The topic sounds funny, but please let me explain:

We just bought our 2001 Blazer LT. and love it.

Then when we went for awalk with our dogs, three big shepads, we noticed that it is hard getting in and out of the back of the car.

The oldest, now 14 years, even fell out two times now.

I am looking for solutions to solve this for our dogs.

I already wanted to lowerthe car, but my girlfriend says that is not an option.

please help!

I'm guessing the back seats are down when the dogs are in the truck (beautiful dogs btw). I'd say get a hold of some two 2x4's, cut them to six feet in length, then cut them in half and put a hinge (preferably sturdy ones, not hinges from cabinets.) them.

Then get a sheet of ply-wood, and cut that down so you can screw it to the 2 2x4's. You just made a 6 foot ramp that'll fold down to 3 feet and fit in the truck... I'd suggest only making it about 2 feet wide.

I thought about doing this for my Golden Retriever, but she hasn't gotten into my Blazer since the last time I had to physically pick her up and put her in through the rear lol... an 80lbs squirming dog is dificult to pick up off the ground to say the least. She just rides in my mother's Cavalier now.

The only question is, are your dogs too timid to climb something like that? Or can you bribe them? (TREAT?! OMG TREAT!... lol)

I'm guessing the back seats are down when the dogs are in the truck (beautiful dogs btw). I'd say get a hold of some two 2x4's, cut them to six feet in length, then cut them in half and put a hinge (preferably sturdy ones, not hinges from cabinets.) them.

Then get a sheet of ply-wood, and cut that down so you can screw it to the 2 2x4's. You just made a 6 foot ramp that'll fold down to 3 feet and fit in the truck... I'd suggest only making it about 2 feet wide.

I thought about doing this for my Golden Retriever, but she hasn't gotten into my Blazer since the last time I had to physically pick her up and put her in through the rear lol... an 80lbs squirming dog is dificult to pick up off the ground to say the least. She just rides in my mother's Cavalier now.

The only question is, are your dogs too timid to climb something like that? Or can you bribe them? (TREAT?! OMG TREAT!... lol)

nope, they do not get in through the side and the back seats are up.

So I am really looking for a solution form the back.

thanks for the compliment. They listen very good and the middle one, 3 years now, will jump in if I tell her too. The youngest, 12 months, will put his front feet on the hatch. We can then lift him in. We need to pick up the oldest, 14 years, because she is just too old!

I live in the netherlands and we park the cars behind each other in the streeth. With very little space behind it. So I need to solve this with little space behind the car, maybe 2-3 feet.

would it be possible to just have the rear replaced by a liftgate version?
http://images.1aauto.com/WST/1AWST00068.jpg

nope, they do not get in through the side and the back seats are up.

So I am really looking for a solution form the back.

thanks for the compliment. They listen very good and the middle one, 3 years now, will jump in if I tell her too. The youngest, 12 months, will put his front feet on the hatch. We can then lift him in. We need to pick up the oldest, 14 years, because she is just too old!

I live in the netherlands and we park the cars behind each other in the streeth. With very little space behind it. So I need to solve this with little space behind the car, maybe 2-3 feet.

My solution was for the back, but I didn't realize your situation with the parking... Maybe some sort of ramp, similar to what I was talking about, but that would hold itself up like a step ladder, but still fold after... I may have an idea... I'll get a hold of my old autocad program when I get home and draw something up for you that might just do the trick, dimensions and all.
How much room between the tailgate and back seats?

As for a lift gate, I'm sure you could do it, but it would be costly and alot of work. With that picture, go compare the differences, for one you need the latch post at the bottom...

Do you have easier access to lumber or metal?

My solution was for the back, but I didn't realize your situation with the parking... Maybe some sort of ramp, similar to what I was talking about, but that would hold itself up like a step ladder, but still fold after... I may have an idea... I'll get a hold of my old autocad program when I get home and draw something up for you that might just do the trick, dimensions and all.
How much room between the tailgate and back seats?

As for a lift gate, I'm sure you could do it, but it would be costly and alot of work. With that picture, go compare the differences, for one you need the latch post at the bottom...

Do you have easier access to lumber or metal?

apreciate the help!
lumber by the way

Just had to pop in and say you have a pair of beautiful dogs!! they're amazing.

Nice dogs... So i understand your back hatch is the two purpose one, where the top goes up and the bottom goes down? If it were the other one I would suggest ordering a hitch step...
Someting like this... but idk if it will work
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Receiver-Hitch-Step-p-16713.html

Nice dogs... So i understand your back hatch is the two purpose one, where the top goes up and the bottom goes down? If it were the other one I would suggest ordering a hitch step...
Someting like this... but idk if it will work
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Receiver-Hitch-Step-p-16713.html

yes, it is a 2 purpose one version.

yes, it is a 2 purpose one version.
AKA tailgate version.

Unfortunately with the tailgate (as wlorton implied) the hitch step would be useless. What time zone are you in kikkegek? I won't have it done till maybe 8:00 ET at the earliest and I'm sure you'll be snoring away in bed lol.

