Exactly what seats do you have and in what order? Did you measure your backseat and car seats to see if they would fit or just go by trial and error? I have a 2003 Honda Accord...I have read lots on this site about 3 in a row and researched online (the info out there is both overwhelming and vague...) it seems people do it w/o a lot of pain, we just tried and we failed with our current seats. So anyone with an 03 Accord who puts 3 in a row, let me know what you do. I will have a rear facing infant seat, a forward facing seat, and a high or no back booster (whichever works). I have looked at sunshine kids radians and based on the measurements I am about 7 inches shy....and that is including where the backseat flares up on the sides (which just makes the car seats cockeyed and doesn't seem right to me) and supposedly 3 of their seats fit in a Toyota Corrolla! But what I don't know is if the reality of actually trying it might be a little different... Any suggestions (except buy a bigger vehicle!) welcome :)
Sunshine Kids Radian carseat fits three across....and they are very heavy with a steel frame.
And Pricey.
I am so sick of all the people who suggest everyone run out and buy a minivan. 1) Not everyone wants a minivan 2) Not everyone can afford to just go buy a new vehicle.
I'm guessing if buying another vehicle was an option, she'd be looking for opinions on vehicles rather than carseats to fit her current vehicle.
I have to agree wtih Cheryl O. It does not sound safe to me. I know some mom's hate minivans, but they are so worth it. Safety and convienence. If my mother in law needs to leave a party early, sister needs me to pick up a sick child.... anything... i have the room. It really is worth it.
Dear lovemyfamilyof3, You did not have to be so mean with your comment. No, not all mom's want a minivan. It is nice to have one. That is all i was saying. AND.... on a family income of about 30,000 for a family of 6(in 2004)....we found a way to buy a new one. Yes, even the poor can get a new minivan....or used for that matter :) You don't give up when you cannot afford, you keep trying until you can. I am going to stop preaching now....
sounds like you need a mini van. I know that's not what you want to hear - but really - that's what you will need to keep your family safe.
I would NOT put three car seats in the same row - unless I had a Suburban or a Minivan.
If the car seats are NOT level, if they are tilted, not flat against the seat - they are NOT safe. PERIOD.
Good luck!!!
Sunshine Kids I think are the most narrow seats on the market. Can you find a store nearby that sells them and try out fitting them in your car? I did that when I was looking at seats.
Edit - Actually, in response to someone else, infant seats usually take up MORE room than convertibles. They are wide, bulky, and rear facing.
And ignore the 'buy a minivan' comments. Seriously. Not everyone has twenty thousand dollars laying around to go pick up a new car. No matter how convenient that may be. There must be 3 seats that can fit in your car - I know at least one mom that has done it with all Sunshine Kids. Find a high-end retailer (as they usually have the more expensive seats that can take up less room) and try out their seats in your car. I tried two Britax to see how they fit in my Hyundai Accent (which is tiny) and they were a great fit.
I have a Toyota Camry 2006 and I had all 3 seats in the back. Yes, it was tight but they fit. We didn't measure but we did opt for the more narrow seats on the market. Some seats are wider than others.
2 radians (scrap the infant seat) and a graco high back booster should work.
I honestly think in a mid size car that 3 car seats side by side will not fit correctly and provide protection that you want. Have it checked out by someone qualified with the seats you want to use. Also keep in mind that the infant seat is likely smaller and in a few months when you change to a convertable seat, it will be a tighter fit.
my fiance has a kia rio, and we fit two forward facing carseats and a no back booster in the backseat!... if we can do it, your accord can do it, lol. the rio is smaller than the accord!
Take your car and seats and have the seats installed by someone that is certified (my local fire dept offers this) if they can't safely fit them maybe they can offer advise on what seats will work for your car.
We have 3 seats in our small Saturn. We have infant britax in the middle, Britax Frontier 85 on one side and Recaro high booster on another side. We could fit 2 Sunshine Radian on the sides with britax in the middle, but our boys r too tall for their 5 point harness. All seats are snug and neither of the outside 2 are touching the doors. You might want to look into this
http://www.albeebaby.com/safety-1st-go-hybrid-booster-car...
