Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)
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.
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Our Verdict
The best value among crash-certified crates and the one purpose-marketed for trucks: Field & Stream's pick for the bed. It carries the same independent 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating as the Gunner (tested to 4,000 lb and a 630 lb drop) but is lighter at 38 lb and roughly $100 cheaper, with powder-coated tie-downs, corner locking pins, and a reversible locking door built in. It ranks second only because its single-wall shell does not feel as indestructible as the Gunner's double wall in independent testing.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •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
- •Made in the USA with stainless hardware and a lifetime warranty
Cons
- •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
Specifications
| Best Fit | Medium–large (~40–70 lb dogs) |
| Construction | One-piece rotomolded (single wall) |
| Crash Test Rating | 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety) |
| Empty Weight | 38 lb |
| Door & Latch | Reversible injection-molded door, locking paddle latch + corner pins |
| Tie-Downs | Integrated powder-coated tie-downs |
| Ventilation & Drainage | Side vents, easy-clean drain holes, pitched floor |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Quick Answers
What is the best fit of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) best fit: Medium–large (~40–70 lb dogs).
What is the construction of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) construction: One-piece rotomolded (single wall).
What is the crash test rating of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) crash test rating: 5-Star (Center for Pet Safety).
What is the empty weight of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) empty weight: 38 lb.
What is the door & latch of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) door & latch: Reversible injection-molded door, locking paddle latch + corner pins.
What is the tie-downs of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) tie-downs: Integrated powder-coated tie-downs.
What is the ventilation & drainage of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) ventilation & drainage: Side vents, easy-clean drain holes, pitched floor.
What is the warranty of the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate)?
Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) warranty: Lifetime.
Who is the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) for?
It suits 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. It is not the right pick for owners set on the very strongest double-wall construction, anyone whose budget tops out well under $600.
Is the Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel (Intermediate) worth buying?
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. It ranks #2 in our Top 5 Dog Crates for Truck Beds. The best value among crash-certified crates and the one purpose-marketed for trucks: Field & Stream's pick for the bed. It carries the same independent 5-Star Center for Pet Safety rating as the Gunner (tested to 4,000 lb and a 630 lb drop) but is lighter at 38 lb and roughly $100 cheaper, with powder-coated tie-downs, corner locking pins, and a reversible locking door built in. It ranks second only because its single-wall shell does not feel as indestructible as the Gunner's double wall in independent testing.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- 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
Not For
- Owners set on the very strongest double-wall construction
- Anyone whose budget tops out well under $600
Where to Buy
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Alternatives to Consider
Gunner G1 Kennel (Intermediate)
Gunner
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.
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.