Need to get 3 across in 2 different vehicles...

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

I have 3 FF children and need to put them in the back seat of a 2005 Jeep Liberty for a out of town trip and then the next week in teh back of a 2008 Toyota Corolla for another out of town trip.

Their stats are:

K - 6yrs, 48 lbs, not sure of height but still on 2nd from top slots in Regent
A - 5yrs, 38 lbs, on 3rd from top slots in Regent
Ky - 3 yrs, 39-40 lbs, on 2nd from top slots in Nautilus

At my immediate disposal is: 3 Nautiluses, 1 Graco Turbo booster (backless), 2 Regents, and 1 Evenflo Triumph (40 lb harness one). I can also probably buy a high back booster for my oldest to use if need be....looking at the Monarch and the Monteray.

So, does anyone know what would work with these cars and carseats. I tried 3 nautililuses, and they don't mesh well next to each other in these vehicles. I've thought of 2 nautiliuses outboard and then a booster in the middle (as hard as it'd be to buckle I'd want her in the middle), but not sure what booser is best or which is small enough to fit there.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

Also, what about a Compass B510? This with the other boosters look small enough (width wise) but am not sure. And in this situation would the oldest be best in one of these...

[Defrost]

The Compass is about the same width as the Turbo, so if that won't fit I don't think the Compass will.

From what I understand, you've got a pretty tight squeeze in both vehicles, and some of the widest seats out there. Normally I'd recommend a Radian for the 3yo and put it in the center, but that would be a bit silly for a temporary problem.

The only thing I can think of is to buy a Fisher-Price Safe Voyage Booster - it's width-adjustable and very narrow. That would probably be your best best, for the 6yo in the center. They're discontinued but you can still find them online I believe.

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

Thanks, that looks like it would do perfect for our situation. We can't take my van out of town because of issues it is having, so it pretty much sits as much as possible.

Has anyone ordered from Albee Baby before? They have the Fisher Price for $29.99, so even if we only used it for these 2 trips it would be worth the money. Plus my mom would probably continue using it in the Jeep.

[Defrost]

Yep - I got my FPSV booster from AlbeeBaby. :)

Just remember if this is your daughter's first time in a booster, you'll need to do some "training" to teach her how to use it properly. Just because she CAN suddenly lean forward and scooch down and adjust the shoulder belt doesn't mean she's ALLOWED to! :thumbsup:

Also, I'm still honestly not sure if that will do the trick. Buckling that booster will probably be an adventure for sure! If there's no room to squeeze your hand between the booster and the carseat, but the three seats DO fit otherwise, there's a trick you can try. Normally it's not something I'd recommend for a permanent solution, but for temporary it works fine.

You pull the booster away from the vehicle seat a few inches, leaving a gap between the back of the booster and the vehicle seat. Sit the child in the seat, and buckle the seat belt using that gap. Then push both the booster and the child back against the vehicle seat, and tighten the seat belt.

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

Thanks, she is used to a booster in her Nana's jeep and her daddy's car. Nana had a Parkway...but she never had all 3 kids with her, so she just had a Parkway and a harnessed seat both outboard. She was rearended pretty bad a few weeks ago, so we've been thrown into this mess of buying new carseats and such and since we needed 3 across I wasn't sure the Parkway was an option anymore. She does good in a booster though. Hopfully it will work between the Nautiluses...but for 30 bucks I won't be too dissappointed if it doesn't.

[Defrost]

Hopfully it will work between the Nautiluses...but for 30 bucks I won't be too dissappointed if it doesn't.

Yep, that's pretty much what I figured when I ordered mine. It's such a versatile booster that I decided it was worth keeping even if it didn't work in the specific location I intended to use it!

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

I see in your signature at 86Y harness...what is that exactly?

[Defrost]

It's harness for special seating situations or special needs kids who've outgrown car seats, but can't use a booster for whatever reason. It was initially designed for seating positions with lap-only seat belts. It's a great "niche" product, but it's not better than a harnessed carseat. I use one because I've got a seating position where the seat belt doesn't fit my kid safely enough IMO. :)

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

Okay, thanks...just wondering.

Thanks for your help...I'll post if I can get 3 across.

[Defrost]

No problem! And yes, do please update. :)

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

I updated in the 3 across thread. It fits, although it is a pain to buckle...but once buckled and tightened she is snug.

[safeinthecar]

You might be able to do the Triumph between two GNs. You won't be able to access the knobs though so make sure you leave the harness where you need it.

[MommyTo3Munchkins]

I half-way thought about that...but haven't tried it yet. Do you think it would work that way in both vehicles or just one? I haven't really played with the Corolla yet, as we won't need that set-up for another week and a half or so.

[safeinthecar]

I half-way thought about that...but haven't tried it yet. Do you think it would work that way in both vehicles or just one? I haven't really played with the Corolla yet, as we won't need that set-up for another week and a half or so.

I was thinking of it FOR the Corolla actually. I can fit three average sized boosters in STB-DHs Corolla with room to buckle them all, and I can fit the RN in the center with a Britax Bodyguard on it's widest setting on either side with room to buckle.

It's worth a shot anyway.