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) |
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 — 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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Customer Reviews
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 — a fair trade for portability, but not the choice if pure crash rigidity is your priority.