When it comes to dog boxes there are a lot of options out there. When we are talking building vs buying a custom built dog box, there are a few things that come to mind as we’ve done both.
We all know these things get beat to hell on the mountain and if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s the fact that quality trumps all.
Dustin built our first dog box nearly 14 years ago and it is still in use today by one of his good hunting buddies. It may not have been the best looking box, but it got the job done and is still being used today, but has needed several welds repaired, hinges replaced, and is starting to fall apart.
Our second dog box was built from aluminum collected as scraps at the fab shop Dustin worked at. Again it’s still going, but has needed more replaced and fixed over time than the first.
For the third dog box, Dustin decided to have his buddy weld it and we ordered some aluminum as well as purchased the bars for the rigging rack and such. Again, it was functional and basic, but we still have it in the back of the Tacoma and it has held up well.
Now let’s talk about the behemoth we pack around the mountain today. We had been planning for years to get a custom dog box built once we got our next truck bought that we could all enjoy hunting out of.
As soon as we purchased our Tundra I knew what was coming. There’s just something about finding a company that builds custom dogboxes for a living because the quality is amazing and the functionality of it fits our lifestyle a lot better.
You get to customize and choose every feature for the dogs on it from the storage, water tank, rig rack, how far apart you want the chains, the mat on top, etc.
When we built our own dog box, Dustin’s welding skills were fairly basic, we didn’t have the presses or equipment to bend the metal, and they definitely looked like a DIY version. You don’t have to look good on a mountain to hunt, but the functionality that was lacking is where we feel it to be beneficial to find someone with the skills + tools to get you what you need when building your dog box.
When building our dogbox, we didn't have the capabilities to add a storage compartment so we had to pack it on the floor or in the bed of the truck.
If you are just trying to decide if this is something you want to do, start small and build up from there if you love it. We didn’t get a custom dogbox until just over 12 years into our journey, three more kids, and six more dogs.
Our first dog boxes were built for under $300 each and we set the money aside for a few years to be able to build a custom one because they do come with a hefty price and don’t forget you may also have to ship it.
All in all, we were into our custom dog box for $2800 after shipping, but this investment is one we will use for many years to come.
If you’re a great welder and have the tools to customize your own, then we say go for it! We didn’t have the skills or tools needed to get exactly what we wanted so going custom was the right answer for us when we were ready.
The dogs can ride in anything and in all reality, you don’t know what you don’t have until after you have it so dealing with a small inconvenience in the beginning will be worth getting what you want later.
Utilize your resources, decide what you really need in a box through some trial and error, and then take the plunge when you know where you’re headed and exactly what you want.
Think of it like building a house, first we start small, find the features we love + those we don’t, tweak again, and then build your dream home when you’re ready.
The one thing to remember is they all get the job done, get the dogs in the hills, and let you enjoy the mountain air chasin’ your hounds.
See ya on the mountain!
The ColdStrike Fam
