How do you like the 3rd row models

[sbronemann]

We have had our 3rd row SR5 for about 6 months now and absolutely love it. However-we haven't used it yet. We do have a 10 month old and possibly may add one more to the mix in the next 3 year or so. We got the third row for the fact that if you would have 5 in the vehicle, it would be pretty packed with 3 across the second row with a car seat. So in theory-if we had another couple with us or our parents/in-laws, someone could fit relatively comfortable with maybe one just in the far back. So that was our thinking anyway. Just wish you could get the trail or TRD with the 3rd row darn it!

 

[Irishcav17]

I went through the same dilemma however I am glad I have the 3rd row. The few times I have used it has been great. Surprisingly comfortable for the passengers. I also was able to build a platform for my fridge even with the 3rd row there. Most systems require you to remove the 3rd row to install them.


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How did you make the platform on top of your third row? I'm looking for ideas to secure a fridge and keeping the third row for the rare occasion. Saw some purple tie down the slide? Or I could remove the third row and reinstall it when needed but that sounds like a pain...


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[Crocket]

... Just wish you could get the trail or TRD with the 3rd row darn it!

+1 :amen:

 

[Cymon]

How did you make the platform on top of your third row? I'm looking for ideas to secure a fridge and keeping the third row for the rare occasion. Saw some purple tie down the slide? Or I could remove the third row and reinstall it when needed but that sounds like a pain...


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[MENTION=107460]Magnetic4R[/MENTION]nr did some great work here...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/213224-3rd-row-drawer-system-part-1-a-2.html

 

[EEEliminator]

I have 3 kids 3, 5, and 7 years old. I've tried different combos with the two older ones in the 3rd row in booster seats (they can buckle them selves) and the youngest in her car seat in the second row. If there is a booster seat or car seat in the middle of the 2nd row you can't move the seat forward to access the third row. Its best to have one car seat off to the side in the 2nd row and either climb in through the middle or move the passenger seat forward (easier for a 5 year hold to climb through the center than actuate the seat).

The biggest issue I have with the 3rd row is that there is 0 (ZERO) storage space with it up, you can barely get a single row of grocery bags back there with it up and they would fall out when you open the back. We couldn't travel with any sort of luggage while using the 3rd row. It is surprising how other 3rd row mid sized SUVs have so much more room with the 3rd row up, I'm guessing it due to the engine bay being so large and not moving the engine partially under the dash.

The second issue is that there are no HVAC vents back there so you have to blast the forward vents at full tilt to get air back there.

Having said all that I like having it works great in a pinch where you need to haul 7 people and I'm okay with the space it takes when folded down.

 

[justinsan]

Have the 3rd row plus a roof rack is key. There has been numerous times where I utilized the 3rd row and just packed the stroller and stuff on the rack. I love my 3rd row!

 

[mnofpeace]

ok, yes, minivans are better at this. so is a Highlander...

i never got why so many hate on the 3rd row. i have two, and i can tell you this, when your kids get out of those car seats and can choose their own positions, they will WANT to be back there.

we have taken our share of rd trips, and my 8yr old cant get enough of it. plug in the ipad at the rear, and set him up with a pillow if he wants to sleep...and he chooses the way-back anytime there is a reason for him to.

Its an SR5 as my signature says...

 

[RainyDayRunner]

Totally!

ok, yes, minivans are better at this. so is a Highlander...

i never got why so many hate on the 3rd row. i have two, and i can tell you this, when your kids get out of those car seats and can choose their own positions, they will WANT to be back there.

we have taken our share of rd trips, and my 8yr old cant get enough of it. plug in the ipad at the rear, and set him up with a pillow if he wants to sleep...and he chooses the way-back anytime there is a reason for him to.

Its an SR5 as my signature says...

I could not agree more! My kids all want to sit back there! And for a long road trip, the further my kids are from one another, the happier everyone is. We also have an Odyssey, and my wife would not trade that for any car for hauling kids around.

We are going to take a road trip from Seattle to Moab in about a month in the 4Runner, so I'll chime back in after that.

 

[fbksurferjoe]

How did you make the platform on top of your third row? I'm looking for ideas to secure a fridge and keeping the third row for the rare occasion. Saw some purple tie down the slide? Or I could remove the third row and reinstall it when needed but that sounds like a pain...


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Yeah removing and putting it back in was not an option, I removed the factory tie down flip up things by removing an m8 bolt and secured the platform using longer bolts right into the same threads.

