'01 Montana top tethers

[Maggie]

Am I right in thinking that I can not have any tether anchors installed in my Pontiac Montana?

I have 2 captain chairs with LATCH. The back seat is a full bench, it's the stowable seat (no split) with no LA and only one TA. It's off center, a little towards the passenger side.

My problem is that baby #3 is coming next summer. I want to take one of the captain chairs out. I'd like to put the baby in the remaining captain chair and my DD's in the back row. It's really hard to squeeze between the captain chairs to access the back row, especially when both chairs have carseats on them. I also like being able to climb in the van with all the kids and close the door behind us, which would be possible with removing one of the captain chairs. We live in Wisconsin and our winters suck. It would be really nice to all climb in the van and get out of the weather.

My problem is that there's only one TA. I was just in an accident and will be replacing my seats. I was hoping to keep DD1 in a harness for a bit longer. She's almost 5 (in 2 months) and about 50lbs. If there's only one TA, who gets it? Or should she I put her in a booster?

Or is it possible to get another TA installed?

[An Aurora]

Unfortunately, in cars with LATCH and top tethers already installed, it is usually not possible to get more tether anchors retrofitted.

Could you remove one captain's chair, put one of your two FF'ing harnessed children in it, and the baby in the backseat? Having the captain's chair removed would allow pretty easy access to the backseat to just click the bucket in place. Usually during the winter I just climb in the van, close the door behind me, and buckle everyone in.

[Maggie]

DH actually just came up with the same idea! I didn't even think of that. I guess I was just stuck on the idea that the baby had to be in the captain's chair.

That will actually work out well. DD1 will be in school every day starting this fall and we will have to do the "drop off line" thing. I think I'll put her in the captain's chair. We have power sliding doors, so she'll be able to unbuckle herself and jump out quickly.

Thanks, sometimes I make things more difficult than they have to be. :p

[An Aurora]

Good, I'm glad that's a good solution. Those power sliders make it so easy!!