Vehicle That Will Hold 5 Baby Seats?

Updated on May 01, 2010
K.M. asks from Aubrey, TX
17 answers

Looking for advice on what vehicle to buy that will hold 5 baby seats. We have a 3 year old and a 2 year old and are 9 weeks pregnant with triplets. Thanks in advance for any replies!

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S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would look for a full size van/small bus type thing with an aisle down the middle. After six kids (4 in car/booster at one time), I cannot tell you how much I hated flipping seats back and forth, crawling over seats, etc to hook everyone it and out. Plus, the rule in my house was a child could NEVER unbelt themselves, even if they were capable of it, because they could do it when I was driving. If I could do it all over, I would have got the van! Also, you may find that you need help with taking the kids places (dr. appts, etc) and getting everyone in a mini-van isn't going to work.

I know that the vehicle(s) I am suggesting are not the nicest vehicles to look at or fun to drive, but when you get those babies home, you are going to totally forget about that :)

Good luck!

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A.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just recently got a 2008 Toyota Sienna. I love it! The Sienna has the 8 passenger option which gives you 2 rows of three seats. These are full rows, not a smaller second row with a full third row. All the seatbelts in the Sienna are shoulder belts as well which are required for most car/booster seats.
I completely agree with others though in taking car seats with you when looking. Not just 3 infant seats, but take all 5 seats that you plan on using.
Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have no idea, just wondered who had an answer for this.
MK

D.C.

answers from Dallas on

I would think any vehicle with three rows can take care of the trick. I just traded my Chevy Tahoe in for a Chevy Traverse and I had 5 kids in there, my two were in the third row and the other three were in the second row. It worked out just fine. Also the tahoe is nice but there won't be much trunk space for strollers. You may want to look at a Suburban. Minivans with three rows are also a good option and possibly cheaper than the SUV's. I guess when buying something the main thing to do is take the stroller and if it fits comfortably then it's a deal.

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J.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I have a Chev Venture mini van & at best it will hold 4 car seats... there just isn't enough room in the last row to fit 3 car seats. I know it sounds funny - but when you are out shopping, take 3 car seats with you to see how they fit in the rows - that way you don't buy something & them find out it won't work.

My sister had to by a full size van to fit her family of 7, but her kids are 2 1/2, 7, 9, 13 &15... so she only has 1 car seat. And car seats fit a lot different in the car then people do - since they take up much more room.

Good luck w/ all the little ones & congratz on all the babies!!

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H.A.

answers from Dallas on

Congrats!!

What's your budget? Are you looking new or used? I am betting a minivan is going to be your best bet. Plus the easiest to load and unload kids, and the best cargo room. I would look at the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona

NOT a Chrysler Town and Country. We just bought one, it's a 2008 and while I love it -- the 3rd is 49 inches. Even if you buy the most narrow car seats on the market (Sunshine Radian's) they need at least 51 inches of seating. It has two captains chairs in the middle. So it only seats FOUR children in car seats. This 3rd row size hasn't changed from 2008-2010.

Any answers you get will also depend on the year -- since manufactures tweek them occasionally. For instance, my mother has a 2007 Cadillac SRX and it has very nice roomy seats, and a third row.. but the 2010 model no longer has the option of a third row.

While I love the Traverse by Chevrolet it's published "Hip" room in 3rd row is 48 inches. That's not enough for three carseats.

I recommend you figure out how many inches you need for three seats across one row -- look at the footprints of your carseats, consider buying the Sunshine Radians for the two older children, if you don't already have them and start searching for vehicles that have rows that meet your needs.

Other things to consider - what are your other needs for space? Do you need room for groceries in the back? Luggage? Are you planning on this being a vehicle you will take on family trips? I bought a crossover and I love it - but pay close attention - some have barely enough room for a few bags of groceries and certainly can't fit a big shop in the back when all three rows are in use.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I have a chevy express 12 person passenger van for sale (Richardson TX). It's a bit big for your needs, but hey, if it works for your growing family that would be great! :) room for 4 seats in back, then 2 rows of 3, then driver & passenger in front. Let me know if you want more info.

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K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I'm thinking Suburban. We have a GMC Acadia which is nice, but it would be tough to seat five kids AND fit in the stroller(s) (which you will surely need). This is true of the Tahoe as well -- these two cars have storage space when the rear seat or seats are down only.

