Insulated Crate Covers vs. Dog Box

[slatecollier]

I have been trying to decide what is the best option. Do I buy a crate cover or do I buy a dog box and use shavings for insulation. Any help would be appreciated.

[teul2]

Way to many variables for us to answer that question for you.
What is your budget?
A crate and cover are way cheaper than a box.

How often will you use it? Are you physically able to move a heavy box?
Crate is easier to get in and out of your truck when not in use.

How often are you going to leave your dog in the box for extended times (like over night) in cold weather?

and 50-11 other questions.

[Deltaquack]

I had a trainer tell me over the weekend that there is a company building crates/boxes out of the same design that Yeti/K2 etc are using on their coolers. Supposed to be a very nice insulated crate. I haven't seen them and don't know that price.......but if reasonable, it may be something to look at.

[slatecollier]

My budget is around $300-$400. Weight of the box is not going to be an issue, because I am 6'3" 255 lbs. There may be once or twice a year on a overnight but she will not be outside if I go with the crate option. It will be used 2-3 days a week during the season. I guess my question should of been is there any benefits to a crate cover other than being easily moved.

[teul2]

These are them. They are still just a crate with air holes. So in the reall cold, your going to need a cover.
https://www.gunnerkennels.com/

And the cheapest one is $450!!!

[mfalkner]

Personally, I use a kennel with a Mud River cover. I only have one dog, so don't really need a big box, and when staying overnight at camp the dog comes inside. I like the portability and my dog stays comfortable riding. If it's really cold, I'll make sure she's dry before we hit the road but have never had any issues. My crate is an older Varikennel; if I were to buy one today it would be a Ruff Tuff. As far as covers go, Mud River is the best that I've had, hands down.

[Greenhead22]

Those mud river covers have one drawback. They fade ...... BAD.

[grnhed]

I just use a crate and mud river insulated cover. Its easy to move in and out, I keep it secured to the truck bed with steel cables, I can throw it in buddies truck if needed, and I take the insulated cover off during the off season and we are good to go. My girl has spent plenty a cold nights in her crate with the mud river cover. I just make sure that her, the pad, the cover, and the kennel are dry, close the flap and leave a little opening for air. I think mud river claim it is like 40 degrees warmer with cover than without. With the cover I worry more about over heating than freezing. They do fade terrible and fast. My cover is only on 3-4 months a year, and its taken its toll.

[mfalkner]

Fade on a MR cover is kinda like a good pair of Levi's.....

[Long Cut]

I use a crate and cover. I have used basic thin covers over the years for wind break plus I still put blankets or straw in them so they can hunker down. I leave his vest on while driving home also to lock in warmth.

I have used in the past and will use on my next truck a crossover dog box. They do not give as much head room for the dog but give more length. They are lockable which is nice so I don't have to park up front at whatever restaurant we eat at on the way home so as to make sure nobody steals my dog. The biggest upside to a crossover box is you pick up all the bed space you were losing with a crate or normal box. Downside is it's about 1/3 the top storage of a normal tool box and it sits all the way down on the bed.

[Long Cut]

These are them. They are still just a crate with air holes. So in the reall cold, your going to need a cover.
https://www.gunnerkennels.com/

And the cheapest one is $450!!!

I saw one of these around tupelo today. Little too rich for my blood on a crate. Hope they do well with it. I'm sure there's a good market for it. I have heard that the guys that are involved in it may be connected with ole miss somehow. Cool I idea though.

[Greenhead329]

I use a dog box with insulation.
I used to use the plastic crates... If you notice over time / sun exposure they become brittle... Good buddy of mine got into a bad car wreck on the way to a snow goose hunt...crate shattered with the dog inside...luckily no major injuries to either... I know it's extreme / worse case scenario but I have $#!+ luck


The boxes are heavy and bulky but they can be customized to fit your needs, most builders insulate, and you can have tie down points welded to box..