Difference in 3rd row seat

MadeInMaine

MadeInMaine

New member
Hey everyone, I could use your expertise.

I am going upgrade the 4Runner (just to a newer one), but the only option I have, due to the timing of our lease running out, with an extra option. The 3rd row.
We won't be using it very often, and I was worried about the seats laying flat. We usually have our 2 large Rhodesian ridgeback dogs in the back.

So what are the downsides to having the 3rd row? Anything at all?

Cheers for all your stealership help!!!

Owen
 
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MadeInMaine said:
Hey everyone, I could use your expertise.

I am going upgrade the 4Runner (just to a newer one), but the only option I have, due to the timing of our lease running out, with an extra option. The 3rd row.
We won't be using it very often, and I was worried about the seats laying flat. We usually have our 2 large Rhodesian ridgeback dogs in the back.

So what are the downsides to having the 3rd row? Anything at all?

Cheers for all your stealers hip help!!!

Owen
Click to expand...
I don't know if it's exclusive to the 3rd row or not, but you can pretty much guarantee anything you put loose in the cargo area will fall out when you open the hatch due to the slight incline of the 3rd row seating while folded down.
 
I will be in the minority but I love having the 3rd row. Yes it does not fold completely flat. You do loose about 2-3 inches of load height, but is very convenient having 2 kids and only having to take 1 car everywhere when friends and/or relatives visit. Right now both of my kids are in car seats but I think when they are older it will be even more beneficial lugging them and their friends around. You will need some form of exterior storage (cargo box, roof rack etc) because there is not much functional space left when the third row is up. I have a 50 lb dog as well (no Ridgeback) but I have not had any issues with her even with the seats down. I would suggest a canvasback or something else for the dog hair and for them to grip on. Also if you put down a couple of thin memory foam dog beds they won't even notice it's not completely flat.
 
We love our third row and I have zero regrets, then again we sought one out. Do I wish I could have got the Trail Premium with third row? Yea, but I can add *almost* everything it offers. Well worth it to me.
 
RedMagik said:
We love our third row and I have zero regrets, then again we sought one out. Do I wish I could have got the Trail Premium with third row? Yea, but I can add *almost* everything it offers. Well worth it to me.
Click to expand...



I didn't think the trail premium had a 3rd row option. Only SR5/Premium and Limited.


Sent from my iPhone using my thumbs
 
Thank you everyone for the replies.
Sounds like the main thing is a loss of 2-3 vertical inches.

Great input everyone, thank you
 
avoid the 3rd row if possible, its useless, takes up space, weighs a couple hundred pounds and slopes towards the tailgate.
 
I have 3rd row.

PROS
I have 2 extra jump seats (great for kids ONLY on short trips)

CONS
you lose about 6" of the cargo floor
It does slope to the rear (cargo net resolves this)


As my kids get older and I no longer have a need I will just rip them out and use the frame of the seats to build a storage unit.
 
I have 3rd row and I am pretty sure it's a loss of more than 2-3" of vertical space. Compared to my old 4Runner, I can not pack as much camping gear in the cargo area now nor can I squeeze in my son's Honda CRF70 motorcycle. I agree w/ Simpleman74 and guess it's in the 4-6" range. Also once the 3rd row is up, there is just a smidgen of space left for cargo.

All that said, the extra row has been invaluable when taking a trip with our family friends. We put the two 11 year old boys in the back and no longer have to take two vehicles. I doubt it would be that comfortable for a normal size adult. All in all, I think it's worth it.
 
The 2nd row of seats is also different if you add the 3rd row. They fold differently and do not fold flat in the same way the 2 row models do. So you lose about 5-8" of cargo floor height all the way forward. Does it matter? Maybe, maybe not. For me - it means I can't put my MTB in the back for example. It barely fits in a 2 row model. Normally I put it on the hitch rack - but if I'm going to camp in Moab and run the rock trails, I want to put it in the back. A 3rd row means I can't do that. For some folks it's probably great. Just not for me.
 
I have the 3rd row. I didn't care either way when I bought it, but it was the car on the lot and so that's what I bought. Two 70+ pound dogs will fit, but not with much else back there. My biggest complaint is that my Husky 55 gallon trash can will no longer fit in the back to haul stuff to the dump, meaning the loss of 3 or more inches in height is a bummer for me.

I think it will pay off in a few years when my daughter out of a car seat, but for right now I wish I didn't have the third row.
 
We ended with a 3rd row version. In comparing two configurations side by side, 2nd row seats in 3rd row version the seat backs do not recline FYI.
No biggie, the kids enjoy the 3rd row.
 
siblue said:
We ended with a 3rd row version. In comparing two configurations side by side, 2nd row seats in 3rd row version the seat backs do not recline FYI.
No biggie, the kids enjoy the 3rd row.
Click to expand...
you might want to investigate further.... they recline
 
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I thought of one other difference with the third row option, the second row seats are on rails, so you can slide them forward and backward. I believe standard models without the third row have fixed seats.

I found this useful for making more leg room for 2nd row sitters.
 
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