Trying to fit dog crates in backseat- Taco is 2" too narrow door to door

Imagine this but with one structurally significant side missing... (possibly the most structural as the other side would be a door)
https://gunner.com/blogs/pack/the-s...le-Wall Rotomolded Kennel,-(left) Single-Wall

 

Thats abuse.

 

I was going to mention connecting the backs of the crates and leaving it open so they could interact and have a little more room but structurally something needs to be there. Its doable

 

Dude there has to be a crate that fits the dimensions you need. The market for these things is almost as saturated as rotomolded coolers. There are also tons of manufacturers who build custom crates and dog boxes for working dogs that I promise are more expensive than yours. The MIM Variocrate telescopes to whatever length you want. These guys will build you whatever shape and size you want: https://tnccrates.com/pages/custom-crate-request

 

how tf is this thread real and providing most minimal info. Also, sounds like they don't fit and aside from removing seats or door panel or getting new crates there is NOTHING you can do. Get a bigger truck as the back seat of a Tacoma is tiny compared to my old F150 (only thing I miss about it)

 

This thread makes zero sense. OP is hellbent on fitting rotomolded crash rated crates into the back seat but unwilling to make any changes to the truck to do so but is now talking about hacking up the crate to fit? Goodbye crash rating. Not to mention crash rating doesn't mean anything if it's not secured in the truck.

I'd wager if the OP did some shopping around and switched from rotomolded to a more traditional construction crate they could find some crates with slightly different dimensions. Rotomolded everything always has thicker walls and is probably part of the problem here. I also know from shopping for a crate for my own dog that every brand's "Large" is slightly different. When I was shopping each brand's dimensions varied a few inches here and there.

There's no magic way to make it fit. Modify the door panels or get different crates. That is the extent of the options.

 

Wrong truck by the angle of OP's info. Trade it in since they are such "hot" commodity at dealers right now...... or trade in the dogs.

Wait! buy a 2nd truck that fits the crates! there ya go

 

It is moderated but sarcasm & criticism is allowed. It is generally proportional to the lack of details in the initial post.

We don't do politics here thankfully.

If it was so damned important, you should have brought the crates with you for a trial fit BEFORE signing any sales contract.

Both are good options.
Building a platform over the seat bottoms is also a possible option. Don't be whining about not being able to turn around to look out the back window - that's what side mirrors & back-up cams are for. That's what those of us who have caps do when the 3 layers of glass between us and the rear outdoors get really dirty.

 

IMO there is a way. Usually there always is.
Side note I don't see how crash rating is even important. The dog will just fly around inside banging away like a golf ball inside a blender if god forbid a serious accident occurs. Crush rating seems more of a priority.
Also they don't make crates with another door for emergencies. That will have to be fabricated. As far as structural integrity, if one knows what thou is doing it will be just as strong if not stronger. Thats why they are called upgrades

 

Can you fit the crates in with one facing forward and the other facing the rear door. The two crates together would be similar to the shape of an L. It would mean the passenger (or driver) would have less leg room.

Did you try without the seats folded down?

If the crates have rounded back. Could you fold down only half of the seats so that one crate sits lower and the outer most rounded sections are offset resulting in more room?

 

OP - cut an inch or two off the backs of the crates and bolt L brackets on the inside and latches on the outside connecting them. That should do it

 

I find it pretty amazing that after almost 75 posts we still don't know what these dogs are.

 

So, I have one of those dog hammock seat protector things for my 3 beasts. I’ve been looking to get a divider thingy from Raingler nets to keep them from going up front. Crates are not going to fit for bigger dogs. Anywho, check it out as a possible option. And use this coupon

BF21R

https://raingler.com/collections/toyota-tacoma-truck-heavy-duty-cargo-netting

 

The best solution after 4 pages of friday bliss is still post #4.

I would look around for a totaled Tacoma and pull the back seat door panels to chop up. Keep all the parts that you want and trim the rest. That way you can keep your original panels and put them back on if you ever sell the truck. I would not cut the back of the dog crate out if your goal is to maintain the crash rating.

That or cover the door panels in bacon grease and let the dogs modify the door panels for you.

 

FWIW I thought this was a great idea and written well


New door cards when? ???

 

Probably only have to do one door, not both.

 

I wonder if both crates would fit on the back seat if he removed one door

 

Just take one back door off and let them stick out that side a little.

 

What crates did you purchase?