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View Full Version : Will you critique my 3 in a row?

shllywlly
11-05-2008, 06:17 PM
OK. I have to get 3 seats in my car. I'm keep a 5 1/2 month old and occassionally a 17 month old.

Seats I have:
Evenflo Titan
Marathon
Nautilus

What I need:
At least one seat RF. I can do 2 but my DD is such a PITA to RF now that I'm not sure it's worth it.

Ages of Children:
5 1/2 month old
occassionally a 17 month old who RF in my car but now her mom's
22 month old (she fights me to the death when I buckle her in RFing so I recently turned her forward in the MA)
3 yr old in the Nautilus

I got 3 in a row that allows me to close both doors. This is what it looks like:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/shllywlly/IMG_1088-1.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/shllywlly/IMG_1091.jpg

Every seat is independently tight. (I took each one out and tried them all). Both my doors close without having to put my entire body weight into it, and it gives me the configuration that I need. I thought everything was great until I saw these two angels:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/shllywlly/IMG_1089.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/shllywlly/IMG_1090.jpg

I know it looks FUNKY!!! I tried the seat again and it is not moving anywhere. The baby doesn't lean when he is in it. He's sitting up straight and everything looks fine. What do you guys think?

If it doesn't work do you have any more suggestions?

ETA: I have a 2004 Saturn VUE
SamPacey&Joshua
11-05-2008, 06:25 PM
The problem with the Titan is the locked shoulder belt. As you can see, it's pulling it up on that side...it's a really common problem with rear-facing seats. What you can do instead of locking the shoulder belt, is using a locking clip. That should solve the issue completely.

You just install as usual, keep your weight in the seat, pinch the lap and shoulder portions of the belt together, and unbuckle the seatbelt. The put the locking clip on as close to the latchplate as possible (with the long bar on the underside, so you don't see it). Then rebuckle the seatbelt. It's usually a little hard to get buckled and that's okay. Use your weight and lean the seat toward the buckle...that should help. Locking clips are a bit of a pain in the butt, but like I said, it will solve your tipping issue. The seat may look crooked when you first get it done, but just use your weight again to straighten it back out (I always have to do that after installing because I tend to put more weight on the buckle side).
ame0312
11-05-2008, 06:27 PM
i dont know if it will work any better... but how bout putting the nautilus in the middle & the others rfing outboard... that is if you can fight the 22 month old... itll probably still be a fight getting her to the center ffing... just a thought!
shllywlly
11-05-2008, 08:29 PM
The other issue that I've found is this is the only configuration that I can get my doors closed without putting my whole body into it. I've tried the Nautilus in the middle and the armrests still get in the way.

I also don't think it's the locking seat belt either. I can get it straight with the locking belt, but then that door doesn't close again.

I think I might have to get a Radian to make it work in my car.
ame0312
11-05-2008, 08:33 PM
so the seat gets crazy like that from shutting the door? if so then i dont think thats good!
SamPacey&Joshua
11-05-2008, 08:38 PM
so the seat gets crazy like that from shutting the door? if so then i dont think thats good!

I agree
shllywlly
11-06-2008, 07:14 AM
No...it's like that before you close the door. But if I straighten it up on the seat and make it tight again then the door doesn't close. Right now the seat is stable and tight just crooked. Is that safe?
MOM25BOYS
11-06-2008, 08:51 AM
Not a tech, but from the looks of the one picture of the side view of the Titan with the door open the install looks great. The problem looks to be from when you are shutting the door and it pushes the seat towards the buckle. A slight tilt is acceptable, but this tilt is way more than I would be comfortable with. :twocents: The door is pushing one side of the base into your seat while lifting the other off the seat. I think the Radian would be your best option to get a 3 across to work with the Nautilus installed.:thumbsup: The big armrests make it hard to find a seat to puzzle beside it, but with the Radian being a lower profile and no armrests you could easily use that FF in the middle for your DD and install the Marathon outboard RF for the youngest kiddo.:)

Good Luck;)
shllywlly
11-06-2008, 09:49 AM
Just to clarify, the seat looks the same whether the door is open or shut. The door doesn't move the seat at all when it's closed.
SamPacey&Joshua
11-06-2008, 05:44 PM
Either way, kiddo can't safely ride in a seat with that much tilt. One side of the base is pushing into the seat and the other looks to be barely touching. Like the previous poster said, a slight tilt is okay...but that's not "slight".

So yeah...the Radian is going to be your best bet to get a safe 3-across.