to fab something. Or get some plastic.

 

That might work too. I found some similar ones, but do you have a link for these?

 

maxpama Increased Nonslip Dog Car 5 Steps for SUV, Trucks,Couch and High Beds - Durable Metal Frame Pet Stairs Support up to 150 Lbs - Lightweight Folding Pet Ladder Ramp for Indoor Outdoor Use,Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z7F25LQ?ie=UTF8

 

Take a piece of wood, say a 2x6. Use a router to carve around the bottom edge so that it'll snugly drop into the hole formed by the tubular portion. The 2x6 may wind up being flush with the top of the square tube. Glue a piece of carpet to the top of the 2x6. Done. Drop it in place for the dog or consider adding some projecting strips of stainless steel to the bottom to keep it from getting bumped out and leave it there.

 

You have to call. I've ordered a tcase skid but without the crossmember before