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D.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

Congrats! Lots of good advice here. I would look at a full size van due to the space and the amount of comfort. They are expensive, but worth it. I agree, take 3 car seats with you.......be sure you know what you are getting into first!
How about a small bus!! Just kidding.....
Good luck and take care.....congrats again! Wow, you're going to be one busy mommy!

C.S.

answers from Medford on

I dont know about vehicle choices, but I have a suggestion on carseats for the older 2. The Safeguard GO Booster is a five point harness (up to 6 years or 60lbs!!! Best on the market BTW) that converts to a backless booster after that. The age requirement is 1 year min...It has a soft back and is very slim, I mean so slim that it takes up no more room than the actual seat. They are the only boosters rated by the NHTSA. They would be so helpful to have with needing 3 infant seats. Congratulations and best of luck to you!!!!

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D.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I have 9 kids, and a suburban. Obviously, we don't all fit into one car, but I have one kid out of the house, another who is 18, and rarely home. If we all go somewhere, we take two vehicles.

That said, I have 5 carseats in mine. Two booster seats, one highback, one no back, and 3 britax marathons. Three carseats will not fit in the 3rd row (its a bit smaller because of the rear tires). I have in the 3rd row, one britax, and highback booster, and in the middle row, two britax, and the no back booster in the flipseat. With the age of kids you are looking at, this is going to be a rough one because your oldest is probably not quite ready for a booster yet. Although, the suburban is big enough to have the britax's rear facing in the second row, and cargo room for two strollers as well as groceries.

Frankly, in the first few months, I don't think you are really going to be going out too much anyways. By the time you are really ready to venture out more, the oldest may be large enough to try a booster, and may make configuration a bit easier. A large van is always a consideration, but I just couldn't make myself do it, especially when my suburban is paid for.

Good luck, you are going to need it, lol.

D.B.

answers from Wichita on

holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats!! better get a nice big van!! Take the car seats shopping with you.

K.C.

answers from Barnstable on

WOW! Congrats!
A Ford Explorer fits 7
Minivans: 7
Ford Flex: 7 or 8
Jeep Commander: 7
Honda Pilot: 7
Dodge Durango: 7

That is all I can think of for now!

:)

K.I.

answers from Spokane on

Chevy Suburban. This is what I have and we love it. I know it is huge and was intimidating the first time I got behind the wheel...but trust me, you'll love the way it feels!

We opted for the bench seat in front, so our seats 9. There is tons of room in the back for luggage/groceries/dog/whatever... :)

Only problem I see is getting all the kids buckled? I assume you would want the 3 babies in the immediate backseat so you can reach them, if necessary....so that means the 2 older kids would go in the 3rd row. What we did when our kids needed help getting buckled was let them crawl in thru the back of the car to their car seats, then either Dad or I would also crawl in and buckle them from the back. That way you can have the babies car seat bases attached and not have to take 1 out to fold down the seat so the kids could reach the 3rd row. I know this sounds like a lot of work....but time flies and before you know it and your oldests will be the same age as mine (6 and 4) and be able to climb in and finally buckle themselves! Love it when that happens!

We have a 2005 and its been great...no problems.

A.S.

answers from Dallas on

Bless you, bless you, bless you! Congratulations! Will pray for 3 healthy babies. Have you checked into Tahoe or Yukon XL's or suburbans - I have several quad mom acquaintances and I know 2 that went the suburban route or even a big van? Just a thought - I wanted to give you my 2 cents and congratulate you at the same time. Best wishes for you!

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J.O.

answers from Rochester on

We are pregnant with our 5th child and we will only need two car seats. We have been looking at the Honda Odyssey. It seats 8 people.. My kids are 16, 12, 10, 7 and baby....So my kids are bigger....I think three infant seats would fit in the middle seat. Good luck there isn't a whole lot of choice out there for big families....CONGRATS on your triplets! I would love to have them!!!

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C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Congrats on the triplets!! We have a family of 5..we have one booster and two car seats (twin 10 months old). We have a suburban and fit everyone but do have some problems. I can't put the car seats in the very back seat because they are still rear facing and will not fit correctly. Also, it would be very, very difficult to get crawl all the way back there to get them out. I would have to lay the second row seat down to get back there. If you have car seats installed in the 2nd row, it will make it even harder to get them out of the 3rd row. We've joked about needing to find a church van for sale! Seriously, I would look at the largest van you can imagine yourself in. You'll need that sliding door to be able to maneuver better. Good luck...hope you are hiring a night nanny!!!

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