Most problems with back seat extenders come down to fit. Too narrow and the board doesn't reach the doors. Too short and it doesn't reach the front seats. A few minutes with a tape measure avoids a return.
What you need
- A tape measure
- Front seats in the position you normally drive with
The three measurements
- Back seat width. Measure across the rear seat cushion from door to door, at the height where the board will sit.
- Front-to-back distance. Measure from the front edge of the rear seat cushion to the back of the front seats. This is the gap the board has to bridge.
- Footwell depth. Measure from the top of the rear seat cushion down to the floor. It tells you how much the board will be supported versus suspended.
Compare with the board
The board in our Back Seat Extender for Dogs measures 54 × 25.6 in (137 × 65 cm).
- Width: it's made for back seats about 54 in wide or wider. If your seat is noticeably narrower, the board may not lie flat against the doors.
- Front-to-back: compare your measurement 2 with 25.6 in. If your gap is much longer, the platform won't reach the front seatbacks with your seats in their normal position.
Close call, or unsure how to measure your car? Email your three numbers plus make, model and year to support@tidymile.store before you order. We'd rather tell you it won't fit than have you send it back.
Sedan, SUV or truck: what to expect
| Vehicle | What to check |
|---|---|
| Small cars and compact sedans | Seat width is often the limit. Measure carefully. |
| Midsize sedans and crossovers | Usually the easiest fit. Check the front-to-back distance if the front seats sit far forward. |
| SUVs and minivans with a bench | Width is rarely a problem. Captain's chairs in the second row won't work with a single board. |
| Crew-cab pickups | Check both width and depth. Some rear benches fold up, which changes what the board rests on. |
Things to check besides size
- Headrests: the straps loop around the front and rear headrests, so they need to be in place.
- Seat belt buckles: look for slots so you can still reach them.
- Child seat anchors: you can't run a child seat and an extender in the same row at the same time.
- Passengers: nobody can sit in the back while it's installed. It unclips and folds away when you need the seats.
Is a back seat extender safe?
It's a comfort and seat-protection product, not a crash restraint. Use it together with a crash-tested harness, crate or carrier, and skip long extension tethers. Our guide on stopping your dog falling into the footwell explains why.
Ready to order? The extender is available on its own or in the Dog Ride Kit with a pet hair detailer.