Stow and Go Vans and Car Seats!

If you go to the fire department, they can properly install them for you. Atleast then you will know if you need new seats or not.

We have a 2008 Chrysler with the stow and go seats and had no problem with the carseat going in. We used the latch system and it snapped right in no problem. we have a Britax Marathon carseat. Good luck getting yours to fit.

I have an '06 Chrysler Town & Country stow & go. It has the LATCH loops at the back of the seat, and we were were able to safely install our son's car seat. The front did wiggle a little bit, but the seat was secure.

One thing that did help with another car and another seat was to place a couple old bath towels under the seat. This helped to fill in some of the gaps between the car and the car seat.

Take it to the dealer. They are supposed to be able to help you with that. If that doesn't work call your insurance company or AAA, they should be more than glad to help you.

Call your local fire department. They will install your seat and make sure all is well... That's what we did! :)

Do your seats have the LATCH system? We have an '05 Dodge w/ Stow and Go, and our seats fit just fine using the LATCH straps and clips. If you feel between the seat bottom and back, you'll find metal loops for the LATCH clips to attach to. There's another clip on the back of the seat near the bottom.

Just using the seat belts never worked for us - we had to use the LATCH clips, and BOY are the seats secure!

I don't have a Stow and Go Van, but I do know that in Oregon if you are in a vehicle accident the car seats have to be turned into the insurance company and you are to buy a new car seat and you will get reimbursed from the insurance when you turn in your receipt. been there and done it.

I have the same seats and I have have a 28 month grandaughter and just have a new grandson and we have seats for both .I layed the seat back a little and have the seat hooked to the seat hooks and over the top hooked to the floor hook and then hooked the reg seat bealt around the bottom I also have leather so I put a non slipseat pad from babys r us under them.Good luck. Mine is an 05

If your car seats were in the accident that totalled your old car (no matter if the kids were in it at the time) you should replace them anyways. They are just not safe any longer. Even if you can't see any obvious damage the structural integrity of the seat may be compromised and it will not protect your kids in the next accident (that hopefully won't happen).
You can claim the cost of the seats as part of your insurance claim.

Most places that sell car seats will allow you to take their floor model outside to see if you can get a good fit.
Good luck!

Veronica,

Here is some information about various car seat checks as well as the Mary Bridge car seat checks. They are all free At Mary Bridge, they could help you either fit your seats in your vehicle safely, or if not, they can sell you new seats that will fit (for a nominal fee).

Saturday, January 10
10 am-2 pm
Gilchrist Chevrolet
6014 S. Tacoma Way
Tacoma

Saturday, February 28
10 am-2 pm
Sea Mar Health Center
1112 S. Cushman
Tacoma

For more dates, call 403-KIDS

For car seat questions call the
Mary Bridge Car Seat Help Line ###-###-####

Every Tuesday
9:00 am- 10:30 am
Mary Bridge Center for Childhood Safety
Safe and Sound Building
1112 S. 5th Street, Tacoma

By appointment only
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue
253-###-###-####

East Pierce Fire and Rescue
###-###-####

Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One
###-###-####

Lakewood Fire Department
###-###-####

McChord AFB Fire Department
###-###-####

Good luck!
~H.

Veronica,

I would take your vehicle and car seats to the local fire station or hospital...they have people to help install and check for safety and fit.

Good luck,
T.

PS, we have a 2005, and have not had a problem with installation of the car seats for our boys.

I have both an Evenflo and a Cosco brand car seat in my 2005 chrystler van. for the Evenflo i have to tip the seat back a tiny but not for the cosco. also, i have the leather seats. i bought at target.com the Kidapatomus (sp?) seat protector. it has the "grip" on the bottom so the seat doesn't slip. that would help for either leather or cloth seats. oh and I defiatly have the teather strap hooked to the back of the seat. the seat really slides around if that is not tight.

I have an 08 Dodge Caravan which does have the stow and go feature. I agree the seat belts are strange. I haven't tried to put child safety seats in it except for a booster seat on the end of the short bench seat. The shoulder harness on that seat and one of the end seats in the third row is attached quite a way away from the seat wich causes it to not fit correctly.

I had the problem of the bottom of a 3 point seat pulling out too easily in another car and discovered that I needed a clip to attach the shoulder harnes and the lap belt together. Some seats come with the clip clipped onto the back of the seat. If not you can buy one. I found them at Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

The reason that the seatbelt needed the clip is that the shoulder harness didn't lock when you pulled on it.

I recommend taking your van and the car seats to the fire department. They are trained in installing seats and publisize this service.