Hello & 3 kids in a 2006 Subaru Legacy?

[Corynn]

Hi I just discovered this site, and wish I had found it sooner. I know similar questions have been asked but I thought that I would try again.

I have a 4 yr old currently in an Eddie Bauer 3in1 and an 20 month old in an Evenflo triumph. (both huge seats I know). I am also expecting #3 in April. I'm desperately trying to find a way to keep my car. So any number of new car seats would be okay as long as they are available in Canada. My kids are quite huge and always hit the 20 lb mark at about 4-5 months so I don't need a carrier (would like one but can do without if need be), but do need a seat that can rear face to 30lbs.

I know this sounds quick harsh and a bit impersonal but my "mom mobile" is on the chopping block and fairly soon, and I'm panicked at the thought of loosing her!

Thanks for your help:(:):o

[canadianmom2three]

Well, if you are in the market for new seats, the Radian makes a great and very narrow seat. It would allow your 4yo to stay harnessed, which I am guessing is either already not possible in the EB, or will very soon be impossible? It is a great seat for fitting 3 kids across, and if you had the older two in Radians, you would have loads of room for either a third Radian for the new babe, or a bucket if you like. The Radian (especially with the padded insert on the Premier) makes a pretty decent infant seat, but at the same time, is still roomy enough for bigger kids. It is a great seat all around imo...and would definately make it more than possible to get all 3 across. Only word of caution, it is a bit of a pita to get the install right, but usually do-able with a bit of patience.

[canadianmom2three]

And sorry, but I just have to ask about the 3in1 - is your DS still harnessed, or are you using it in booster mode? The 3in1 is a tricky seat, in that the topmost harness position is actually not a harness position, it is a position to raise the headrest for booster use (which unfortunately is not clearly marked at all). I had that seat for my DS, and I know I had no idea!

[cdncasper]

Radians for the older 2 and Radian or safeseat for the baby. If possible (not sure of exact size of backseat) maybe the new Graco Nautilus when it comes out for your 4 yr old and Radians for the 2 younger ones.
How big are you kiddos exactly? Height and weights?

[Corynn]

My 4 year old is no longer harnessed, (I'm obviously missing something) He had been complaining for sometime about the harness as he is quite tall but we pushed it until he hit the 40 lb mark. Fill me in, am I doing something wrong? The manual was not the clearest, at best.

[Corynn]

The oldest is about 42lbs and about 42" and the younger is 30lbs and 33" (ish) last time I checked their heights was November (bad mama):)

[canadianmom2three]

No not at all - if you are using it as a booster, then what I said about the harness is not an issue :) On the other hand, if you are interested in keeping your 4 year old harnessed (and there is a lot of good research to indicate that children of that age and size fare much better in a 5pt harness than a booster) then the Radian is still a great seat for you. We got it for our DS when he was about the same size as your DS, and he still LOVES it!

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/canadianmom2three/Car%20Seat%20Pics/IMGP1809.jpg?t=1200626241

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/canadianmom2three/IMGP2092.jpg?t=1200626072
Rf and FF Radians in a montana - bit roomier, but still you get the idea of how 3 across would be no prob!

[cdncasper]

4 yrs is the minimum we like to see in a booster and the 3 in 1s don't make a very good booster. Most 4 yr olds can't sit properly the entire ride in a booster. I would suggest getting a Radian for him and getting him back in a harnessed seat. Perhaps just get that one for now, keep your 2 yr old in his seat (if he still fits properly) until the Nautilus comes out than put your oldest in that seat, your 2 yr old in the Radian and than either the Radian or the safeseat for the baby. This is assuming all will fit in your vehicle.
My other suggestion is Radians for all 3. 2 of the forward facing for your 2 older ones and the other rear facing for the baby

[canadianmom2three]

oops!!double posted!

[Corynn]

we originally got the safeseat for my youngest son, but had to return it it would not rear face, which is why we ended up with the triumph. Are the radians larger than the triumph rf?

[cdncasper]

The Radians are really tall so they do take up alot of space RFing. What was the problem you had with the safeseat exactly? Where in canada are you, perhaps we can find a tech to help you.

