Installation questions, escort.

Simplysomething

New member
Okay, this isn't about me. I do have an escort, but I've only got two seats, I put them both outboard. I cannot use the center position for anything.

My sil and bro have an escort as their second vehicle, they have four kids. Ages 11, 6, 3.5 and 6 months. The 11 year old is big for her age, but I couldn't tell you her specifics, in this car, she has to ride up front. The 6 year old is average heigh/weight for a 6 year old (she's roughly the same size as my DS, they are exactly the same age. lol), she is in a backless booster in this car (i think it's a cosco and nothing in the van AFAIK). The 3.5 year old is in some sort of combo seat being used as a BPB, it's old, but I'm not sure of how old. The baby was in a in a senera (and she's obviously rf'ing, at only 6 months old).

So, SIL and bro have to fit three kids back there, two in boosters, and the scenera. THere is only lap/shoulder belts on the outboard locations, center is lapbelt only.

I AM correct when I tell her she cannot use either of the boosters in the center position, aren't I? I told SIL that it was dangerous and illegal. I admit not being sure if it is actually illegal.

But I do know her delimma, because I also drive an escort, and I can't get the scenera in the middle and have the booster outboard.

When I talked to her today, she was really unaware that you couldn't use lap/belt only with a booster (I could swear it says so in the manual of both the booster seats and the car). But she doesn't know what she is going to do.

Any suggestions? (other than seats that cost over 100 dollars, I just don't seeing that flying with either of them). In order to use the whole backseat, they have to put the baby in the middle, so there would be boosters on either side. The one I see being replaced is the 3.5 year olds.

I don't know how much the 3.5 year old weighs, and I did try to convince them to keep him harnessed until he was at least 4, they weren't having any of it, so a higher weight limit harness isn't an option (though I pretty much nix'd that with the 100 dollar limit, didn't i?). So, a BPB that would fit there (A high back, for him)

Maybe a turbobooster?

THe Scenera, even rearfacing, seems to push everything to the side.
THe car does not have latch, nor rear head-rests. I'm not sure how big it is across, but I know that when I tried to fit my sons cargo next to the scenera, I couldn't do it. I haven't tried with the turbobooster yet.

At this point, I'm not even sure that any suggestions from me are welcome, but I'm still going to ask.



(And at this point in time, a new car isn't an option, as far as I know.)

My apologies for the long post saying the same thing over and over. I'm verbose. lol
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
I don't know if it's technically and specifically illegal to use a lap belt only, but a good cop will know the "proper use" clause and they'll get in trouble for it. So in that case it is illegal, but good luck finding a cop who will ticket on it.

The Scenera must go in the middle in the back. If there was a shoulder harness in the back I'd say put the 11 yo back there and the Scenera in the front if there was no airbag, but that won't work. How about a laptop for the 6 yo? You can see if there's one on ebay. It's the only seat out there that WILL work with a lapbelt only, though they haven't been made in several years, so the lifespan will be short.

Frustrating situation.

Wendy
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
The TB is not good for tight spaces or 3-across situations due to the armrests. I would suggest either the new Fisher Price booster (it's based on the Star Riser Conmfy) or the Parkway (preferably the PW, they can be found online for less than $100, Target has them clearanced now for $69.99). The new Compass *might* work because of the flip-up armrests, as may the Evenflo0 Big Kids, despite it's width.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
When I was looking at the Compass at Target the other day it specifically said that the armrests must be down during driving. Did this change in the new version?

Wendy
 

Simplysomething

New member
At this point, I'm not even sure if they are willing to get new seats, but I'll pass along the suggestions.


The seat with the armrests that flip up and down--that might be good--because the biggest issue with the TB (that we've had) is getting the belt around the darned armrests, when you've got to reach between two carseats.

Thank you Rebekah & Wendy.

the booster with just the lap belt is a DEFINITE NO. (as well as the lap only belt being dangerous).

Ugh.
 

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