Dog Boxed (tow bar mounted)

Boiled-egg

Lads has anyone any expierence with the tow bar mounted bog boxes. I'm debating getting one so all opinions valued.

Seems to defy gravity/physics ? Just being attached to the ball hitch.

http://www.ginnellfibreglass.com/dog-boxesrvfxl/index.html

German pointer

Boiled-egg wrote: »

Lads has anyone any expierence with the tow bar mounted bog boxes. I'm debating getting one so all opinions valued.

Seems to defy gravity/physics ? Just being attached to the ball hitch.

http://www.ginnellfibreglass.com/dog-boxesrvfxl/index.html

Friend of mine has one and he thinks it's a great job. Was thinking of getting one for the wifes car for walking the dogs with the kids etc.but it's a hatchback type door at the back which can't be opened when the box is fitted.

deerhunter1

Boiled-egg wrote: »

Lads has anyone any expierence with the tow bar mounted bog boxes. I'm debating getting one so all opinions valued.

Seems to defy gravity/physics ? Just being attached to the ball hitch.

http://www.ginnellfibreglass.com/dog-boxesrvfxl/index.html

They are a great job, had one for years, will get one again this year, great when reversing, no need for lights. The only draw back is if you have two heavy/big dogs and you go over a bump it can hit the ground depending on car and hitch.

Stevegeraghty

I wouldn't be a fan,if someone tips into you at the lights your dog is toast,stick em in the boot or get an in car box

http://www.transk9.com/

Mauser 308

deerhunter1 wrote: »

They are a great job, had one for years, will get one again this year, great when reversing, no need for lights. The only draw back is if you have two heavy/big dogs and you go over a bump it can hit the ground depending on car and hitch.

Would you fit 2 dogs in them? say pointer size.

EPointer=Birdss

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Would you fit 2 dogs in them? say pointer size.

Yes often had 3 springers or pointer & setter in it. It does weigh on your rear axel, shocks etc so something to considor.
they're fine for short spins on local roads. I wouldn't use one on a main road.
I used one for a few seasons & sold it when I got the jeep. Very handy.

deerhunter1

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Would you fit 2 dogs in them? say pointer size.

ya often carried my big lab and springer, as I said some cars mainly Jap cars with soft or low suspension if going fast and went over a bump it would scrape the ground, but they are reinforced underneath with steel, maintenance free easy to clean, fantastic:)

Mauser 308

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Yes often had 3 springers or pointer & setter in it. It does weigh on your rear axel, shocks etc so something to considor.
they're fine for short spins on local roads. I wouldn't use one on a main road.
I used one for a few seasons & sold it when I got the jeep. Very handy.

Hi Epointer, what make, model did you have? was it the same as the link in the first post, cheers.

tonytoc11

What type of hitch is on your car? Is it the flange type hitch or the swan neck type hitch?

fodda

I wouldnt carry my dog in that.

blackstairsboy

fodda wrote: »

I wouldnt carry my dog in that.

Would you mind being a bit more constructive and tell us the reason why not?
Out of interest what breed of dogs do you have? Would they be too big etc.

EPointer=Birdss

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Hi Epointer, what make, model did you have? was it the same as the link in the first post, cheers.

Don't know the model as it's sold awhile.
Few pics that might help for a swan neck hitch.
Nothing at all wrong with it for short spins around country roads but I wouldn't go on a main road.









This is the new model i am using

Friend of mine has one, they're great for smaller type dogs, put 2 springers in it usually, only down side is the lack of protection if you get rear ended, it'd be a horrible sight.

Boiled-egg

Thanks everyone for the comments. Looks mostly positive with some points for consideration especially, the rear end crash scenario.

tonytoc11

But is it not the same case if you have a trailer on to the back of your car and you get rear ended?

deerhunter1

tonytoc11 wrote: »

But is it not the same case if you have a trailer on to the back of your car and you get rear ended?

True True

EPointer=Birdss

tonytoc11 wrote: »

But is it not the same case if you have a trailer on to the back of your car and you get rear ended?

Fair point but you have a few feet of metal in some sort of sturdy frame to act as a buffer where as the box is fairly flimsy by comparison & would end up squashed in a minimal tip.
They are very useful & I've seen plenty on main roads but I wouldn't personally. I used go on a 2 mile square circuit from home & park down a lane or at a neighbors. I used have a trailer & it was a pain in the ass. Jeep is the happy medium.

Stevegeraghty

tonytoc11 wrote: »

But is it not the same case if you have a trailer on to the back of your car and you get rear ended?

There is less chance of me putting my dog in one of those little trailers, although I'm in a situation where I have a 4x4

tonytoc11

I suppose if the trailer got a belt it might swing off to the side with the hitch acting as a pivot but that is a fairly big pivot so it could get fairly well smashed up like?

The box I have is fairly sturdy built out of box section and fits into a frame attached to a flange hitch. I'd prefer it over the fiberglass mass produced models and is easy to make. It is only suitable for a flange type hitch although I'm not convinced about using them on a swan neck type hitch anyway.

My uncles have been using them for years without complaints. 1 uncle has had about 4 of them. I remember a bright blue k9 model made out of plastic but he was nervous of its strength. He actually made the one below.