[canadianmom2three]

Hmmmm If by larger you mean takes up more room front to back so that the front passenger has less room, then I would have to make an educated guess that the Radian is a larger rf seat than a triumph by length - the Radian is a pretty 'tall/long' seat as a rf seat (but you can rf tether it, so that's a bonus). On the other hand it is a very narrow seat, so if that is what you are interested in, it is smaller than the triumph in width.

[Corynn]

Has anyone had any luck trying before buying so to speak? I suppose that would be a moot point if you can return the seats. What would be the absolute smallest dimension that three radians can fit across (side by side), (I'm going to measure the car).

[cdncasper]

I can almost fit 3 Radians across in my 08 Civic. That is FF outboard and RF center. If my seats were more flat than I probably wouldn't have any trouble at all.

[QuassEE]

No need to measure--you have over 52" of hip room per edmunds.com.. That's the same as my mid-sized SUVs were... You can fit two Radians and another seat (anything, I'd imagine) across.. Likely you can fit one Radian, and two other seats (anything, again, I'd imagine) across, but that may require a bit more work.

-Nicole.

[Corynn]

The front passenger seat was "unsitable" (is that a word?) with the safe seat. The triumph seemed to be a taller seat so the point at which it made contact with the front seat, made it doable not comfortable but doable. I'm in Toronto. I'd love help!

[Corynn]

I just wanted to add that I'm pretty much on a deadline to see if it's workable all the way up the stages. If not I have to put her up for sale so that she can be replaces before baby comes in April. (No trade ins here unfortunately, we've got to buy and sell privately)

[cdncasper]

I have a 3 hr layover in toronto on feb 17 if you wanted to meet at the airport and I could help you than. Might be able to find someone sooner though that already lives in Toronto

[Corynn]

Hey Nicole, (aren't you on another board???)
I'm lost, edmunds.com?
Corynn

[Corynn]

Can it really be that simple? There are only 2 latch points and there is a "hump" in the middle. Will this be a problem? (I'm starting to get excited here...) And if baby #3 is finally a girl I can get the cute little pink one right?

[cdncasper]

Do you need the driver or passanger seat all the way back? Perhaps the infant seat could go in the center?

[QuassEE]

I'm just here for now, since I'm pretty busy with four kids and school... Edmunds.com actually lists rear hip room for vehicles, used and new. I often use it as a resource for determining what seats we can get into cars--although the armrests in the doors sometimes get in the way. I don't doubt you can get three across in the Subaru Legacy with one or two Radians--depending on your expiry date and the size of your newborn, you may even be able to use that 3-in-1 for your third seat in the centre (you mentioned not being able to get the passenger seat all the way back.)

There is a tech on the board from the Toronto area.

-Nicole.

[QuassEE]

You won't be able to use your LATCH anchors for a three-across install... They're more inboard versus the seatbelt path itself, which wastes a good 2" of space in most cars. You will definitely have to use the seatbelts--all three of them.

-Nicole.

[Corynn]

And I just realized I did not state that it is a 2006 legacy wagon, if that makes a difference. (You guys are a lot more help than the "Subaru Drivers" Bulletin board... I guess I don't fit the demographic.)

cdncasper I'd hate to have you work on a layover, and I'd probably have two kids in toe... tricky to say the least! Thanks for the offer of help!

[crunchierthanthou]

The low Radian beltpath is often incompatible with the long buckle stalks of a Subaru. Even twisting the buckle stalk three full twists can make for a difficult install. IME, it doesn't work at all coupled with the hump in the center.

[Corynn]

I'm tall, so the drivers seat has to be all the way back, baby#3 has to go behind the passenger seat. I'm assuming then oldest in the middle and middle child behind the drivers seat.

[QuassEE]

Definitely the seatbelts are a consideration.. At least they've gotten rid of that nasty plastic bit in the centre seat. Being in a major city, I suspect there are some sources for Radians to test out in the vehicle..?

-Nicole.

[Corynn]

ugh... I knew there would be something...:(

[Corynn]

I'm thinking I could go to babyproofers get three radians then I'm at a loss, DH does not have the patience or the dexterity to install them and I'm... well... huge. All I know about is the apointment thing with the police or wait and hope I make it to a clinic.
Then I guess if it doesn't work I can return the seats and place an add for the car. Living downtown I'm trying hard not to move to a minivan.

