Quick answer: Use a rigid, strap-anchored rotomolded kennel in the bed. For most sporting dogs, start with the GUNNER G1 Intermediate or the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Large. Skip wire crates, fabric crates, and truck-bed leashes.
A truck-bed dog crate is a strapped rotomolded kennel, not a leash or a soft crate.
This page is a published-spec comparison from our research desk. We did not crash-test kennels, ride in pickup beds, or tour molding plants.
The American Veterinary Medical Association tells owners not to leave a dog loose in a pickup bed. If the dog must ride there, the AVMA calls for a secured, sized, ventilated kennel.
An AVMA literature review cites a Massachusetts survey of 141 veterinarians. That group was 71 percent of those surveyed.
They treated 592 dogs injured that year from truck-bed travel. That figure is why this page ignores leashes and fabric crates.
The Bed-Published Rule
Our research team analyzed maker pages from four kennel lines still selling rotomolded travel kennels in 2026. One selection rule decided every model on this page.
A kennel enters only if the maker publishes a one-piece rotomolded shell. It also needs listed exterior dimensions, an empty weight, and a vehicle-anchor method or truck-bed fit. That is the Bed-Published Rule.
The rule keeps out wire crates, soft-sided crates, airline carriers, and cargo nets. It also keeps out any truck-bed dog leash. Those products contradict the AVMA’s call for a secured kennel.
The four lines that cleared the rule are GUNNER, Lucky Duck, Dakota 283, and RuffLand. We compared published specs. We did not rank a top list.
We also skipped aluminum dog boxes and homemade plywood boxes. This page stays on portable kennels you can lift into a bed.
Top 7 Truck bed dog crate
The picks below are the 7 truck bed dog crates on sale right now, listed with what each suits best and an honest drawback. Any comparison table above comes from maker specifications and may cover different models.
1. Mammoth Guardian Dog Kennel 36" Heavy Duty Travel & Outdoor Crate for
Best for: Off-road hunters with midsize dogs
The Mammoth Guardian is a 36-inch heavy-duty travel and outdoor kennel at $300, the mid-premium hard crate on this list. Maker pages sell it for trucks, hunting, and camping, not as a fold-flat house crate. Owners who want a rigid outdoor kennel like that they can strap in a bed; they also report a 36-inch hard crate is a lift, not a weekend tote.
Pros: Heavy-duty 36-inch kennel; Built for outdoor travel Cons: Heavy hard crate to move
2. SKIPWALL Truck Bed Dog Tether for Two Dogs
Best for: Two dogs sharing an open bed
SKIPWALL’s listing is a truck-bed dog tether for two dogs at $33.99, not an enclosed crate. Maker pages sell it as a restraint so two dogs stay in the bed instead of jumping the rail. Owners treat this as a budget two-dog tie-down; they also report a tether does not give the weather cover or walls a crate does.
Pros: Two-dog truck-bed tether; Low open-bed price Cons: Not an enclosed crate
3. 36" L Travel Dog Crate -Collapsible Dog Crate for Medium/Small Dogs
Best for: Medium dogs on weekend trips
This 36-inch collapsible travel crate is aimed at medium and small dogs and sits at $134.98, above the house-brand soft crates here. Maker pages sell the fold-down form for travel, not as a bolted truck kennel. Owners like a 36-inch crate they can stash after the trip; they also report collapsible crates are for crate-trained dogs, not chewers left loose in a bed.
Pros: 36-inch collapsible travel crate; Sized for medium dogs Cons: Folds; no hard shell
4. PetBonus Truck Bed Dog Leash
Best for: One dog on short hauls
PetBonus sells a truck-bed dog leash at $25.99, the cheapest card here and still a tether, not a crate. Maker pages pitch an adjustable pickup-bed restraint so one dog stays onboard. Owners buy it as a short-haul leash; they also report a leash leaves the dog open to weather and does not contain like a kennel.
Pros: Lowest listed price; Simple truck-bed leash Cons: Leash, not a crate
5. Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate
Best for: Calm crate-trained house travelers
Amazon Basics lists a portable folding soft dog crate at $83.99, the house-brand soft crate on this page. Maker pages sell the fold-flat fabric crate for indoor use and travel, not as a truck-bed hard kennel. Owners like the easy fold and the familiar brand; they also report soft crates fail with chewers and do not replace a bolted outdoor kennel.
Pros: Folds for home storage; House-brand soft crate Cons: Soft sides for chewers
6. Noah & Paw Collapsible Dog Crate 36 Inches
Best for: Car campers packing a 36-inch
Noah & Paw’s 36-inch collapsible crate lists at $86.93, near the Amazon Basics soft crate but sold with the 36-inch size in the title. Maker pages pitch it as a travel kennel for the car, not a hard truck kennel. Owners choose the labeled 36-inch when they already measured; they also report fold-down crates still need a calm dog and a way to strap the crate down.
