Large Dog Travel Crates for Car, Camp and Cargo
Diggs Revol handles most large dog road trips, folding flat in one motion on an aluminium frame. Flying cargo instead? Petmate Sky Kennel matches the rigid shell and metal hardware airlines ask for. EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate weighs least and packs down for campsites and hotel rooms.
Owners of 60 to 70 pound dogs should start with the large Diggs Revol, because it collapses without tools and its aluminium frame stays rigid in a moving car. Ceiling height is the limitation, sitting lower than a wire crate of the same footprint, so tall breeds feel cramped.
Sizing is where large dog crate purchases usually go wrong. A crate that fits the living room can still exceed a cargo hold limit or block a rear window. We compared stated interior dimensions, weight ratings, folded thickness, door placement and frame construction. Owner reports on escape attempts, latch durability and highway pacing settled the close calls.
Our top picks
Diggs Revol Dog Crate
An aluminium frame in a diamond mesh pattern replaces thin folding wire, removing the pinch points dogs pick at with their paws. Collapsing takes one motion, so the crate moves from boot to hotel room without tools. Large size carries a rating near 70 pounds, and its ceiling sits lower than a comparable wire crate.
Pros
- Collapses and reopens in one motion
- Ceiling hatch helps with anxious dogs
- No exposed wire ends to catch paws
Cons
- Lower ceiling than a wire crate of the same footprint
- Heavier than any soft sided option here
Petmate Sky Kennel
Moulded plastic halves bolt together with metal fasteners behind a spring loaded steel door, the construction most airlines ask for in the hold. Ventilation runs on all four sides, and the kit adds live animal stickers plus clip on bowls. Assembly needs a screwdriver, and the shell never folds, so storage becomes the real cost.
Pros
- Built to common airline cargo requirements
- Four sided ventilation for long flights
- Metal hardware instead of plastic clips
Cons
- Does not fold flat for storage
- Needs tools to assemble and break down
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate
At 48 inches it fits most Labradors and German Shepherds, and a divider panel lets a puppy grow into the space. Coated wire folds into a suitcase profile with a carry handle, while a leak proof plastic pan slides out for cleaning. Folded weight stays high, making this a car crate rather than one you hike with.
Pros
- Divider panel adapts as a puppy grows
- Folds flat into a suitcase profile
- Slide out pan makes cleanup quick
Cons
- Heavy to carry despite folding flat
- Determined chewers can bend thin bars
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
Steel tubing wrapped in 600D fabric keeps the 48 inch version far under the weight of a wire crate the same length. Three mesh doors add airflow and give you entry angles that work in a tight boot. Calm dogs suit it best, since fabric panels will not hold a determined escape artist.
Pros
- Much lighter than metal crates of the same length
- Folds flat into an included carry bag
- Mesh panels improve airflow in hot cars
Cons
- Fabric is not chew or scratch proof
- Not accepted for cargo hold flights
Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Indoor and Outdoor Pet Home
Heavier denier fabric on a stiffer steel frame lets this crate sit on grass or gravel without sagging at the corners. Setup is a fold out motion with no poles to thread, so a campsite pitch takes under a minute. Zip mesh panels close against insects while still moving air through the crate.
Pros
- Stiffer frame than typical soft crates
- Sets up on uneven ground without sagging
- Zip mesh keeps insects out at campsites
Cons
- Tops out at 42 inches, so giant breeds miss out
- Fabric holds odours after wet trips
SportPet Designs Rolling Plastic Travel Dog Crate
Wheels and a pull handle solve the part everyone underestimates, which is lifting a heavy kennel plus a nervous dog. A wire door and vents on both halves keep airflow moving inside the moulded shell. Nothing collapses, so garage space is what you trade for the wheels.
Pros
- Wheels remove the lifting problem entirely
- Solid shell gives an anxious dog a den feel
- Side venting on both halves
Cons
- Takes full space in storage year round
- Wheels struggle on gravel and deep grass
Petnation Port-A-Crate E2
Opening like a book and locking in place, this nylon crate is ready before the dog finishes sniffing the hotel room. Its 42 inch model carries a rating near 70 pounds, which covers leaner large breeds. Structure runs lighter than the Noz2Noz, and that shows when a dog leans hard on a side panel.
Pros
- Fastest setup and takedown in the group
- Light enough to carry one handed when folded
- Fits behind most rear seats
Cons
- Side panels flex under a leaning dog
- Zips wear faster than crate hardware
Before you buy
How to size a travel crate for a large dog Measure your dog standing, nose to tail base, then add about four inches for length. Repeat from floor to the top of the head or ears, whichever sits higher, and add the same margin. Most Labradors and German Shepherds land on a 48 inch crate, while leaner 70 pound dogs fit a 42 inch model. Boot width fails more often than crate length, so measure the load floor before ordering. Dogs still growing need a divider panel rather than a crate bought two sizes up.
