Quick answer: Use a rigid, size-matched kennel strapped to the bed. On this page, only the Gunner G1 and Lucky Kennel list a Center for Pet Safety 5-star crate rating. Do not haul a loose or leash-tied dog in an open bed.
The safe truck bed dog kennel is a strapped rigid crate; only Gunner G1 and Lucky Kennel list a CPS 5-star rating here.
This page is a published-spec comparison of five kennels sold for truck and cargo use. We did not crash-test crates, run heat-chamber trials, or ride along on hunts.
Read the table for weights and shells. Then match the kennel to your dog and your bed.
How we chose the kennels on this page
Our research team used one selection rule. We call it the Three-Number Rule.
A kennel entered this brief only if the maker’s current product page listed three facts. Those facts are empty weight, exterior dimensions, and a door or latch type.
The kennel also had to be sold for vehicle or truck-bed transport. Home-only crates did not qualify.
We left out wire crates. We left out fashion carriers. We left out cabin-only harnesses.
We also left out any crate whose maker page hid exterior size. A hidden footprint cannot be checked against a bed floor.
We did not require a crash certificate for inclusion. A missing star is a fact in the table, not a ban.
Hunters still buy uncertified rotomolds. They should know what the page does not claim.
This is not a ranked list. Rank columns hide tradeoffs. The table compares attributes, not trophies.
Top 7 Truck bed dog kennel
The picks below are the 7 truck bed dog kennels 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. Dakota 283 Canine Rough and Tough Economy Dog Crate
Best for: Everyday haulers wanting a named crate
Dakota 283’s Rough and Tough Economy crate is a mid-price enclosed kennel, not a bed tether. The Economy name marks the brand’s cheaper crate line, which matches the $420 listing. Owners who pick this type want a named crate they can secure in the bed, and they trade a custom aluminum box for a lower bill.
Pros: Named crate, mid-price tier; Enclosed kennel, not a tether Cons: Costs more than wire crates
2. SKIPWALL Truck Bed Dog Tether for Two Dogs
Best for: Two dogs sharing an open bed
SKIPWALL’s truck-bed tether is a two-dog restraint, not a kennel. At $34 it is the cheap way to keep a pair from roaming when you do not want a box in the bed. Owners who use this type treat it as a short-haul tie-down and accept the lack of walls.
Pros: Priced for two dogs; Leaves the bed open Cons: Not an enclosed kennel
3. PetBonus Truck Bed Dog Leash
Best for: Budget single-dog bed restraint
PetBonus’s truck-bed leash is a single-dog tie-out, not a crate. The $26 price is the entry point on this list if you only need to keep one dog from roaming the bed. Owners who buy this type want a simple restraint for short trips and know it will not replace a kennel.
Pros: Lowest price on list; Simple single-dog restraint Cons: No crate walls at all
4. Mammoth Guardian Dog Kennel 36" Heavy Duty Travel & Outdoor Crate for
Best for: Medium dogs on mixed travel
Mammoth’s Guardian kennel is sold as a 36-inch heavy-duty crate for travel and outdoor use, so it sits in the medium-dog lane. At $300 it undercuts the Dakota Economy listing while still being a real crate. Owners who want one box for the bed and the campsite usually stop at this size and give up the extra length of a 48-inch crate.
Pros: 36-inch travel crate; Travel and outdoor use Cons: Short for large dogs
5. UWS DB-4848 Bright Aluminum 48" x 48" Double-Door Dog Box with Divider
Best for: Work trucks needing a divided box
UWS’s DB-4848 is a 48-by-48-inch bright-aluminum dog box with two doors and a divider. That is the truck-box form, and the $1,095 listing is the premium pick on this page. Owners who spend this much want a split box for two dogs and accept a four-figure price for that build.
Pros: 48-by-48 aluminum box; Divider splits two dogs Cons: Four-figure truck-box price
6. Oranland 48 Inch Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Best for: Large dogs on a crate budget
Oranland’s 48-inch heavy-duty crate is the large-dog size at the lowest crate price on this list. It is a kennel, not a tether, which is why budget haulers land here instead of the aluminum box. Owners who pick a no-frills 48-inch crate want floor space for a big dog and accept a less known brand than Dakota or UWS.
Pros: 48-inch crate size; Lowest crate price here Cons: Lesser-known crate brand
7. Lucky Dog Kennel
Best for: Owners wanting a branded kennel
Lucky Dog’s kennel sits between the budget 48-inch crates and the aluminum truck box on price. At $600 you are paying for a named kennel brand rather than a strap or a generic crate. Owners who land here want that brand step-up and accept a listing that does not spell out size the way the 36-inch and 48-inch crates do.
Pros: Named kennel brand; Priced under aluminum box Cons: Listing omits a size
Comparison: Truck bed dog kennel at a Glance
Want to browse every option? See the full range of truck bed dog kennel on Amazon →
Why a crate belongs in the bed, not a loose dog
A truck bed dog kennel is a box you can strap down. It is not a dog standing on the liner.
The American Veterinary Medical Association policy on safe pet transport is plain. Loose or tethered pets in open cargo areas are not safe.
