Simply Depressing and my 1st time being a freak show!

franciscaz · July 2009

Okay so lets start, we went to the Fire station to inspect all 3 of our seats. We had decided we wanted to try and keep our crossover for at least 2 more years b/c it is almost new and we paid cash for it.

So first off Harmon's old infant seat is on recall... meaning a new infant seat in addition to the other new one we bought last month.

Than they said there is no "safe" way to install the car seats and have all 3 fit in the crossover. He said if it was 3 infant seats or 3 convertible there might be a chance but not this hybrid mess of 1 convertible and 2 infant seats. So I am almost sick to my stomach thinking we have to buy a new vehicle... where do you begin? Also we will have a payment now right when I am going on limited duties at work.

Finally there was the fact that I had 4 fireman outside who kept asking "so why did you decide to have all these kids all of a sudden?" "Wow, they are gonna drive you crazy!" "I can't imagine how expensive diapers will be!" Thanks guys...

pea-kay · July 2009

{{hugs}} it's okay! what do you drive now? there are triplet moms that drive every kind of vehicle out there, i'm sure yours can be made to work!

ktsbella · July 2009

That's why we ended up trading in our Pilot for an Odyssey. Technically with the Radian car seat for DS and the two chicco infant seats for the twins things would have fit. Was it safe, I don't know...we didn't even feel comfortable enough to have them inspected. For some reason I had an image of having a side impact crash where someone t-boned us and all of the seats just smashing into eachother. We love our van now (still wish I had the Pilot though, but you know that

)

sfitz0711 · July 2009

If his carseat is on recall, shouldn't you get your money back or have it replaced for free??

Is there another fire dept. you can "get a second opinion?" Maybe they're wrong!

Gotta love the comments! Men don't usually think in the first place so throw twins in there and it's even worse.

luvmagoldn · July 2009

That is how we ended up with a mini-van. I took it to the fire station for inspection b/c DH couldn't get the seats in tight enough even with the latch (turns out the seat protectors we were using caused the problem). I got a couple of Wows about needing three car seats but they were all very polite.

I know you hate to do it but I really think a minivan is the answer. Believe me, I feel your pain. We bought a Dodge Magnum when the twins were born and that worked great for us. Then two years later we needed to buy a bigger car b/c we needed to add a third car seat. You've gotta do what you've gotta do! Stick out tongue

BeccaT87 · July 2009

I have a Ford Explorer XLT and we went and had my seats installed and they said it was safe. They put my toddlers seat in the middle and the twins on either side of her. They said it was safer that way because the infant car seats have more protection. Is there somewhere else you could try? In NC its called the More at Four Partnership for Children.

Kim777 · July 2009

My first thought would be to look at one of the narrower convertible car seats to see if that would help. If all else fails and you have to get another vehicle, what about looking for a used, but recent model mini van or 3rd row SUV? I had a pickup truck, as does DH. Mine had two captains chairs in the back, so there was no way to get all three kids in there, obviously! My truck was paid off and since DH has been out of work for a while we currently have no steady income. We barely make it off of what he brings in working side construction jobs. A car payment was a definite no-go. I was able to trade my truck for a Suburban, same model year (2005) with less miles. I walked out of there paying $550 for the Suburban - so no car payment! Maybe go in and talk to a used car dealership about what you might could make work and have them be on the lookout for something.

franciscaz · July 2009

Thanks for the ideas! I want to look more into this recall thing. My seat was registered in NV and that is probably why I never got a notice (we moved a year ago). I hope we are not too late Smile That would make my week to save a few dollars there!

Peakay we drive a Kia Sportage. It is a crossover... perfect size for me to drive all over town but it is a narrow vehicle. Our seats were a Peg Perego Viaggio, Evenflo Titan, and Evenflo Embrace (that is the new seat).

UGH, I told DH and he doesn't believe it so we will try another inspection (to humour him) when we come back from Albuquerque next weekend. Perhaps a different inspector will have a new idea... BUT they showed me why these just didn't work and I respect thier opinion. I need to look into that chicco seat I think it is that is thinner as well.

I think this means Suburban or Mini Van time maybe Stick out tongue Oh well, there are worse things. I just didn't want a car payment Crying

heyitsme · July 2009

CPST chiming in here....

If you don't want to buy a new car and would rather purchase new seats, it can be done in a Sportage. And new seats would be cheaper than a new car, right?

Baby Trend Flex-Loc car seats have the narrowest base on the market, and we recommend them for families with younger twins and an older child. Is your DS RFing or FFing? They might puzzle well with his Titan, or you might need to get him a narrower convertible like the Sunshine Kids Radian... actually, I'd recommend a Radian simply because when the babies get older you could get them Radians, too. The Radians are designed to be narrow and help with 3-across in most vehicles.

Also, check seatcheck.org for local CPSTs who might be able to help you out in puzzling your current seats if you go that route.

Hope I helped!

franciscaz · July 2009

heyitsme:
CPST chiming in here....
If you don't want to buy a new car and would rather purchase new seats, it can be done in a Sportage. And new seats would be cheaper than a new car, right?
Baby Trend Flex-Loc car seats have the narrowest base on the market, and we recommend them for families with younger twins and an older child. Is your DS RFing or FFing? They might puzzle well with his Titan, or you might need to get him a narrower convertible like the Sunshine Kids Radian... actually, I'd recommend a Radian simply because when the babies get older you could get them Radians, too. The Radians are designed to be narrow and help with 3-across in most vehicles.

Also, check seatcheck.org for local CPSTs who might be able to help you out in puzzling your current seats if you go that route.
Hope I helped!

Very helpful! Thank you!!!

franciscaz · July 2009

So DH looked at the problem and being the very logical man he is, he is determined to make new BRU seats work. He said he will try every seat combo in the store till he finds the perfect safe fit Smile

Hopefully...

Pixie4199 · July 2009

I have not been on the board much at all but I'm chiming in to tell you to hang in there! Our twins will be 2 and our daughter is 9.5 months. We have a Kia Sedona (we bought it used and it is a minimal payment). 2 seats in front one in back (three rows).

You will find a way that works for you...just hang in there and count your blessings. I just smile and say "yes, it's totally crazy but we are loving every minute of it."

I would have asked them to do a fundraiser for diapers .

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Simply Depressing and my 1st time being a freak show!

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