Originally posted by Kfamr


What do you think of it?

... the dogs could ride back there with the topper...

Maybe even I would ride back there with them.
You're not going to like what I'm going to say...

The big issue here is SAFETY!

Modern vehicles are designed with all sorts of SAFETY devices -
seat & shoulder belts, airbags, side-curtain airbags,
knee airbags, padded dashboards, roof roll-over protection ...
and the list goes on...

But all that "safety stuff" is designed into the Passenger Compartment -
and NOT in the cargo area of a pickup.

People (and Dawgs) get hurt in vehicle accidents when their
(soft) bodies are not "restrained"...
if the vehicle *hits* something and *stops* - suddenly -
the (soft) human or dog continues to move forward
(at say 50 mph)... until the human/dog *hits* the now
STOPPED inside surfaces of the vehicle.

A camper or topper doesn't "restrain" anyone riding in or
under it - "soft" passengers can still move forward (at 50 mph)
until they *hit* the back of the truck cab in an accident.

Granted - No one "plans" to have an accident on a trip...
But let Phreddie Firefighter tell ya - they DO Happen!

Bottom Line ~
It is REALLY *NOT* SAFE for ANYone -
Human or 4-Legger - to ride in the CARGO area of a vehicle -
with or without a "roof" over their heads!

And... you need to consider a couple more safety issues -

Pickup trucks with campers / toppers tend to "pull" the
exhaust fumes up and around and INTO the rear of a pickup -
tiny gaps or cracks can allow DEADLY carbon monoxide fumes
to be sucked in and sicken or kill the riders.

And lastly - is it "legal"?
MANY States, cities and small municipalities have laws restricting
WHERE you can ride in or on moving vehicles;
and when you MUST be secured with a seat belt.

*MY* suggestion ~
Play it SAFE - let everyone - 2-Leggers AND the FurKids -
ride "up front" - it'll be a much SAFER Trip!

/s/ Phred