Tht would be a good reason why you can't pick him up. I was just wondering and didn't know the situation. Didn't mean to take offense. I saw a ramp was suggested. Have you thought about using a box of some sort. He could use the box like a step stool to get in the car that way.

 

It was a joke! Note that my 2 dogs that should weigh less than 12 lbs weigh on over 20 lb.

 

Ramps, boxes, it's not as if I'd never thought of these before. Let's review my original questions, which no one has answered yet.

A. But maybe if I pushed the front passenger seat ALL the way forward? Then how much foot-well space is there behind it?

B....removing the driver side of the split rear seat so Willie can just jump up to that foot-well and then proceed up to the passenger side seat... Is this do-able?

Further, on removing the seat, it's now occurred to me that maybe that's not needed to get those few inches that could make a difference to Willie.

C. The rear seat bottoms tip up and the seat backs fold down, no? And they do so independently? What if I just did one side bottom tip up but didn't fold down the back?

I can go out a few miles to an HHR for sale to check A and C. The B removal question is probably not something I could figure. But since your own HHRs aren't a few miles away maybe you could look at A and C for me?

 

A. But maybe if I pushed the front passenger seat ALL the way forward? Then how much foot-well space is there behind it?
Honestly. Not a lot. He'll still have to make a pretty steep jump to get on the seats.

B....removing the driver side of the split rear seat so Willie can just jump up to that foot-well and then proceed up to the passenger side seat... Is this do-able?

Further, on removing the seat, it's now occurred to me that maybe that's not needed to get those few inches that could make a difference to Willie.
Yeah. Removing the seat cushion is not really a good alternative.

C. The rear seat bottoms tip up and the seat backs fold down, no? And they do so independently? What if I just did one side bottom tip up but didn't fold down the back?
Rear seat bottoms are stationary and do not tip. Only the seat backs move and fold down.

My advice. Go look at a HHR. One thing not mentioned is the "B" pillar. That's the frame between the front and back doors. Even if you move the front seat all the way forward, the pillar is still there in the same place. The "getting in" space will still be the same size entrance for Willie.

 

OK thanks firemangeorge, good info, especially about the seat bottoms not tipping. Somehow I thought all fold-flat back seats got flat by the bottoms flipping up. Willie and I are going to go look at an HHR, then we'll see what the boss says. I can still imagine that removing one bottom (possible?) might be better than schlepping a ramp or milk crate. Until that's necessary.

 

I went out and checked my rear seats. The seat does not tip, but it does slide when you move the back.

With the back down you get about 2 inches more space in the foot well.

 

Aha thanks Don. This is a space W will check.

 

We have a Lab thats 65lbs and is 11 years old. She likes to ride in the front seats, even if your all ready sitting there. We purchased a HHR panel and put a wall so she will stay in the back. She is very happy with her space.

 

If I ever solve my own dog problem with an HHR I'll be looking into this method to keep him safe. Thanks.

 

You might look for one with running boards, it might make it easer for the dog to get in the back.