4x4 North America MIM Safe Variocage Double - Crash Tested Dog Cage, Double XL / 00364

We did our research and knew going in that this was a big risk, cost-wise, assembly-wise, hassle-wise. That said our belief was that this would meet our needs the best out of the available options -- if it worked. But, if it turned out that the considerable hassle of assembly was too much for our skill level and bandwidth, we would also need to return it. For that reason, we waited for it to be available with amazon as the both the seller and shipper, rather than 4x4 (the american distributor) as the seller and amazon as the shipper. We had zero interest in "justifying" or begging for a return after putting in a few unsuccessful hours of blood sweat and tears.The absence of good assembly videos with good lighting and in English by the american distributor, 4x4, is nothing short of appalling and is a huge disrespect to US consumers. From the other reviews, consumers say that the distributor is friendly, responsive to phone call and emails, and will replace missing parts. That's great, but that is not the point. The point is about making it do-able -- PROACTIVELY -- for the consumer, and not waiting for a purchaser to even have to reach out in a state of frustration. Also, did it ever occur to them that some folks may be assembling this after business hours, and calling may not be convenient or possible? It sounds like they might know they are the only game in town, so why even put in the effort or cost of giving a few units away in exchange for some decent unpacking and assembly videos, or producing some videos themselves and then donating the finished crates to charity after the videos are done? The available official videos clearly were done in Europe, and not done in english, as there is no sound or narration, and the lighting is horrible, and the steps are done in different sequence than the written instructions. The written instructions, btw, are worse than the worst Ikea instructions. That's why many rely on youtube for Ikea assemblies, but guess what? No such helpful you tube videos for variocage. No wonder that the average consumers of this product haven't posted numerous assembly videos to youtube -- because the videos would contain cursing, tears, and broken marriages. Also, I recommend not assembling it near your dogs, as seeing Mommy and Daddy upset while putting together this loud contraption may not entice them to enter it later!Bottom line, this is currently the best we could find, and it will allow us to travel by car with less stress, and that's a good thing. The manufacturers and distributors clearly have their hearts and minds in the right place, despite their total brain farts around assembly videos.If you're handy, or you like super annoying projects to sink your teeth into, have some extra time, and don't mind risking the cost of sending it back to amazon (which I'm guessing would have been a couple hundred bucks in return shipping plus the nightmare of putting it all back in the box), then my guess is you'd have no issues. But, if you're just a layperson and don't like assembling things with unclear instructions, then have your tissues, your CBD gummies, and your marriage therapist on speed dial before ordering.

I read reviews that stated how hard the assembly was. Well I assembled it by myself in just over an hour. If I had a helper to hold things it would have taken around 45 minutes. The instructions were not bad, I have certainly seen worse. The instructions in a rare instance for me were more helpful than the YouTube video. The design seems solid and a lot of thought went into make it unlikely to rattle. I will update this after I place it in the car and drive around some. There were a few bent corners but as another reviewer mentioned they were easy enough to straighten out. The packaging did a nice job protection the product. So far I’m pleased.Update: 7-28-21 fit in my 2018 escape perfectly. Keeping the depth where I can fold up the rear seats also a perfect fit. My 70 lb Lab fits in one side comfortably and her puppy sister lab n the other. Be driven over some pretty rough roads and have heard zero rattles. I continue to be pleased with this purchase.

The assembly instructions are hard to follow. There was some minor metal bending due to transportation but nothing major. However once assembled this is a fantastic product. There can be some rattling when the dogs aren’t in the cages but I think that’s mostly the middle divider. There can also be some rattling if the tie down straps aren’t taught. When the dogs are in the cage I hear very little rattling. They are happy. They can see out the back window if the stand up. (Border Collies). The expansion is great but not something you can vary every day. Just adjust to fit your car and then lock.

I'm reading a lot of complaints about the difficulty of assembling, and yes, I'll give you that, but, I'm a little old lady, and I was able to do it myself, although it did take a few hours, between watching You Tube videos of the various sections.If you know that going in, and are patient enough to follow the instructions, the crate is worth it.

I was very excited about getting my crash proof crate. Love everything about it except I can't get it to stop rattling. It is awful. I have tried everything to stop the noise. I even shortened it up a couple inches and nothing. I have made sure the side bars are covered and snug with those rubber things. I even went so far as riding in the back of my car while my husband drove to find out where it was coming from. I did locate it by adding pressure to the noise spot and it did stop but when I went to adjust it, nothing worked. Very sorry I purchased this.

Have 2 dogs (35 lb Keeshond and puppy Border Collie) and wanted a safer travel style. 2 full sized crates do not fit in my old car so we had to go more expensive.Putting the kennel together was not difficult. Took about an hour and went smoothly. (Disclaimer: We are 2 engineers so take that with a grain of salt.) There was some bent metal (mostly tabs) but wasn't difficult to bend back as the material wasn't past the elongation point.Would absolutely buy this kennel again.

I spent most of my day putting this together. I read the instruction and watch a video. Standing and looking, the left side was good. The right side was bend in a couple of places. I had to manipulate the left side in order in order to get it to work. I was disappointed.

Let me start by saying, dang that took a long time to assemble by myself. A lot of the parts came bent, the door bars on one side are bent out 2 inches! It is difficult to get it to extend once put together. My GSD was able to chew off all the rubber bits on the telescoping side bars and chew the shorter door bar already after one day of use. It does rattle a bit when driving but not bad. it's really heavy and hard to take in and out of the cargo area. I think the doors are the strongest part, but every component bends with little manipulation. I'm most sad that it came with bent door bars