Okay, so I had this idea to make a dog box with some extra storage space underneath. I got this idea because I always feel like I’m running out of room for my dog’s stuff and my hunting gear. So I thought, why not combine the two and save some space? I decided to give it a shot and document the whole process.

First off, I had to get an idea of what I was working with. I grabbed a tape measure and started with my dog, Buddy. Now, Buddy’s a big boy, so I wanted to make sure he’d be comfy. I measured him standing up, from his nose to the base of his tail. Then, I had him sit and measured from the top of his head to the floor. I added about 4 inches to each of those numbers just to make sure he had plenty of room to move around. I jotted these measurements down – wouldn’t want to forget those.
Next, I started sketching out a rough design. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a basic box shape with a drawer at the bottom. I wanted the box to be sturdy, so I thought about using diamond tread aluminum. That stuff is tough and looks pretty cool too, so it seemed like a good choice. I also wanted to make sure there was enough ventilation, so I made a note to include some vents on the sides.
After I had a basic plan, I started gathering materials. I managed to find some diamond tread aluminum sheets and got those cut to the sizes I needed. It took some time to get it right. Then I picked up some heavy-duty hinges and latches for the door and the drawer. I wanted to make sure everything was secure, you know? For the inside, I lined the dog compartment with some plastic material to make it a bit more comfortable and easier to clean.
Building it was a bit of a challenge, I won’t lie. I started by assembling the main box. I used rivets to hold the aluminum sheets together. After a few hours of work, the main box was done. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. Sturdy and spacious, just what Buddy needed.
The next step was the drawer. I built a simple frame for it and attached the bottom piece. I made sure it could slide in and out smoothly. It was a bit tricky to get the alignment just right, but after some fiddling, it worked perfectly. I installed the drawer at the bottom of the main box, and it fit like a glove. This was going to be super handy for storing leashes, collars, and maybe even some of my own gear.
Ventilation was the next thing on my list. I marked out where the vents would go on the sides of the box and carefully cut out the openings. I used some mesh screens to cover the holes, ensuring there would be plenty of airflow without letting any unwanted critters in. It was important to me that Buddy would have good air circulation, especially during those warmer days.
Finally, I added the finishing touches. I attached the door with those heavy-duty hinges and a secure latch. I made sure it could be locked for extra safety. I also added a handle to the drawer to make it easier to open and close. I stepped back to admire my work. It was exactly what I had envisioned: a sturdy, spacious dog box with a handy storage drawer underneath.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I did:
- Measured Buddy to get the right dimensions.
- Designed a basic box with a bottom drawer.
- Gathered materials like diamond tread aluminum, hinges, latches, and plastic lining.
- Assembled the main box using rivets.
- Built and installed the bottom drawer.
- Added vents with mesh screens for airflow.
- Attached the door with a secure latch and added a handle to the drawer.
The Result
In the end, I was pretty proud of how it turned out. Buddy seemed to like it too. He had plenty of room to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. And I had that extra storage space I was looking for. It was a win-win. This project was definitely a success, and it felt great to see my idea come to life. Now, I have a practical and durable solution for transporting Buddy and keeping all our gear organized.
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