2007 Dodge Caliber / Rear infant seat

[acook2002]

I have a 2007 Dodge Caliber with Latch systems. I would really like to put my infant car seat in the center, but the seat belt is too flimzy. Can I use the inner latch teathers as long as they are not being used for the outer seats? Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Acook2002

[Jeanum]

Whether or not a center lower LATCH installation is allowed in your Caliber depends on the child restraint type and the child restraint's manufacturer. According to the LATCH manual, you're allowed to install in the center rear using the Caliber's innermost lower LATCH anchors in the vehicle seat crease (bight) from each outboard (side) position if the child restraint has flexible LATCH (a flexible, webbed LATCH connector strap or straps), and if the child restraint manufacturer also allows borrowing of the outboard lower LATCH anchors.

A child restraint with rigid LATCH, such as the Baby Trend Latch Loc infant seat, for example, which has solid LATCH connector bars rather than a flexible LATCH connector strap or straps, cannot be installed with LATCH in the center in the Caliber. Some child restraint manufacturers do not allow borrowing outboard lower LATCH anchors even with flexible LATCH child restraints. Your infant seat's manual should indicate if borrowing is allowed, and sometimes this will be specified in the manual in terms of an allowed spacing between the lower anchors. You can also post back with your infant seat's manufacturer and model name for us to double check for you about borrowing outboard anchors. :)


On a related note, a lower LATCH anchor installation isn't considered safer than a seatbelt installation, or vice versa, provided that you can achieve a proper installation with less than 1 inch of movement at the child restraint's belt path using an approved installation method for the particular vehicle seating position. The LATCH system was originally conceived with the intention of simplifying installations in theory, but in practice that's not always the case. :)

Hope this rather long-winded answer helps you out.

[acook2002]

That information may help. I have the Graco Snugride infant seat with detachable base. I tried to install the seat in the center with the seat belt, but the seat was very unstable, and moved from side to side far to much. I would feel much safer if I could install the base in the center seat using the anchors.

Thanks for the help,
Acook2002

[Unregistered]

Hi There. I have a related question...am thinking of getting an 08 Dodge Caliber. I have a 22 month old in a forward facing Evenflo Triumph, and we are expecting another baby in the new year. Would we be able to fit the Triumph and a rear facing Graco Snugride (infant carrier/detachable base) in the backseat? Does anyone know?

[cpsaddict]

For the OP, my friend has a Caliber and had a Snugride. Her base would loosen up from time to time in the middle, even with a locking clip. According to her car seat manual, she could not use the outer LATCH anchors to install the seat in the middle. However, I thought I read somewhere that Graco was allowing non-standard spacing for their seats now. I will have to do a search.

You can fit two seats in the Caliber, but it's tight. My friend will have her 22mth(2 when the new one arrives) in a FF Britax Marathon on one side and the newborn in a Chicco Keyfit on the other side.

[snowbird25ca]

Hi There. I have a related question...am thinking of getting an 08 Dodge Caliber. I have a 22 month old in a forward facing Evenflo Triumph, and we are expecting another baby in the new year. Would we be able to fit the Triumph and a rear facing Graco Snugride (infant carrier/detachable base) in the backseat? Does anyone know?

Yes, you'll be able to fit them both, but not side by side unless the triumph puzzles better than the Titan...

I did a check for a friend who had a titan and a snugride, and it was really close to fitting the 2 side by side, but not close enough. With them being outboard though it should be no difficulty at all.