Toyota Tundra with Access Cab-any advice on what seat to use?

[owensmommy]

We currently have a 2003 Toyota Tundra Access Cab (small backseat with suicide doors) and a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. DS is 2yo and forward facing in a Britax Marathon in the Sequoia, and that is the only thing he has ridden in for the past year with the exception of one or two short trips. For the Tundra, we have a FPSVD and when I was driving that a few months ago, I realized that I didn't feel like the angle was correct. It seemed like DS was almost leaning forward due to how flat the backseat of the truck is. This troubled me, though the installation was very solid, I kept feeling like it may not be a sound installation due to the forward leaning angle (maybe lack of angle is more appropriate).

We have tossed around the idea of buying a truck with a bigger backseat as DH definitely needs a truck for his line of work, but I hate the idea of us doing anything else to add to our finances (I stay at home and hope to keep doing so for a while!). I was hoping to find a good solution for this without purchasing a new vehicle for DH. I have considered buying a Sunshine Kids Radian 65 and using that in the truck and then saving the FPSVD for when our 2nd baby is bigger and using that in my car. After doing some research, it seems that the Radian 65 is definitely more narrow than the FPSVD and the Marathon, but not necessarily any less deep, which seems to be part of the issue with a car seat in the back of the truck. Also, I like the idea that DH could fold up the Radian while installed to give him more room for work stuff and we could transport the Radian more easily when/if we fly.

Please give me any feedback you can on this topic, including any other suggestions for car seats that would fit more soundly or if the SVD may be a good fit with the lack of angle.

Thank you in advance for any help!:confused:

[MomToEliEm]

I certainly know what you mean about the lack of recline in that backseat. We have a 2003 Toyota Tundra truck and currently have a britax parkway and graco platinum cargo installed there. We have had a britax roundabout installed in the truck as well, but it was always rearfacing.

When we tried the Evenflo Big Kid booster in that truck, it leaned way to far forward and my DD was always complaining about how her head was pushed out of a normal position. The parkway doesn't seem to do that though.

My husband has been on a tundra specific board where they had a modification to the backseat to give it more of a recline, but I haven't told him to make the modification because I am not sure how safe it would be.

I have never tried a radian in the truck, so I would be courious to know how well it fits as DD#2 is probably going to outgrow the cargo pretty soon. There isn't any room in that back seat for a larger seat like the regent, and I am doubtful that the nautilus would fit back there too.

[SillyLily]

The radian might actually work because it doesn't have a big base that makes it stick out like the Britax seats, so it sits lower and farther back (giving more leg room for the kiddo in the car seat). It probably won't stick out too much further, if at all, from the edge of the vehicle's bench seat. The radian also has a slight recline feature.

I would try one before you buy it though, to make sure it actually installs well in the pickup.

[Defrost]

I don't think he'll be able to fold the Radian while it's installed. Aside from the fact that it specifically says not to, the levers for folding it are on the bottom of the seat, near the back. They would be inaccessible when installed.

Have you tried pulling the MA base forward a smidge? Or is it already hanging over the front of the seat? You are allowed to have 20% overhanging the front (80% of the base must be on the seat) so that might help, if it's possible.

[owensmommy]

Thanks for everyone's advice so far. Unfortunately, there is no way I can try out a Radian without purchasing first as there are no retail stores here in GA that carry them. I have thought about biting the bullet and just getting one since I figure that it will be handy for traveling, etc. As far as folding while installed can someone tell me why I have seen this picture repeatedly if that isn't true: http://www.elitecarseats.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian.pro

I haven't tried installing the Marathon in the Tundra, as I generally keep that permanently installed in my car and only use the FPSVD in the Tundra on the rare occasion when I need the Tundra, but I will try it tonight if I get a chance.

Thank you again everyone--keep it coming!

[Defrost]

I've never seen that picture - weird. I'm honestly not sure how they can advertise it like that. I can't imagine being able to reach the levers with it installed! I don't have mine right now (Gypsy's borrowing it) or else I'd install it and give it a shot.

I'm reading the manual online now. Really, I should do this more often. They specifically state that the Radian is NOT for use "in homes, boats, on a motorcycle..." :D

Hm... well, now I'm not so sure. I could have sworn it said in the manual not to do it, but I can't seem to find it. And looking at the picture on page 12 of the Radian65 manual (http://www.skjp.com/media/Radian65-manual.pdf), now I'm wondering if you could manage to squeeze your hand under there and access the lever... they are near the vehicle seat bight, but they're on the "angled" portion of the base, so in SOME installs, you could have a bit of a gap there.

Here's a picture of it installed in our Golf, but the thing is, it's going to sit completely differently in your truck. With your seats so upright, you may well end up with more of a gap than I got:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Radian/IMG_1553.jpg

The levers are just under that white label under the beltpath; if you mentally flip that black arrow so it's pointing straight down, it'd be directly above them.

[owensmommy]

Thanks for the info Debbie-that makes sense that it wouldn't be able to physically do very well even if you are allowed to. I wonder why they post that pic? Just hoping to get those that need the extra storage to get it, I guess!

Seeing a side pic of the Radian installed like that is very helpful as well. It seems to have a much less bulky profile than most of the seats out there and the base doesn't seem to be as big as the MA or the FPSVD.

I am such a fibber! I just found a store just down the road that sells the Radian 65!! We are going to try to go this weekend and try it out.

Thanks again!

[Defrost]

Seeing a side pic of the Radian installed like that is very helpful as well. It seems to have a much less bulky profile than most of the seats out there and the base doesn't seem to be as big as the MA or the FPSVD.


Actually, the Radian base/seat is a bit deeper than the Marathon's base. The angles are so different, though, it's hard to say whether the Radian would overhang just because it's deeper than the MA/FPSVD.

I'm glad you found a store nearby so you can just go try it yourself! :thumbsup: