Back Seat Extender for Crew Cab Trucks: How to Pick the Right One for Your Dog
Share
Short answer: for a full-size crew cab (think F-150, Silverado, Sierra, Ram 1500 or Tundra), you want a hard-bottom back seat extender in a full-size truck size, roughly 57 inches wide, with straps for both the front and rear headrests. Measure your back seat first, keep your dog clipped to a harness tether, and the whole back of the cab becomes one flat bed for your dog.
Below: why trucks are different, how to measure, what to look for, and what to skip.
Why crew cab trucks need a different extender
A crew cab looks like it has plenty of room for a dog. The problem is the shape.
- The footwell is deep and long. There's a lot of open floor between the rear bench and the front seats, and a big drop down to it. That's exactly where dogs slip on every stop and turn.
- The bench is narrow front to back. A Lab or shepherd lying across it is half hanging off the edge.
- Bigger dogs ride in trucks. Hunting dogs, farm dogs, two-dog households. A soft hammock that works for a 30 lb dog sags under an 80 lb one.
A hard-bottom extender fixes all three by bridging the footwell with rigid panels, level with the seat. Your dog gets the seat plus the footwell as usable floor. (New to these? See back seat extender vs dog hammock.)
How to measure your truck (2 minutes)
- Width: measure across the back seat from door to door at about headrest height.
- Depth: measure from the back of the rear headrests to the back of the front-seat headrests.
- Check the seat: extenders are made for a rear bench with headrests. If you have rear captain's chairs, or you often fold the seat bottoms up, check before you buy.
Compare those numbers with the extender's size chart, not just the name on the box. "Large" means different things to different brands.
| Size L | Size XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cars, mid-size SUVs, small trucks | Full-size crew cab trucks and full-size SUVs |
| Width across the back seat | 52" | 57.4" |
| Rear to front headrests (top edge) | 26.8" | 31.2" |
| Length along the bottom | 24.5" | 29.3" |
| Price | $99.99 | $109.99 |
Sizes are for the Pawsome Pups Hard Bottom Back Seat Extender. Not sure which fits your truck? Email us your year, make and model at support@pawsomepups.co and we'll tell you honestly.
What to look for in a truck back seat extender
- Truly hard panels. Press the middle with your hand. It shouldn't fold. Padding alone sags under a big dog.
- A real weight rating. Look for a stated rating well above your dog's weight, so a dog can stand and turn without it dipping.
- Straps for front and rear headrests plus seat anchors that tuck into the seat crease, so it doesn't slide forward when you brake.
- Side door flaps to protect the door panels from claws and mud.
- Waterproof, wipe-clean fabric. Truck dogs get wet: lake days, rain, hunting season.
- A mesh window between the front seats for airflow and so your dog can see you.
- Seat-belt and tether access, so you can still buckle your dog in.
Two big dogs in one crew cab
This is where an extender pays off most. On a bare bench, two big dogs fight over one narrow seat and one usually ends up in the footwell or standing the whole drive. With the footwell bridged, the back of the cab becomes one wide deck, so both dogs can lie down side by side. Give each dog its own harness tether so they can't tangle or climb into the front.
Safety: what an extender does and doesn't do
A back seat extender keeps your dog comfortable, level and out of the footwell. It is not a crash restraint, and ours isn't crash-tested (most aren't). For security in a hard stop, always use a well-fitted harness with a short seat-belt tether, clipped to the harness, never a collar. For the highest level of protection, look for a harness or crate that has been independently crash-tested.
Our pick for crew cabs: the XL
Our Hard Bottom Back Seat Extender in XL is made for full-size crew cab trucks and full-size SUVs:
- 57.4" wide Γ 31.2" front to back
- Removable hard-bottom panels rated to 400 lbs (per the manufacturer)
- Waterproof quilted cover that wipes or hoses off
- Front and rear headrest straps, seat anchors and 15.8" side door flaps
- Mesh window and two storage pockets
- Free tracked US shipping, and 30-day returns even after you've tried it in your truck
Setup takes about 2 minutes: clip the straps to the headrests, slide in the hard panels and tuck the anchors in. No tools.
FAQ
Will a back seat extender fit my F-150 / Silverado / Ram?
Most full-size crew cabs need an XL-size extender. Measure your back seat width door to door and compare it with the size chart above. If you're unsure, email us your year, make and model and we'll check before you order.
Can people still ride in the back?
Yes. Unclip the straps and lift out the hard panels in about a minute.
Will it work if my rear seat bottoms flip up?
Use it with the seat bottoms down. The extender sits on the bench and bridges the footwell. With the seats flipped up, there's no bench for it to rest on.
Does it stop my dog jumping into the front?
The front panel and mesh window make it harder, but a harness tether is what really keeps your dog in the back.
How do I clean it after a muddy day?
Wipe or hose it off. The hard panels slide out so you can wash the cover on its own.
Still dealing with a dog sliding off the seat? Read how to stop your dog falling into the footwell.
Give your truck dog the whole back seat. Shop the XL Back Seat Extender β