On the Fence...

[vanbo]

I currently have an '06 Ridgeline, and am considering an '07 CRV ex-l for a couple of reasons... 1) MPG, and 2) my dog. We have a 63lb (and 24" tall @ the withers) Portuguese Water Dog that I take in my truck (dog park, into town, etc) quite frequently. I won't let him ride in the bed of my truck, so I fold the seats up in the Ridge. Problem is, he just trashes the back with dirt... he's always going swimming, finding mud puddles, etc. And, we're getting a female Portie in 8 weeks. She'll be about 40-45 lbs when full grown. My question is... will both dogs fit in the cargo area of a CRV? :confused: Just from measurements, it appears small-ish, but I think they'll fit (will have some sort of barrier to keep them from jumping into the second seat, where my daughters ride, and to keep the dirt in the way back). Anyone else have mid-to-largish dogs in the cargo area? Pics would be great, of course.

Thanks much.

[mdugan7000]

A little different but I did have 2 larger dogs (now just 1) that shared the back of both our 99 and our 04. (Black lab and a black lab/husky mix) I first thought too small, but they could stand up just fine and turn around with no problems. The nice thing with the CR-V (compared to my truck) is that the now older lab can easily jump in/out by herself.

I always keep dogs in the back cargo areas with a pet barrier. I do not want a dog that suddenly gets excited to decide to jump into the front seats and cause an accident!

[alirose4]

I ran across a sit that got a dog walker (http://reviews.cnet.com/2007_Honda_CR_V_EX_L/4505-10868_7-32328653.html) to check out the car... She fit 8... :)
I think they had the rear seat folded forward to fit all 8 so you should be able to fit 2 no problem. That would fix the problem of the dogs climbing into the front they mentioned.
Also I just folded my second row up today to give it a good vacuum. The floor space was not doubled by doing this so you will be good to go...

[vanbo]

I'd like to only utilize the cargo area for the dogs though... with the seats folded, it is a huge area, but no place for passengers then.
My mother-in-law has a '99 CRV, and the cargo area just looks bigger to me (I didn't see them side-by-side)... mostly because of the steep slope the '07 window has. I was more interested in the Rav4 because of that, but there just isn't enough leg room in that vehicle. On a 10 minute test drive, I was uncomfortable. Also looked at Outback (cargo area too short), Forrester (back seat way too small), Vue (AWD V6 mileage was poor), Highlander (mileage bad)... I really like everthing about the CRV, but just want to make sure the dogs will fit in the way-back.

[mdugan7000]

I'd like to only utilize the cargo area for the dogs though... with the seats folded, it is a huge area, but no place for passengers then.
My mother-in-law has a '99 CRV, and the cargo area just looks bigger to me (I didn't see them side-by-side)... mostly because of the steep slope the '07 window has. I was more interested in the Rav4 because of that, but there just isn't enough leg room in that vehicle. On a 10 minute test drive, I was uncomfortable. Also looked at Outback (cargo area too short), Forrester (back seat way too small), Vue (AWD V6 mileage was poor), Highlander (mileage bad)... I really like everthing about the CRV, but just want to make sure the dogs will fit in the way-back.

Absolutely - Dogs in cargo area only!

[sleeksilver]

I'd like to only utilize the cargo area for the dogs though... with the seats folded, it is a huge area, but no place for passengers then.
My mother-in-law has a '99 CRV, and the cargo area just looks bigger to me (I didn't see them side-by-side)... mostly because of the steep slope the '07 window has. I was more interested in the Rav4 because of that, but there just isn't enough leg room in that vehicle. On a 10 minute test drive, I was uncomfortable. Also looked at Outback (cargo area too short), Forrester (back seat way too small), Vue (AWD V6 mileage was poor), Highlander (mileage bad)... I really like everthing about the CRV, but just want to make sure the dogs will fit in the way-back.

