Where should I put my infant seat?

[kallifornia]

Basically, I have a choice of either 2 spots in the 2nd row of my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The left spot is further from the sliding door but the seatbelt needed for that spot makes it a bit hard to get to the very back row. Here are some pictures.


2nd row seating


seatbelt configuration for left seat.

And another question. When I was reading my installation manuals, they said not to use in a seat where the seat belt buckle is in the middle of the seat instead of the seat crease. Here is a picture of where my seatbelt buckles are...is this considered the middle of the seat?


Last questions...the 2nd row seating has removable head rests, should I have one where the infant car seat will be, remove it or does it matter??

Thank you!

[snowbird25ca]

Originally Posted by kallifornia

Basically, I have a choice of either 2 spots in the 2nd row of my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The left spot is further from the sliding door but the seatbelt needed for that spot makes it a bit hard to get to the very back row. Here are some pictures.


2nd row seating


seatbelt configuration for left seat.

It would depend on a few things which seating position I would choose.. I see you have an apex in the back seat - how often is the 3rd row used? If it's used on a regular basis, I do see that seatbelt being problematic. Is there any other way to access the 3rd row? If not, I'd install it outboard provided you could get a tight installation. Having the belt in the way of the 3rd row could pose some safety risks that I'm not sure I'd be comfy with. The belt being bumped and jarred could affect the installtion of the seat, kids could fall and hurt themselves climbing over, and if they had to get out in a hurry then it could be even more problematic.

So assuming you can get a tight install in the outboard position, and that there is no other way to access the 3rd row, then I would install the seat outboard.

And another question. When I was reading my installation manuals, they said not to use in a seat where the seat belt buckle is in the middle of the seat instead of the seat crease. Here is a picture of where my seatbelt buckles are...is this considered the middle of the seat?

You do have forward of the bite seat belts. Specifically what does the manual say? Forward of the bite seat belts can make it difficult to get a tight installation, and some instructions may tell you to try a different seating location if you can't get a tight installation. It looks like you have a snugride? How recent is the DOM and we could look the instruction manual up online. I haven't personally read a manual which says not to use a seating location like your picture shows, but I also haven't read every manual there is to read.

Last questions...the 2nd row seating has removable head rests, should I have one where the infant car seat will be, remove it or does it matter??

Thank you!

Does your van manual say anything about what position the headrests should be in when a car seat is installed? If there's no mention of it, it's up to you.

[kallifornia]

I have 3 kids so we have two Apex seats in the 3rd row. We usually have the infant seat behind the driver seat and then the 2 Apex seats in the 3rd row because having one Apex in the 2nd row next to the baby still means the 3rd row is blocked AND my 2 older kids like to sit side by side. And no, there is no other way into the 3rd row. The only way back there is right where that seatbelt goes. My kids don't have a problem getting back there but I can see how it might be a problem for them to get out in a hurry. Then I guess it comes down to what's more important...easier escape for my kids in the 3rd row or having the infant in the middle of the car and not next to the door.

I can get a tight installation in any of the positions in the car. My husband puts them in and they don't even budge a millimeter in any direction. I can't remember which manual or if both manuals said no installations with seat belts not in the crease, I'd have to look it up again. I read the car manual from cover to cover and it says that the car seats can be installed anywhere but it conflicts with what the car seat manuals say so that's why I was confused. It also says that the seatbelts will only lock when you stop quickly but the lap belt portion should stay taught once buckled BUT I buckled one of the seat belts and could pretty easily pull it loose SO we use a lock clip on all the seats and they do not budge. And no, my car manual doesn't say anything about the head rest needing to me on or off. I of course have them ON behind the Apex seats.

[snowbird25ca]

Originally Posted by kallifornia

I have 3 kids so we have two Apex seats in the 3rd row. We usually have the infant seat behind the driver seat and then the 2 Apex seats in the 3rd row because having one Apex in the 2nd row next to the baby still means the 3rd row is blocked AND my 2 older kids like to sit side by side. And no, there is no other way into the 3rd row. The only way back there is right where that seatbelt goes. My kids don't have a problem getting back there but I can see how it might be a problem for them to get out in a hurry. Then I guess it comes down to what's more important...easier escape for my kids in the 3rd row or having the infant in the middle of the car and not next to the door.

