Running boards for older dog

2016 Tacoma TRD Sport double cab. Looking for all black running boards that a older dog can navigate easy. He rides shot gun. He also rides in the back seat. I am getting tired of lifting him.
I realize there are some cons with wide full size running boards. Looking for suggestions for running boards or ?that are mounted at the right place and not too low. That don’t stick out too far. However stick out far enough so my dog can get a good enough step up without slipping.
I don’t think the tube or pipe steps will work for him.

 

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Look for the cast aluminum version

 

Go Rhino D6’s might work for your needs.

 

Good luck OP. Nice to take care of an old dog.

 

My parents have a folding ramp they use for their dogs that seems to work well.

 

i have the power ones there great hidden out of the way makes truck sit higher too

 

I use Pet Loader. It's very stable and folds up. I leave the back seat folded down and it's setup for her. She walks up the steps, I fold it up and its stored under the tonneau cover. I've had it for 3 years now and would buy another one if I ever needed to replace it. All metal construction with non slip applied to the actual step. As soon as my dog sees me with it, she gets very excited. She knows she going somewhere.

 

My dogs like the cast aluminum steps and the steel equivalent on the 2nd gen. It helps.

We had an old dog that would put his front feet on them and we would give him a boost up the rest of the way.

Maybe something as simple as an old wood box might help as well.

 

I don't think any running board is going to help do what you are thinking. The running board is in an awkward position to be of any help to the dog. As others have suggested, get a pet ramp or make one yourself. I actually made one that I used for two of my dogs. It was simply a piece of wood about 4 ft long or so, and about 16" wide. I then put carpet on top of it so the dog would have something to grip when he goes up and down the ramp. It worked great for about 15 years. I actually still have it but do not have a dog currently. A dog ramp is actually better for the dog instead of him jumping out the door. A friend of mine had a german shepherd who weighed 165lbs, yes, a big dog! He jumped in and out of the car, and one day, after jumping out of the car, he began to wobble when he walked and ended up not being able to walk as he was dragging his rear legs. It turned out that he had a deformed disk in his neck and the jumping out of the car finally caught up with it, and the disk literally cut off the communication in his spine from his head to the rest of his body. Surgery turned out to be a $8000 proposition, and then, the Dr only gave a 50% chance of success, so the decision was made to put the dog to sleep. I had a german shepherd too at the time, and they were best friends. That big 165lb german shepherd was big, but he was also just a big baby. If you didn't know him, he was very intimidating, but if you did know him, he was a great friend to have on your side! Get a ramp!

 

Do what you can for the ole fellow. They did what they could.

you’re never find a better buddy.

 

I just took our little girl to the vet this morning for a continuing back issue. Lucky for us she's only 16 lbs so we don't have problems lifting her in and out of out vehicles. I wonder if a disappearing ramp a la U-Haul truck ramps could be bolted up under your truck? Be sure to follow up here to let us know what you come up with.

 

I am Loving this forum! Great replies thoughtful input. Lots of good suggestions. A ramp that telescopes out is a great solution I think. To the drawing board. What material to make it out of?
My Fur Son is a Field Spaniel. 45 pounds. Black as coal with gray hairs starting around his big brown eyes. He looks like a BIG Cocker spaniel. His name is Bentley. I call him Bent, he has Attitude.
oogielaflick wow very sad, but a good cautionary tale.

 

I forgot to mention, about the 165 german shepherd, when they took him in to the vet to have him put to sleep, the Dr gave him "the shot", and the dog didn't die! They actually had to give him two shots because he was so big that it took a double dose! And a ramp that telescopes out, well, I don't know how that would work unless you folded down both back seats to the flat area, and then made some kind of telescoping ramp that slid in for easy storage. Then, I could see it but that is the only way. I still like my piece of wood ramp, as it was easy and it worked!

 

I built a ramp. It is 4' long 10" wide 1/2" thick heartwood pine. Covered it with indoor-outdoor gray carpeting.
Attached carpet with staples via a staple gun & carefully and Ebenezer Scrooge'ly used some glue on the 1/2"
right and left 4' sides and on the over-lapped seam on the underside.
Bent zipped up and down the ramp like he owns it. The ramp worked perfectly!

I took a video it is in .MOV format which is not compatible with this forum. I can't upload it. Which is unfortunate.
Bent was showing off how agile he is going up and down that ramp like a champ.
I will have to learn how and where to change the video file format.
I did manage to get one jpg to stick.
New Poster fumbling.sigh.
(I promise to get literate on using the posting tools that are provided.)

 

Our dog has some joint issues and shouldn’t be jumping down from the car. We lifted him for a while but he didn’t like it too much. Got one of these and it’s been working great. Not cheap but well made, worth every penny we spent.

$133 WeatherTech PetRamp - Non-Slip, Portable Dog Ramp for Large Dogs to 300 Pounds, 67" x 15" - Traction Grip Ramp, Easy Access for Pets to Car, SUV, Truck, Bed, Couch & Other Home Areas

WeatherTech PetRamp - High-Traction Foldable Pet Ramp

 

cosmic65charlie Nice ramp!
This quickie DIY ramp is working for now. The 4' length fits great across the rear seats.
Bent is happy with it. In fact he is down right cocky, zipping up and down it like a puppy.

Plus it didn't cost me a dime. I had all the materials. My chop saw made
the cut in seconds. Build time maybe 15 minutes after
I gathered the parts and tools.

 

Can even carry his own toy with him!

 

That is a good option for your friend. If the length is too long you could always put something like a piano hinge halfway so the undersides fold in and touch when stowed

 

shane100700
Can even carry his own toy with him!

Actually that squirrel is his poop bag holder. It was made for him from a finger puppet.
Where ever I take him I have strangers laugh and point. Look at that dog with the squirrel.
Come up to us and ask where I bought it.
I keep hearing I should put them on the market. I could make a zillon bucks.
I'm not going to sell my business and get eyeball deep in poop bags.
Not good for my self image.
"What kind of business do you have?"
"I'm into bagging poop."

--shrug--