The dogs will fit just fine :)

I'm suprised you even considered a Vue :shock: Only good thing about that vehicle is the Honda powerplant!!!

[vanbo]

Only good thing about that vehicle is the Honda powerplant!!!

And that's the only reason I considered it... Before the Ridge, I had 3 Tundras, a Tacoma, Passport, Civic, Pathfinder(s)... I currently have 6 Hondas in my garage (Pilot, Ridge, Foreman, pushmower, trimmer, powerwasher). Would hate to break the 'family' up.:mrgreen:

[sleeksilver]

And that's the only reason I considered it... Before the Ridge, I had 3 Tundras, a Tacoma, Passport, Civic, Pathfinder(s)... I currently have 6 Hondas in my garage (Pilot, Ridge, Foreman, pushmower, trimmer, powerwasher). Would hate to break the 'family' up.:mrgreen:

:lol:

That's great! I only have two, sad. :(

Anyway, welcome to the site!

ps- how do you like that Foreman? What do you use it for?

[vanbo]

:lol:

ps- how do you like that Foreman? What do you use it for?

Primarily to plow the driveway in the winter, and just for playing all-year round. I live in SE Wisconsin, and have a 520 foot driveway out in a rural-ish area, so get quite a bit of snow drift. It's a very versatile machine, for work or play.

[sleeksilver]

Primarily to plow the driveway in the winter, and just for playing all-year round. I live in SE Wisconsin, and have a 520 foot driveway out in a rural-ish area, so get quite a bit of snow drift. It's a very versatile machine, for work or play.

520 foot driveway!?!? :shock:

Wowwww. I would love to have a snowmobile if I lived up where you do. Do you do any hunting?

[vanbo]

520 foot driveway!?!? :shock:

Wowwww. I would love to have a snowmobile if I lived up where you do. Do you do any hunting?

Don't hunt, but do a lot of target shooting. My in-laws have 20+ acres, and a gravel pit, so we plink there quite a bit. "Plinked" with a friend's .50 cal rifle once... that was, uh, loud, and quite entertaining.

[sleeksilver]

"Plinked" with a friend's .50 cal rifle once... that was, uh, loud, and quite entertaining.

That's like plinking with a cannon :shock: :lol: I bet the recoil on that was pretty intense....

[vanbo]

Yeah, big time. Anywho (major topic drift here!:D )...

I really wish Honda made a barrier for the '07 V like they have for the Pilot. My wife has a Pilot, and the barrier is a strong fabric mesh material; hooks up on the "Oh, Sh*t" handles, and straps on the bottom cargo hooks. Doesn't affect the middle row seats when reclined, and there are no pressure posts/indentations like the generic tubular style barriers. VERY nice.

Does anyone have a different type of pet barrier, besides those generic tubular style ones that just wedge between the floor and ceiling? I can see them interfering with the seats reclining...

[mdugan7000]

Doesn't Europe get a pet barrier for the new CR-V? I know they had one for the 2nd gen's and the US didn't get that accessory either.

[badgerland]

I really wish Honda made a barrier for the '07 V like they have for the Pilot. My wife has a Pilot, and the barrier is a strong fabric mesh material; hooks up on the "Oh, Sh*t" handles, and straps on the bottom cargo hooks. Doesn't affect the middle row seats when reclined, and there are no pressure posts/indentations like the generic tubular style barriers. VERY nice.

Does anyone have a different type of pet barrier, besides those generic tubular style ones that just wedge between the floor and ceiling? I can see them interfering with the seats reclining...


How big is your dog? Ours rides on the folding shelf in back and with the headrests up on the seats, never tries to jump over at all. I know Honda says that shelf only holds 20lbs but our dog weighs 28lbs and we haven't had a problem with stability.

[vanbo]

How big is your dog? Ours rides on the folding shelf in back and with the headrests up on the seats, never tries to jump over at all. I know Honda says that shelf only holds 20lbs but our dog weighs 28lbs and we haven't had a problem with stability.

