Camp chairs are one of those things nobody thinks about until they’re trying to fit four of them into a packed truck. Most folding chairs collapse into a long, awkward tube. Front Runner’s Expander Chair, now sold under the Dometic Front Runner banner, takes a different approach: it folds flat, into a slim square about the size of a large laptop bag.
Here’s what the specs say and who it suits.
Key specs
| Spec | Expander Chair |
|---|---|
| Folded size | 2.4 x 17.5 x 16.4 in (61 x 445 x 417 mm) |
| Open size | 20.5 x 17.5 x 31 in (521 x 445 x 787 mm) |
| Seat height | 17 in (432 mm) |
| Weight | 9 lb (4 kg) |
| Max load | 253 lb (115 kg) |
| Frame | Black powder-coated steel |
| Fabric | 600D polyester |
| Extras | Cup holder, media pocket, utility pocket, carry handle |
Why the folding design matters
The Expander folds in three steps to about 1/16 of its open size, according to Front Runner. Because it ends up flat rather than round, it slides into the gaps that are actually free in an overland build: between a drawer system and the side of the cargo area, behind a seat, or under a bed platform. Two chairs stacked take up about 5 inches of width. A carry handle is built in, so there’s no bag to lose.
Comfort and stability
At 17 inches, the seat height is close to a normal dining chair, which makes it easier to eat at a camp table than in a low beach-style chair. The steel frame makes it heavier than ultralight hiking chairs, but it also gives a solid, stable feel. Front Runner says the base is designed not to sink into sand.
The trade-offs
- Weight: at 9 lb each, a pair is 18 lb. That’s fine in a vehicle but too heavy for hiking.
- Upright, not lounging: it is built to sit at a table, not to recline by the fire.
- Steel and salt: powder-coated steel holds up well, but rinse it after beach trips to keep corrosion away from chips in the coating.
Price
Dometic’s US site lists the Expander Chair twin set at $129 at the time of writing. Single chairs are also sold separately. Prices vary by retailer and region.
How it compares with other camp chairs
Most overlanders end up choosing between three kinds of chair, and each one solves a different problem.
| Type | Packed shape | Best at | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat-folding (Expander style) | Thin square | Fitting into tight gaps, sitting at a table | Heavier, upright only |
| Classic quad or tube chair | Long round bag | Cheap, easy to replace | Awkward to pack, takes a lot of room |
| Lightweight pole chair | Small roll | Low weight, hiking | Low seat, sinks in soft ground without a ground sheet |
| Low lounge or recliner | Bulky | Long evenings by the fire | Hard to eat from, big when packed |
If you already own a cheap quad chair, the question is really about space. When the back of your vehicle is full by the time the chairs go in, a flat chair earns its price. When there is room to spare, the old chair will do the job.
Where it fits in common setups
- Drawer systems: the gap between the top of the drawers and the cargo floor, or the slot beside the fridge slide, is often just wide enough for one or two chairs.
- Wagons and SUVs: behind the rear seat backs, standing upright, where they don’t steal floor space from the bins.
- Pickups with a canopy: flat against the canopy wall, held with a strap or a couple of rubber bungees so they don’t rattle on corrugations.
- Rooftop tent rigs: some people carry them under the tent base on the roof rack. That works, but every kilo up there raises the centre of gravity. Our weight distribution guide explains why low is better.
Whatever the spot, tie them down. A loose steel chair behind the seats becomes a real hazard under hard braking.
Looking after it
There isn’t much to maintain. Shake out sand before folding so grit doesn’t wear the fabric at the hinge points, let the fabric dry before it goes back in the vehicle, and check the frame for chips in the powder coat once in a while. A dab of touch-up paint on bare steel stops rust spreading. After beach or winter trips with salted roads, a rinse with fresh water is worth the two minutes.
Who it suits
If space in your vehicle is tight and you want a chair that sits upright at a table, the Expander is one of the most packable options around. If you want a reclining chair to lounge in by the fire, or you’re counting every pound, look elsewhere.
Quick answers
How much does the Front Runner Expander Chair weigh?
About 9 lb (4 kg) per chair, according to Front Runner’s specs.
How much weight can it hold?
The rated maximum load is 253 lb (115 kg).
How thin is it when folded?
Roughly 2.4 inches (61 mm), which is why two chairs stack to about 5 inches.
Sources
- Dometic – Front Runner Expander Chair Twin Set
- West Coast Offroaders – Front Runner Expander Camping Chair (CHAI007)
This article is based on Front Runner’s published specifications. We haven’t tested the chair ourselves.
Featured photo: Jimmy Conover on Unsplash. The chairs shown are not Front Runner Expander Chairs.
