Randy0781 Posted July 5, 2019 Report Share Posted July 5, 2019 Hi, everyone. I'm in the market for an older used full-size SUV (think Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Excursion class) that will work for both my everyday driving needs and for solo boondocking in remote public lands. My main question: Is there a model that has 2nd and 3rd row seats designed to be easily removed? I know most SUVs have seats that fold flat, but that's not good enough. I always ride alone and these seats will never be used; they're just dead weight and taking up valuable cargo space. I want to pull the 2nd and 3rd row seats completely (hopefully, without major surgery involving sawing or torch cutting) and have a relatively flat floor left behind where I can put a single-wide mattress on one side and a locking cabinet for my gear on the other side. I'm aware that there are vans which work this way, but I've rejected the idea of van ownership. Few vans, if any, are going to have the 4WD and ground clearance I need on the remote backcountry "roads" I explore, which are deeply rutted and high centered. Subarus can get around out there, but they're far too small inside. Please keep in mind that I'm shopping for an older used vehicle…under $15K. Any year will do, but I'd prefer something modern enough to have anti-lock brakes, air bags, and an easy availability of repair parts. So, is there a large SUV that has fully removable 2nd and 3rd row seats? If nothing has seats that are designed to be easily removed, then I guess I'll have get the vehicle I like best and cut the seats out the hard way. Thanks for your help! Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 Seats are bolted in, so some tools and you can remove them with a little work. Assuming you will be sleeping in the back and maybe cooking inside I would recommend a Chevy/GM Suburban/Yukon XL. The area behind the front seat is about 6.5' to 7' long. No head room though. Or if you are handy with tools a F250 Ford or 2500 Chevy/GM pickup truck and build a camper on the back. Quote Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy0781 Posted July 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 On 7/10/2019 at 4:58 PM, Al F said: Seats are bolted in, so some tools and you can remove them with a little work. Assuming you will be sleeping in the back and maybe cooking inside I would recommend a Chevy/GM Suburban/Yukon XL. The area behind the front seat is about 6.5' to 7' long. No head room though. Or if you are handy with tools a F250 Ford or 2500 Chevy/GM pickup truck and build a camper on the back. Thanks for the reply, Al! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lg61820 Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 In my 2011 Tahoe LT the third row seats come out completely. The second row folds flat or tumbles forward to provide more storage, but it is not designed for seat removal like the third row. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidMOTraveler Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 They can all be removed! Had 2 Ford Expeditions 5.7 v8 those things were beasts, could go anywhere. Sold the 2000 with 250k on it and never had a wrench on it except normal maintenance. Buddy bought an Excursion with the V10 and couldn’t afford to drive it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy0781 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 6 hours ago, lg61820 said: In my 2011 Tahoe LT the third row seats come out completely. The second row folds flat or tumbles forward to provide more storage, but it is not designed for seat removal like the third row. Thanks! Sounds like an option. I still need to get out locally and take a look inside some of these vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy0781 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 2 hours ago, MidMOTraveler said: They can all be removed! Had 2 Ford Expeditions 5.7 v8 those things were beasts, could go anywhere. Sold the 2000 with 250k on it and never had a wrench on it except normal maintenance. Buddy bought an Excursion with the V10 and couldn’t afford to drive it. Good to know. Thanks! I've heard stories about that V10 mpg. Expedition might work well for me. Glad to hear they're reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 Hi Randy - have a look around u tubes for “overlander” and “expedition” conversions of Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Nissan Patrol, 4Runner, Yukon, Suburban, Expedition, etc. Lots of great ideas. (When we camped with our diesel 60 series Land Cruiser we just called it “camping” ) Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy0781 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 7 hours ago, noteven said: Hi Randy - have a look around u tubes for “overlander” and “expedition” conversions of Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Nissan Patrol, 4Runner, Yukon, Suburban, Expedition, etc. Lots of great ideas. (When we camped with our diesel 60 series Land Cruiser we just called it “camping” ) Cool. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 I had a 2006 expedition. What an expensive repair bill. Was glad to sell it for parts. Those automatic folding seats are difficult to remove,. Stay with mechanical or fixed seats if you are going to remove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy0781 Posted August 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 On 8/12/2019 at 10:45 AM, Sehc said: I had a 2006 expedition. What an expensive repair bill. Was glad to sell it for parts. Those automatic folding seats are difficult to remove,. Stay with mechanical or fixed seats if you are going to remove. Good to know. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Also look at Land Cruisers / Lexus LX Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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