FreeMiles Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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 C-MaxSea, Miss415, Laurel and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizM Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill-N Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Very nicely done, Taylor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeMiles Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 poor guy, you blocked his side windows LOL while i don't have a dog any more. I got a lot of stuff from duluth trading... nice high quality http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-gifts-mens-gear/dog-toys-dog-stuff/dog-toys-dog-stuff.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeMiles Posted October 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Yeah I did block the side windows but she still has the rear... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) That's funny, I thought the best way to Dog proof your CMAX was to not let a Dog get in. LOL :drop: :lol: :puppy_kiss: :lol2: Paul Edited October 1, 2014 by ptjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeMiles Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 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. Laurel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I am guessing Lexi is a fair bit larger by now. Glad she is "an excellent dog". She is lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-MaxSea Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Complimenti Taylor ! That looks great for the money - very creative, resourceful & thorough !!! Lexi seems to like it too; she looks pretty happy & restful there. Glad you shared this to inspire others. (Hi there Lexi) Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc59 Posted October 26, 2014 Report Share Posted October 26, 2014 ... 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted October 28, 2014 Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 It also works great for wet scuba gear, which was my main reason for getting it in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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