Car seat configuration

holz

We have a Honda Pilot, so 3rd row- you would think it would be no big deal to fit 2 carseats. 

 

Im wondering if anyone here has done one seat in the middle of each row? Is that a ridiculous idea? Both seats will be RF and we can't put one behind the driver- DH is too tall and needs the seat far back.  If we put the seats next to eachother in the 2nd row, we'd lose access to the 3rd row. I'm thinking about just leaving the 40 portion of the 60-40 split in the second row down and having one seat in the middle- probably DS1, so we can then put DS2 in the middle of the 3rd row and only have to worry about snapping the seat in, not crawling back to buckle a toddler.

 

We also take 3-4 hour trips almost monthly to visit family, although that might slow down after this baby comes, and will be moving this summer, which will entail a long car ride- this way I can sit next to the baby if he fusses and DS1 can see me too.

 

I know I'm overthinking this- I tend to do that while pregnant I just feel like I've never seen anyone with that configuration and wonder if I'm missing something that makes it a bad idea. 

xtencornfield

Personally, I would never put DS2 in the 3rd row. Binkies get dropped out of mouths, blankets get accidentally knocked on the floor, etc. I need to have him within arms reach. I guess if you're going to sit in the back all the time, then that's different (would not be my preference on a daily basis). DS1's car seat is easily put in and removed, so I would get a carseat that's easily installed/removed for #1 and just move as needed when you want to use the 3rd row (how often will that really be?).

msnehz

Do you have to have the 3rd row up? If you have it folded you should still be able to have some room to slide the 2nd row back.  We have a 2009 pilot and have a RF convetible carseat and a Combination Booster car seat.  We have them installed by the windows so our LOs can look out.  I personally did not bother stressing about access to the 3rd row since we never have it up or had an opportunity to have a use for it yet.  You need to consider whats convenient for your daily use.

Adventurers

I have a 2011 Pilot and I don't think I'll have either baby in the 3rd row. (I have never actually used the 3rd row thus far.)  I will consider it when DS1 can climb back and buckle himself in but that will be a while.  I haven't tried our infant carseat rear facing behind the driver's seat, but I think I'll make it work, because it would be really hard to get either one of them easily and quickly into the 3rd row without climbing back there myself.  Good luck.   

kagl08

I don't have a Pilot but I have an Acadia with the 3rd row. There would be no way I could get away with DS being in the 3rd row. He's a crier sometimes and I need to reach back. He constantly needs his pacifier. It just wouldn't be logical for us. Also, we have 2 captains seats so the access to the 3rd row is where the middle seat would be in the Pilot so our kids are behind the passenger and drivers seats. I personally would not want to not use the 3rd row for now and would keep it down all the time. And I would put both kids in the middle row...

Daisy22

We have a 2011 Pilot. I'm about to put 3 car seats in the 3rd row until DS1 can buckle himself. Both of my boys are FF so it's a little easier. Dh can't drive the car with a RF behind the driver either. For every day I'm putting the infant seat behind the driver b/c DH won't need to drive the car. When we go on vacation we will move the infant seat over to the middle and put the boys on the outsides.

Personally I'd just put them next to each other. Do you use your 3rd row that much? If not then you can always move the car seat as needed. I can uninstall and install all of our carseats within minutes.

And I might be mistaken but I think there is only 2 latch positions in the 3rd row. So you'd have to pick one side back there b/c doing 1 latch from each position isn't recommended in most cars. You'd still have to climb back there to get the infant seat snapped in/out. Plus getting the infant seat in/out would not be fun from way back there.