WWYD center seating

[mommycat]

I sometimes wonder if I should try harder to get my two boys side by side in the Civic to have one of them in the center seating position. The back seat is not that big and using LATCH on the outboard positions is convenient but places the seats smack mid-seat, so a side by side install sounds like it would be tricky (i don't have a ton of experience). Also, I worry about scooting the outboard seat too close to the side curtain airbags.

1. Would you try to switch them closer together?

2. Has anyone got a Radian FF and AOE RF (or SS1) side by side in a 2007 Civic?

3. Which one of the two would you try to put in the center, RF baby or harnessed 3-yr old?

[natysr]

Ideally, if you can get it to fit, I would put the forwardfacing child in the center, and the rearfacing child outboard.

I've seen pictures of a Civic with 3 across, so I would think that it would be possible. Just make sure that each seat is independently installed and tight. It will also be much easier if your outboard seat is installed with the seatbelt.

[mommycat]

That's what I originally wanted to do but then chickened out when the Radian was such a huge pain to install. Maybe someday when I have lots of time and patience I will try to rearrange.

[Defrost]

Hm, what year is your Civic? When we installed it in my sister's car we had no problems with it in the center. Hers was an '01. I don't think we even used any "tricks" like twisting the buckle stalk. I did make sure the FF recline was down, but that was about it.

I can post the pics if you'd like.

[mommycat]

Pics would be great! Then I can compare to the install we have in my parent's '01 Civic. :) Mine is an '07, so a little different. I tried the centre first thing then gave up and never tried again later, once I was more comfortable with how the Radian works.

[Defrost]

Here you go; hope they help. :)

Looking at the pic, it does appear that the buckle stalk is twisted, btw.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Civic/IMG_1698.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Civic/IMG_1699.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Civic/IMG_1702.jpg

The top tether anchor in the center is so close to the seat that you have to tighten the strap all the way, and it's still not very tight. It's good enough, but it may not be as tight as you're used to:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Civic/IMG_1700.jpg

[Misty-Bug]

I would put the older child in the middle. I am not a tech but from what I have learned that is what should be done. The least protected child in the center. Which would be the FFing seat.
Did you have no luck with the seatbelt and the radian? I actually tried with the LATCH and found it HARDER to install. One is not better over the other, just more convenience. However, if you get a tight install with the LATCH that is what you want to use. I also put the FFing recline down. Made for a simpler install and my son can sleep great in it.

[mommycat]

Thanks Debbie! I will be reinstalling the Radian in my dad's car soon (I pillaged it for a while to let a friend try it out before she bought one). I can't even remember what the fit was like, I do know we had the recline foot extended, though.

Misty - In my car I think I tried both LATCH and carseat and I think I managed to get ok installs with both? It was a year ago now and I just don't remember. I took it in to a carseat clinic though and they said it was fine, but they got it in even tighter. It is pretty much "one" with the car since they put it in, and I haven't let anyone touch it since. Heh.