vehicle for 1 toddler and 2 infants? (also, come in odyssey/sienna owners!)

emma12210

Hey ladies... I'd love to hear how you like your Odyssey or Sienna, or other recommendations for fitting 1 convertible carseat and 2 infant carseats!

I currently have an Acadia with 2 captains chairs in the 2nd row, and 3rd row bench... we were pretty set on trading for either an Odyssey or Sienna... BUT I don't think the seating will be that different after looking at them today.

We looked at used cars, so granted, the used car sales people are not always that helpful, but it looks like the seating configurations won't be any different than what we have with the acadia. The vans have either 2 captains chairs for the 2nd row, or the removable center seat in the 2nd row, but we don't think we could get 3 carseats (2 infant and 1 convertible) across the 2nd row.

The Honda guy told us you can slide the 2 captains chairs together in the 2nd row, making it easier access to the back seat (where we would put my toddler), but looking at their website right now, I don't see that it's possible to do that.

Thoughts? Recommendations? TIA!

jettagurl

We have an Odyssey - originally 2 Graco Nautiluses in the 3rd row, 2 infant carriers in the middle. We do the exact configuration that the salesman mentioned to you.  We have the middle row seats together, so the 3rd row access is along the passenger side.

When the twins were born, my oldest  (just over 3 at that time) was on the driver side in the 3rd row.  He could buckle himself - I'd step up and reach back to check him/do any adjusting.  My older daughter was in the back row on the passenger side - she was 21 mos.  I could easily lean in and buckle her in.  Then the twins were on the driver side &  middle positions in the 2nd row.  

I love this set up - it is great.  Now we have the boys in the 3rd row, with E (the twin) on the passenger side.  He climbs into the actual seat, then over into his seat.  My oldest is still in the same spot in a HB booster.  G (twin) is behind the driver seat, and N is in the middle/middle row.  I did this switch because N (almost 4) can't undo her buckle, so I can reach back to undo without getting out in the preschool drop-off line. 

We have had to borrow my parents' and ILs' vans a couple times (Chryser T&C and Dodge Caravan - essentially identical to each other) and the fact that the middle row passenger side seat is stationary is just a PITA compared to what I'm used to. 

 

lvflowers

I have the exact same car! And the exact same problem. My Acadia, I can't reach the back seat to fit my now 1 year old. She won't be old enough to buckle herself. We are looking at the pilot. Someone posted this question a few days ago and didn't think the pilot would work. I really like honda and wasn't a fan of my Acadia. Here is a site I found and it had 2 videos of car seat options. You can keep part of the 2 nd seat folded down and easily reach the third row. https://carseatblog.com/14535/2012-honda-pilot-review-kids-carseats-safety/. Sorry don't know how to add link. But check the video out.

kmb585

We have the 2011 Honda Pilot for our clan and LOVE it. I posted some pics of the layout we used under my response when a bumpie paged me. It may be a page or two back. We put the twins in the 2nd row and our toddler in the 3rd row and have plenty of room for a stroller, etc in back.

kelliwill

We only have the twins so far and LOVE our Odyssey.  We don't have the captains chairs in the second row (I don't think) but yes that would make it easier to put your older child in the 3rd row.  Can't say enough good things about it.  Love the Odyssey

SoldiersGreenBean

We have an Odyssey with 2nd row captain's chairs.

When the twins were in their infant carriers, we had DD1 in the 2nd row behind the passenger.  We removed the driver's side chair and put the twins in the 3rd row.

When they got put into convertibles, we took out the middle piece between the 2 captain's chairs and pushed the passenger side chair up next to the driver's side chair.  DD1 sat in the 3rd row, and the twins were in the 2nd row (RFing).

As of this weekend, we have the driver's side chair removed again.  DD1 and one of the twins is in the 3rd row (twin still RFing), and the other twin is in the passenger side 2nd row.

UsedToBeGoldie

i have 1+twins and have had a grand caravan with both the bench in the middle, and now with the captains chairs- and I like the captains chairs much more now.

we have all 3 in the back row now forward facing - and have one middle chair stowed in the floor - so there is TONS of room in the middle for me to climb in and buckle them, etc.

before we turned them  forward (at 2yo) the twins were rear facing in the middle seats and DS1 was in the middle in the back- it wasn't hard to buckle him- he'd get in himself and we'd just step in and lean back to buckle him.... and it was great b/c the twins could see him and he could see them- it was like a little party back there for them.

emma12210

Thank you ladies, very helpful! I think the search will continue, but I think we're still leaning toward the van... we were amazed at the trunk space in the vans (how deep it is)! Especially b/c we have to travel a lot to see family. Altho we do still have some SUV's in the back of our mind, b/c I am having a hard time going to a van!

UsedToBeGoldie

not sure if anyone else mentioned it- but the auto open doors of a minivan are worth getting one  - just for that - you will LOVE being able to press a button as you walk out of your house and walk over to a car that has open doors- when you are carrying 2 infant seats + all your crap, it's a God send!

Rangergal9

We have a Sienna and have the twins in the capts seats in the 2nd row and older DD in the middle in the third row.  She usually climbs in the drivers side and climbs into her seat and then I just step in and lean over the car seat on the drivers side to buckle her in.  If its raining I step in through the back so I can buckle her in without getting wet.  We also fold down one of the seats in the third row and use that to change diapers when out.  I love love love my Sienna!!

benkari

I have the Sienna and have 3 across the back, one in the middle on the drivers side and I leave the other middle capt's seat folded in half so I have a seat to sit on while buckling the 3 in the back.  I abusoulely it!

 

angelfire02

We are doing research on the Odyssey and the Sienna right now and my husband said that the 2011 Odysseys were redesigned so that you can actually pull the second row seats apart 1 1/2 inches and fit three car seats across in the second row.  That would eliminate you having to put a kid in the back row where it's trickier to get too, and you could also fold the third row down for more storage.  We haven't gone to look at them yet, but it's something to ask about if you do go check them out.  I am pretty sure he said it's only the 2011 and newer ones.  Good luck!

 

LottaLattes

lvflowers:

I have the exact same car! And the exact same problem. My Acadia, I can't reach the back seat to fit my now 1 year old. She won't be old enough to buckle herself. We are looking at the pilot. Someone posted this question a few days ago and didn't think the pilot would work. I really like honda and wasn't a fan of my Acadia. Here is a site I found and it had 2 videos of car seat options. You can keep part of the 2 nd seat folded down and easily reach the third row. https://carseatblog.com/14535/2012-honda-pilot-review-kids-carseats-safety/. Sorry don't know how to add link. But check the video out.

I posted the original question, and got GREAT feedback from kmb585.  It looks like it'll actually totally work with my kids, since the eldest doesn't need a booster anymore and can sit in the middle row after letting in the younger brother to the back.  If I didn't have a (basically) brand-new car, I would likely get an Odyssey with twins on the way!

Here's the post with her pictures. 

https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/59817721/ShowThread.aspx#59817721