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[CSM-101]

I currently have a 2016 Limited with a 3rd row and I agree with a lot is said about it. I am 6' 3" and sat in the 3rd row my knees are literally pushing up against the second row seat. It was very uncomfortable sitting back there unless I sit sideways taking up the entire 3rd row. I myself wouldn't have gotten that option if I had a choice, but the wife insisted on having it. A happy wife is a happy life as the saying goes. So I turned it into an excuse to get a gobi stealth rack to compensate for the lack of storage since my boys are in Boy Scouts carrying a lot of gear weekend camping trips.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

OP

FYI here is a floor liner that works with the 3rd row

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/217710-3rd-row-seat-floor-liner.html

 

[Jhalko]

I currently have a 2016 Limited with a 3rd row and I agree with a lot is said about it. I am 6' 3" and sat in the 3rd row my knees are literally pushing up against the second row seat. It was very uncomfortable sitting back there unless I sit sideways taking up the entire 3rd row. I myself wouldn't have gotten that option if I had a choice, but the wife insisted on having it. A happy wife is a happy life as the saying goes. So I turned it into an excuse to get a gobi stealth rack to compensate for the lack of storage since my boys are in Boy Scouts carrying a lot of gear weekend camping trips.

Gotta slide the second row forward, makes a huge difference! A nice rack is key though, for many reasons.

 

[5thGen4Runner2015]

Have the 3rd row plus a roof rack is key. There has been numerous times where I utilized the 3rd row and just packed the stroller and stuff on the rack. I love my 3rd row!

You have pics of your stroller on your rack? Wife wants to see it... trying to convince her lol

 

[5thGen4Runner2015]

My wife and I just had our 5th and our oldest is only 5 so we currently have 2 booster with backs in the 3rd row, 2 car seats in the second, and the baby carrier in the middle of the 2nd row! It works and the kids love riding in my truck much more than mommy's Odyssey lol! The girls love climbing in and out the back!



Now I just need to find a good roof rack for the stuff we need to lug around. Anyone have pics of strollers on a rr? Wife wants to see. Thanks!

 

[Cymon]

You have pics of your stroller on your rack? Wife wants to see it... trying to convince her lol

I don't have any pictures of the stroller directly on my rack (Frontrunner 3/4) but it would be super easy to throw up and bungee it down. You could easily imagine putting them up on the rack similar to how I have my sport tube tied down in the pictures below. Usually when I know I'm going to use the 3rd row (i.e. Grandparents in town) I'll throw on my Yakima skybox 16 to toss stuff in. I like this option because it is lockable, weatherproof, and can easily hold a couple of folding (umbrella strollers) and snap-n-go's as well as any other stuff that won't fit behind the 3rd row. If we needed our Bob or bike trailer dually I would not hesitate to throw it right on the rack. The other thing about the skybox is that it is compatible with Thule crossbars, Yakima crossbars, OEM crossbars or as you can see below the Feontrunner.

 

[CF_Machete]

[MENTION=159421]5thGen4Runner2015[/MENTION], I can get a Britax B-ready double stroller in our Yakima Skybox 21. With 5 kids, you probably could use all the cargo room you can get.

If you need it now, https://newjersey.craigslist.org/for/6150929219.html. An 18 might work as well. Word of advice, don't use the factory crossbars with yakima's. They will scratch the crap out of your roof.

 

[5thGen4Runner2015]

[MENTION=159421]5thGen4Runner2015[/MENTION], I can get a Britax B-ready double stroller in our Yakima Skybox 21. With 5 kids, you probably could use all the cargo room you can get.

If you need it now, https://newjersey.craigslist.org/for/6150929219.html. An 18 might work as well. Word of advice, don't use the factory crossbars with yakima's. They will scratch the crap out of your roof.

Thanks a lot bro! Do you have pictures of your skybox 21 on your rig? Is it easy enough to get to in terms of how high it is? My wife just sold her Britex B ready double stroller LOL. We go through strollers around here like it's going out of style.

You recommend Yakima's crossbar system?

 

[CF_Machete]

Thanks a lot bro! Do you have pictures of your skybox 21 on your rig? Is it easy enough to get to in terms of how high it is? My wife just sold her Britex B ready double stroller LOL. We go through strollers around here like it's going out of style.

You recommend Yakima's crossbar system?

This was the day I got my 21 off CL. Had it on the Yakima 48" round bars + rail grabs. Worked pretty well.

Even in the most forward position, the rear spoiler will contact the back of the box when the hatch is open. This was one of the reasons I upgraded to a gobi full length roof rack. Never understood why the 4runner only come with 3/4 rails; seems stupid to me.

If I could order my gobi all over again, I'd get an extra inch of clearance between the top and bottom side rails. It takes a certain technique to get the box on when it should be easy.

 

[5thGen4Runner2015]

This was the day I got my 21 off CL. Had it on the Yakima 48" round bars + rail grabs. Worked pretty well.

Even in the most forward position, the rear spoiler will contact the back of the box when the hatch is open. This was one of the reasons I upgraded to a gobi full length roof rack. Never understood why the 4runner only come with 3/4 rails; seems stupid to me.

If I could order my gobi all over again, I'd get an extra inch of clearance between the top and bottom side rails. It takes a certain technique to get the box on when it should be easy.

Thanks again! So, now that you have the Gobi, have you thrown your strollers on it? How is that compared to the skybox?

 

[CF_Machete]

Thanks again! So, now that you have the Gobi, have you thrown your strollers on it? How is that compared to the skybox?

I usually use the Skybox on the Gobi when I pop the stroller on top. It would be less than a minute job just a strap a stroller on top without the Gobi though