3 across in a Dodge Caravan

[courtfrog2]

Okay... I am racking my brain to figure out how I am going to situate my 2 girls (8 and 3), my sister's girls 12 (very tall (5'4)) and her other one who is 7 safely in my dodge caravan There will be 3 adults on the trip too.

The seats I have to work with:

2 Nautilus (the 8, 7, and 3yo all fit in)
2 Regents (the 8 and 7 yo fit in)
1 Marathon (only 3yo fits)
1 Parkway (8 and 7 yo fit)
1 Graco Cargo (only 3yo fits)

I will be driving, My mom will be in the front passenger, and my sister will be in one of the bench seats.

How can I work the 3 across situation?

I was thinking: Nautilus (side back), Marathon (middle back), and 12 year old (other side back), then in one of the bench seats put either the Regent or the other nautilus.

Will the 12 yo have enough room in the back with those two seats side by side?

What does everyone think. Nothing like waiting the last minute and not being home to try them out! We are leaving on Saturday so I have late tomorrow night to figure it out.

Thanks!

[TerisBoys]

Ahhh - the real reason you want me to meet you tomorrow is to play cram seats into your van :) I see now.

How about...

Capt Chairs - Regent/Adult

Back row - Parkway/Cargo/12yo

I honestly don't tihnk 2 harnessed seats will work back there and leave room for the 12yo.

[courtfrog2]

what about a parkway and Marathon?

Now the question... who would go in the parkway and who would be in the regent :rolleyes:

My sisters kid-- younger and rides in a booster in her mom's car. Or my kid--who usually rides harnessed! Is that mean to say mine harnessed??

[TerisBoys]

I'd go with what they're used to.

What booster does the 7yo usually ride in? It may mesh better than the Parkway.

Marathon vs Cargo - it's going to be a try and see.

[courtfrog2]

Where do you want to meet tomorrow...LOL! My house?

[TerisBoys]

I'll PM you tomorrow.

[courtfrog2]

okay

[CDNTech]

Does the Marathon puzzle well next to the Nautilus?

What about Marathon, Nautilus, Nautilus/Cargo? The Marathon overlaps over onto the outboard armrest very nicely and creates extra space for the other two seats. Then you'd have the captain's chair left for the adult and 12 year old. The leg space isn't the greatest in the 3rd row, so I think the 12 year old would be greatful to be up in the captain's chair. ;)

[BookMama]

Don't forget to consider headrests/head support for the adult and 12YO (if she's not boostered, which I assume she's not). If I remember correctly, your rear bench doesn't have headrests, does it?

[TerisBoys]

Don't forget to consider headrests/head support for the adult and 12YO (if she's not boostered, which I assume she's not). If I remember correctly, your rear bench doesn't have headrests, does it?

She's got headrests - just doesn't always have them on the seats.

[CDNTech]

Don't forget to consider headrests/head support for the adult and 12YO (if she's not boostered, which I assume she's not). If I remember correctly, your rear bench doesn't have headrests, does it?

The 2 outboard positions will have headrests. :)

[courtfrog2]

Yep... I usually take the headrest off when I have carseats in... which is all the time.

I think I will try puzzling the nautilus' on both sides then the marathon. Oh how I wish my 3 year old was still rear facing.

[courtfrog2]

Oh... I see what you mean... the Marathon on the side. I will try that too.

Looks like I am going to have fun playing when I get home tomorrow night!

[CDNTech]

Yep... I usually take the headrest off when I have carseats in... which is all the time.

I think I will try puzzling the nautilus' on both sides then the marathon. Oh how I wish my 3 year old was still rear facing.

Try the Marathon outboard... it really does create a lot of extra space back there. :)

ETA: LOL Cross posting. :D

[BookMama]

Yep... I usually take the headrest off when I have carseats in... which is all the time.

Well, that would explain why you didn't have them when we had our playdate!

[TerisBoys]

Well, that would explain why you didn't have them when we had our playdate!

She had at least one on because Josh rode in her backseat.

Are you thinking of Jessica's van (the blue one?) Hers were off too.

[BookMama]

She had at least one on because Josh rode in her backseat.

Are you thinking of Jessica's van (the blue one?) Hers were off too.

You know what, I think I was mis-remembering. Courtney and I were playing with my Parkway in the back of her van (that sounds bad, doesn't it? :p ) and I remember saying that she couldn't put her 13YO DD in a specific spot because of no headrest. Now I'm sure we were talking about the middle of the rear bench.

Now tell me why I'm worrying about this when I'm supposed to be finishing up that ERH/boostering article? :o

[TerisBoys]

Same reason I'm playing on here instead of going to bed.

It's more fun.

Yes - middle rear is lap belt only and no headrest. Both Jessica and Courtney's van.

[courtfrog2]

Yep... 13 yo can't ride with no headrest in middle and lap only belt either. We don't get her very often though so I haven't had to worry about that yet.

[Mommypooh]

Well I recently did 3 across the back of my 99 caravan. I got a Cargo, RF BV, FF BV and it was tight but they were independently installed and I had all three tethered.