new to me GX470 and car seat question...

[kona.mtb]

hi all,

we upgraded from our 2000 4runner to a 2008 GX470. like a lot of folk, we went back and forth between getting a newer 4runner or a GX. in the end the GX won out over the 4runner for a couple of reasons but mainly it was the ugly "plastic" interior of the 4runner the put us in the GX.

we have had it about a week now and love it! however, i'm at a total loss for why lexus put the child seat anchors where they did in the middle row. why are the driver side anchors in between the window seat and middle seat???
the car seat leans a little to the window side due to the bump in between the seats and it takes up way more seating room. the alternate location on the passenger side has the anchors in the normal spots but then you have to walk to the other side of the truck every time to get baby in and out. also, making it harder for your front seat passenger to reach the child in the backseat.
can anyone shed some light on this, or have experience with the baby seat in a GX?
the only thing i can think of is putting space between the car seat and door/side airbags is safer then right next to the door??

 

[SouthernSS]

sorry brother, no kids for me to use the restraint system. I'd also imagine the spacing is to prevent injury from an air bag engagement.

 

[MicahMan]

we have the same issue we just end up using the seat belts to keep everybody in with the 4 kids it's rough

 

[GXO]

I use my anchors for my hi-lift, no more car seats for me, sorry!

 

[kona.mtb]

We have just been using the seat belts instead of the anchors. I don't love this option but it make the back seat functional at least.

"I use my anchors for my hi-lift," ....thats a great idea!!

 

[The Jade Bean]

we have the same issue we just end up using the seat belts to keep everybody in with the 4 kids it's rough

Same here...we use the seat belt.

-Daniel Kent

 

[danmm7]

This is a very interesting to me topic.

We bought our GX470 less than a year ago and we LOVE it. The truck had 100k miles on but the previous owner took such great care of it that it still drives and looks like new.

Recently, we found out that we'll be having twins and since we already have a 3yr old kid, we'll end up with 3 kids.

So, to get back on topic, ...for those who have done it and have that many kids.... how easy/realistic is to fit 3 car seats on the rear seat (using belts or anchors)? Would it be too tight or they fit fine? We do not want to use the 3rd row seats since we need the cargo room.

I know some car seats are very bulky (some Britax models) so i am sure i cant fit 3 of these, but other brands are slimmer.
Also, i know that the 3yr old will need only a booster seat soon, so there will be one booster and 2 buckets. I wonder if the GX will take it or i will be better off trading it for a Sequoia? I really like this GX and i would hate to sell it so quickly. It's such a great find. At the same time....if we cannot easily fit 3 little kids and their seats on a long trip .... the GX will be useless.
My wife has a nice FWD Sienna mini van and i know it will be prefect for trips, but there will be times (winter) when we'll need to take the SUV going to our mountain vacation home.

Before we bought the GX, i was torn between an older LX470 and newer GX. Since we had only one kid at the time, i figured the LX will be an overkill for only 3 or 4 of us. Now i realize that i made a mistake.

Ideas? Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[The Jade Bean]

Congrats and good luck! Probably to tight, but a chance if with the booster and 2 car seats. Like you pointed out 3rd row would be perfect for 3 yr old (fun view). I personally wouldn't go from a GX to a Sequoia unless you absolutely have to (lose 4WD capability). I'm interested to hear what you figure out since we're pregnant with our second and are unsure how many could be in there and we have a 3 yr old too.

-Daniel Kent

 

[junglerogue]

For what it's worth, here's a shot of two Graco booster seats in the 2nd row. We have the same dilemma. We originally had that "super safe" and super big Britax car seat for our newest, but sold it when we figured out that it wouldn't fit nicely with the other two. Now we have an Air car seat that is just about to go the way of the Britax. Usually the Air and one Graco sit in the 2nd row, while the last Graco sits in the 3rd row next to the outlet. Now that we can have three in boosters, I may move everyone back up to the 2nd row again. Car seat drama at its finest

 

[danmm7]

Here is a stupid question...
If you already have two car seats / boosters on the 2nd row seats, how do you get a kid to the 3rd row seat?
Do they get in via the hatch door? Other trick?

Our 3yr old may be able to fit nicely on one of the 3rd row seats, but i am not sure how she'll climb there if we have the twins on the 2nd row seat?!?

This is why i am hoping to somehow comfortably fit 2 carriers and a booster seat all on the 2nd row seat.

 

[patrickfinley]

Here is a stupid question...
If you already have two car seats / boosters on the 2nd row seats, how do you get a kid to the 3rd row seat?
Do they get in via the hatch door? Other trick?

Our 3yr old may be able to fit nicely on one of the 3rd row seats, but i am not sure how she'll climb there if we have the twins on the 2nd row seat?!?

This is why i am hoping to somehow comfortably fit 2 carriers and a booster seat all on the 2nd row seat.

I have 2 car seats slightly different configuration in my LC and I use the rear hatch to get in and out if I have to use the 3rd row seating. However I don't put a car seat back there. I don't think the 3rd row safety was thoroughly planned out until the 2010 GX's and 4Runners came out. I only put people back there for short local traffic.

Do your research and find brands with good but skinny car seats. You should be able to fit two infant seats on the outside and a booster in the middle. Some brands are several inches thinner than others. You'll probably have to use belts all around.

You're alternative is to buy a 100 LC, wider in the 2nd row. I fit two Britax Boulevards and an adult in the 3rd row with no problem in my 100.

 

[danmm7]

I wonder.... if the 3rd row seats are even officially 'approved' for child seat installation? I don't see any anchors for sure. Using the seat belt would be the only way to attach a car seat and i am not sure if this is even safe.

Sounds like my best bet would be to somehow fit all 3 kids on the 2nd row seat.

Clearly, the Sequoia or even the LC 100 would offer more room on the 2nd row since they are wider trucks.
The GX470 may not fit the bill. And we just got it...