Robotack

I previously thought about one of these. I discussed it with other folks and the rear end impact point came up over and over. One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is whether or not you're poisoning your dog with exhaust gas.

My 4x4 has twin pipes, one at each side of the bumper, and I would be concerned about the gases.

EPointer=Birdss

Robotack wrote: »

I previously thought about one of these. I discussed it with other folks and the rear end impact point came up over and over. One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is whether or not you're poisoning your dog with exhaust gas.

My 4x4 has twin pipes, one at each side of the bumper, and I would be concerned about the gases.

Couldnt see it happening to any degree that would cause damage even idling in traffic. The fumes are been dispersed not pumped into the box

Vizzy

Just one other thing to consider,particularly if you intend to use it on main roads, is the issue ot the extra weight "hanging off the back of the car"
The box weighs 24 kg,a springer say 25kg,pointer/lab/setter maybe 35kg so you could have 75kg out beyond the rear axle and taking the weight off your front wheels.
Depends on the type of car,obviously, but it could affect your steering.

deerhunter1

Vizzy wrote: »

Just one other thing to consider,particularly if you intend to use it on main roads, is the issue ot the extra weight "hanging off the back of the car"
The box weighs 24 kg,a springer say 25kg,pointer/lab/setter maybe 35kg so you could have 75kg out beyond the rear axle and taking the weight off your front wheels.
Depends on the type of car,obviously, but it could affect your steering.

No never had that problem with steering, or any other balance or driving problems

Vizzy

Fair enough

Robotack

Can you folks who have these suggest where you got them / prices / quality etc as I might still consider one.

deerhunter1

Robotack wrote: »

Can you folks who have these suggest where you got them / prices / quality etc as I might still consider one.

There is a link on them on the first thread + prices, also try Burren Trailers in Ennis Co Clare it is where got mine

tonytoc11

There's a good few on donedeal if you search through them too.

Go2Guy

I'm just about to order one from the link in the OP.
The most common issue that's coming up is the rear-ending scenario. I intend adding a reflective sticker all around the back surface and putting trailer lights on it. This is slightly overkill but it should reduce the risk significantly.
Also, statistically, the chance of getting rear-ended in general must be pretty low say 1-in-X, if you carry your dog box on say 10% of journeys (10% being extremely often I reckon), X becomes very small (one tenth if my maths are correct!!). Just a thought but it seems sound logic...
G

Robotack

Go2Guy wrote: »

I'm just about to order one from the link in the OP.
The most common issue that's coming up is the rear-ending scenario. I intend adding a reflective sticker all around the back surface and putting trailer lights on it. This is slightly overkill but it should reduce the risk significantly.
Also, statistically, the chance of getting rear-ended in general must be pretty low say 1-in-X, if you carry your dog box on say 10% of journeys (10% being extremely often I reckon), X becomes very small (one tenth if my maths are correct!!). Just a thought but it seems sound logic...
G

More a legal issue than a safety one, but if it blocks your reg plate, you need to put one of those onto it too.

Go2Guy

What's the legal issue? Adding lights and reflective tape is only to increase visibility thus reducing the risk, the box is legal with and without these.

Robotack

Go2Guy wrote: »

What's the legal issue? Adding lights and reflective tape is only to increase visibility thus reducing the risk, the box is legal with and without these.

You misunderstood my post. I was not referring to the lights. The legal issue is that if the box blocks your reg, which it will, you need to put reg on the box to avoid being summonsed for "rear plate non distinguishable"

deerhunter1

Go2Guy wrote: »

I'm just about to order one from the link in the OP.
The most common issue that's coming up is the rear-ending scenario. I intend adding a reflective sticker all around the back surface and putting trailer lights on it. This is slightly overkill but it should reduce the risk significantly.
Also, statistically, the chance of getting rear-ended in general must be pretty low say 1-in-X, if you carry your dog box on say 10% of journeys (10% being extremely often I reckon), X becomes very small (one tenth if my maths are correct!!). Just a thought but it seems sound logic...
G

Well I have been using one for many YEARS:eek:, there is no need too go to that extreme, yes reflectors if you want, I did, but lights, your rear car lights are more than sufficient

deerhunter1

Robotack wrote: »

You misunderstood my post. I was not referring to the lights. The legal issue is that if the box blocks your reg, which it will, you need to put reg on the box to avoid being summonsed for "rear plate non distinguishable"

There is no problem/issue putting on a number plate, I did.

Go2Guy

Robotack wrote: »

You misunderstood my post. I was not referring to the lights. The legal issue is that if the box blocks your reg, which it will, you need to put reg on the box to avoid being summonsed for "rear plate non distinguishable"

Maybe I should slow down and re-read posts in future :mad: (is that an embarrassed smiley???)
G

terminator2

would you fit a vizla and two springers in one

Robotack

terminator2 wrote: »

would you fit a vizla and two springers in one

By the looks of the German Shepard here i'd say no. He looks CRAMPED!

http://www.ginnellfibreglass.com/dog-boxesrvfxl/index.html

Antoennis

I'll declare my interest right off John advertises in our e-zine. But my friend has one and is very happy with it. He has two labs ok not big enough for long journeys but fine for moving from spot to spot.

terminator2

wouldnt be travelling far at all