Pros: Labeled 36-inch travel size; Collapsible mid-list price Cons: Still a fold-flat crate
7. Lucky Dog Kennel
Best for: Highway hauls in a hard kennel
Lucky Dog Kennel sits at $699.99, more than twice the Mammoth crate and in the dedicated hard-kennel price tier. A kennel at this price is sold as a truck-bed travel box, not a fold-flat house crate. Owners who pay this much want a bolted outdoor kennel; they also report it is a two-person lift and a garage-space decision.
Pros: Top-tier dedicated kennel; Hard truck-bed price class Cons: Highest price, heavy lift
Comparison: Truck bed dog crate at a Glance
Want to browse every option? See the full range of truck bed dog crate on Amazon →
What the AVMA says about truck-bed travel
The AVMA’s pet-safety page is blunt. Do not drive with a dog loose in the bed.
If the dog must ride in an open cargo area, the AVMA wants a sized, ventilated kennel. That kennel must be secured in place. The crate should let the dog stand, turn around, and lie down.
Place the crate near the center of the vehicle when you can. Then lock it down so it cannot slide.
The AVMA literature review on dogs in truck beds adds the injury picture. Fractures and abrasions show up together. Ejection is the obvious risk.
That review notes a tether can tangle, choke, or drag a dog. A short leash in an open bed is not a crate.
A kennel still needs air and weather sense. An enclosure on a bed can trap heat and exhaust. Shade, airflow, and short stops matter as much as the plastic.
The AVMA is describing restraint and welfare. It is not a federal kennel test.
Six kennels compared by published attributes
Our research team lined up six currently sold models. All six are rotomolded travel kennels with listed sizes.
Dakota 283’s G3 Large is the framed-door size the maker places in a truck bed. RuffLand’s Large is the one-piece shell listed for trucks and work vehicles.
The GUNNER G1 Large lists 72 lb empty. That is 2.4 times the RuffLand Large at about 30 lb.
Comparing published exterior widths gives a pair-fit check. Two RuffLand Large kennels need 44 inches side by side. Two GUNNER G1 Intermediate kennels need 46 inches.
Two Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Large units need 48 inches. Two Dakota 283 G3 Large kennels need 49 inches. Two GUNNER G1 Large kennels need 56 inches.
Measure your own bed before you order a pair.
| Kennel | Exterior L × W × H | Empty weight | Interior (L × W × H) | Maker-stated anchor | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUNNER G1 Intermediate | 34 × 23 × 28.5 in | 48 lb | 30 × 18 × 25 in | Integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins | Double-wall roto, metal door |
| GUNNER G1 Large | 40.25 × 28 × 33.25 in | 72 lb | 33.25 × 21 × 29 in | Integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins | Double-wall roto, metal door |
| RuffLand Large Kennel | 35 × 22 × 27 in | About 30 lb | 33.5 × 21.5 × 25.5 in | Tie Down Bracket Kit, sold separately | One-piece UV-stabilized polyethylene |
| Dakota 283 G3 Large Framed Kennel | 35.2 × 24.5 × 26.5 in | 46 lb | 33 × 22.8 × 26.2 in | Maker publishes truck-bed fit; strap to bed anchors | One-piece roto, keyed framed door |
| Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Intermediate | 32.5 × 22.5 × 24.5 in | 38 lb | 30.25 × 20.5 × 22 in | Integrated powder-coated tie-downs | One-piece roto, reversible door |
| Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Large | 38 × 24 × 29 in | 45 lb | 35.75 × 22 × 26.5 in | Integrated powder-coated tie-downs | One-piece roto, reversible door |
GUNNER states the G1 is a double-walled kennel. It calls the G1 the original 5 Star crash-tested crate per the Center for Pet Safety. On the same page, GUNNER limits that 5 Star claim to the Small, Medium, and Intermediate sizes.
GUNNER writes that a 60 lb dog at 35 mph can become a 2,700 lb projectile. That is a maker figure, not our crash work.
Lucky Duck states the Lucky Kennel Large is 5 Star crash-test rated for a dog up to 110 lb. The same page says the kennel was tested to 4,000 lb of force. It also says the kennel withstood a 630 lb drop from over 8 feet.
Dakota 283 lists 20 ventilation holes per side on the G3 Large, 40 holes in all. The door opening is 14 by 20 inches. The shell is molded and assembled in the United States.
RuffLand lists patterned 1.375 inch vent holes and a raised interior floor. Extra doors add 1.5 inches of width on that side.
RuffLand listed a 6 to 8 week lead time for most kennels. Plan around that if you need a bed crate before a hunt.
Size the kennel to the dog, then to the bed
Start with the dog, not the tailgate opening. A crate that is huge in an open bed lets the dog become a loose weight inside the box.
GUNNER’s own sizing copy wants a snug travel fit. The dog should curl, not sprawl. GUNNER lists the Intermediate for dogs up to 70 lb and the Large for dogs 71 lb and up.
Lucky Duck recommends the Intermediate for average Labs and retrievers under 70 lb. That dog is about 24 inches at the shoulder. Length should stay at or under 32.25 inches from chest to tail.
