A dog box is an excellent structure to have if you take your dog with you when traveling. Building a dog box for a truck only takes beginner skills in carpentry and is about as easy as assembling a dog house.
Materials
- Wood
- Nails
- Bolts
- Screws
- Building material
- Latches
Tools
- Tape measure
- Screwdrivers
- Drill
- Saw
- Hammer
- Welding tool
Instructions
- Decide on what building material you want your dog box to be constructed out of. Aluminium is a strong, light material; weather-resistant wood is suitable and there are also other materials such as plastics and other metals. If the latter is chosen, use one laden with vinyl.
- Draw a design reference for the dog box, including desired dimensions. After this is completed, use the tape measure to determine the dimensions of each piece of building material that will be used for the door, four walls, and the cover. Use a saw to cut out each piece ensuring that everything is cut according to the chosen dimensions.
- Make several holes in the walls with a drill, separated evenly. Do not drill any holes in the top of a dog box built for a truck; this will only let rainfall in.
- Sand the holes to eliminate sharp edges and corners.
- Estimate or get the correct height of your dog when making the door. Measure out the door allowing for a couple of inches more than the dog’s height. Create notches in the wall appropriately so the door can be installed.
- To assemble the box, you can take any variety of strategies. The box can be nailed together, or bolted. Some may prefer to weld the parts together. Any of these methods will be appropriate depending on the material being used.
- Ensure the door has a secure latch; if the door opens too easily, the dog will slide out, especially if the ride is bumpy.
- When the box is complete, smooth all rough edges that could cause injury. Place the container on the truck bed and link it using latches; four latches should be sufficient. You can also weld them to prevent them from being detached.
Tips and warnings
- Place a soft rug or cloth inside of the box for the dog to lie down on. This will increase the comfort of the relatively small space.
- Ensure the box is insulated.
- Test the container’s efficiency before using it for long trips. Take the box out for a test drive to see if it will withstand rough surfaces and roads. Do not try this with the dog inside. After you are confident about your box’s stability, you may take your dog around in it.