Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)
The safest, most complete crate you can put in a truck bed, and the reason it tops this list. The G1 is the only kennel here built with a double wall (two rotomolded shells with an energy-absorbing gap between them), and it is the first double-walled crate to earn a 5-Star crash rating from the Center for Pet Safety. It ships ready for the bed: four integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins, a welded aluminum-frame reversible door with a key-lockable paddle latch, molded escape-proof vents, and a lifetime warranty. It is heavy and expensive, but nothing else here matches its protection or its out-of-the-box completeness.
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Our Verdict
The safest crate you can bolt into a truck bed and the most complete out of the box, which is why it wins despite the price. The G1 is the only double-walled kennel here (two rotomolded shells with an energy-absorbing gap) and the first double-wall crate to earn a 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating. It arrives bed-ready with four integrated stainless tie-down pins, a welded aluminum-frame reversible door, key-lockable latch, and a lifetime warranty. It costs the most and weighs 48 lb, but nothing else matches its protection or completeness.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •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
- •Lifetime warranty to the original owner (excludes chew damage)
Cons
- •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
Specifications
| Best Fit | Medium–large (interior 30 × 18 × 25 in) |
| Construction | Double-wall rotomolded |
| Crash Test Rating | 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety) |
| Empty Weight | 48 lb |
| Door & Latch | Welded aluminum-frame reversible door, key-lockable paddle latch |
| Tie-Downs | 4 integrated stainless-steel pins (straps sold separately) |
| Ventilation & Drainage | Molded side vents with escape-proof windows |
| Warranty | Lifetime (excludes chew damage) |
Quick Answers
What is the best fit of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) best fit: Medium–large (interior 30 × 18 × 25 in).
What is the construction of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) construction: Double-wall rotomolded.
What is the crash test rating of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) crash test rating: 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety).
What is the empty weight of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) empty weight: 48 lb.
What is the door & latch of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) door & latch: Welded aluminum-frame reversible door, key-lockable paddle latch.
What is the tie-downs of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) tie-downs: 4 integrated stainless-steel pins (straps sold separately).
What is the ventilation & drainage of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) ventilation & drainage: Molded side vents with escape-proof windows.
What is the warranty of the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)?
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) warranty: Lifetime (excludes chew damage).
Who is the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) for?
It suits 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. It is not the right pick for anyone on a tight budget, since it is the priciest rotomolded option, owners who lift the crate solo and often, given the 48 lb weight.
Is the Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate) worth buying?
The safest, most complete crate you can put in a truck bed, and the reason it tops this list. The G1 is the only kennel here built with a double wall (two rotomolded shells with an energy-absorbing gap between them), and it is the first double-walled crate to earn a 5-Star crash rating from the Center for Pet Safety. It ships ready for the bed: four integrated stainless-steel tie-down pins, a welded aluminum-frame reversible door with a key-lockable paddle latch, molded escape-proof vents, and a lifetime warranty. It is heavy and expensive, but nothing else here matches its protection or its out-of-the-box completeness. It ranks #1 in our Top 5 Dog Crates for Truck Beds. The safest crate you can bolt into a truck bed and the most complete out of the box, which is why it wins despite the price. The G1 is the only double-walled kennel here (two rotomolded shells with an energy-absorbing gap) and the first double-wall crate to earn a 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating. It arrives bed-ready with four integrated stainless tie-down pins, a welded aluminum-frame reversible door, key-lockable latch, and a lifetime warranty. It costs the most and weighs 48 lb, but nothing else matches its protection or completeness.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- 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
Not For
- Anyone on a tight budget, since it is the priciest rotomolded option
- Owners who lift the crate solo and often, given the 48 lb weight
Where to Buy
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Alternatives to Consider
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)
Lucky Duck
The pick built specifically with the truck bed in mind, and the value leader among crash-certified crates. Field & Stream named it their best kennel for trucks, and it earns it: a one-piece rotomolded shell with a 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating, powder-coated tie-downs that make securing it in an exposed bed straightforward, corner locking pins, a reversible injection-molded door with a locking paddle latch, non-slip rubber feet, and heavy-duty lift handles. At 38 lb it is lighter than the Gunner and, at around $600, meaningfully cheaper, while still carrying the same independent 5-Star certification.
RuffLand Intermediate Kennel
RuffLand
The value champion, and the crate the hunting community reaches for most. RuffLand's one-piece rotomolded shell uses a slightly flexible wall the brand calls Ruff Flex, engineered to absorb energy on impact, and reviewers consistently note it costs several hundred dollars less than the crash-certified premium crates while delivering proven, professional-grade durability. At roughly 21 lb it is by far the easiest crate here to lift in and out of a bed one-handed. The trade-offs are real: it is not independently crash-certified, and its tie-down and handle hardware is an add-on kit rather than built in. Budget for that before you rely on it in an open bed.
Dakota 283 G3 Framed Door Kennel (Medium)
Dakota 283
A tough, well-finished rotomolded kennel whose standout feature is its door. The G3's framed door with a keyed paddle latch is one of the most secure closures in its price class (owners single out the door and locking hardware as noticeably better than typical molded latches), and the one-piece shell is rotomolded from high-grade polyethylene using the same process as military-grade cargo cases. It stacks with an optional kit for multi-dog hauling and is made in the USA. It lands mid-pack because it is not independently crash-certified and carries only a one-year warranty, but for security-minded buyers who want a serious travel crate around $400 it is a strong choice.
Impact Collapsible Dog Crate (Intermediate)
Impact Dog Crates
The specialist pick for owners who need an aluminum crate that folds flat. Built from powder-coated, aircraft-grade aluminum, the Impact Collapsible is rust-resistant, escape-resistant thanks to heavy slam latches, and ventilated on all four sides, a real advantage in a hot, open bed. It also collapses for storage when it is not in the truck, which no rotomolded crate here can do. It ranks last for truck-bed duty specifically because it is the most expensive crate on the list and, as reviewers note, its collapsible design is inherently less rigid than a welded or one-piece molded shell. That's a fair trade for portability, but not the choice if pure crash rigidity is your priority.