Dog ramp for Range Rover Recommendations?

arnoldaustin
arnoldaustin Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited March 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

We've just got a new Labrador & whilst my husband can lift him in at the moment,  I can't. We'd like to train him to use it while he's young for the time when we can't lift him.

Any recommendations gratefully received!

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #2

    Why not let him jump in? It's what other dogs do.

  • arnoldaustin
    arnoldaustin Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #3

    It's quite high to jump in & we want to avoid the problems we had with our last 2 who became very arthritic & couldn't even manage the stairs at home - it didn't stop them loving their caravan holidays & we're hoping to make life a bit easier for ourselves as he (& we) get older.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #4

    That's the reason we never had big dogs.

    I can only suggest Amazon or eBay for your search or make a purpose designed one yourselves. 

    You'll probably get more joy from a dog forum than a caravanning one, to be honest.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #5

    Have a look at the "barjo" website lots of custom dog items

    just put barjo in the search bar

  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
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    edited March 2017 #6

    This one of a pair of triple section second hand telescopic wheelchair ramps that I obtained for a tenner for a neighbour with a disabled wife and arthritic Alsation.

     

  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
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    edited March 2017 #7

    Given up trying to post photo. Never have any problem on other message boards!

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2017 #8

    Various ramps at various prices on eBay click here smile

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited March 2017 #9

    I have a Discovery 4 - probably higher lip than a RR - and my 2 labs (5 and 7) jump in with no problems.  Personally I belive it helps keep them fit and wards off arthritis and similar conditions.

    Rather than a ramp, consider training your boy to use steps - that is, use the plastic caravan door step that comes with a new caravan.  If you can, it's much more convenient as well as cheaper than a ramp.  (A treat on the boot floor is a great motivator ;-)

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited March 2017 #10

    Well, this isn't like other message boards is it ? tongue-out

    Not as good (software-wise) did I hear you say ? sealed Wash your mouth out ;-)

  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
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    edited March 2017 #11

    No Brian1, it isn't. I rarely bothered with the challenge of the old site, even less with this 'improved' one.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #12

    We tried a dog ramp for our previous arthritic labrador (range rover/freelanders at the time.) She wouldn't use it so it was an expensive purchase and it's a good idea from the OP to get younger dogs used to it. This avoids the type of life shortening spinal damage incurred by a friend's rough collie jumping in at the wrong angle. We now have a motorhome but our everyday car has a low threshold, much easier  for us and the dogs.

    I found this link but their are lots of ramps out there, ours was quite heavy and bulky. 

    see here

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #13

    They are bulky items but I applaud you for considering your dog. My Freelander has a high boot lip and our dog although not a Labrador jumps into and out with no problems, but I can see it is the jumping out of and the landing that will be a problem for her in older years. Fortunately she is quite happy for me to lift her in/out if it becomes necessary, and at the moment there is no ramp of lightweight or compact design unless someone knows different.

  • arnoldaustin
    arnoldaustin Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited April 2017 #14

    I had looked at eBay & Amazon & was hoping for some personal recommendations. I chose this forum as there are so many caravanners with dogs & 4x4s.

    Thank you all for your replies - especially Spriddler/Brian for the photo.

  • JauntingJenny
    JauntingJenny Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited April 2017 #15

    Hello, I totally agree regarding long term jumping in and out of high 4x4's as we've had similar arthritic problems with our Boxers. We now use  a Solvit dog ramp for our Freelander and Boxer puppy Harvey. The Solvit ramp is made of Aluminium for light weight and has a non-slip surface, there are different sizes of ramp available and I think you'll need the larger given the hight of your Range Rover. We used this supplier for our ramp which has been fantastic, they're not cheap but work very well.

    https://www.easyanimal.co.uk/dogs/dog-ramps/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwzpfHBRC1iIaL78Ol-eIBEiQAdZPVKjZ0Uo_VNTVnaed83-l0zyBZh3MO87x-hqIHv3EsluMaAl9D8P8HAQ

    Best Regards and enjoy your Pup, Jaunting Jenny

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
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    edited April 2017 #16

    We had a disabled German Shepherd (CDRM) who weighed 50kg. Our joiner made a ramp using two pieces of plywood joined together with a piano hinge and stiffened by inserting square "U" section aluminium pieces close to the joint on either side. These were sourced from B&Q . Cant remember the everyday use for the alu strips though. The ramp of necessity was quite heavy but folded easily into the boot of our VW golf otherwise known as "the dogmobile"