2nd row captain chairs versus 2nd row split bench with dogs?

[Alwaysthinkin]

When I was looking for my Expedition I had some "must haves" in mind. HD towing package, 4X4, and 22" inch wheels (for the CCD) were three of those. When I found those items on an Expy near me I took the bait. Because of the things I wanted I ended up with Captain Chairs and not the bench. Time will tell what I think but agree with those who are saying it proved difficult to get the vehicle exactly the way I wanted without additional add-ons that cost extra money.

 

[Calidad]

When I was looking for my Expedition I had some "must haves" in mind. HD towing package, 4X4, and 22" inch wheels (for the CCD) were three of those. When I found those items on an Expy near me I took the bait. Because of the things I wanted I ended up with Captain Chairs and not the bench. Time will tell what I think but agree with those who are saying it proved difficult to get the vehicle exactly the way I wanted without additional add-ons that cost extra money.

When I bought my platinum they had many bench seat equipped nearly zero Captains chair ones. Sales guy said the platinum didn’t sell as well as the lower trim likely due to sticker shock. He said most dealers tried to order the bench version to help keep the sticker price down especially on the HD versions. Which was what I wanted. I paid $500 more than the Loaded Limited non HD they wouldn’t deal on lol.. The lower trim models sell easy so less motivation to deal on them.

 

[Rob6805]

100% get the split bench 2nd row if you have dogs. We have Golden Retrievers and the past two vehicles we've had I had to search for the 2nd row bench. 2014 Flex Limited was hard to find w/ the bench and our new 2021 Expedition Limited was difficult too. Luckily our dealer found a Limited Stealth w/ the bench. Not sure of the point to fold the 2nd and 3rd row down if it is not a complete flat surface. Kinda dumb if you ask me. When we travel with our dogs we do just that. Fold both rows down and put a blanket over the top. If we didn't have the bench there would be a huge gap for them to deal with.

 

[Deadman]

I see this has become a Di** Measuring Contest on who can justify their seat preference the best! lol.

 

[lam396]

It comes down to preference I suppose but I agree, I don't understand the comments against the bench option. The middle seat of the bench folds down if you need the feel of captains but can obviously be utilized as a seat if needed. That's flexibility, the captains offer no flexible advantage unless for some reason you need to be able to put cargo on the floor between the two outside seats since the middle bench seat folds flat but not actually into the floor. Our previous suburban had captains and my wife insisted on a bench this time for the kids. The outside seats on the bench recline and tilt forward just like the captains. Other than availability I don't see a great reason to have captains in a family hauler.

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[rachelsgoldens]

Luckily I'm poor and just get an XLT to haul my golden retrievers around in. [emoji16]Captains chairs are terrible with dogs. Good luck!


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[Alwaysthinkin]

It comes down to preference I suppose but I agree, I don't understand the comments against the bench option. The middle seat of the bench folds down if you need the feel of captains but can obviously be utilized as a seat if needed. That's flexibility, the captains offer no flexible advantage unless for some reason you need to be able to put cargo on the floor between the two outside seats since the middle bench seat folds flat but not actually into the floor. Our previous suburban had captains and my wife insisted on a bench this time for the kids. The outside seats on the bench recline and tilt forward just like the captains. Other than availability I don't see a great reason to have captains in a family hauler.

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But the captains do look cool

 

[Fasttimes]

I would guess the captains chair option takes up less payload then the complete bench, that's a plus. ;-)

 

[Chio4]

I have A 2020 platinum shorty and ordered it with A bench . I have 3 kids two in car seats . ESP with friends starting to join us more I’m glad I have the extra seat.

 

[mcb345]

We have captains chairs and a 30 lb dog and on road trips we throw his dog bed in between the seats and he stays down there between the two kids without complaining the whole time.

For small to medium dogs in between the captains chairs is a great spot for them.

large dogs, probably wouldn’t fit in the space I’m guessing.

I’m pretty sure the Navigator gives you plenty of bench options on their lower trim levels.

 

[Highlightreel]

You do realize the bench and the captains chairs have the same outside seats right?

They aren't the same if there's no opening. I didn't care about comparing the bench because I wanted the opening for my dogs to move freely back and forth from 2nd to 3rd row and the separation of my kids. It worked great in my old suburban and I wanted it again. Again, my needs and wants were different than others and that's ok with me.

 

[explorersvt]

Wondering how much it'd cost to purchase from dealer the bench seats and sell the captain chairs?

we attempted to go this route on my '19. I have 3 car seats so i required a bench and at the time it was nearly impossible to find a 2nd row bench platinum or limited. My dealer started pricing the 2nd row conversion and stopped looking up parts around the $2500 mark. The outboard seats had to be changed unless you want armrest holes in them. the bcm has to be flashed, switches in the cargo area to fold the seats and dash had to be replaced, which i believe even required a different trim panel for the rear, rear carpet kit, etc . It's definitely not easy like a tahoe or yukon. my dealer ended up sourcing my current '19 expy out of texas, i had to order a '21.

 

[Calidad]

They aren't the same if there's no opening. I didn't care about comparing the bench because I wanted the opening for my dogs to move freely back and forth from 2nd to 3rd row and the separation of my kids. It worked great in my old suburban and I wanted it again. Again, my needs and wants were different than others and that's ok with me.

Lol yes there is center flips down for a full pass through. LoL but whatever

 

[Wayne Decker]

Do the captain chairs fold forward for more space? Or is that not even needed since he wouldn't be getting on top of them anyways?

They fold flat with the rest of the area.

 

[Fasttimes]

View attachment 41615

They fold flat with the rest of the area.

Oh, ok. Then if you could find a nice little cooler to fill that hole it would work out in my case. Cover it all up with the fabric cargo liner and plop his bed on top.

Think a small cooler would fit in that hole?

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

Oh, ok. Then if you could find a nice little cooler to fill that hole it would work out in my case. Cover it all up with the fabric cargo liner and plop his bed on top.

Think a small cooler would fit in that hole?

Yes, I know I have seen discussion somewhere on the forum about putting a cooler in that location. Sounds like some make it work for a powered cooler/freezer. Do a search and I believe you will find some information.

 

[Deadman]

We pack a ton of stuff in between those seats on the floor. Every time we grocery shop, thats the very first place we pack it as nothing flies around in that area like it could in the big open flat rear area. A weeks groceries fit there and by the front of the captains.

 

[bwhinnen]

To be honest if the bench had the flip down arm rest like our previous 2017 exploder did we would have been happy with either. But as it didn’t it was a little less appealing in the long run. When we realized what we could do with the extra space (cooler/fridge, etc) we were sold on the captains seats. We only have one gangly teenage son, so no need for the extra seating in the middle.

Six of one, half dozen of the other. Do what fits your needs.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

My one dog lies on the floor between the two captain chairs. I put a dog bed there for him now so its more comfy. My other dog usually lies on the floor behind the passenger seat or on the captains chair on the passenger side. I think he likes to keep an eye on me when I drive. LOL

 

[bwhinnen]

Oh, I should add for pets, again it could go either way depending on their needs and likes. I can see how a big flat area is appealing for bigger dogs, but can also see how the gap (for laying close and low) could also be appreciated for smaller pets.

We have cats and travel with them, they like the gap there to be able to lay in a bed, or in their cage in the back.