Dog steps for a van

Baldytyke88

I have thought about making it easier for my dog to get in the front of my van. She always manages it, but she is 12, a Border Collie.

I am getting older myself, and I have older and disabled friends, I could make a base, but not sure how to make it stable.

teaselMay

Into the van cab? On most vans that's quite high to be building steps to

One of the difficulties is that once she's in you'd need to take whatever you make with you for her to get out, unless just going for a drive and then home again.

subjecttocontract

There are ramps available to help dogs get into vehicles. They fold flat when not in use. Halfords probably does them.

fiendishlyclever

My last dog didn't like a ramp so we bought folding steps after trialling some from our hydrotherapy clinic. I can't remember where I bought the ramp but the steps came from Amazon.

PennysIntoPounds

I may be misremembering but I think @gemini12 has some previously done similar and may be able to add to the conversation?

Grumpy_chap

Maybe a commercially available dog ramp?

Or try something like this

https://www.ocado.com/products/addis-premium-folding-step-stool/326979011?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic_shopping&utm_campaign=organic_shopping&srsltid=AYCX9vKqj5li8uFExIZz5835kiyGHs_xiI4VWG0nbwcJ0h6ff9Igjr16hXE

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82191087#Comment_82191087

I put my spare wheel for her to stand on, but she didnt like that. I need something stable, that does not wobble., also large enough for her to stand on, before jumping.

I think DIY could be the best option, three legs would be more stable than four.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82191026#Comment_82191026

It's not a problem keeping it in the van. The seat is really high, but she jumps onto the floor first.

teaselMay

If she'll jump onto the floor first that's not so high. I had to build steps in a hurry once for one of my greyhounds. it was for the sliding door but that'll be about the same height as the floor at the front. I used some planters that I'd previously built. Essentially 2 long steps forming a rectangle using 22x150mm treated timber for the frame and top of the stops and square timber in the corners. It was quite cumbersome. I also have a wide longer than normal ramp to account for the height, but that was barely used and was too long for most situations

marlot

Try a caravan step. They are light, and have a decent sized base to make them stable. Worked for my last three dogs as they became elderly.