Which topper and why ARE?

[Hedgehog]

The one feature that Leer offers that I like is a flat filler panel to install on the front edge of the bed giving you a better gasket surface. This piece attaches to your front cargo rail and gives you roughly 2” wide surface on top to seal out water. Be aware that nothing is waterproof with these lids. Look up under the front corners of your bed and see how daylight you can see. People come back all the time because they think the cap is leaking when actually it is there truck bed

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[Baltimore]

That’s awesome! Thank you for the pictures.

I don’t have the digital mirror which while I didn’t want at the time of purchase I can see now how great it would be with a shell and kind of wish I had it!

Regarding the dogs, I always did the same. Love having my dogs in the cab with me. That being said (and not trying to convince you to do the same, just explaining why I asked) I’m now of the belief that crash proof kennels are the way to go for the safety of the dog, and unfortunately I can’t fit two inside the cab. If I only have one dog with me I put the single kennel inside the cab. If I have both I have to get creative.

Both my current dogs are juveniles but having lost a 16 year old lab and 14 year old herding dog prior to these two new ones, those dogs rode inside sans kennels 100% of the time. Miss it.

Dog tangent
That's why our 100lb is required to where a chest harness and be teathered to a LATCH anchor point any time the truck is leaving the driveway. It's proven to be the safest for them and for us. I can predict how I drive. I cannot predict how others will around me.

We used to use the kurgo crash tested ones but he was super uncomfortable and the chest plate didn't work well with his front shoulders/chest width. Now we just use his Terrain D.O.G. harness + kurgo teather.

 

[CanyonFisherSummitSeeker]

Dog tangent
That's why our 100lb is required to where a chest harness and be teathered to a LATCH anchor point any time the truck is leaving the driveway. It's proven to be the safest for them and for us. I can predict how I drive. I cannot predict how others will around me.

We used to use the kurgo crash tested ones but he was super uncomfortable and the chest plate didn't work well with his front shoulders/chest width. Now we just use his Terrain D.O.G. harness + kurgo teather.

Harnesses are better than nothing, I use them occasionally, but as far as “proven to be safest”, that goes to dogs riding inside a properly fitted crash proof kennel.

 

[Baltimore]

Harnesses are better than nothing, I use them occasionally, but as far as “proven to be safest”, that goes to dogs riding inside a properly fitted crash proof kennel.

Nothing in life is truly "crash proof". A kennel flying out of the bed of a truck during a rollover event has equal or worse outcome potential.

I will agree with you though that a properly restrained animal in a vehicle is always better and safer for everyone - animal and person

 

[CanyonFisherSummitSeeker]

Nothing in life is truly "crash proof". A kennel flying out of the bed of a truck during a rollover event has equal or worse outcome potential.

I will agree with you though that a properly restrained animal in a vehicle is always better and safer for everyone - animal and person

I didn’t say anything was truly crash proof. It’s a designation given by the pet safety institute to kennels that have passed their crash tests.
Regardless, my point is that you said harnesses were proven to be safest and that isn’t true. They are better than having an unrestrained dog, but not as safe as the dog being inside a properly fitted “crash proof” kennel.

 

[Baltimore]

I didn’t say anything was truly crash proof. It’s a designation given by the pet safety institute to kennels that have passed their crash tests.
Regardless, my point is that you said harnesses were proven to be safest and that isn’t true. They are better than having an unrestrained dog, but not as safe as the dog being inside a properly fitted “crash proof” kennel.

I meant within the context of our dog and us. But with that said, crates are not definitely better. For others that may be reading this thread later, here is some reference content. The size of your pet and your vehicle influence what might be "best/safest".

What Is the Best Way for a Dog to Ride in the Car?

The best way for a dog to ride in a vehicle is to use a crash-tested safety restraint, such as a properly fitted harness attached to the car’s seat belts or a secure crate anchored to the vehicle. Opting for this setup prevents your dog from roaming freely, which can be distracting to the driver and dangerous in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

https://naids.org/car-safety/crate-or-harness-for-dog-in-car-which-is-the-safer-choice/

“Based on the scientific test evidence collected over the past four years, in part through its partnership with Subaru, CPS can now identify the safest travel options for most pets. For small dogs and cats, Center for Pet Safety recommends one of the 2015 Top Performing Carriers; for medium and large dogs either the 2015 Top Performing Crate – Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8’ Tie Down Straps, or a Center for Pet Safety Certified Harness.”

https://gunner.com/blogs/pack/dog-crate-carrier-harness-or-travel-seat


https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g60191102/best-dog-car-seats-restraints-tested/

 

[CanyonFisherSummitSeeker]

I meant within the context of our dog and us. But with that said, crates are not definitely better. For others that may be reading this thread later, here is some reference content. The size of your pet and your vehicle influence what might be "best/safest".

What Is the Best Way for a Dog to Ride in the Car?

The best way for a dog to ride in a vehicle is to use a crash-tested safety restraint, such as a properly fitted harness attached to the car’s seat belts or a secure crate anchored to the vehicle. Opting for this setup prevents your dog from roaming freely, which can be distracting to the driver and dangerous in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

https://naids.org/car-safety/crate-or-harness-for-dog-in-car-which-is-the-safer-choice/

“Based on the scientific test evidence collected over the past four years, in part through its partnership with Subaru, CPS can now identify the safest travel options for most pets. For small dogs and cats, Center for Pet Safety recommends one of the 2015 Top Performing Carriers; for medium and large dogs either the 2015 Top Performing Crate – Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8’ Tie Down Straps, or a Center for Pet Safety Certified Harness.”

https://gunner.com/blogs/pack/dog-crate-carrier-harness-or-travel-seat


https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g60191102/best-dog-car-seats-restraints-tested/

I was actually going to edit my response to say in your case with a 100lb dog and the size of the Tacoma cab I’d probably do the same with harness much of the time.

Absolutely agree that vehicle type and pet size matter when choosing the best option. But just to clarify for others reading later:

Crates are nearly always safer than harnesses—when we’re talking about crash-tested models specifically, used correctly, and compared to any harness system currently available.

This is backed by both:

• Center for Pet Safety (CPS) findings
• Manufacturer and third-party crash test data

CPS explicitly recommends the Gunner G1 with 8’ tie-downs for medium and large dogs as the top-performing travel safety option, above any harness system.

From your source (https://naids.org):

“The best way for a dog to ride in a vehicle is to use a crash-tested safety restraint, such as a properly fitted harness or a secure crate anchored to the vehicle.”

True — both are much safer than no restraint. But when the two are compared directly, the crate wins in impact resistance, ejection prevention, and overall survivability.

Also worth noting:

CPS-certified crates like Gunner and Variocage have passed independent crash tests at 30+ mph with full-sized dog dummies, while most harnesses on the market have failed under those same test conditions — only a couple (e.g., Sleepypod Clickit Terrain/Sport) pass.

So yes, the “best” system varies depending on truck, SUV, backseat setup, etc., but for pure crash survival and containment, crate > harness — assuming both are crash-rated and used correctly.

Appreciate your input — this stuff is so case-by-case, and it’s good that people are thinking critically about restraint choices instead of letting their dogs ride loose.

I’m not opposed to harnesses. But crash proof kennels are safer majority of the time.

One final consideration is that the kennels also allow for first responders to do their jobs without worrying about being bit by a rattled dog wanting to protect after a crash.

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