Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) vs Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)
The two crash-certified truck-bed crates worth buying — pay for the Gunner G1's double-wall construction if maximum protection is the point, or save around $100 and a few pounds with the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel, which carries the same 5-Star rating and was built with the bed in mind.
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Side by side
| Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) | Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $700 | $599.99 |
| Best Fit | Medium–large (interior 30 × 18 × 25 in) | Medium–large (~40–70 lb dogs) |
| Construction | Double-wall rotomolded | One-piece rotomolded (single wall) |
| Crash Test Rating | 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety) | 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety) |
| Empty Weight | 48 lb | 38 lb |
| Door & Latch | Welded aluminum-frame reversible door, key-lockable paddle latch | Reversible injection-molded door, locking paddle latch + corner pins |
| Tie-Downs | 4 integrated stainless-steel pins (straps sold separately) | Integrated powder-coated tie-downs |
| Ventilation & Drainage | Molded side vents with escape-proof windows | Side vents, easy-clean drain holes, pitched floor |
| Warranty | Lifetime (excludes chew damage) | Lifetime |
How they differ in real use
These are the only two crates on our truck-bed list that carry an independent 5-Star crash rating from the Center for Pet Safety, so the choice between them is a genuinely close one — and it comes down to construction, weight, and price rather than a gap in credibility. The Gunner G1 is the only double-walled kennel here: two rotomolded shells with an energy-absorbing gap between them, which is why it is the first double-wall crate CPS ever certified at 5 stars and why independent reviewers describe it as feeling essentially indestructible. That protection has a cost in both dollars and pounds — it runs about $700 and weighs 48 lb empty, a two-handed lift into a bed. The Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel takes the single-wall approach but engineers it well: one-piece rotomolded, tested to 4,000 lb of force and a 630 lb drop from over eight feet, and marketed specifically for trucks, with powder-coated tie-downs, corner locking pins, a reversible locking door, non-slip feet, and lift handles built in. At 38 lb and roughly $600 it is lighter and cheaper while carrying the identical 5-Star certification. Both are USA-made with lifetime warranties, both come bed-ready with integrated securing hardware, and both will outlast the truck. The honest difference is that the Gunner's second wall buys a margin of protection the Lucky Duck's single wall does not quite match in hands-on testing — a margin most drivers will never call on, but one that exists.
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)
- Only double-walled crate here — two shells absorb far more impact energy than a single wall
- 5-Star Center for Pet Safety crash rating, tested to 4,000 lb of force
- Four integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins engineered not to tear out in a wreck
- Welded aluminum-frame reversible door with a key-lockable paddle latch
- The most expensive rotomolded pick and among the heaviest at 48 lb empty
- Branded tie-down straps are sold separately
- Double-wall shell is bulkier in the bed than a single-wall crate of the same interior
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)
- 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating — tested to 4,000 lb and a 630 lb drop from over 8 feet
- Powder-coated tie-downs built in for securing in an exposed truck bed
- Reversible door with locking paddle latch plus corner locking pins
- Lighter (38 lb) and cheaper than the Gunner while equally crash-certified
- Single-wall shell does not feel as indestructible as the Gunner's double wall in independent reviews
- Still a premium price at around $600
- Heavier than the lightweight single-wall value picks below it
Which should you buy?
Buy the Gunner G1 if protection is genuinely your first priority — you drive long highway miles, you want the strongest crate crash certification allows, and the extra $100 and 10 lb are worth the peace of mind of a double wall. Buy the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel if you want that same 5-Star safety floor for less money and less weight: it is the smarter value for most truck owners, it was designed with the bed specifically in mind, and its built-in tie-downs and locking door leave nothing to add. Choose the Gunner for the absolute maximum; choose the Lucky Duck for the best balance of safety, weight, and price.
Choose the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) if
- Owners who want the maximum crash protection available
- Highway and long-haul travel where a wreck is the worst case
- Buyers who want tie-down hardware and locks built in, not added on
Skip it if
- Anyone on a tight budget — it is the priciest rotomolded option
- Owners who lift the crate solo and often, given the 48 lb weight
Choose the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) if
- Truck-bed owners who want 5-Star crash certification for less than the Gunner
- Hunters and everyday drivers who need tie-downs and locks built in
- Buyers who value USA build and a lifetime warranty
Skip it if
- Owners set on the very strongest double-wall construction
- Anyone whose budget tops out well under $600
Common questions
Is the Gunner's double wall really worth $100 more than the Lucky Duck?
Both are certified 5-Star by the Center for Pet Safety, so both cleared the same independent crash bar. The Gunner's advantage is margin: its double-wall shell absorbs more energy than the Lucky Duck's single wall, and reviewers who have handled both describe the Gunner as noticeably more rigid. Whether that margin is worth the money depends on your risk — high-mileage highway drivers get real value from it, while someone making short local trips may find the Lucky Duck's certification more than sufficient for less money.
Which is easier to load into a truck bed by myself?
The Lucky Duck, at 38 lb empty, is meaningfully easier to handle than the 48 lb Gunner, and both have lift handles. Neither is light, and loading either with a dog inside is a two-person job. If you frequently load and unload the crate solo, the 10 lb difference is felt every time — and if weight is your top concern, the RuffLand (about 21 lb) on our main list is lighter still, though it trades away the crash certification these two share.
Do both come ready to tie down in a bed?
Yes. The Gunner has four integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins engineered not to tear out in a crash, and the Lucky Duck has integrated powder-coated tie-downs; both only need rated straps added to anchor to your bed. That built-in securing hardware is a key reason these two rank above crates like the RuffLand and Dakota, which sell their tie-down kits separately.