This summer I'll need to fit 3 across in a 2007 VW Passat Wagon.
At that time our kids will be:
4.5 years 43 lbs
3.5 years 33 lbs
newborn ? lbs (lite of course)
We currently own:
2 Britax Marathon Classics
1 Graco Travelite (Base and carrier)
I've read a lot (not fit them for real yet) and think the initial (& most cost effective) install should work this way:
RF Graco Travelite (belt), FF Radian 80SL (belt), FF Britax Marathon (belt)
Followed shortly with this install:
FF Britax Marathon (belt), RF Britax Marathon (belt), FF Radian 80SL (belt)
My concern & questions are these
I've read the threads about Rear Side Impact Airbags. Most imply that they are ok as long as the child is seated properly. Also in a car seat the bags are designed to not compromise the seat protection. In nearly every post there is little to no reference to side airbags with 3 across, which by all accounts usually consumes the space from door handle to door handle (ours will). Because of the 3 across configuration the car seat is not in the latch position and therefore, I would assume, is not "seated properly" by the manufacturers definition and testing. In a dry run of the seats I have, it seems to me there might be a few problems in regards to the airbag.
Q1 - First the seat is so close to the door that there is simply no space and the bag will push the seat inward (rotating the car seat) if deployed.
Q2 - Second is the car seat back has to be so close to the door as it appears to be blocking the exit point of the bag (the physical threaded seam of the exit point of the bag)(again possible compromise).
Q3 - And Last because the seat is resting against the bag location, the VW seat does not compress (like foam would) and the car seat then ends up on a slight angle to the forward travel of the car.
My question relate to the above comments:
1 - Is the lack of space between the seat and door handle a problem, specifically regarding an airbag deployment?
2 - If the car seat back (plastic rails) physically rest over the threaded seam of the airbag exit point is that a problem?
3 - If the seat is secure, yet not completely in line with the forward direction of travel (at a slight angle) due to the in-compressibility of the airbag vs. foam, is that angle a problem?
I've done a little searching into this but have not yet called the car manufacturer. One car seat expert (which I did not relay as clearly my concerns) suggested that there is no record of side impact airbags injuring kids in car seats that she knew of. That the bags are tested for out of position kids (and seats) and that she was not overly concerned by the 3 across and airbag concerns.
Any help is greatly appreciated!! (including any other 3 across suggestions) Thanks!
At that time our kids will be:
4.5 years 43 lbs
3.5 years 33 lbs
newborn ? lbs (lite of course)
We currently own:
2 Britax Marathon Classics
1 Graco Travelite (Base and carrier)
I've read a lot (not fit them for real yet) and think the initial (& most cost effective) install should work this way:
RF Graco Travelite (belt), FF Radian 80SL (belt), FF Britax Marathon (belt)
Followed shortly with this install:
FF Britax Marathon (belt), RF Britax Marathon (belt), FF Radian 80SL (belt)
My concern & questions are these
I've read the threads about Rear Side Impact Airbags. Most imply that they are ok as long as the child is seated properly. Also in a car seat the bags are designed to not compromise the seat protection. In nearly every post there is little to no reference to side airbags with 3 across, which by all accounts usually consumes the space from door handle to door handle (ours will). Because of the 3 across configuration the car seat is not in the latch position and therefore, I would assume, is not "seated properly" by the manufacturers definition and testing. In a dry run of the seats I have, it seems to me there might be a few problems in regards to the airbag.
Q1 - First the seat is so close to the door that there is simply no space and the bag will push the seat inward (rotating the car seat) if deployed.
Q2 - Second is the car seat back has to be so close to the door as it appears to be blocking the exit point of the bag (the physical threaded seam of the exit point of the bag)(again possible compromise).
Q3 - And Last because the seat is resting against the bag location, the VW seat does not compress (like foam would) and the car seat then ends up on a slight angle to the forward travel of the car.
My question relate to the above comments:
1 - Is the lack of space between the seat and door handle a problem, specifically regarding an airbag deployment?
2 - If the car seat back (plastic rails) physically rest over the threaded seam of the airbag exit point is that a problem?
3 - If the seat is secure, yet not completely in line with the forward direction of travel (at a slight angle) due to the in-compressibility of the airbag vs. foam, is that angle a problem?
I've done a little searching into this but have not yet called the car manufacturer. One car seat expert (which I did not relay as clearly my concerns) suggested that there is no record of side impact airbags injuring kids in car seats that she knew of. That the bags are tested for out of position kids (and seats) and that she was not overly concerned by the 3 across and airbag concerns.
Any help is greatly appreciated!! (including any other 3 across suggestions) Thanks!