3 across- ridiculous question. Read only if you want a headache :/

beaseg

Hi, 

I have a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. DD is in a rear facing Britax Marathon 70 right now. I'm expecting, and I know we can fit a Graco Snugride 30 in there with her just fine. BUT - here's where I get a little ridiculous: I nanny. And I'd really love the option of leaving the house for the zoo or whatever. My dd is 2, and the child I nanny is currently 15 months and in a convertible car seat. Like I mentioned, we have the Graco Snugride 30 for the new babe. 

Does anyone have any experience with getting 3 carseats in a tiny little clown car like mine? One rear facing, Two forward facing. With the sales coming next month, I'm willing to buy new car seats to make it work if I need to. But I just don't know if it's even possible. 

TIA if you have any insight! 

MelCfromMN

I believe the Diono Radian is about as narrow of a seat you will find. You should ask on the Facebook site CSFTL (Car Seats for the Littles), a car seat tech can help you with your puzzle, and someone may even have your exact car with a solution. Good luck!

beaseg

Okay, that's excellent advice- thank you for your help!

orangecurls

The harmony defender is a narrow harnessed booster, I'm not sure if it will work in your car though.

beaseg

mom2boxers said:

You mentioned forward-facing two of the seats. I would check with the parents of the 15 month old child you nanny if they want their child forward-facing. Not sure how old they'll be after you deliver, but many people try to keep seats rear-facing as long as possible.

Thanks! Yes, I would never put a child forward facing without their parents' approval. She's already forward in her dad's car because it's more comfortable for him. Not exactly an example of best priorities, but they know my thoughts and haven't changed anything. When I deliver she will be 2,and I'm assuming by then they will want her FF. But you're right I will need to double check.

ASmallWonder

If two of the kids will be forward facing I wouldn't get a Radian for them.  They're great extended rear facing seats but the booster is essentially useless so that's a lot of money for the use you'd get.  I would definitely look into the Harmony Defender for the forward facers (one or both, depending on the parents' willingness to FF).  They're the most narrow dedicated forward facing seats available.  Also try playing with the Graco with and without the base to see if it puzzles better sitting up high or down low.

kmc84

@SandAndsSea‌ the Radian as a booster is sort of useless because it has a 50 pound minimum to use. At that weight, nearly all children will have already outgrown the harness, but since the belt guide for the booster is not adjustable, it means the booster is outgrown at the same time as the harness.

Besides that, if you buy it to ERF and then use it as long as you can forward facing, it's a very good buy!

anakah

I'm not sure how the lancer compares to the mazda3 or honda accord but I've installed two ff diono radians and a sung ride 35 in both of these vehicles. Three across is doable with the right seats.