Conversion vans - Car Seat.Org - Carseat, Vehicle & Child Passenger Safety Forums

10-22-2002, 11:38 PM

We are thinking of getting a conversion van and I was wondering are they at all safe and is it easy to put in a carseat into the van seats.? Thanks

10-23-2002, 12:14 AM

Conversion vans are fine except on some I have found the back seats were a problem regarding the seat belts. I have found that the latch part and the buckle came out at least a foot from the seat. Depending on the child seat this might be ok. However there were times a "belt shortening clip" had to be used to shorten the webbing of the buckle part.

10-23-2002, 12:41 AM

A few things to note on conversion vans-

Carseats and boosters must be used in front-facing vehicle seats. Side and rear-facing vehicle seats are not acceptable for kids in carseats.

Kids in boosters require a lap AND shoulder belt. Taller kids and adults will need adequate head restraints not provided on some vehicle seats.

Conversion vans are built on truck platforms. As such, they share aspects with large trucks, full size vans and SUVs. That includes handling, braking, rollover risk and frames that don't crush in crashes. Be sure to take a good, extended test drive of a similar van, as they do not drive like cars or even a minivan..

Custom conversion vans are a reasonable choice, just be sure to know the tradeoffs before you buy one, and not after:-)

Darren

10-23-2002, 04:44 PM

Thank you very much for the advice and info I appreciate it.

10-22-2002, 11:38 PM	#1
cakyha Guest Posts: n/a	Conversion vans We are thinking of getting a conversion van and I was wondering are they at all safe and is it easy to put in a carseat into the van seats.? Thanks

10-23-2002, 12:14 AM	#2
Robert Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Conversion vans Conversion vans are fine except on some I have found the back seats were a problem regarding the seat belts. I have found that the latch part and the buckle came out at least a foot from the seat. Depending on the child seat this might be ok. However there were times a "belt shortening clip" had to be used to shorten the webbing of the buckle part.

10-23-2002, 12:41 AM	#3
Caviller Guest Posts: n/a	More on van safety- A few things to note on conversion vans- Carseats and boosters must be used in front-facing vehicle seats. Side and rear-facing vehicle seats are not acceptable for kids in carseats. Kids in boosters require a lap AND shoulder belt. Taller kids and adults will need adequate head restraints not provided on some vehicle seats. Conversion vans are built on truck platforms. As such, they share aspects with large trucks, full size vans and SUVs. That includes handling, braking, rollover risk and frames that don't crush in crashes. Be sure to take a good, extended test drive of a similar van, as they do not drive like cars or even a minivan.. Custom conversion vans are a reasonable choice, just be sure to know the tradeoffs before you buy one, and not after:-) Darren

10-23-2002, 04:44 PM	#4
Cakyha Guest Posts: n/a	van Thank you very much for the advice and info I appreciate it.

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