3 Across in Lexus RX330?

[Unregistered]

I have a 20 month and am expecting twins in May. First, is it possible to fit 3 of any carseats across in the Lexus RX330? I currently have a FF Britax Marathon for my 20 mo old. I do have a Peg Primo Viaggio SIP from #1 and would likely buy another. I am also open to buying 3 new carseats that will fit, it has to be cheaper than a new car! Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

[mommy_quigg]

A radian is often helpful in 3-across situations. It is only 17" wide. I'd go to the store and try out a 2nd infant seat to see if it will fit. If you leave your drivers' license at the desk, most stores will let you take the seat to your car to try it out. If that works, I'd do that and then later get two Radian65s. Try the Radian out in your vehicle before buying, it has some install issues in some vehicles.

The Radian 80 has the extra infant padding, but since you will be using infant seats, you won't need it. The 65 and 80 have the same top harness slots and most kids outgrow their seats by height before weight so they'll never use the extra 15 lbs so it's money wasted (unless you have your heart seat on a cover that's only available with the 80.)

You may end up needing 3 Radians in case the MA is too wide, but I think 2 should be enough.

[Defrost]

Looks like this?

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/LexusRX330/Images/RearSeat2.jpg

That center seat is pretty narrow, but your outboard seats look fairly roomy - is the Marathon in center now? If not, you could try putting it in the center and then see if your infant seat fits next to it. If it does, you're good to go with just buying another one like it.

If that doesn't fit, a Radian in the center could very well be all you need. You could get one Radian and try it in the center with your infant seat, and if that doesn't fit, go from there with trying to find infant seats that will fit, or getting convertibles (such as two more Radians) that will fit.

BTW - congrats on the twins! :)

[drumgigi]

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful responses. I will try the suggestions and purchase the Radian if necessary. It is a big relief to know this is even a possibility... my wallet thanks you. Twins was a big shocker and I am still in partial denial.
One more thing, my Marathon is currently installed behind the passenger seat, if I move it to the center seat and there is not a LATCH is it safe to just use the lap belt to install it?

[jen_nah]

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful responses. I will try the suggestions and purchase the Radian if necessary. It is a big relief to know this is even a possibility... my wallet thanks you. Twins was a big shocker and I am still in partial denial.
One more thing, my Marathon is currently installed behind the passenger seat, if I move it to the center seat and there is not a LATCH is it safe to just use the lap belt to install it?


Yes, Using the vehicle seatbelt is very safe. LATCH is no safer then the vehicle seatbelt. Also your vehicle only has a LATCH weight limit of 40lbs so once your child reached 40lbs you would have to switch to a seatbelt installation anyways. Also remember the vehicle seatbelt is restraining you in a crash so it can easily restrain a child & carseat.

[Jeanum]

A lap belt is also perfectly fine to install a carseat so long as you can achieve a proper installation with less than one inch of movement at the carseat's belt path. Looking at the photo of the vehicle interior in an earlier post, the center rear position appears to have a lap-shoulder belt, which is also perfectly fine for installing a carseat, again as long as you can achieve a proper installation. :thumbsup:

Lexus actually does not specify a child weight limit for using the LATCH anchors and instead indicates to follow the child restraint's instructions according to the list by vehicle manufacturer from the LATCH manual (http://www.saferidenews.com/pdfs/pg_126_max_wt_07.pdf).