The same policy prefers a secured kennel in that space. The kennel should be size-appropriate and ventilated.
A short tether can tangle. It can choke. It can drag a dog if the animal goes over the tailgate.
Debris is a second hazard. Rocks, grit, and rain hit a dog that is not in a shell.
A kennel wall blocks that spray. It does not replace shade or water.
The Center for Pet Safety’s 2015 crate study treated crates as cargo. MGA Research Corporation ran the sled work.
That report used a 75 lb crash-test dog unless a test said otherwise. It also flagged seatback risk in cab cargo.
Center for Pet Safety noted concern when crate-plus-dog load exceeds about 40 lb and hits a seatback. An open pickup bed has no seatback behind the crate.
The straps and the kennel shell do all the work. Soft ties do not.
Center for Pet Safety later published protocol CPS-002-016.01. Ratings on that protocol are the crash figures used here.
A rating applies only to the size, straps, and setup on the certificate. Swap the straps and you leave the certificate.
Five kennels compared by published attributes
Our research team compared maker pages for five mid-size kennels. We call that pass the Pet Bench Truck-Bed Spec Scan.
Empty weights on those pages run from 21 lb to 48 lb. That is a 27 lb spread on crates meant for similar dogs.
| Model | Empty weight | Exterior L × W × H | Shell | Published CPS crate rating | Door / latch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunner G1 Intermediate | 48 lb | 34" × 23" × 28.5" | Double-wall rotomolded plastic | Maker cites 5-star with Gunner straps | Lockable paddle-latch metal door |
| RuffLand Intermediate Kennel | 21 lb | 30.5" × 20.0" × 23.5" | One-piece rotomolded polyethylene | None on the product page | Single or double door options |
| Dakota 283 G3 Medium Framed Kennel | 37 lb | 31" × 21.5" × 25.5" | One-piece rotomolded plastic | None on the product page | Keyed paddle-latch framed door |
| Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Intermediate | 38 lb | 32.5" × 22.5" × 24.5" | One-piece rotomolded plastic | 5-star, July 2022, 75 lb test dog | Locking paddle latch, reversible door |
| Impact Collapsible Dog Crate 34" | 35 lb | 34.5" × 23" × 29" | High-grade aluminum | None on the product page | Door plus required side rails |
Gunner G1 Intermediate
Gunner lists the Intermediate interior as 30" long by 18" wide by 25" high on the floor. Empty weight is 48 lb.
Gunner calls the G1 the only double-walled kennel on the market. The firm claims twice the impact protection of a single wall.
Center for Pet Safety lists a 5-star result for the Gunner G1 Medium. That listing pairs the crate with strength-rated anchor straps.
The Medium test ran in March 2017. The test dog weighed 45 lb.
Gunner says the G1 with Gunner tie-down straps is its 5-star crash crate. Use other straps and you leave that claim.
The Intermediate is the heavy lift in this set. Gunner’s Large is heavier still at 72 lb empty.
RuffLand Intermediate Kennel
RuffLand lists the Intermediate at about 21 lb. Exterior size is 30.5" by 20.0" by 23.5".
Interior size is 28.65" by 19.65" by 21.25". That is 3.75" less interior height than the Gunner Intermediate.
The shell is UV-stabilized polyethylene. Vent holes are 1.375" circles.
RuffLand tapers the walls so vents stay open against a flat side. That helps when a crate sits on a wheel well.
The product page we compared does not list a Center for Pet Safety crate rating. Treat it as a tough travel box, not a certified crash crate.
RuffLand states most kennels ship on a 6 to 8 week lead time. Plan that delay before a hunt trip.
Dakota 283 G3 Medium Framed Kennel
Dakota 283 lists the G3 Medium at 37 lb. Exterior size is 31" by 21.5" by 25.5".
Interior height is 25.2" at the tallest point. That is a hair taller inside than the Gunner Intermediate.
The door opening is 14" wide by 20" high. Dakota 283 counts 16 vents per side, 32 in all.
The page we compared does not publish a Center for Pet Safety crate rating. The keyed paddle latch is the security story.
It is not a crash certificate.
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel Intermediate
Lucky Duck lists the Intermediate at 38 lb. Exterior size is 32.5" by 22.5" by 24.5".
Interior size is 30.25" by 20.5" by 22". Lucky Duck recommends it for dogs under 70 lb.
The firm also cites a shoulder height of about 24". Chest-to-tail length should be 32.25" or less.
Center for Pet Safety lists a 5-star result for this Intermediate. The certificate pairs it with the Lucky Ratchet Strap Kit.
The test date is July 2022. The test dog weighed 75 lb.
Lucky Duck also lists a Large at 45 lb. Center for Pet Safety certified that Large in July 2022 with a 110 lb test dog.
Lucky Duck states the kennel withstood 4,000 lb of force. It also cites a 630 lb drop from over 8 feet.
Those figures are Lucky Duck’s own published tests. They are not Center for Pet Safety numbers.
Impact Collapsible Dog Crate 34"
Impact lists the 34" Collapsible at 35 lb. Exterior size is 34.5" by 23" by 29".
Width grows to 25" with the side rails on. Impact says those rails are structural.
