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