School me on 3rd row!

[Jhalko]

My wifes 2014 SR5 came with 3rd row. Not something we needed, but the 4R was the color she wanted(only color on the lot) and the way the deal was put together, she pretty much go it w/o cost.

One of these days I might break out the owners manual and figure out how to activate it. 'Til then, it will stay buried away as it has since it left the factory.

Um, well... if you have dogs that shed, which based on your avatar you probably do, and it ever rides back there. You might just want to open it up one day when vacuuming out the back. You'll understand why when you do... :lol:

 

[pauldavis]

I have a 2015 with a 3rd row and use it almost everyday for my kids and my friends kids that I take to school and pick all week. I think it works great. I put them up and down all the time depending on what I am doing. The design makes doing so pretty easy. I bought canvasback covers for it so things stay nice. The kids even fight over who gets to sit back there. The third row is the prized seating in my 4runner if you are a kid. Adults not so much.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I've lurked this 5th gen forum for a loooong time and 2 things that always come up are the 3rd row and towing. People seem to be disappointed with both. In your situation, I would look elsewhere....and by that I mean a 200 series Land Cruiser. Much bigger engine, more towing capacity, mandatory 3rd row, and LC quality.

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

I've lurked this 5th gen forum for a loooong time and 2 things that always come up are the 3rd row and towing. People seem to be disappointed with both. In your situation, I would look elsewhere....and by that I mean a 200 series Land Cruiser. Much bigger engine, more towing capacity, mandatory 3rd row, and LC quality.

Although the LC is an awesome vehicle...you can buy 2 4runners for the price of 1 LC. I personally use my 3rd row a few times a year. Mainly for going to events that charge for parking.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Although the LC is an awesome vehicle...you can buy 2 4runners for the price of 1 LC. I personally use my 3rd row a few times a year. Mainly for going to events that charge for parking.

Absolutely true, but OP needs a vehicle that can tow a 22 foot trailer and keep his kids comfortably in the 3rd row. I love my Runner, but this is not it's ideal for his mission. Granted, for the same price, you would be getting a used LC, but it is much better suited to his purpose, and maintains the Toyota's best build quality. You can't compare using your use of the 3rd row 2 times a year, to someone who will literally use it every day. This is not even considering the fact the the Runner is not a great tow vehicle. No vehicle is perfect, but op's intended use is not ideal for the 4Runner.

 

[Scooter Dude]

Love my third row and may use it occasionally (1x mo) pop up one seat and one kid fits good and the other in the 2nd row and less arguments usually (they somehow find ways to poke at each other ) and I still have some storage.

You should see my rack and roll trailer loaded up with my canoe, fishing pole and cargo box, not too clampety . If I had to use the third row daily not sure I would have a 4Runner and would never drive a GM product for the money (sorry) so it would be a LC, so what if one of my kids can't go to college

 

[invisible4Runner]

Only useful for kids and inlaws.

I'm 6'2" and can pop back there for fun - I do actually fit, but of course would not want to be back there for any length of time.

I am actually happy I have it though. It's nice to have for if you ever need it. And when I'm not using it (99% of the time), it's stored flat and you'd never know the seats are there.

I should note that for the Canadian version they come automatically. Not sure I would have paid extra for the seats otherwise.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Um, well... if you have dogs that shed, which based on your avatar you probably do, and it ever rides back there. You might just want to open it up one day when vacuuming out the back. You'll understand why when you do... :lol:

Dog rides in one of my older vehicles. Thanks for the advise though.