Carrying dogs in C class estate

[littleowl]

Those of you who take your four legged friends in your C class, are there any crates/guards you recommend? I have three medium sized dogs but don't tend to take them all out together. I don't really want them free in the back and covering everything in hair/slobber/nose smears, so a boot liner is probably on the cards although this does make it hard to access the storage areas. I know that Guardsman do top quality guards but they aren't exactly cheap. Any recommendations?

 

[clk320x]

Doesnt it have a built in net dog guard thing like my E class?

 

[littleowl]

Doesnt it have a built in net dog guard thing like my E class?

That’s a cargo net I believe, wouldn’t be very practical for mine!

 

[markjay]

What year is the C-Class?

 

[littleowl]

2014 (pre facelift )

 

[markjay]

So that's a W205?

 

[Moleshome]

If it's pre-facelift doesn't that make it an S204?

 

[BTB 500]

We use our S203 to carry a dog or two on an occasional basis. The pull-up mesh luggage guard is OK but doesn't go right to the sides, so there's room for a dog to sneak past onto the back seat if they put their mind to it! For a single dog (collie) we generally just stick a soft crate in the boot - that works fine.

I've used Barjo in the past to make custom cages for the back of my cars:

Dog cages, car tailgate guards, Volvo, BMW, Audi, Ford, Land Rover

They aren't cheap but being tailored for the vehicle gives maximum space for the dog(s). They are also quite easy to sell on when you change vehicle, so you can recoup some of the money that way. This is the one I had in my Sharan:



Before that I used Barjo tailgate guards on a couple of estates. One downside of a full cage is that you generally have to take it out to get access to the spare wheel.

Now we mostly use the Vito, which is fully caged (two up, two down). Handy for small children too



Kylie says hello, by the way

 

[markjay]

If it's pre-facelift doesn't that make it an S204?

W204 2008-2011 is pre-facelift
W204 2011-2014 is post-facelift

W205 2014-2018 is pre-facelift
W205 2018- is post-facelift

 

[Moleshome]

Aah, Cheers.

 

[markjay]

S204:

MERCEDES C CLASS ESTATE 2007-2014 S204 GUARD - R1355

S205:

MERCEDES C CLASS 2014 ON GUARD - R1391

 

[brucemillar]

Aha, something I feel qualified to speak on. I have two large Siberian husky's and several estate cars (including a C-Class).

The pull out load protector will work as a dog guard. It is strong end flexible also designed not to allow the cargo to fly forward, it locks the net. But dogs can if tempted get around the window/pillar gaps. A load floor protector is also great as they do anti slip ones tat can be jet washed (out of the car).

The trick is to get the dogs to believe that staying in the boot is the smart option for them and employing dog contortionist tricks to get into the passenger area is just not good?

You need to educate your passengers not to tempt the dogs, in any way, even if that means no 'sympathetic' noises to the dogs.

KIng of the hill here: Get a small timed clockwork or other, feeder that releases treats every xx minutes. This makes the dogs wants to be in the back. Vary the timing every few journeys to avoid them getting bored with it and climbing out anyway.

So a rubber nonslip jet washable liner. A food/treat timer. The stock load net.

My issue is when My dogs and me arrive at our destination. Trying to grab their leads as the tailgate opens is just not easy?

 

[clk320x]

So a rubber nonslip jet washable liner.

Any recommendations?

 

[brucemillar]

Any recommendations?

eBay.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zipdip]

Just remember that when you buy a dog guard on Ebay to make certain it is not collect only.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup we bought a non-slip boot liner for our S203 on eBay 5 years ago and it's been perfect. A tailgate guard is a big help with getting dogs out of an estate car but it needs to be easily removable to get at the spare or load bulky items. The Barjo ones we've had used brackets screwed to the car which the guard attached to with 4 wing nuts.

Took the dogs for a walk last night ... you can see why we mostly use the Vito



(The two rightmost collies are 'extras' that we're looking after for a friend while she's away for a long weekend)

 

[littleowl]

W204 2008-2011 is pre-facelift
W204 2011-2014 is post-facelift

W205 2014-2018 is pre-facelift
W205 2018- is post-facelift

Ah ok mine is a W204 post facelift! All so confusing

 

[littleowl]

I had a fabulous Guardsman double cage custom made for my previous car, but it was very expensive and I doubt I'll get back half what I paid for it, even though it's in nearly new condition. Was brilliant with two double stable doors (so you could open one and put leads etc on) and two rear escape doors, great for leaving the tailgate open and not having to worry. I've asked Guardsman about tailgates prices for my car but while they are very good they are not cheap I don't want to fork out that much cost again. Also I want something easily removable for when the dogs aren't in it, as it covers up all the storage underneath. Maybe be cheaper to get a small van?

 

[BTB 500]

You might be able to find a standard rectangular cage that's a good enough fit? You can get those pretty cheap, although of course it wouldn't have escape doors. That's one reason why the fabric crate works for us, as you can open the top if necessary via a zip. Wire cages are always handy to have though - we've got a fair collection in the loft (folded flat).

 

[James Copeland]

I use a lead with a clip on swivel and attach that to one of the floor load clips.
I made sure that it is long enough so as not to strangle my dog if he jumps out and not long enough to clamber into the rear seats