Steps? or Ramp? for EM getting into midsize SUV

[sgsmith318]

Our new EM girl is 4-1/2 months and will be too big for me to lift into the car by her next vet visit in 3 weeks (53 pounds a few days ago already).

We're debating now...ramp, or steps...to get into a midsize SUV? I really like the look of these Pet Loader steps I found on Amazon: Amazon.com : Pet Loader XL 18 Platform, Plastic, 4-Step : Pet Supplies

My husband is leaning towards the telescoping ramp idea, which I've seen here, from PetsMart.


Thoughts??

 

[Oscar'sMom]

Solvit Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp, Regular

That's the one I bougt. Super reasonable and all around awesome. I have a 4Runner and it fits perfectly in the cargo space. I can easily hold my 10 month 160lb EM and telescope it in or out. It only weighs like 13 lbs but the regular holds more than I'll ever need. He walks up and down without a problem. It's totalt worth the money

 

[norcal408bully]

My wife drives a outback and uses a hitch mount twistep which is pretty convienent and frees up the interior space for my kids and dog. I have tundra and use the solvit telescoping ramp as well only cause it takes up too much space in the outback.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Barlow611]

RAMP. Oden won't get in without it. Hes 1 1/2 and 200lbs now. We got ours at Dr Fosters and has a 500 lb limit.

 

[sgsmith318]

Three votes for ramp. aww..I was really leaning towards steps.

Would love to hear if anyone's tried steps, or any pros and cons, before we order next week.

thanks!

 

[Max's mom]

I use a milk crate that I put a piece of wood on the bottom and covered the wood with a plastic floor mat. It's basically one step. I put it by the back door of the car, he steps up and in. I put the crate in the trunk when I'm not using it and it's a nice grocery holder! When he's ready to get out, the step goes by the back door. I stand next to it with my foot pushed against it so there is no movement. It really helps. He does not jump in/out or on anything. We have decided to get an outback when the lease on this car is up. I plan to get the hitch mount step if the crate doesn't work.

 

[Bob Felts]

We just got the Solve-It telescoping ramp and it is fantastic. Worth every dollar, easy to use, and very well built. I think it has a 400 Lb capacity. Decided to get Thane used to a ramp earlier rather ran later. Glad we did. We have a Toyota FJ Cruiser, which is a bit higher than some SUVs. Again, the ramp works perfectly for us. Great when I or my wife is solo with our dog.

 

[sgsmith318]

Sounds like we have a winner. I need to order one this week, so I'm going to go with the Solvit. Thanks you guys!

 

[TricAP]

Ramp all the way - we love our Solvit and Angus won't get in or out without it.

 

[sgsmith318]

Sorry ONE MORE question...

I'm looking at the 'regular' Solvit ramp and it says the traction surface is 13" wide. 13 inches??? For a mastiff? The reviews all say it works, but only a few of them have giant dogs.

Do yours really go up a 13" wide footing? The bigger ramp traction area is 15.5", and even that seems narrow. I just don't want to be buying another one when she gets older...

 

[cdj1]

Get the ramp with the rubber coated surface. They don't slip and it has made all of our large dogs happy. (135# gsd, and both 180+ lb EM we have had)

 

[sgsmith318]

Yay, I ordered the Solvit in extra-large, can't wait to see how it works. We have a vet appt the 19th and I *know* I won't be able to lift her by then.

 

[DMikeM]

Anyone consider just making your own?

Dog Ramp Plans

 

[sgsmith318]

Yay, our ramp came today. She learned to go right up and down with no problems, just gave her some treats and she figured it right out.

It seems sturdy, though it definitely has some give/flexibility to it, but nothing that feels unsteady. The grippy coating seems fine and she didn't slip. I definitely wouldn't want it any narrower than the 15.5" though.

My only "wow" about it is...it's freaking HUGE. Long. Like 4 feet long, un-telescoped. Not sure how the heccckkk I'm supposed to pack that thing in the back of our midsize SUV, with the dog, and anyone in the back seat? That is why I was leaning towards steps that fold into a square block for storage...

Ah well. We'll figure it out. Maybe we can strap it to the roof, haha.

Other than that, I think it will be just right, and I'm excited to be mobile! Thanks for all the tips everyone!

 

[Elizabeth M]

I was also having trouble lifting Gertie into my Jeep SUV - I did alot of searching online for something other than a ramp because I didn't want to have the bother of maneuvering a ramp all the time. I found and had installed something called a Twistep (purchase online from Orvis) - it is fabulous - hooks onto the bumper hitch and twists under the car when not in use. Gertie does very well with it and I recommend it highly.

 

[dpenning]

Yay, our ramp came today. She learned to go right up and down with no problems, just gave her some treats and she figured it right out.

It seems sturdy, though it definitely has some give/flexibility to it, but nothing that feels unsteady. The grippy coating seems fine and she didn't slip. I definitely wouldn't want it any narrower than the 15.5" though.

My only "wow" about it is...it's freaking HUGE. Long. Like 4 feet long, un-telescoped. Not sure how the heccckkk I'm supposed to pack that thing in the back of our midsize SUV, with the dog, and anyone in the back seat? That is why I was leaning towards steps that fold into a square block for storage...

Ah well. We'll figure it out. Maybe we can strap it to the roof, haha.

Other than that, I think it will be just right, and I'm excited to be mobile! Thanks for all the tips everyone!

I put it on its side in the jeep and bungee it to the roll bars. Doesn't take up any space that way. Maybe you could do something similar? The other option is to put It on edge so it is against the back door when you close it.

 

[dpenning]

Just looked that up, very cool! If I didn't already have two ramps I would get one.

I was also having trouble lifting Gertie into my Jeep SUV - I did alot of searching online for something other than a ramp because I didn't want to have the bother of maneuvering a ramp all the time. I found and had installed something called a Twistep (purchase online from Orvis) - it is fabulous - hooks onto the bumper hitch and twists under the car when not in use. Gertie does very well with it and I recommend it highly.

 

[sgsmith318]

REVIEW:
Pros: 1) We have been using the new ramp for trips to the vet and went camping this weekend, and she loves it. She goes in and out of the camper cheerfully. 2) It's wide enough, grippy enough, and feels sturdy when positioned right, and can telescope to a fairly easy angle for her.

Cons: 1) It's really unwieldy, as mentioned, and you need both hands free (or some help) to set it up and re-collapse it and lean it up somewhere. Try this while holding the leash, in pouring rain, with a camper door wide open, and it gets interesting. 2) With the ramp in the back of our rented Ford Edge SUV thing, it takes up half the width of the interior, and reaches from the back hatch to halfway up the folded-down back seat. The dog takes up the other half of the rear, with the seats folded down, so there's only room for two people up front, when she's with us. Uhhh... there are 3 of us.

So--Other than deciding who can't go on trips with me (kidding), it's super and she seems to love using it.

 

[Max's mom]

I just traded my sedan for suv. Son is dealership general manager...got a deal I couldn't turn down on a full size Sante fe (yes, hyundai...I loved my genesis and I'm supporting my son and new wife!). Max cannot get in. I ordered a pet loader 4 stair system after lots of consideration. I thought ramp would work, but based on how much trouble I have getting Max to just stand on the scale at the vet...and he won't go over/under/through anything, I decided against. The diy step isn't tall or wide enough. IF he got in, he'd never come out. He does stairs so, my thought is that I will have one person on each side so he feels safe...and a handful of raw burger and optimistically hopeful that he will do it! I'll update you Thursday when it comes.