He's 63lbs, and fairly tall (24" at the shoulder). We're getting a 2nd dog in 8 weeks, that will eventually be 40-45lbs, and 18" tall at the shoulder.

[vanbo]

Just found a Royal Blue EX-L AWD, in stock, at a local dealership (Gurnee, IL). Quoted $26,912 OTD. I put a deposit down, and barring any trade-in issues on the Ridgeline, will get it tomorrow.

[sleeksilver]

Just found a Royal Blue EX-L, in stock, at a local dealership (Gurnee, IL). Quoted $26,912 OTD. I put a deposit down, and barring any trade-in issues on the Ridgeline, will get it tomorrow.

Just an FYI: You might want to try to sell the RL on your own... If you can afford to do that, you would get a lot more than trading in your practically new vehicle :)

[DBinCA]

Clean your dog up a bit and take him with you to the local Honda dealer. I'm sure they'll be happy to let him try out the cargo area if they think it'll make a sale. Plus, a large dog might come in handy if you decide to negotiate for a new CR-V. Can he growl on command?

[vanbo]

Just an FYI: You might want to try to sell the RL on your own... If you can afford to do that, you would get a lot more than trading in your practically new vehicle :)

I always consider that, but the timing is always so difficult. I just got back from the local Carmax, and they gave me a very fair quote, so I have that as a backup if the dealership doesn't want to deal.

[vanbo]

Can he growl on command?

:lol: Only at birds & squirrels.

[texgal]

Clean your dog up a bit and take him with you to the local Honda dealer. I'm sure they'll be happy to let him try out the cargo area if they think it'll make a sale. Plus, a large dog might come in handy if you decide to negotiate for a new CR-V. Can he growl on command?

My parents have a 6 lb chihuahua who will growl, bark or down right rip you apart on command. He will also lick you to death. Maybe I should have used him during my last negotiation.:lol: He also tries to beat up all the other dogs in the neighborhood too.:rolleyes:

[vanbo]

My parents have a 6 lb chihuahua who will growl, bark or down right rip you apart on command. He will also lick you to death. Maybe I should have used him when during my last negotiation.:lol: He also tries to beat up all the other dogs in the neighborhood too.:rolleyes:

Little dogs = Napoleon complex... at least that's my experience from visits to the dog park.

[texgal]

Little dogs = Napoleon complex... at least that's my experience from visits to the dog park.

Yep, he tries to bite the big dog's "balls" :oops: He goes for them everytime:roll:

[sleeksilver]

Yep, he tries to bite the big dog's "balls" :oops: He goes for them everytime:roll:

:shock:


He wants to be eaten! My grandmother has a chihuahua and it is an angry little thing to people it doesn't know.

[texgal]

:shock:


He wants to be eaten! My grandmother has a chihuahua and it is an angry little thing to people it doesn't know.

He's survived 6 years pulling that crazy stunt...its absolutely harilious to watch the big dogs run when he gets after them. He's a great watch dog, as soon as someone hits the yard, he goes off like an alarm. And you're right he doesn't like strangers either, he'll go for the ankles if you don't watch him. He's even chased me in their house when I startled him....it's ridiculous there I am running for my life from a 6 lb dog :lol: then he realizes who it is and begs to be picked up:)

[2ndtry]

I usually fold down the seats and let my dogs roam, but they will fit in the cargo area. Of course they prefer to each have their own window, they love this car.

Sorry this isn't a very good picture but you can see that they fit back there.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/sblackk/IMG_0629.jpg

[vanbo]

Well, took the plunge, and traded my Ridgeline for a CR-V (royal blue EX-L 4wd) on Saturday! Ordered the cargo tray and all-weather mats as soon as I got home, so haven't actually tried the dog out in the back yet. Haven't driven more than 100 miles yet, but so far, I'm lovin it.

[sleeksilver]

Congratulations!

Be sure to post some pictures for us :)