Narrow but Safe Car Seats

Updated on September 30, 2008
J. asks from Forest Park, IL
5 answers

In 6 months, I will be having my 3rd child. I own a 2000 Ford Explorer (no latch system)and am not quite sure how I will fit 3 car seats seeing as 2 seem to take up all of the back seat. I have a 4 yo that is almot 40 lbs and needs a new seat, but I would really like her to stay in a 5 point restraint. I found some car seats in the past that were super safe, and about 17 inches wide but I cant remember what they are called. I would be willing to pay just about anything to avoid buying a new car seeing as mine is paid for.( Are they even giving out car loans anymore:()

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C.W.

answers from Chicago on

There is a newer product from Britax - the Frontier - see britaxusa.com. Its a 5pt. harness that will still work with a bigger child, and then you can eventually convert it to a booster when the child is old enough. And it goes to 100lbs, so the kid will almost be driving themselves by the time they are done with it ;)

Though I must tell you that it sounds as though 3 children restrained in the back seat might be tight in any car. In fact, I've never heard of anyone who had 3 car seats across in back seat....everyone I know in this situation has had to take a deep breath and invest in a newer, larger vehicle. Might be able to find some really great used car deals...good luck!

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

We have a smaller car and in order for the seat to fit right when it was backwards we bought the Sunshine Kids Radian 80 because it's an inch or two narrower than other popular seats on the market which made it fit in our car better. They advertise that you can fit 3 across. The 65 is good to 65 lbs. the 80 is good to 80 lbs. They turn into booster seats once your child is ready.

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B.M.

answers from Bloomington on

Christine,

I only have two kids so can't give you advice other than to post over at www.car-seat.org...give them your make/year of car and ages/weights of the kiddo's and what current seats you have....they are great over there.

B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Chicago on

The Radian 65 and Radian 80 are the thinnest longer 5 point harness seats that I am aware of. I use www.car-seat.org for all of my car seat researching. They're great!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from Rockford on

The Radian 65 would probably be your best bet however unlike pp said it DOES NOT turn into a booster. Not a big deal in my opinion though. We have one in order to achieve 3 across in our Focus.

I'd go here http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a7645/car_seat_que... and tell them your car model and the ages and weights of the kids and they will give you great options. They have helped me a lot in the past and really know their stuff.

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