Whether you're heading out to the farm, hitting the trails, or just the school drop-off with muddy paws in tow - plenty of ute owners bring their dog along for the ride. The question isn't really whether you can transport a dog in a ute, it's whether you're doing it in a way that keeps them safe and comfortable.
The setup you choose makes a real difference, especially on longer trips or in warm weather. Get it right and your dog travels happy. Get it wrong, and a hot day or a rough back road turns an easy trip into a stressful one.
Open Tray or Tub
An open tray or tub with a tether is common, particularly on farms and rural properties. For short, low-speed runs it can be fine. But it comes with real trade-offs - full exposure to sun, wind and rain, stones and road debris kicked up at speed, and for a lot of dogs, real stress at being out in the open with nowhere to settle.
Utemaster canopies and hard lids both offer solutions for transporting your pets - let's take a look at these below.
Transporting your dog in a Centurion Canopy
A canopy changes things considerably. Your dog is enclosed and protected from the elements, and can't fall or jump from the vehicle. For ute owners who travel with their dogs regularly, it's a practical long-term setup.
One of the greatest features of the Utemaster Centurion Canopy is the solid aluminium doors which provide security for your gear. The Utemaster Dog Vent Kit allows you to take your best friend with you without compromising on this.
Features Include:
- Allows an area of 18cm² of airflow to enter and exit the canopy while driving
- Central Locking compatible
- Lets light into the tub
- Easily swings into place
- Durable design
Please note: The Dog Vent Kit is designed for transporting your dog while driving. We don't recommend leaving your dog in a parked canopy.
Check out the video below to see it in action.
Transporting your dog in a Load-Lid
The Lid Spacer Kit holds your Load-Lid open 200mm above the rear tailgate. This allows air to flow into the tub area, making it ideal for transporting your dog.
Features Include:
- Holds Load-Lid open 200mm above the tailgate
- Allows air to flow into the tub
- Easily swings into place
- Lets light into the tub
The Utemaster Lid Spacer Kit is also handy if you have longer items that won't fit inside the tub when the Load-Lid is closed - whether that's a surfboard, fishing rods, or a length of timber.
Heat
For the same reason you wouldn't leave a dog in a car on a hot day, heat management matters in a canopy and hard lid too. Temperatures inside an enclosed space can climb quickly, even on days that don't feel that warm outside.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Use the Dog Vent Kit whenever your dog is in the canopy or hard lid while driving - consistent airflow makes a real difference
- Park in shade whenever your dog is inside
- On longer stops, get your dog out rather than leaving them in the canopy
- Watch for signs of overheating: excessive panting, drooling, or lethargy
Customers have also paired the dog vent kit with the canopy vent to further ventilate the canopy while driving.
GearForce Hard Lid
We also have the GearForce Hard Lid which is also compatible with transporting dogs safetly and comfortably when paired with the Lid Spacer Kit.
Whether you go with a canopy or a hard lid, the right accessories make travelling with your dog genuinely easy. Browse the range below.
Utemaster Centurion Canopy