The crate needs them for rigidity. Vent holes are 0.817" diamonds.
Impact says the crate is ready in under 60 seconds. The firm builds it in Hayden, Idaho.
Impact’s own FAQ says the Collapsible model is not fully escape-proof. The firm estimates about 90% of dogs will not escape it in normal use.
The product page we compared does not list a Center for Pet Safety crate rating. Aluminum helps airflow.
It does not create a crash certificate.
Size the kennel to the dog, then to the bed
Measure the dog first. Use nose-to-tail-base length and floor-to-head height while standing.
Then read interior numbers, not marketing size names. “Intermediate” is not a standard.
Gunner tells buyers to keep a travel fit snug. The dog should curl, not sprawl.
Extra floor lets a body slam the wall in a stop. Lucky Duck says its listed sizes are for travel.
The firm tells home users to go up one size. Do not mix those two jobs.
Check the bed next. A short-bed floor can take two mid-size crates if widths stay near 20" to 23".
Impact’s 34" crate is 25" wide with rails. Two of those need a wide bed and a tape measure.
Leave room to open the door. A tailgate latch that blocks the paddle latch is a stuck dog.
Height matters under a tonneau or a camper shell. The Gunner Intermediate stands 28.5" tall.
It stands 30" with handles. Confirm clearance before you buy.
Two dogs, two strap sets
Two crates need two strap sets. Do not daisy-chain kennels to each other.
RuffLand advertises StackRight nesting for storage. Stacking in a moving bed is a different problem.
Strap each crate to the truck. Do not strap a crate only to the crate below.
Straps, toppers, and weather on an open bed
A crate that can slide is cargo, not a restraint. Pins and feet do not replace anchors.
Gunner says only its tie-down strap kit belongs with a 5-star claim. Lucky Duck says the same about the Lucky Ratchet Strap Kit.
Lucky Duck lists those straps as 8' by 1.5". The firm rates the ratchet at 4,500 lb load capacity.
It rates the nylon webbing at 3,500 lb break strength. The S-hooks carry the same 3,500 lb rating.
Lucky Duck also lists a 500°F melting point for that kit. Hardware-store straps are not on either certificate.
Anchor to rated truck points. Do not cinch to a plastic bed-stiffener.
Do not use bungee cords. Soft cord is not a crash strap.
A topper cuts rain and road grit. It also traps heat and exhaust.
Keep vents unblocked. Crack airflow if the shell is closed.
Gunner sells a Fan Kit 2.0 and states 20 hours of run time. That is a maker runtime claim.
It is not a cabin-temperature study. RuffLand’s tapered vents help when a crate sits against a wall.
Dakota’s 32 upper vents do the same job with bigger holes. Never leave a dog in a parked bed on a hot day.
Shade and cracked windows do not make an oven safe.
After the haul: rest and access at home
A working dog that rode in a snug crate still needs a place to stretch. For large breeds, start with our guide to orthopedic dog beds for large breeds.
Stiff joints show up at home, not only on the tailgate. If your dog then climbs a tall sleeping platform, dog steps for a high bed cut the jump.
A dog ramp for a bed is the slower path for sore hips. Use it indoors.
Do not treat a bedroom ramp as a truck-bed loader. Most home ramps are not built for tailgate height.
FAQ
Can I haul a dog loose in a pickup bed if I drive slowly?
No. Speed does not remove ejection risk. A sudden stop still throws a body.
The American Veterinary Medical Association policy rejects loose or tethered pets in open cargo areas. Use a strapped kennel if the dog must ride in the bed.
Is a wire crate enough for a truck bed?
Not for this brief. Wire crates fail the Three-Number Rule when they lack a closed shell.
They also flex. Flying grit and rain pass through.
Choose a rotomolded or aluminum box with a latch you can lock.
Do Center for Pet Safety stars apply if I use generic ratchet straps?
Not on the certificates we read. Center for Pet Safety lists Gunner with strength-rated anchor straps.
It lists Lucky Kennel with the Lucky Ratchet Strap Kit. Change the straps and you change the system.
The star is not a sticker you transfer.
How tight should my dog fit in a truck-bed kennel?
Tight enough to turn and lie down. Loose enough that the head does not jam the roof.
Gunner wants a curled travel posture. Lucky Duck’s Intermediate targets a 24" shoulder.
Chest-to-tail length on that Lucky size is 32.25" or less.
Can two kennels fit in one full-size bed?
Often yes, if each crate is about 20" to 23" wide. Two Impact 34" crates at 25" with rails need more floor.
Measure the bed between wheel wells. Then add door-swing space.
Should I add a pad for long trips?
A thin, washable pad can stop sliding on a slick floor. A thick pillow steals headroom.
If you pad the kennel, recheck interior height. Then give the dog a proper bed at home after the ride.
Does aluminum beat plastic for an open bed?
Aluminum, as on the Impact 34", sheds some weight. It also adds airflow through 0.817" holes.
Plastic rotomolds close more of the shell. That is the path Gunner, RuffLand, Dakota 283, and Lucky Duck take.
Neither material is a crash rating. Pick the shell for weather and weight.
Pick the certificate for a crash claim.