Unfortunately with the tailgate (as wlorton implied) the hitch step would be useless. What time zone are you in kikkegek? I won't have it done till maybe 8:00 ET at the earliest and I'm sure you'll be snoring away in bed lol.

GMT +1, The Hague (Netherlands)
dont hurry....glad you want to help!

Well ok.. So maybe one of these??

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Truck-Bed-Accessories/Westin-Truck-Pal-Tailgate-Ladder?utm_source=google&utm_medium=139&utm_campaign=GoogleProducts&utm_term=2670

http://store.rampconnection.com/product.php?xProd=7672

although I dont know how well they would fit...

That's an idea, the fact it's mounted though means it may get in the way. I'll still draw something up and the OP can figure out what he wants... good thinking though wlorton, never thought of a tailgate step/ladder.

I would suggest a folding hitch hauler $129 USD mounts to receiver hitch, folds up, and easy to alter for sidewalk access.

Well ok.. So maybe one of these??

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Truck-Bed-Accessories/Westin-Truck-Pal-Tailgate-Ladder?utm_source=google&utm_medium=139&utm_campaign=GoogleProducts&utm_term=2670

http://store.rampconnection.com/product.php?xProd=7672

although I dont know how well they would fit...

alright, thanks for pointing my in this direction. :icon_google:
this one looks promising.
http://www.rampconnection.com/truck-n-buddy-step-3.jpg

still interested in the design from Oktain, which I might build myself....:icon_smash:

I would suggest a folding hitch hauler $129 USD mounts to receiver hitch, folds up, and easy to alter for sidewalk access.

wow, thanks for ll the advise. Do you have any examples maybe?

Wow. That is a pretty nice setup. I bet you could make something like it with wood and a receiver with no ball in it for pretty cheap. Or find someone who's throwing away an old deer stand to use for parts.

Wow. That is a pretty nice setup. I bet you could make something like it with wood and a receiver with no ball in it for pretty cheap. Or find someone who's throwing away an old deer stand to use for parts.

Do they hunt deer in the Netherlands? lol.

Do they hunt deer in the Netherlands? lol.

Ha! Didn't know myself, but a qiuck google actually lists outfitters, so I guess the answer is yes. Red Deer maybe?

http://www.discountramps.com/Twistep_1.jpg
http://www.discountramps.com/twistep_animation.gif

That's kinda nice

Ha! Didn't know myself, but a qiuck google actually lists outfitters, so I guess the answer is yes. Red Deer maybe?

deer? no
we do have beer though. just dont need to hunt for it! :icon_hunter:

LMAO, and Bravado, that won't work, the tailgate will be in the way. Kikkegek has the tailgate, not the liftgate style 4dr.

lol then he can rip it off and put the newer style gate on :icon_doh:
:icon_angel:

lol, I like your thinking though. Well, I couldn't find my AutoCad so we'll have to settle with a ****ty Paint drawing. In the works as we speak.

lol, I like your thinking though. Well, I couldn't find my AutoCad so we'll have to settle with a ****ty Paint drawing. In the works as we speak.

feels like christmas...cant waite!
:icon_tree:

Would a woodent stool work? Like just throw it in the backseat... have one about 2 feet wide each way... (so a circle top) and then have it about half as tall as the truck? Would that be sufficient?

I was thinking this... lol, sorry about the drawing, would have been simpler had I used autoCad. It's a rough idea, and theoretically it could be used to allow the dogs to climb through the back door after dropping a seat to allow them entry. (This is if there isn't enough room behind you.)

I'm sitting here shaking my head though, because what I would have made with Cad would have had your dimensions on it and would have made your life easier. Thi is also a little disappointing in my mind.

http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss41/03canadianf5/doggyramp.jpg

I know it's not allowed but... BUMP for kikkegek.

I know it's not allowed but... BUMP for kikkegek.

he there, thanks for the drawing. Looks fine, but entering through the back door is not an option. They have to enter through the tailgate, because there is a luggage-barrier above my back seats. This prevents the dogs from getting to the front during driving and during a crash.

So entering from the side is no option.

I am thinking about building myself a tailgate-step.

If you have any other dieas, they are welcome. thanks for the effort.

It would be nice if you could rig up a SuperDuty-style step that slides out from the tailgate. I can't think of any simple way to make it work though.

http://image.automotive.com/f/miscellaneous/2008-ford-super-duty-lowers-new-tailgate-step-for-easy-lift/1006048+w633+cr1+re0+ar1/2008-ford-f-series-super-duty-tailgate-step.jpg

Could always go the extreme and bag it... so you press a button and it drops to the ground.....

Could always go the extreme and bag it... so you press a button and it drops to the ground.....

that is also an option I am investigating. is it expensive? and where can I find information on this?

look for a member named packofqtips... he has a bagged Blazer and coule probably point you in the right direction.

What about lowering it in the rear just enough and then setting up an airbag suspension... so load the dogs and then pop the rear up....?

What about lowering it in the rear just enough and then setting up an airbag suspension... so load the dogs and then pop the rear up....?

sounds nice, but how much would this cost? I have no idea? and what would I need?

There are stairs maid for this exact application go to petedge.com and search item number TP38403 i think they they will work for ya there is also item number ZT3850 let me know if either of these work for you