Help......I have a problem with seating in my car

[Amaris]

Ok, we just thought about this and probably should have thought of it a lot sooner. We are expecting #3 in July. We have an 03 Odyssey with captains chairs in the middle, so one of the boys will have to move to the 3rd row. We also have a dog that is about 130lbs. He usually rides in a crate but the
3rd row has to be down to even think about it fitting. Is there any way to safely have him behind the 3rd row seat and put a suitcase wedged tightly between the 2nd and 3rd rows? I'm not even sure if they make any kind of harness that I could attach to anything back there. I have no desire to drive anything bigger than an odyssey and we really don't want to get a new car right now since both of ours are fine. Any advice?!?!?!

[joolsplus3]

Run down to Honda, get your 'plate assemblies' (ie, tether anchor hardware), install them in the outboard positions in the third row, put the big kids back there, take the middle (passenger side) captain's chair out and put it in the garage, put the baby behind the driver, attach the crate with ratchet straps to the bars on the floor where the captain's chair was :)

[papooses]

The issue is more about keeping the human occupants safe :o 130# at 30 MPH = 3900 pounds of force upon your family! Metal crates can shatter in a crash -- adding a suitcase only adds to the projectile issue :(

Safe travel system for your pet: PetBuckle (http://www.immioutdoors.com/petbuckle/products_harness.htm) X-Large = 36-44" at chest (made by IMMI who makes LATCH).... I have personally used this with an overweight Rottweiler, pibulls & Newfoundland -- with blanket for seat protection & chew bone for entertainment :) I would seat the oldest in the 3rd row outboard with your pet on the other outboard side.

Julie's idea would be more convenient, though, so if you choose that route, I strongly suggest using a plastic crate with the IMMI strap in the link above or high weight ratchet straps.

[beeman]

Yeah, if you go for the rachet strap route, go for the heavy duty ones. The little 1" straps fray really easy if there is any movement (which there more than likely will be, and it doesn't take much!), and then snap like nothing.

[Amaris]

We will probably go with putting the crate in the middle. We tried using a harness for him and he chewed through the seatbelt to get loose!! He doesn't go everywhere with us, but usually once a month we visit DH's parents for a few days and I don't want to board him and we hate leaving him at home and having someone come in and check on him and feed him twice a day. He's used to having people around and gets antsy when he's alone for long periods of time. We have several large ratchet straps that should work. I'm guessing that if the metal anchors on the floor can hold the seat and an adult the crate and the dog should be safe attached to them!!

[joolsplus3]

Plus, if you leave the seat out all the time, you have heaps of room to jump in the back of the car to get everyone buckled up...which is great on a rainy day! I hope the crate fits ok there :)

[Amaris]

We will have to try it but I think it will fit. DH wants to keep both captains chairs in the van except when we take the dog with us. He doesn't like having to use the 3rd row but is more comfortable with it if the seat is in the middle. Guess that means Isaiah and the marathon will go there, oh well. I was going to put the regent outboard on the passenger side with the captains chair moved to the middle but he says nope. I think all of my obsessing has worn off on him, he says that the middle is safer and since it's possible for both ff boys to be in the middle then they should be. It might be a bit inconveinent for us but it's safer for them!!!

[papooses]

Sounds like a plan :)

[joolsplus3]

We will have to try it but I think it will fit. DH wants to keep both captains chairs in the van except when we take the dog with us. He doesn't like having to use the 3rd row but is more comfortable with it if the seat is in the middle. Guess that means Isaiah and the marathon will go there, oh well. I was going to put the regent outboard on the passenger side with the captains chair moved to the middle but he says nope. I think all of my obsessing has worn off on him, he says that the middle is safer and since it's possible for both ff boys to be in the middle then they should be. It might be a bit inconveinent for us but it's safer for them!!!

No way in heck will you be able to get the Regent in the middle of the back, which is why I completely ignored that option. It just can't be done :( It's about a nine second install in the passengers side back, though. trust me, I have the same car, same seats, and the same (worse) obsession with safety ;)