Are car seats safe in extended cab trucks?

[Unregistered]

Okay, Ill try not to ramble on. My 17 month old son is rfing (graco safeseat) in a 1999 subaru wagon, where he is staying. I dont have my license or a car, but if I were to get my license my only option at the moment for a car would be a 1995 (maybe 1994 or 1996) Sienna extended cab truck.
Now I have had to install the car seat once for an emergency trip to the hospital, but I would never do it again. The back seat is WAY too short the base/seat hangs off, and the front seat cannot be put back into place without shoving the car seat up and back a TON. I know this is unsafe and wouldnt attempt it again, but Im wondering what people do when the only car they have is an extended cab truck, is their only option to get another car?
I dont see how it could be safe without support under the car seat and no footprop here obviously. Im just curious.

[scatterbunny]

I'm assuming you have experience with overseas seats, since you mentioned a footprop? No footprops here, unfortunately (except on the now-discontinued Britax Baby Safe infant seat).

I have no experience with your specific vehicle, however, I can tell you that the general rule is that only 80% of the carseat base must be on the vehicle seat; up to 20% can hang over the edge. The only carseat I am aware of that has a restriction on overhang is the Graco Nautilus.

In your situation (if a 17mo child must be transported in an extended cab truck), I'd try out various convertibles rear-facing and go with the one that installs the most upright. At 17 months old, you don't need the carseat at a 45 degree recline, you can have it significantly more upright (up to about 30 degrees) and be perfectly safe (actually safER; see this explanation (http://carseat.org/Technical/tech_update.htm#angleRF) of rear-facing recline angle).

Convertibles I would consider in that situation are the Cosco Scenera, Safety 1st Avenue, Evenflo Triumph Advance, and Britax Marathon.

[APmama2MAK]

I am the OP, just forgot to log in..I dont have any experience overseas, but that is a point that has always bugged me a ton about rfing seats (no footprop). We will be getting a new true fit when they come out, and if the front seat shoves into the graco, i bet it will do the same for that, but thanks for answering my original question about overhang in general. Interesting that 80% is okay on most seats...

[scatterbunny]

I :love: the True Fit (and pretty sure I will love the upcoming ARB TF even more), but it tends to take up more front-to-back space RF than the others I listed, at least once the baby is big enough to require the headrest. Hopefully someone with more TF experience can chime in.

[amie815]

We have a Britax Marathon installed rf'ing in an extended cab Chevy Silverado and none of the base hangs off and I have an awesome install.

[ketchupqueen]

I have no experience with your specific vehicle, however, I can tell you that the general rule is that only 80% of the carseat base must be on the vehicle seat; up to 20% can hang over the edge. The only carseat I am aware of that has a restriction on overhang is the Graco Nautilus.


I believe the Safeguard Child Seat has to be 100% on as well. :)

Many people are more comfortable with seats that can RF tether in trucks because that way in a crash baby won't rebound up into the glass.