Recently purchased a 2025 Land Cruiser (Trail Dust, w/ the 20 inch wheels) in April. I have a 5 y.o. 55 lb Treeing Walker Coonhound and since this truck is a great deal higher than my previous SUV, I was concerned with the health of his hips and joints over the long-term, specifically jumping down from the back seat. I know lots of people keep their pets in the cargo, but for ease of quick trips and getting him in and out, and to give him access to the windows, I prefer the backseat. My dog does NOT allow me to pick him up, so that's not currently an option in getting him down.
I visited this forum for tips on stairs, and saw what other people were trying, and decided to test out a bunch of different options to see what would work for us. I think we finally found something that he will tolerate, and it might be a good compromise, so I wanted to share what worked, what didn't work, and what we landed on.
Firstly, what didn't work:
Wouldn't fit
The following products don't fit the width of the clearance available from the passenger doors:
1. Heeyoo - Dog Stairs for Car - Foldable Dog Ramps for Large Dogs with Non Slip Surface, Portable Dog Steps for Cars and SUV, Truck, Support Up to 200 Lbs, 6 Steps
2. Shunlong - Dog Ramp for Car Truck and SUV Dog Stairs for Large Dogs Folding Pet Stairs with Non-Slip Rug Surface Supports Up to 250 lbs (6 Steps)
3. *PetSafe - Happy Ride Side Door Dog Stairs for Cars & SUVs, Foldable Back Seat Dog Steps with 3 Heights
This one could kind of be angled so that he could walk up the stairs into the cabin, but he was not interested in walking *down the stairs, as it was a big "first step" from the seats down to the top step, so he kept jumping over it. It is also very big and bulky and needed to be stowed in the trunk, which defeats the purpose.
4. PriorPet - Dog Ramp for Car - Anti-Slip Dog Car Ramp for Large Dogs SUV - Stable 250LBS Capacity - Telescoping Pet Ramp for Car - Portable - Night Safety Reflective Sides - Fixing Clip - Black
Not tall enough
I tried several 'step stools' but in the end, it's such a big "first step" down from the seat that the benefit of having a step there was negligible.
5. DEPSUNNY - Adjustable RV Step Stool, 3-Step Height Adjustment, Foldable Legs, Wide Anti-Slip Surface,Supports Up to 1,000 lb, Premium Aluminum Construction Easy to Carry
6. STOODER - Folding 2-Step Stool - 2nd Gen, Upgraded A-Frame Stability, Safety Lock, Anti-Slip Feet, 300lb Capacity - 8" 17" Collapsible Step Stools for Home Kitchen Bathroom RV Office (Black)
7. Jocauto - Foldable Step Stool, Adjustable Step Stool with a Non-Slip Platform, Step Ladder with Thick Rubber Feet for Adults or Children in Kitchen, Bedroom, Office, Rv, 330 Lbs Capacity
8. ACSTEP - Folding Step Stool,15-Inch Extra Wide 9Inch Height Heavy Duty Stepping Stool More Safe and Comfortable Non Slip Foldable Step Stool for Kids and Adults Black
9. *Frisco - 'Frisco Plastic Easy Step Cat & Dog Stair, Gray
*thought this one would be an easier jump down for him, but its just too bulky to use practically.
This kinda worked:
After returning all the others, I kept this one as I found the functionality to be somewhat useful. He did use the stairs to go up into the car, but still wasn't really wanting to use them going down. Even though he's 5 and very springy, if he was tired, he would be signaling to me that he thought the seat was too high for him to jump, so I kept this step stool. It has one handle you grab that allows it to open quickly and automatically. The other handle folds the stairs up, which is cool. It doesn't stow perfectly in the backseat, but is doable.
10. Bee Neat 2 Step Folding Dog Stairs & Ramp for Your Pet - Indoor Outdoor Foldable Pet Stairs for High Bed, Car, SUV – Collapsible Step Stool Ladder Supports 300lbs – New Carpeted Design
This works, for now:
At long last, I got the idea to try a soft set of pet stairs that might make the shock absorption of a bigger step down less detrimental. This was the first one I ordered, and after some training with treats, he is willing to step down onto these stairs without the big jump (as well as use them to climb up). I literally just got this, so I'll update if I have any... updates... but for now, this seems like it'll be our solution. It's bulky, but since its plush, it doesn't harm the interior and will just sit in the backseat with him as we drive.
11. Mesa Lemon - Dog Steps for Small Dogs, 4-Step Pet Ramp Stairs for High Beds and Sofa, Non-Slip Pet Stairs for Small Dogs and Cats, Removable and Easy to Clean Cover, Black
It does squish down a bit when he uses it, as he's heavier than 50 lbs... but he makes it. I'm sure this will get dirty and beat up fairly quickly, so it's not a perfect solution by any means. But its been the only one he's been willing to consistently use to step down without jumping.
