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I made the wooden framework for the
"llama liner" myself. It includes a sawhorse-like assembly in the front that
fits into the seat anchors and has a piece of plywood facing the rear, two L-shaped side
assemblies that hang off the front piece and also tie into cupholders on each side, and a
rear bar that I normally leave attached to the liner. |
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The liner itself is made of heavy duty vinyl
and has marine gradesnaps all around to secure it to the wood. With a quartz interior, we
went with gray vinyl. Once the llamas are loaded and we're ready to go, I will bring the
tail piece up. When loading, it protects the bumper from llama toenail scratches. |
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The liner comes up to just above the bottom of
the windows. We can store some stuff behind the front seats (inside the
"sawhorse") but seriously long trips would leave us short of room. |
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Here's Cocoa-puff, our one year old girl,
getting ready to jump in. It's been a while since she's been in the van so she's a little
wary. |
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We discuss the situation briefly. I decide to
lead by example. |
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Okay. Got the front feet in!
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Once in, they lie down so they can enjoy the
view. Llamas are born semi-house trained. We've had a couple of accidents but generally
they will wait for pit stops. Most of our trips are no longer than an hour, but in 1994 we
took two llamas on a long trip from Maryland to Maine (in our previous van, a Dodge
Caravan) for a llama conference and vacation and brought them back a week later. |
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Now big brother Rocket jumps in. He's started
down in front but you can get an idea of the limited headroom for them. An excellent view
of the southern end of a north-facing llama!
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Two llamas in and ready to go as soon as I
close the tail piece. |
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They generally will keep their heads up and
stay alert during travel, although for these pictures we did not go anywhere. With the
dark-tinted windows, toll takers have only a brief glimpse and we've gotten some
incredible double-takes from them. I once followed my wife who was driving the llamas
somewhere -- when just in the right light, you see the llamas and think you're looking at
something like a stuffed horse's head, then they move! No wonder we get odd looks on the
road. |