Lucky Duck recommends the Large for dogs from 70 to 110 lb.
Dakota 283 tells owners to measure nose-to-tail length and standing height. Then compare those numbers to the published interior. The G3 Large interior is 33 by 22.8 by 26.2 inches.
RuffLand names Labs, Goldens, German shorthaired pointers, and similar sporting breeds for the Large. Confirm with a tape, not a breed label. Our dog crate size by breed guide walks through that tape-measure method.
Wall thickness steals interior length
Comparing published length pairs shows the wall tax. The GUNNER G1 Intermediate gives up 4 inches from 34 inches outside to 30 inches of interior floor.
The RuffLand Large gives up 1.5 inches from 35 to 33.5. The Dakota 283 G3 Large gives up 2.2 inches from 35.2 to 33. The Lucky Duck Large gives up 2.25 inches from 38 to 35.75.
Double walls buy impact mass. They also shrink the dog’s usable floor. Measure the dog against interior numbers, not the box on the tailgate.
Height versus a tonneau or camper shell
Published exterior heights climb in a short ladder. Lucky Duck Intermediate is 24.5 inches. Dakota 283 G3 Large is 26.5 inches.
RuffLand Large is 27 inches.
GUNNER G1 Intermediate is 28.5 inches. Lucky Duck Large is 29 inches. GUNNER G1 Large is 33.25 inches.
GUNNER adds handle height on top of those figures. The Intermediate reaches 30 inches with handles. The Large reaches 34.5 inches with handles.
A low cover can veto the GUNNER Large before the dog ever sees it. Measure closed-cover clearance at the front and rear of the bed. Covers are not flat.
Tie-downs, covers, and weather
A rotomolded kennel that is not strapped is still a loose object. GUNNER is explicit about this. The maker wants the kennel anchored through its stainless-steel pins with GUNNER’s own tie-down strap kit.
Lucky Duck tells buyers to pair the kennel with the Lucky ratchet strap kit. Powder-coated tie-downs are molded into the shell. Do not substitute a single bungee.
RuffLand sells a Tie Down Bracket Kit for its kennels. The Large page lists that kit as a matching accessory. Follow the maker’s bracket path if you also run a top tray.
Dakota 283 does not print a branded strap kit on the G3 Large page. The maker still shows the kennel in a truck bed. Use rated ratchet straps into factory bed anchors.
Do not rely on the handle as the only tie point.
Point the door toward the tailgate if you need a fast unload. Never block every vent against a wheel well or a closed cover.
Shade, a breathable cover, and water matter on hot asphalt. Double-wall plastic holds temperature longer.
Lucky Duck, Dakota 283, and RuffLand all publish drains or raised floors. Check that those holes stay open after you strap the box down.
When the cab or a flight crate is the better tool
The AVMA still prefers the cab when you can use it. A strapped kennel in the bed is the fallback for an open cargo area. It is not the default for every trip.
Highway heat and flying debris are bed-only problems. A farm drive and an interstate run are not the same job.
If the dog is new to a crate, train in the house first. An older dog that has never been kenneled needs a slower plan than a hunting pup. Use our guide on how to crate train an older dog before the first bed ride.
Cabin travel also changes the crate. A GUNNER G1 Large at 72 lb empty is a two-person lift into a high bed. The RuffLand Large at about 30 lb is easier for one adult to move.
Air travel is a third job. Airline hard carriers follow a different size and hardware list than a bed kennel. If you are flying a big dog, use our how to fly with a large dog page.
Do not mix those jobs. A fabric crate that might pass a cabin rule still fails the Bed-Published Rule.
FAQ
Can I put a wire crate or a soft crate in a truck bed?
No. A wire crate can collapse, rust, and eject parts. A soft crate can tear, soak, and fly.
Is a truck-bed leash a substitute for a crate?
No. The AVMA literature review warns that a tether can tangle, choke, or drag a dog. A leash is not a kennel.
Which of these kennels is crash-test rated?
GUNNER states the G1 Small, Medium, and Intermediate are 5 Star crash tested. Lucky Duck states the Lucky Kennel Large is 5 Star rated for a dog up to 110 lb. We did not re-run those tests.
Will two kennels fit side by side in a full-size bed?
Measure your bed, then add maker widths. Pair fits run 44 inches for two RuffLand Larges and 46 for two GUNNER G1 Intermediates. Two Lucky Duck Larges need 48 inches. Two Dakota 283 G3 Larges need 49, and two GUNNER G1 Larges need 56.
How tight should the kennel be for highway travel?
Tighter than a house crate. GUNNER wants the dog able to curl, not stretch wall to wall. Use the maker’s interior numbers, not the exterior box.
Do I need a cover if the kennel already has a roof?
The kennel roof is not weatherproofing for the whole trip. Rain, sun, and road spray still enter vents. Leave vents open and check heat at every stop.
What if my dog has never ridden in a crate?
Do not debut the kennel on a highway bed. Train on the floor at home. For an adult dog that resists the box, follow the older-dog crate plan linked above.
