3rd row usage (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter barkbuster
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I have the oldest in the 3rd row and the younger ones in the 2nd row.
We have two kids and a 100 lb. Lab but what with hauling neighbor kids and grandkids around the third row gets used pretty often. We have an '05 Chrysler W/Stow&Go which we use a lot also. What's really nice is that with the LC, the van, and a small trailer we'll never need a pickup. Trash and like get hauled in a trailer behind the 80. If I want it covered/locked I can slide it in the minivan. It's amazing what those things will swallow. I've recently hauled a pinball machine and a 5KW Onan generator in it.
We used to have a mini van. Wife called it the "Loser Cruiser".
My wife refuses to drive a minivan. So she's got her own Cruiser. Who am I to complain?
She sounds mean!!
I like that in a woman.
Call our Honda the "Vangina". But admit it is nice on long highway drives and for multiple quick stops around town.
On a tech note, I need to have an aftermarket arm/de-arm switch added to my passenger side airbag. A couple of times it would have come in handy being able to put a child seat up front.
Ours was an '08 Sienna. Loads of power and a great vehicle for packing in 4 kids and their crap.
Love this thread
First off, a huge congrats barkbuster
. Hopefully that #4 isn't really #4 and #5. That's what happened to us - 5 in less then 6 years. We're stupid that way, though I wouldn't change a thing (but more sleep would be nice).
I'm still trying to win the argument that an 80 would be a good backup family vehicle for the minivan. I've always wondered if you could get 3 car seats in the 2nd row in an 80 (the big Britax ones), leaving the two older in boosters in the back since they can buckle themselves. Are those 3 full car seats or a combo of seats and boosters? Specs say that a 100 has 2 less inches of hip room, but anyone know if 3 seats could fit there too?
First off, a huge congrats barkbuster
. Hopefully that #4 isn't really #4 and #5. That's what happened to us - 5 in less then 6 years. We're stupid that way, though I wouldn't change a thing (but more sleep would be nice).I'm still trying to win the argument that an 80 would be a good backup family vehicle for the minivan. I've always wondered if you could get 3 car seats in the 2nd row in an 80 (the big Britax ones), leaving the two older in boosters in the back since they can buckle themselves. Are those 3 full car seats or a combo of seats and boosters? Specs say that a 100 has 2 less inches of hip room, but anyone know if 3 seats could fit there too?
We have used our 3rd row extensively. I open the one of the rear doors, slide the rear/side window open and pass the kiddos through Dukes of Hazzard style. That way, we don't have to pull cars eats in and out of the second row. It's easy, the kids love it and it's very low hassle.
The other option could be to use only one of the 3rd row seats and let the kiddo assigned to it enter through the rear hatch.
The other option could be to use only one of the 3rd row seats and let the kiddo assigned to it enter through the rear hatch.
I'm still trying to win the argument that an 80 would be a good backup family vehicle for the minivan. I've always wondered if you could get 3 car seats in the 2nd row in an 80 (the big Britax ones), leaving the two older in boosters in the back since they can buckle themselves. Are those 3 full car seats or a combo of seats and boosters? Specs say that a 100 has 2 less inches of hip room, but anyone know if 3 seats could fit there too?[/QUOTE]
We used to have 3 fll-blown car seat accross the 2nd row. There was some contact on shutting doors, but not enough to make me think twice.
(I'm trying to convince my wife that a mini-van would make a good back-up for her 80...she aint buying it)
We used to have 3 fll-blown car seat accross the 2nd row. There was some contact on shutting doors, but not enough to make me think twice.
(I'm trying to convince my wife that a mini-van would make a good back-up for her 80...she aint buying it)
No you can not get three of the husky britax seats across the middle row of an 80. I have tried, would not happen in most minivans either using the husky britax seats.
My 3rd row is sitting on a shelf in my parents' garage... We're expecting our first one, though, and as much as she loves the 80, she insists (and I agree) that we need a smaller car. It's not easy for a pregnant woman to climb in and out of a lifted 80...
Tell your
to buck up. Mine does it in my truck, and she's only 5' 2". 
(Then again, she's only 4 months too....)
I figure it'll be good leverage to get her to let me build some slider steps.
While I'm sure the crash results of a mini-vans these days are pretty respectable and there is a definite convenience factor, if I or my wife are ever in a crash, I'd rather have the family in my 6000 lb 80 series or 5500 lb 100 series.
We almost got rear ended the other day by a Honda Civic. My only thought after the tire smoke cleared was. "They would have lost that confrontation".
With the right combination of car seats, you can get three across the middle row. We have a booster, 3 year old type seat and rearward facing seat in there at the moment.
Adam
We almost got rear ended the other day by a Honda Civic. My only thought after the tire smoke cleared was. "They would have lost that confrontation".
With the right combination of car seats, you can get three across the middle row. We have a booster, 3 year old type seat and rearward facing seat in there at the moment.
Adam
Amen. That's why I put the
in a Cruiser instead of a "cute" Highlander, 4-Runner, etc.There are enough threads showing what happens in a worst case scenario. Rolling multiple times, slamming into a giant construction crane at 70 mph, etc. In every thread I've read, the durability of the Cruiser never fails to impress.
I've been running three Britax in the second row with no problems. It is a tight fit, but they do fit.
Not directly answering the original question but for running three carseats in the middle row check out Sunshine Kids (www.skpj.com). They are the narrowest on the market and can fit three wide. They have an internal steel frame and an 8 year useful life compared to others. We have one and will buying a second one very soon. Check them out. We also have a Britax - great carseat too - but its BIG in comparison to the Sunshine Kids.
We have two kids and thinking of the third, so I'm thinking/planning on the three in the middle row already (until the fighting begins and one has to move to the third row!).
We have two kids and thinking of the third, so I'm thinking/planning on the three in the middle row already (until the fighting begins and one has to move to the third row!).
