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View Full Version : Dodge Durango ND CAR SEAT SAFETY

kirschner9
10-19-2004, 01:50 PM
We currently have a 2000 Dodge Durango and will have 3 kids ages 5 yrs, 16 mos. and newborn in the spring 2005. I put my son's booster seat in third row seat with shoulder belt and the bas eof seat really doesn't fi ton the 3rd row seat. How safe is this for my child, he is only 37 pounds. The other option was to put him in 2nd row seat in middle, but that center seat also opts as an armrest and doesn't lock so that it stays in place. I am wondering if there is anyone else who has had this issue with their Durango especially in a year 2000 one. Thank you for your time.

Betsy
papooses
10-19-2004, 02:01 PM
Read your manual first -- it might say that the middle second row seat is unsafe for child a restraint. I've heard that as long as 80% of the restraint is making contact with the seat then it's OK, but you could also try going to Babies-R-Us & ask to test different seats in the 3rd row to find one that fits best.

A friend of mine with a TrailBlazer & 4 kids has the toddler in a 5-point harness behind the driver & next to the 6 year old in a booster, the newborn in the middle of the 3rd row so that the preteen and/or mom can sit next to her while dad drives. It's usually rare that mom is driving alone & the trips are short.
papooses
10-20-2004, 03:22 PM
That is, your driver's manual [not car seat manual] ;)
Unregistered
01-24-2005, 12:20 PM
g
Unregistered
01-24-2005, 12:21 PM
Yes, I have a 2000 durango. I was told by my carseat tech that it is unsafe to have a carseat in the middle of the second row. I didn't ask about the third row. I also have a friend who puts her carseat in the middle of the second row and their carseat tech said it was okay. The car manual does not state anything about where to put carseats. I even contacted Dodge and they were no help whatsoever.
CPSDarren
01-25-2005, 09:44 AM
If the manual has no restrictions on where to place a child seat, then any position is acceptable, provided the child seat can be fit correctly there. We usually go by a rule of thumb that at least 80% of the child seat should be in contact with the vehicle seat.

I would suggest a visit to a local, certified technician. Please use our resources at http://www.seatcheck.net to find one near you.