Jump to content

Dog Proofing the C-Max


FreeMiles
 Share

Recommended Posts

One of the reasons we went with a C-Max is because trips with our family of 4 humans and 1 dog (soon to be 80+ lbs or so) wasn't a cozy ride in our old sedan (Buick Regal). So a hatchback was a must! The Volt wasn't an option because we plan on 1 more and it only seats 4. Anyways enough of my sales pitch for the C-Max...

 

The wife and I were trying to figure out the best way to keep our pup in the hatch and not on our leather seats... We went to Petsmart and tried to get a universal dog barrier but they do not make them small enough to accompany our enormous battery (Energi). So we decided to make one... We made it out of PVC Pipe and adapters. I don't remember the exact dimensions but if there is a demand I can get and post them. We attached it to the seats with a strap (similar to a belt [don't know the exact type]) but a sliding buckle would be the best option.

 

To protect the seats we used a movers blanket from harbor freight but our pup chewed it up quick. This would work great if you place the bottom of a kennel in with it but we hadn't... So after she destroyed that we decided to get another movers blanket except this time we put duck cloth on top for strength and aesthetics. The movers blanket was mostly for padding. Also we have the Ford C-Max Engeri specific all-weather cargo mat just in case she pees so it doesn't soak into the carpet of the vehicle (if we don't use the kennel floor). 

 

So I'm super crazy about protecting my new investment/baby (lol) so I was worried about her paws accidentally scratching the plastic molding on the left and right of the battery, but covering up the vent ports was a NO GO for me. So I had some leftover ply wood laying around from another project and cut it out to fit the C-Max's sides and covered them in Duck Cloth for aesthetics and to prevent her from chewing on the wood (she loves to do that) and the wood splintering and leaving dust all over my car. I can just lean them up against the sides and they stay in place (surprisingly well!) and with the kennel floor in there it holds them in place. And to remove them i literally just grab them.

 

This set-up works perfectly and cost us around $20 or so. In my opinion it looks pretty nice especially for what we paid and how protected our C-Max is! Also I recommend the rear bumper protector to prevent them from scratching the bumper as she exits.

 

I hope you guys enjoy this. I know I wish I had a write-up for the C-Max specifically when purchasing the vehicle and making this, and thanks for reading!

 

-Taylor

post-2547-0-88641600-1412040692_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was another post about this same subject. I forget who came up with it, but there was another version, also made out of PVC, that was posted. I copied it, and it worked well for me on my 5,400+ trip to New England and back.

 

My pooch sits in the back seats, and I use my barrier to keep him from getting at food that I carry in the rear compartment. I bought seat covers made out of wetsuit material, and this allows me to clean by using a soft brush with a bucket of cleaner followed by sucking up the dirty wet solution with a small carpet/sofa cleaner. I have been using this for about a year, and I happily report that it keeps everything like new. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was another post about this same subject. I forget who came up with it, but there was another version, also made out of PVC, that was posted. I copied it, and it worked well for me on my 5,400+ trip to New England and back.

 

My pooch sits in the back seats, and I use my barrier to keep him from getting at food that I carry in the rear compartment. I bought seat covers made out of wetsuit material, and this allows me to clean by using a soft brush with a bucket of cleaner followed by sucking up the dirty wet solution with a small carpet/sofa cleaner. I have been using this for about a year, and I happily report that it keeps everything like new. :)

ScubaDad, may I ask what brand of seat cover you bought for the back?  And how is the fit?  We also have a dog and are planning a trip with her.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ScubaDad, may I ask what brand of seat cover you bought for the back?  And how is the fit?  We also have a dog and are planning a trip with her.

Wet Okole. They were not cheap, like $600 or so, I think. (I went with the standard material to match the seat colors, plus I added some options like lumbar support.) However, coming from a long background in scuba, I know wetsuit material. It works well, and cleans up to look like new. I would post a picture of them, but you can't really tell that they are there without seeing it with your eyes. They really do fit that well.

 

The other thing I did was to put a CanvasBack cover over the rear storage compartment floor. (That's actually my vehicle in the picture on their web page.) It's a different material, but I can also clean this with a soft brush followed by extraction. It is great for when you have wet or dirty materials. This is the second vehicle that I've had with a CanvasBack. The cover holds up very well.

 

I now have 16,000+ miles and over a year of use, and my interior looks pretty much like new. I have used this set up for over 9,000 miles of cross country travel with my dog, and for carrying things like my wet scuba gear or from Home Depot. Cleans up really well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found the thread for the other version of the barrier. This is the version that I used. The directions are in the post. I would suggest making the bottom legs (the part that holds the barrier behind the seats) a bit longer than was suggested in the original post, if you are going to try making this version. Otherwise, it works well.

 

FreeMiles' version looks quite sturdy, and more robust than the version that I use. The good thing is that I only need a psychological barrier for Slowpoke. It is not like he has spent the past year constantly trying to figure out how to pass over to the food. He took one look and the barrier, and he never bothered to even try. I was quite surprised, given his past behavior, which is something that you would have to see to understand. (He was homeless, and he learned how to become quite the expert at getting at food.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nicely done, Taylor.

 

Thanks Bill.

 

And I was really looking at seat covers for the perfect fit but $600 was way out of my price range just to dog proof the car. I'm sure they work great and look amazing though!! I really wanted to make it so she couldn't damage anything at all hence the boards on each side. She's pretty good about laying down when the vehicle is moving but whenever we stop she's up and moving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

She's pretty good about laying down when the vehicle is moving but whenever we stop she's up and moving.

Slowpoke is really good in the car. He knows to wake up only when he hears me shift into Park. My only problem with him happens when I leave him alone in the car (with it running and Climate Control turned on). He immediately goes to work at getting at the food. Ever since I put up the barrier, no more problems. :puppy_kiss:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taylor you left out the most important fact!  What is her name and how old is she?  And is she a very good girl?   Nice invention.  We only have a wee senior named Tinker so she sits where she likes and is quiet as a mouse. (Of course she wears her seat belt while traveling).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taylor you left out the most important fact!  What is her name and how old is she?  And is she a very good girl?   Nice invention.  We only have a wee senior named Tinker so she sits where she likes and is quiet as a mouse. (Of course she wears her seat belt while traveling).

 

Thanks!

 

 

Her name is Lexi and she's an excellent dog! In the picture she is 4 months old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

...

 

The other thing I did was to put a CanvasBack cover over the rear storage compartment floor. (That's actually my vehicle in the picture on their web page.)

 

Scuba,

 

Thanks for the tip to the CanvasBack product.  Best one I've seen at a good price point.  We have 5 collies.  With 178 miles on the car, they haven't been inside yet.  This will be a great addition!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...