Quick RF room question -- MR vs TF?

[Carrie_R]

I just re-did my install in the van (monthly procedure, it feels like,) and ran into a problem. I tried to put a FF Apex, RF TF, and FF Nauti across the bench, and the corner of the Nauti hangs off. Of course, it's the seat that needs 100% of base on the seat. This is in an '02 GMC Safari, BTW.

Based on the kids I have, the seats I have, and tether positions, the only other option I can come up with is to switch the TF with a MR that I currently have in the back. The MR, RF back there, has about an inch of room between it and the front row. Both seats have fairly upright installs; one is for a 3.5yo and one is for a 7mo who loathes being reclined, and always has. My question is, does the TF take up more room than the MR? It can touch the seat in front of it (right?) so that's an option -- I know it's not prohibited by the vehicle -- but I really hate to pull everything out if it's unlikely the TF will fit back there. The design of the van is such that it's in the position that has to be installed first... of course.

I'm not sure if the TF will even install properly back there, due to the way the belt comes out, but I'm willing to work with that if the front-back distance will work.

Thanks in advance :)

[Shaunam]

Hmmm...not sure. I know the TF can only be installed up to 35 degrees and the MR can go up to 30. It might make a difference in how well the TF fits.

[Carrie_R]

Hmmm ok. I would guess they're both in around 35* -- just eyeballing it, but somehow I missed that the MR could go to 30. (I manage get a pretty upright installation with it compared to most that I see, and it still feels quite reclined.)

TF would have headrest on, since I want to put the older one back, whom I only have part time, there. Forgot to mention that in my original post.

I may just run out there and redo the installs to see... only have a couple of kids today and they can either "help" or run around in the yard. Was just hoping to know before I got myself into it lol :) Thanks for your help.

[Carrie_R]

Replying to myself here...

Before I pulled out all six seats, I pulled out just the row in question, to see if I could flip the Apex and the Nauti and fit those three. Nautilus went in beautifully; 100% on the seat and tight install. The TF and I are getting along better, as I figure out how to do the darned lockoffs, so it took only a bit of adjustment and that fit well and tightly, too. The Apex took some back/side pressure, but I got it in/on such that it's tight, and the base is on the seat. However, I'm somewhat concerned because the seat has narrowish bottom rails, almost, and the part that the child sits in has a much larger area. Therefore a significant amount of the seating area is hanging off of the edge of the seat, and I'm really not sure if it's safe for transport.

I'll put a pic, but A) This is a rough install and I know the LATCH strap is hanging out the side, and B) There's a bunch of junk on the floor, it needs to be cleaned up, sorry about that. (And vaccummed, lol.)

5205

I do have a very thin sheet over the seats -- that's the green part -- and you can see how the rear "leg" of the seat kind of pushes down into the very outside of the seat.

I'm not really sold on using it this way, but if nothing else works, and y'all think it's safe, then it may have to be an option. (I think I can work something else out though.) *Sigh* This would be so much easier if I had more than three tethers...