Best Option for 3 kids in 2001 Tahoe

[lillpistol]

A little background: We are expecting #3 any day now and have been trying to figure out the best setup for 3 kids in car seats. Our 2 oldest sit FF in FPSVD (37.5 lbs and 33 lbs) and we have a SR (22lb) for our infant to use. I first installed the FPSVD both outboard with the SR in the middle, but with how high the FPSVD sit, it was a pain to get the infant seat to the middle. Then we tried putting the FPSVD next to each other with the SR outboard. That hasn't worked out so well for us. The constant bickering between my 4 yo and 3 yo, plus whoever is in the middle keeps propping their feet on the backs on the front seats, which is annoying!

So our next thought is to put the 2 oldest in the 3rd row in their FPSVD and putting the baby in the 2nd row outboard, so we can leave part of the seat folded down for access to the 3rd row. That way the bickering won't be so close to us and might not distract us so much. I would like to tether the FPSVD, is that even an option in the 3rd row?

Any suggestions or other ideas? My idea was to just buy new seats that sit lower, so baby can still go in the middle, but DH says no since I just bought 2 new RN for my car in January. :thumbsdown:

If you got all the way thru...thanks!!

Becki

[2mykids]

Would you trust one of the oldest next to the baby in the third row? You could put the bucket on the floor or out of the way while you help the third row kiddo get buckled, then just pop the baby in and help whoever is in the second row.

I don't know if that would make it easier for you. Someone else will chime in on the top tether question. :thumbsup:

[jhomuth]

I have the exact same problem with my 2001 Suburban!!! I have my 2 kids FF, in a MA and FN, in the second row outboards, both tethered (the FN is harnessed). But even if there's enough room in the middle for the infant carrier, I've been dreading having to heave it into the center. But like you, I don't want to move one of them to the center, because they bicker enough as it is, plus with both of their seats being Britax, sitting them side by side is a pain in the neck. DD, in the FN, desperately wants to sit in the 3rd row, and I figured it would be easiest to sit them both back there, leave the seat down in the second row permanently for 3rd row access, and just have the baby in the second row in the middle. But low and behold, there is only one TA in the third row, in the center, and GM won't retrofit, which I think is ridiculous. Again, I could sit them side by side in the 3rd row so at least one of them is tethered, but the bickering... Plus, they like being outboard in the 3rd row because then they have cupholders and a place next to them by the window to keep things they bring in the truck with them. On one hand, I know safety trumps convenience, but on the other we all really have our hearts set on the two of them moving to the 3rd row outboards. I suppose 2 mykids has something, putting baby in the back with my older DD in the center next to her. That way DD would be tethered...baby wouldn't be but would be RF. Then DS would be in the 2nd row tethered.

I don't know what to do, and I have until late April to figure it out.

[jen_nah]

Since there is only 1 top tether in the 3rd row I would put the oldest in the 3rd row with the middle & baby in the 2nd row. Still allowing the pass. outboard to be tumbled down for easy access to the 3rd row.

Or move the Radian's from the other vehicle to this vehicle to help with getting the infant in the center.

[lillpistol]

Thanks for the advice, we installed the FPSVD's in the 3rd row yesterday, but couldn't find the tether. Where is it in the 3rd row? They did install nicely. It seems that the kids were either really good yesterday, or didn't mind sitting next to each other, because they were really good. :thumbsup: Of course, they weren't sitting right on top of each other either.

We will try it with the baby back there after he is born. I would rather have them both tethered. While I would love to use the RN's from my car, I bought them to do 3 across in my car. Moving them really isn't an option at this point.

We will try a couple of different scenarios, and if we can't find one we like, I guess I will just have to buy some new seats....darn! :p Much cheaper than buying a new Tahoe (preparing my defense!)

Becki