New dog platform idea for double cabs.

I thought I'd post up my most recent tweak to the Tacoma. Our most recent addition to the family, Mr. Scamp, (pictured below) loves truck rides but I don't like all the dog hair getting where people tend to sit. Additionally, Scamp isn't always dry when he gets in the truck since he's a trail pup. Originally I'd ordered a rear seat liner that attaches to the headrests and covers the upper and lower parts of the seat. It worked great but has two major flaws. 1) It doesn't come off quickly when I don't have the dog in the car. 2) Scamp tends to fall into the footwell gap under braking or if he's just not paying attention. Thus, I set out to fix both of these issues.



My first thought was to just have the seats folded down since the backs are plastic and the seat bottoms fill the footwell gap. My main obstacle with that plan was that I carry a fair amount of recovery gear behind the seats. Winch remote, tow strap, trailer hitch, tarp, first aid kit, snatch blocks, etc...and I didn't want all of this just exposed and flying around. The rear seat bins are sacred. Literally the ONLY storage in the entire truck so i really needed to retain them. And that got my creative juices flowing. I thought, "Well I could just build a flap to keep everything in the bins....easy."

And you know what? It was. No plot twist or super long wrenching saga, it was stupid easy. The rear seat backs come off with two tiny philips head screws. Remove the backs and spray them with truck bed liner. This improves the grip your pooch will have on the surface. If you're so inclined, do the same on the flaps that cover the bins. Here's what I used to make the flaps.

$52 ABS Sheet - .177" Thick, Black, 24" x 48" Nominal

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HAZ57Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just a single ABS sheet of plastic. You'll only need to make two cuts. You'll cut the height for the entire sheet and then cut it into two final pieces sized to fit over the bin openings. Stupid simple. Then just use some small hinges from lowes to mount them to the bins. I used neo magnets on the top to keep them shut and they work ok. I think I may also add some sort of latch or clip to improve how tight they stay shut. Build pictures are below.

So far it is dog approved. He seems way more relaxed back there. Probably because he's not worried about falling into the footwell!

 

in for the dogs....

 

nice solution!

 

The thumbnail got me as well. I love some good dog pics. Great idea OP!

 

Thanks! Hopefully it helps someone else looking for a solution too!

 

It appears to to be Mr. Scamp approved™!

 

I went with a hammock type cover. Mounts to headrest of front and back seats. No more falling into footwell or hair on seats.

 

that's pretty snazzy

 

Probably the same kind I have too. But it made it kinda vague where the seat bottom ended and I could tell it was annoying for him. Additionally, it was a bit of a pain when I'd have to convert the seat for people and then I'd have to stash the cover in my non existent trunk. The cover is certainly the cheaper and easier (initially) option though. I'll probably move that cover to my wife's car.

 

Just what I need for my 3 pooch's Like the covers for the Bins also project for this winter. Would love to get a shell but don't have $$$ right now.

 

Brilliantly simple

 

Was just rereading the thread. coating the seat back like that would prevent cargo from sliding around like plastic storage bins full of Christmas Decoration going back in to storage unit. I have 3/4 of a gallon of Hercules roll on bed liner our in the garage. It is grey not black that I used on GEN 1 but sold it before I was finished should be enough to to the seat back and covers.

 

True true. That's a double benefit. The rear seat backs are super easy to get off. Just pop the two small covers off at each of the bottom corners, remove the two Phillips screws, and then slide the entire assembly down. It slides right off. I'd also recommend removing the vertical part of the rear seats entirely if you're removing the rear seat bins. Makes it way easier and it's only two bolts per seat back.

 

That’s a good idea. I will have to see if this is better but I have the same issue with my service dog CHEVERLY.

 

This is awesome!!

I wish I could do something like this, but having Wet Okoles, the rear seats really don't fold down very well, and then you have the straps all over the place.

Still trying to come up with a solution, as the hammock works but the dog really doesn't like it.

 

I have a access cab and at one point I had two Great Danes knowing I would never stoop low enough to put people in the jump seats I just made a platform over the seats one in the front seat feet on the floor chin on the dash butt on the seat the other looking out the back window on the platform.

 

I thought the title read:
New dog platform idea for double Labs.

 

Haha, if only! Double labs are the best labs!

 

First major road trip with CHEVERLY my service dog. We were on our way back from NC and stopped for a photo op. Such a big smile.

 

What a fantastic idea, I have the hamack style as well and I hate setting it up and breaking it down. Must look into this, thx OP for sharring