So I have two chocolate labs (4yr & 10yr). The old one has put a bit of weight on and having joint problems...basically she can't jump as high as she used to. I take them swimming all the time and it's really not fun lifting a 100lb+ wet dog into the XJ.

Dog stairs are expensive and probably wouldn't fit inside the Jeep. Just wondering if anyone has made their own ramp or have any ideas? Pictures would be great.

I only have a few requirements: It can't take up a lot of space and has to be really sturdy.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Petst...FShgMgodOkMASQ



its what i have for my 2 130# and 1 57# dogs

itll last forever, it folds in half and fits on the floor left to right right at the tailgate....one dog always lays on it while riding in the xj.

got it when one of them needed knee surgery...works like a charm.

my wife can lift and unfold it and re fold it all easily and the surface is grippy, the dogs wont slip.

its worth every penny.

 

also used it on the front porch when the dog was goin thru the knee surgeries so she didnt have to use the stairs.

 

That would be perfect but I can't really afford it right now. Maybe I'll just piece something together until I can. Thanks!

 

What if you took two pieces of plywood, carpet on one side of each, hinges on the other side connecting the two pieces together and presto. A foldable ramp that fits in the back

 

That's what I'm thinking....and run some 2x4s under it so it doesn't bow

 

i used two 2x6 side by side using 2x4's underneath with a carpet runner held down by 1x1 strips across them every foot up the boards.

works great for my 100 pound shepherds to use up my deck stairs.

it's a little much for an xj, but your idea with a hinge might work just as fine.
it's nice to have the slats of 1x1 across the wood to help them up the steep angle.

 

took the dogs to the vets to get weighed, can see the ramp folded.

 

Thanks for the pic. It's suppose to warm up a bit tomorrow so I'm gonna attempt making one myself in order to cut costs

 

the only hard part is the end where it lays on the bumper, note how the ramp is curved there...so it is horizontal when the ramp itself is at and angle.

 

Go to the junkyard and look for handicap van or old ambulance they have metal ramps built in unbolt that ramp cut it to length .... Then your done and you know it's strong enough for a dog