The Bootlock is a tool no dog vehicle should be without!
A couple of open windows on a warm day are not adequate to keep your vehicle cool enough to leave your dog in it. This product is designed to allow greater airflow and ventilation by keeping the tailgate or "barn doors" of the vehicle partially open but locked.
Made in the U.K. (hence the name), the Bootlock is a perfect solution to allow air flow in your vehicle for those times when you need to leave your dog in their crate in the vehicle. The simple, yet effective design allows you to leave the tailgate or barn doors of your vehicle open a crack while the vehicle still remains locked. This allows essential air flow inside the vehicle while keeping your vehicle secured.
What size Bootlock do you need? Click on the Sizing tab for advice on what size you should choose.
Note: This product works like the Ventlock that we sold previously, as well as the Cool Dog Tailgate that we currently sell. Because of problems getting stock from the manufacturers, we have chosen to carry both the Bootlock and the Cool Dog products so that we have more inventory available.
Packaging: Please note that the Bootlock may come in either black or grey.
Will the Bootlock Fit My Vehicle?
The Bootlock works on most vehicles and can be seen in the photos on both cars and vans with tail gates and barn doors.
The Bootlock will not fit Renault vehicles and sometimes will not work on vehicles with mutliple sensors that sense a door is open a bit and won't allow locking. However, this is not normally a problem.
Using the Bootlock
Click on the Files & Videos tab for complete instructions on fitting the Bootlock. It's important to note that unlocking your car with a key or your keyless fob will only unlock the Bootlock, it will not release the Bootlock from the latch. If you normally have to pull a handle to open the back doors or tailgate of your vehicle, then you must follow the same process to remove the Bootlock: unlock the vehicle and then lift/open your door handle to release the Bootlock from its position.
Safety Notes
- As dog owners ourselves, we feel duty-bound to say that whatever method of ventilation or protection against sunlight/heat you use for your dogs when they are in a parked car, there is no substitute for checking your dog on a regular basis—even if they are in the shade. Do not leave pets unattended in a parked vehicle in direct sunlight even with your windows open.
- The Bootlock is not suitable for use when the vehicle is moving or when the engine is running.
There are four sizes of Bootlocks: 4" (95mm), 6" (170mm), 9.5" (245mm), and 12" (305mm). The locks are measured to the nearest inch from the bar bottom to the end of the loop; not including the threaded hook. A common question asked is which size should I choose?
Which size you want to use depends on the particular situation you are in. For example, the 4" Bootlock is perfect when it's warm out but pouring rain because it allows air flow into the vehicle without allowing in too much wet. If you're parking in an area you aren't familiar with and you don't know the people around, you might choose either a 4" or 6" Bootlock so that you allow less access. If you're at a show where most of the face are familiar, you might select the 9.5" or 12" to allow more airflow. Many people choose to buy several sizes so they have options.
So the choice comes down to how far open you want your rear doors or hatchback to be. It's a balance of security vs. airflow.
Ask yourself these questions before you make a decision:
- Are your dogs in a secure crate? If they are, you can have as big a gap with as much ventilation as you like.
- If your dogs are not in a secure crate, then you need to choose a Bootlock that will not let your dog get out through the opening in your rear door or hatchback.
- If you want your vehicle to be secure, then you need to make sure the size of Bootlock you select does not allow access to any release catches, buttons, or handles from outside the vehicle.
A simple test is to put your dogs in your vehicle and then open the back door or tailgate to create the size opening you are happy with and then measure that space and order accordingly.
Below are some other guidelines that may help you choose.
- 4" – Ideal for uncrated small dogs or in cooler weather. When fitted to the tailgate or one of the rear doors of your vehicle, the amount of ventilation provided by the 4" Bootlock is equal to that achieved by leaving all the windows of the vehicle one-third open. A good choice for the rear door of 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- 6" – Useful for uncrated larger dogs left for relatively short periods of time, such as a trip to the grocery store where leaving a window open might attract the attention of the opportunist thief. Along with the 4" model it is also an excellent choice for the rear door of 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- 9.5" – One of the most popular sizes. Good for uncrated medium to large breeds that will be unable to get through a 9" gap. Provides quite a bit more ventilation than the 4" or 6" Bootlock.
- 12" – This is probably the largest model Bootlock that you should use if you are not leaving your dogs in crates in the car. Circulates lots of air.