I can get a tight installation in any of the positions in the car. My husband puts them in and they don't even budge a millimeter in any direction. I can't remember which manual or if both manuals said no installations with seat belts not in the crease, I'd have to look it up again. I read the car manual from cover to cover and it says that the car seats can be installed anywhere but it conflicts with what the car seat manuals say so that's why I was confused. It also says that the seatbelts will only lock when you stop quickly but the lap belt portion should stay taught once buckled BUT I buckled one of the seat belts and could pretty easily pull it loose SO we use a lock clip on all the seats and they do not budge. And no, my car manual doesn't say anything about the head rest needing to me on or off. I of course have them ON behind the Apex seats.

Most dodge vehicles have lightweight locking latchplates & it sounds like that's what you have. In some installations, the angle of the seatbelt once it's buckled allows the seatbelt to loosen up. Usually this can be fixed by flipping the buckle a half turn before buckling it. If you buckle tongue doesn't fit into the buckle when it's turned a half turn, you can turn it a complete turn and then buckle it. You do need to have all slack removed from the belt before flipping the belt and buckling it though. A locking clip is also a fine solution. Just make sure it's 1/2" away from the buckle.

As for the seatbelt situation, I looked up the manual online and see what you're talking about. The primary problem with some of the belt systems shown in the manual, is that it's hard or impossible to get a tight & safe installation. A few of the "unsafe belt" systems shown can be modified to allow them to be used with a chld restraint. (Modified by a trained professional like a tech, not by the average person without training of how to specifically do it.)

The one that affects you - the forward of the bite buckles, typically causes a problem with getting a tight enough installation that doesn't allow movement. Since you can get a tight install, then I'd have no problems continuing to use the snugride. Most car seat manufacturers have pretty much the same safe/unsafe belt systems illustrated in their manuals. Unfortunately buckles forward of the bite aren't very car seat friendly, but since you have a tight installation, I wouldn't recommend getting a different car seat. When you say tight, you're wiggling it side to side at the belt path and also front to back, right? You want a maximum of 1" movement in any direction.

As for the location of the infant seat, my personal preference would be drivers outboard. I wouldn't feel comfortable with the seatbelt blocking the 3rd row like that, if for no other reason that if the kids tripped on the belt, it could affect the installation of the car seat or car seat base. I think this is one of those decisions that you have to make the final decision for yourself though.

[_Jessica_]

I have a 2000 grand caravan and for what its worth, can install a snugride with no movement at the belt path in all seating postitions. Dodge's lightweight locking latchplates suck and I use a locking clip with my installs because without, the seat tends to come loose over time and I would rather have them tight all the time(who wouldn't?).

I also have 3 seats and have the infant carrier on the back bench. We lift the carrier in from the tailgate. (we have a regent and an intera on the middle bench)

[kallifornia]

When you say tight, you're wiggling it side to side at the belt path and also front to back, right? You want a maximum of 1" movement in any direction.

It absolutely, 100% doesn't move...literally. DH and I can stand on opposite sides of the SR and push with both hands and it doesn't move in any direction. Besides having it installed at the police station when DD#1 was born, I've never seen anyone get it in as tight as DH.

[kallifornia]

Also, we won't have the snugride for much longer since DD#3 is out growing it. We're replacing it with the Radian80. I hope we can get a snug fit with that one. We have never had any problems getting a super tight install on any of our seats thus far. I do have an appt with the local CPS but not until July 26th. Just want to make sure we're driving as safe as possible until then

[rlsadc]

i have a 2000 caravan and have my dd farthest from the door in the second row seat. i must have god sent latchplates, because mine dont loosen up, but everyone else do so i dunno. i chose this position becuase i needed the extra seating positions....

[CDNTech]

I would put it behind the driver's position. I have an '03 and have no problems installing my snugride in the 3rd row (which have identical belts to what you're showing - I have captains chairs in the middle).

The Radian also installs no problem at all in your vehicle with seatbelts when RF, they're are a few tricks to a FF seatbelt install, but it can be done as well.