ATV dog box

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:45 pm

I'm thinking of using a 55 gallon plastic barrel for an atv dog box. Anybody else thought of this?

Wondering what you used for an access door / hinges /lock etc, and how you secured the barrel to the atv rack?

I'm thinking it's maybe possible to use a heat gun to warm the plastic and mold a flat spot on one side, allowing for easier mounting to the rack with ratcheting straps.

I know lots of guys use the plastic transport kennels, but they're too fragile for the rugged trails I'll be traversing with the quad......

Also, are holes for the dogs to stick their heads through customarily put on a quad / dog box?

wyocathunter · Post by **wyocathunter** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:06 am

Hey Spokerider

There are some guys around here that use them alot.I don't really like the set up the barrels rubbed sores on one of my dogs. Putting doors on are a pain in the ass.Most of these guys just cut about a third of the barrel off longways and build there box out of the other two thirds. That way there are no doors they just ride in there but it takes a while for the dogs to learn not to jump out.Then just drill holes in the bottom corners to wire it to your atv rack.

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:22 pm

Thnaks Kody.

I got the door welded up yesterday. Put some tabs with holes on the outer door frame....to allow attachment to the barrel with stove bolts. The door will work well.

Never thought of sores being rubbed on the dogs. Did you have any straw / hay or wood chips in the barrel? I was planning on using something inside for cushion and comfort.

I guess wiring the barrel to the rack would work. I may try straps first, so it can be easily R&R.

Hummer · Post by **Hummer** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:00 pm

I have used one of these plastic kennels a couple times.

I have the extra large version and I have got 3 dogs jammed in there. I dont hunt much off the 4-wheeler but the couple times I have it worked out ok. I just used a couple ratchet straps to hold it on the back rack. One nice thing about one of these is it is LIGHT and dont weigh down on the wheeler. Just another idea or option to haul dogs on a 4-wheeler.

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:36 pm

More on the barrel box.......

I cut the rigging holes in the sides of the barrel, at roughly the 10:00 am position, [when looking at the end of the barrel / door] These I made 7.5" and I'll be using some auto heater hose to "ring" the holes, so the barrel material will not cut into the dogs necks with the bouncing. The holes will be smaller in diameter [ 6.5" ] once the heater hose goes on.

I also made some neoprene flaps from an old wetsuit to cover these holes when I want to keep the weather out.

Lastly, I drilled a bunch of 1" ventilation holes in the bottom [ opposite end from the door ].

The last hurdle is to strap it down to the quad rack and see how secure it is, or not....... Might have to devise something to keep it from wanting to roll on the rack.

tntoutfitting · Post by **tntoutfitting** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:05 pm

STAR folding pet crate, indestructable, folds down.....awesome.

Holes in your box could get old flop ears "ears" ripped off in rough going and if you roll or tip over(and you will sooner or later) DEAD DOG!!!!!! Like the ingenueity though. Could you not just cut the"bottom" off the down side so you have a flat surface and rachet strap to board bolted to rack??? We haul plastic drums by the hundreds full of bear bait and made a cradle to hold the drum so it stays on for short round trips (strapped on as well if in rough uneven ground over longer bait runs) and that works great.

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:25 am

Hey tnt,
I like that folding crate. Where can that be bought? It's alot bigger than a 55gal barrel.

I've trid just ratcheting the barrel down to the rear rack, and it sit's pretty tight, but I may make a cradle similar to what you've designed. Thanks for the pic.
I made covers, to cover the rigging holes when I don't want the dogs heads sticking out. I was thinking it could get a little shi*&^ in the event of a roll-over however......

tntoutfitting · Post by **tntoutfitting** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:58 am

Actually they are the same lenght (3 feet) as a drum, but have more useable room. They used to make a larger model but unfortunately last I looked they no longer made it. The fact they collapse is a real plus when you kick the dogs out plus that is what makes them so tough (they have a lot of give- solid boxes break, and wire....just forget it , they bend and thats it). Will look up website plus where I bought them for ya tomorrow.

Truly this is THE BOX for hauling dogs on atv's.

Did you use a plastic drum with a "snap ring lid" for easy cleaning???

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:17 pm

No snap ring / removeable lid on my barrel, just the plain blue plastic 55 gal variety. I'll just hose it out as needed......

adrich · Post by **adrich** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:25 am

I made a platform with with strike rail to put on my quad.Found the easiest way to attach was to buy 150lb zip ties they are cheap and when you are done just cut them off.Takes minutes to reattach.

deer dogger · Post by **deer dogger** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:08 am

i use beagles and smaller hounds and i used a air conditioning unit that has all the internals out it works good

Timberhound · Post by **Timberhound** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:21 pm

adrich
what kind of railing did you use?

adrich · Post by **adrich** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:40 pm

I used some light 1" square tubing.then used L brackets to bolt it to a piece of 1/2" plywood that was the width of my quad rack and length of the dogs.I have had as many as 5 dogs on it and it weighs probably 20 lbs.

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:28 am

I have been using 55 gallon barrels for years. I just put a door on on end and secure with ratchet straps. One thing I have noticed is it will eventually tear up the rack on the 4 wheeler. I have not had any more trouble with this since I started cutting out the size of the rack out of 3/4 inch plywood and attaching it with wire. You could run some self tapping screws through the ply into the rack but I did not want to damage any more than the paint. Any way this seemed to make the rack a little stronger. Maybe other wheelers have stronger racks. I have all yamahas. You should also be very careful about using very good rachet straps that are in very good shape. The worst 4 wheeler wreck I have had yet was because I had a strap break and the other held just enough that the barrel slung out to the side and sent us flipping down the mountain. Luckily the dogs and myself were fine but the machine didnt fair to well. I usually use 4 straps now.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:05 am

I build mine out of 1/4 inch plywood to fit the bike. I have a grizzly 700 right now and is a little tippy so only haul two big dogs in it, I can fit three smaller dogs in it. They are all carpeted inside to protect the dogs i will post a pitcher later. I have used petaporters and they just break after a couple hunts, I have seen the the barrels but they are hard on the dogs.

ATV dog box

ATV dog box

Re: ATV dog box

Re: ATV dog box