Hard shell, wire or soft sided Moulded plastic gives the most containment and the den feel anxious dogs settle into, but it never gets smaller. Wire crates balance airflow with a flat folded profile, though thin bars can bend under a chewer. Soft sided crates win on weight and packed size, and give up security in return. Behaviour decides this more than size does: a dog that works at latches needs metal, a dog that sleeps through drives does not.
What airlines require for crates in the hold Carriers accepting dogs in cargo generally ask for a rigid plastic kennel, metal hardware rather than plastic clips, ventilation on multiple sides and a spring loaded door. Petmate Sky Kennel is built around that pattern, which is why it keeps turning up at cargo counters. Dimension limits differ by airline and by aircraft, so confirm before booking. Soft sided crates such as the EliteField are cabin or car options only.
Road trips, campsites and hotel stays In a car, a crate that cannot shift matters more than packed size, so brace it against the seat backs and strap it through cargo anchors. Campsites shift the priorities to ground clearance and insect mesh, where the Noz2Noz frame earns its place. Hotels reward whichever crate sets up fastest and tucks under a luggage rack. Crate training comes first though. A trip is the wrong place for a dog to meet a crate for the first time.
Side by side
| # | Model | Frame | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diggs Revol Dog Crate | Aluminium with diamond mesh | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Petmate Sky Kennel | Moulded plastic shell with metal hardware | Best for air travel | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate | 48 by 30 by 33 inches | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate | 48 by 33 by 28 inches | Best lightweight option | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Indoor and Outdoor Pet Home | Up to 42 inches long | Best for camping | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | SportPet Designs Rolling Plastic Travel Dog Crate | Moulded plastic with wire door | Best for moving between car and house | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | Petnation Port-A-Crate E2 | 42 by 28 by 31 inches | Best for quick overnight trips | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
What size travel crate does a large dog need?
Add roughly four inches to your dog’s standing length and height. That usually lands on a 42 or 48 inch crate for dogs between 60 and 90 pounds.
Which dog crates are approved for airline cargo?
Airlines generally require a rigid plastic kennel with metal hardware, four sided ventilation and a spring loaded door. Petmate Sky Kennel follows that pattern, though policies differ by carrier and route.
Are soft sided crates safe for big dogs?
They work for calm, crate trained dogs on short trips. Dogs that scratch, chew or push at panels get through fabric, so wire or plastic is the safer choice.
How do I secure a dog crate in a car?
Brace it against the seat backs so it cannot slide forward, then strap it through the cargo anchor points. Crash tested harnesses and carriers sit in a separate category from travel crates.
Can a large dog crate fit in an SUV?
A 48 inch wire crate fits most midsize and full size SUV cargo areas with the rear seats folded. Measure load floor width first, because that dimension fails more often than length.
Is the Diggs Revol worth it compared to a wire crate?
It folds in one motion and removes the pinch points wire crates leave behind. Owners with dogs that fiddle with latches gain the most, while tall breeds may want the extra ceiling height of wire.
How long can a dog stay in a travel crate?
Plan a break every three to four hours on a drive for water, a walk and a toilet stop. Adult dogs cope with longer stretches than puppies or seniors.
What should go inside a travel crate?
A washable mat, something that smells of home and a spill resistant water bowl. Loose blankets are best skipped on flights, since airlines often restrict bedding in the hold.
Diggs Revol vs MidWest iCrate, which suits road trips better?
Revol folds faster and has no wire ends to catch paws. Choose the 48 inch iCrate when ceiling height, a divider panel and a slide out pan matter more than folding speed.
Do travel crates help with car anxiety?
Often yes, because a covered den limits visual triggers and stops sliding on corners. Build the habit at home first with short sessions, then add brief drives.
Our pick
Diggs Revol is the pick for car based travel, because it folds without a fight and keeps a rigid frame while the dog moves inside it. Flying changes the answer to Petmate Sky Kennel, whose plastic shell and metal hardware match what cargo counters check. Campers and anyone carrying a crate any distance should take the EliteField 3-Door instead, accepting that fabric will not contain a dog that chews.
Olivia Hartley
Olivia spent several years working at an animal shelter and a pet-supply retailer before joining the editorial team. She researches pet gear with an emphasis on safety, comfort and the fine print that owners often miss.