[QuassEE]

It's worth a shot. I know people have been successful with the Radian in newer Legacys. It's a difficult install at times, no matter which vehicle...

Don't be so resistant on the minivan front. I drove SUVs for years and when I got my first minivan (2005 Sienna, in 2004) I was in love. I still love it. I can't believe it took me so long to realize what a wonderful experience a minivan is...

-Nicole.

[Corynn]

I grew up in a minivan, (although they were not to mini back then).
They are very useful I suppose, it's the thought of having to parallel park the suckers umpteen times a day that makes me shudder. And we don't need the cargo space save a few times a year. (And I may sound like a gearhead as I say this but I just love the way the legacy drives, I'm having a hard time giving that up for an SUV even.) I may end up there in the end, but part of it is that we just can't afford an odyssey or sienna and I cringe at the thought of a Caravan....

[CDNTech]

If you can afford the brand new '08 Caravan, they are *nothing* like the old caravans. They actually drive nicer than the Ody's we tested and they are super quiet at highway speeds. ;) I really surprised myself by purchasing one. They also have back up camera's in them which make parallel parking a breeze. :D

I'm not familiar with the Legacy so I'm not much help with your 3 across situation. :o If you can try out a Radian in your vehicle... read up on these install tips. They should help you to see if you can get a good install...http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939

[Corynn]

I've called everyone in the city (Toronto). And this is what I've come up with. Moms to be and More seem to be the only store that both carries Radians and provides installation services. I called the car seat installation center and the gentleman I spoke to said they've only ever had a successful three across situation once. He also said that they hate to install radians. Regardless I think I am going to try two Radians. Here is my thinking and let me know if there is a flaw.

DS #1 ff radian seatbelt install behind driver.
DS #2 ff radian seatbelt install behind passenger.
baby #3 rear facing triumph middle hump seatbelt install.

My impression is that this seat sits higher allowing for a little more room, and the adjusters might be higher? I'm also trying to deal with the fact that I will not have a bucket:(

The measurements seems to work...in theory.

After....
DS#1 booster on center hump (is that allowed?) I'm thinking maybe a clek??? (although I'm not sure I like the booster only seats)
DS#2 ff radian driver seat
Baby #3 ff radian passenger seat

I suppose now I'm completely dependent on the installation centre to give it their best go...(I'm getting the impression they might not.) I just wish I weren't already 8 months pregnant, or I'd do it myself, I'm the stubborn type!

Please let me know if you can think of any problems with this plan, before I take the plunge.

Thanks Again, Corynn

[Corynn]

Also I have not verified this yet but have been told that it is the case. If the manual advises against using a child seat in the centre position, but still provides a tether would this still be considered safe (provided one can achieve a good install)?

[thrillhouse]

we have a different car, but our manual says not to use lower anchors to install a carseat in the center position. We can still use a seatbelt to install there, so that's why we have a tether anchor in that position. check your manual, and see if you're just not supped to use the lower latch anchors there.

What I would try is..
radian ff behind driver, another radian ffing center. the hump in the centre might help your install by raising the 2nd radian so the shoulders of the 2 seats are slightly offsetting eachother vertically. clear as mud? then you can have your rfing seat (whichever one you can fit) outboard to make buckling your new baby easier, and safer since the most protected child should ideally be in the least protected spot in the car.

re: not having a bucket, get yourself a sling, its much nicer to carry a baby that way than to lug around a hard cumbersome car seat around. car seats should should stay in the car (weather permitting) not to mention babies who are in their buckets too much can quickly get flat, misshaped heads. just a little crusade of mine :)

[Corynn]

I'll give it a shot...Work with me here, why would the newborn be considered the most protected?

As far as the sling thing, I hear ya...I've actually got a few too many, and I didn't use the bucket at all for DS #2, I suppose I'm just panicked about the 2 under 2 thing (albeit not for long)... looking for every option I can get KWIM?

ETA: The original thought about the rear facing in the center was because I've heard that the centre radian install on the hump can be tricky.

[thrillhouse]

the rearfacing passenger is the most protected.