GEAR TUNNEL & PETS -- SAFE? Why or why not??

[electruck]

So, for those of you that think your dogs are safer sitting in the cab with you...do you strap them in with a harness and a seat belt??

We absolutely do! And it allowed our German Shepherd to walk away unscathed from this accident Labor Day weekend. Also, no humans were injured because we didn't have to contend with a 62 lb cannonball flying forward through the cabin.

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[crashmtb]

I mean, it's a husky, it probably climbed through the passthrough on its own.

 

[Craigins]

Look, this is simple. Would you put your kid back there, just because they fit?

Jeez.

In college, we once fit 3 people in the trunk to drive to the cafeteria. With 4 people in the back seat and 3 in the front seats lol.

 

[Longhorngirl]

So, for those of you that think your dogs are safer sitting in the cab with you...do you strap them in with a harness and a seat belt?? If not, you are endangering them should you need to slam on the brakes or are in an accident of any kind.

Or, how 'bout when your dog decides it needs to jump across your lap to bark at the dog next to you in the vehicle passing on the highway at 70+mph and causes an accident. Just sayin'.

Yes. Teddy knows that he has to be buckled in.

 

[Neo F]

Look, this is simple. Would you put your kid back there, just because they fit?

Jeez.

Yes...maybe that is why I am not a parent. ?

 

[Diddy123]

So, for those of you that think your dogs are safer sitting in the cab with you...do you strap them in with a harness and a seat belt??

Yes. In a "hammock" and in a harness connected to the seatbelt - in the back seat.

In full transparency - we don't have kids. So, my dog is my child. My only child. My favorite child. His safety is very important to us

 

[r1t_kev]

Yes...maybe that is why I am not a parent. ?

Lol fair - neither am I and I'm sure my niece and nephew would find it hilarious to ride in the gear tunnel. Their parents, maybe not so much.

Yes. In a "hammock" and in a harness connected to the seatbelt - in the back seat.

In full transparency - we don't have kids. So, my dog is my child. My only child. My favorite child. His safety is very important to us

Same. Harnessed and buckled. I want her safe and like @electruck said, I don't need any in-car torpedoes.

 

[Taycanfrank]

Are you serious? This stuff is why every trunk has a release inside of it.

The number 1 thing is the tunnel is not crashed tested for human (or animal) life and could very well be a crumble zone. That alone should tell you enough.

Plus it doesn't get circulation/climate as it's not part of the cabin AND IT'S LITERALLY CALLED A GEAR TUNNEL.

 

[moosehead]

The Turd Tunnel, Hairball Highway, Puke Passage, Anxiety Alley.

 

[harkco]

Yes. Teddy knows that he has to be buckled in.

I think we should all go with the actuary! Nice looking dog!

In all seriousness, this is my biggest gripe about the back seat of the Rivian. Wish the seats folded backward like my Raptor, instead of forward.

 

[thrill]

Look, this is simple. Would you put your kid back there, just because they fit?

Jeez.

Would you put your kids in a pet crate? Do you think transporting animals in the cargo areas of aircraft is cruel?

 

[E.S.]

After watching videos from "Ted Actually Talks" when he's driving with his dog in the gear tunnel, I got to thinking about putting pets in the tunnel and whether or not it's a good idea. What do you think??

Ask yourself this: Would you put your pet in the frunk and travel that way? If you're answer is no, you know your response regarding pets transported inside the gear tunnel (despite the access port).

 

[Lil'O Annie]

Ask yourself this: Would you put your pet in the frunk and travel that way? If you're answer is no, you know your response regarding pets transported inside the gear tunnel (despite the access port).

Nope...the frunk is very different...totally enclosed, dark and no air circulation. I don't see them as the same. You could even put a small electric fan at the opening of the pass-through to circulate air, if necessary. Your pet can see you, you can see them and you can talk to them through the opening. I can't see my cat in her carrier strapped into the back seat any better.

Please understand, I'm not advocating for putting pets in the gear tunnel. I'm just trying to understand why it would be a serious problem. No one has really convinced me yet. Lots of assumptions and knee-jerk reactions.

Are you serious? This stuff is why every trunk has a release inside of it.

Serious? Am I serious? Yes, I'm very serious about discussing this issue. Mainly because people will be doing this!! We're already seeing at least one new owner doing it, so it is very likely there will be more. So why not discuss it?

Super kudos to the folks that posted their pics and experiences with harness/seat belt use for the beautiful pups!!!! They are a great example to others!! I hope more people will consider doing that as well. I'm sure large dogs would be much happier with that setup over the gear tunnel. Dogs love traveling with their family. Most cats are very different.

 

[ironpig]

Dogs ride in the car with Kurgo harnesses attached to seat belts. I can't imagine putting a dog in the gear tunnel, but to each their own. If safely isn't a concern, vomit would definitely be high on the list of outcomes with our pets.

 

[emoore]

While I have my pets ride in the cab with me, I know quite a few people (especially hunters) that transport their hunting dogs in crates in the bed of their truck or even pulling a "crate" trailer. Not sure how the gear tunnel is much different than that.

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