I can sort him easily enough with regards to not jumping out when we're back, I usually open back doors and lead him out, sorry should have mentioned that!

The harness sounds amazin but don't think. Can get my hands on one before I leave sadly! If I can't. Get help from a vet I might just look sad/confused in the car park till someone passes lol!

Sorry about poor spelling/ punctuation, this iPads against me today!

Personally I wouldn't want to lift a dog with the Ruffdog harness if avoidable - there's a special one designed for serious hikers etc. with a wide piece on the bottom as well as the top, but the regular Ruffwear (£40~ one) just has straps underneath. You'd probably get more support using a towel underneath him. You can buy lifting slings from petshops but a towel would pretty much achieve the same thing at a much lower price!