SUV and 3 car seats?

stos

Anyone have an SUV with 3 car seats? We don't have 3 yet, but my DH and I were discussing if 3 car seats would fit in our SUV, or any SUV. We currently have 2 Britax's...they are just so big that I don't know if 3 would fit. We could potentially put the oldest in the back, but then there's the issue of him getting back there and I don't think he'd be old enough to buckle himself. Just wanting to know your thoughts and experience...thanks!

pottershand

We have a small SUV (Mazda Tribute), and 3 seats definitely do not fit.

soontobemomma

Depends on which suv you have, but in the smaller ones, I think your only hope is a Sunshine Radian.  They are supposed to be narrow.  

cuwife

We have a Tahoe, with no 3rd row(don't ask), but we could definately fit 3 carseats across the backseat. We have 2 Cosco seats in there currently.

4Speedy

DH's current company car is a Tahoe.  Last week we took one of DD's friends somewhere with us so we had 2 Britax Blvds and a Graco Nautilus in the second row with plenty of room.  The kids had plenty of room but it was not that easy to get back there to buckle them in--that was a real pain.  I think we could have put the Nautilus in the 3rd row if we had been using it as a highback booster instead of with the harness.  With the harness, you have to use the LATCH system to secure it.  Since the 3rd row of the Tahoe is removable, it does not come equipped with LATCH, just shoulder belts.

jettagurl

4Speedy:

  I think we could have put the Nautilus in the 3rd row if we had been using it as a highback booster instead of with the harness.  With the harness, you have to use the LATCH system to secure it.  Since the 3rd row of the Tahoe is removable, it does not come equipped with LATCH, just shoulder belts.

You do not have to use LATCH with the Nautilus, even being used with the harness....we have 2 in the back our our van using shoulder belts and are perfectly secure.  

 

To OP:  We looked at a Pilot when we knew we were pg, but didn't know yet it was twins. It would be a PITA to have a child in the 3rd row that needed help getting their harness/seatbelt on (IMO).  I'd love to have a Pilot....maybe when the older two are out of carseats....but more likely when all 4 are out of carseats.    

 

jnicks19

I just test drove the '10 Pilot and you can fit 3 across in the middle row with LATCH.  You can also do it in the one Mercedes SUV and I think the Acura MDX as well.  We ended up with the Volvo XC90 and you can do 3 across the middle row as well.  It also has the integrated booster, if you wanted to use that.

Bellisimo

We only have 2 carseats now but more than 3 would easily fit in our Toyota Sequoia.  We have Captain's Chairs on the second row with a bench on the third row. 

lollitots

I have a Toyota Highlander, so not a big SUV. We have two Britax's (Roundabout and Boulevard) and a Sunshine Radian. Had to get the Radian to fit three. It wouldn't fit all three of our Britaxes (also have a Marathon). We had a Snugride infant seat in before and it fit because it was rear facing. It is tight, but do-able. I'm just not a minivan person.

jorie

We have a Trail Blazer with a 3rd row so 3 fit no problem.  In my experience though, most cars fit 3 carseats better than most SUVs.  MH has a Mercedes SUV with no 3rd row and it's a VERY tight fit.  Our previous cars were roomier with all 3 carseats.

Mrs.Saxy

My friend has a Saturn Outlook and has 4 kids.  One in a booster and 3 in car seats.

stos

Thanks for all your responses! We're considering 3, but just aren't minivan people. We currently have a Ford Explorer, but there just doesn't seem to be that much room with the 2 Britax's in the 2nd row. Good to know that other SUVs seem to have more room!