Hope this can be helpful to others who are struggling with the same issue. As a general assumption, I don't think any dog stairs or ramp specifically made for trucks or vehicles will fit in the width of clearance given be our passenger doors. Maybe your dogs might be more willing to use the step stool options than mine was, I would try them out for yourselves if you think it still could possibly work for you. Amazon has a great return policy (be sure you read each items policy! - I took a hit on some packaging and return fees).
- David & Apollo
I visited this forum for tips on stairs, and saw what other people were trying, and decided to test out a bunch of different options to see what would work for us. I think we finally found something that he will tolerate, and it might be a good compromise, so I wanted to share what worked, what didn't work, and what we landed on.
Firstly, what didn't work:
Wouldn't fit
The following products don't fit the width of the clearance available from the passenger doors:
1. Heeyoo - Dog Stairs for Car - Foldable Dog Ramps for Large Dogs with Non Slip Surface, Portable Dog Steps for Cars and SUV, Truck, Support Up to 200 Lbs, 6 Steps
2. Shunlong - Dog Ramp for Car Truck and SUV Dog Stairs for Large Dogs Folding Pet Stairs with Non-Slip Rug Surface Supports Up to 250 lbs (6 Steps)
3. *PetSafe - Happy Ride Side Door Dog Stairs for Cars & SUVs, Foldable Back Seat Dog Steps with 3 Heights
This one could kind of be angled so that he could walk up the stairs into the cabin, but he was not interested in walking *down the stairs, as it was a big "first step" from the seats down to the top step, so he kept jumping over it. It is also very big and bulky and needed to be stowed in the trunk, which defeats the purpose.
4. PriorPet - Dog Ramp for Car - Anti-Slip Dog Car Ramp for Large Dogs SUV - Stable 250LBS Capacity - Telescoping Pet Ramp for Car - Portable - Night Safety Reflective Sides - Fixing Clip - Black
Not tall enough
I tried several 'step stools' but in the end, it's such a big "first step" down from the seat that the benefit of having a step there was negligible.
5. DEPSUNNY - Adjustable RV Step Stool, 3-Step Height Adjustment, Foldable Legs, Wide Anti-Slip Surface,Supports Up to 1,000 lb, Premium Aluminum Construction Easy to Carry
6. STOODER - Folding 2-Step Stool - 2nd Gen, Upgraded A-Frame Stability, Safety Lock, Anti-Slip Feet, 300lb Capacity - 8" 17" Collapsible Step Stools for Home Kitchen Bathroom RV Office (Black)
7. Jocauto - Foldable Step Stool, Adjustable Step Stool with a Non-Slip Platform, Step Ladder with Thick Rubber Feet for Adults or Children in Kitchen, Bedroom, Office, Rv, 330 Lbs Capacity
8. ACSTEP - Folding Step Stool,15-Inch Extra Wide 9Inch Height Heavy Duty Stepping Stool More Safe and Comfortable Non Slip Foldable Step Stool for Kids and Adults Black
9. *Frisco - 'Frisco Plastic Easy Step Cat & Dog Stair, Gray
*thought this one would be an easier jump down for him, but its just too bulky to use practically.
This kinda worked:
After returning all the others, I kept this one as I found the functionality to be somewhat useful. He did use the stairs to go up into the car, but still wasn't really wanting to use them going down. Even though he's 5 and very springy, if he was tired, he would be signaling to me that he thought the seat was too high for him to jump, so I kept this step stool. It has one handle you grab that allows it to open quickly and automatically. The other handle folds the stairs up, which is cool. It doesn't stow perfectly in the backseat, but is doable.
10. Bee Neat 2 Step Folding Dog Stairs & Ramp for Your Pet - Indoor Outdoor Foldable Pet Stairs for High Bed, Car, SUV – Collapsible Step Stool Ladder Supports 300lbs – New Carpeted Design
This works, for now:
At long last, I got the idea to try a soft set of pet stairs that might make the shock absorption of a bigger step down less detrimental. This was the first one I ordered, and after some training with treats, he is willing to step down onto these stairs without the big jump (as well as use them to climb up). I literally just got this, so I'll update if I have any... updates... but for now, this seems like it'll be our solution. It's bulky, but since its plush, it doesn't harm the interior and will just sit in the backseat with him as we drive.
11. Mesa Lemon - Dog Steps for Small Dogs, 4-Step Pet Ramp Stairs for High Beds and Sofa, Non-Slip Pet Stairs for Small Dogs and Cats, Removable and Easy to Clean Cover, Black
It does squish down a bit when he uses it, as he's heavier than 50 lbs... but he makes it. I'm sure this will get dirty and beat up fairly quickly, so it's not a perfect solution by any means. But its been the only one he's been willing to consistently use to step down without jumping.
Hope this can be helpful to others who are struggling with the same issue. As a general assumption, I don't think any dog stairs or ramp specifically made for trucks or vehicles will fit in the width of clearance given be our passenger doors. Maybe your dogs might be more willing to use the step stool options than mine was, I would try them out for yourselves if you think it still could possibly work for you. Amazon has a great return policy (be sure you read each items policy! - I took a hit on some packaging and return fees).
- David & Apollo
