3 across in 98 Mercury sable *boosters*

[Mtdew@ngel]

Has anyone successfully fit 3 highback boosters in the backseat of a mercury sable? I'm looking at the Graco Highback boosters for my 3 to switch into here soon, but I know that 3 across is tricky.

 

[Keeanh]

A 98 will have a lap belt in the middle. So unless you're using an 86y harness with the booster (don't know all the rules on that one, sorry), you'll have to have a harnessed seat in the middle. As for 3-across, a Sable is fairly wide, and a 98 should have a simple bench-type seat.

What are the children's stats. What seats do you currently have?

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

There is actually a shoulder belt that clips to the lap belt and after reading on here, I can use it for a booster. Here are their stats:

DS 10 - 48" 44lbs
DD 7 - 43 1/2" 36lbs
DD 6 - 41 1/2" 36lbs

Yes, they are on the small side. DS is in a radian that just expired. DDs' are in Scenera's but I'm thinking of the future for them to be moved into boosters.

 

[thepote]

Are there headrests in all positions? Would you consider a no back booster for the 10yo?

The FF height limit on the Scenera is 43" so that one is outgrown and needs to be replaced.

Maybe turboboosters on the outsides and a nbb in the middle (if there's a headrest)?

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

Are there headrests in all positions? Would you consider a no back booster for the 10yo?

The FF height limit on the Scenera is 43" so that one is outgrown and needs to be replaced.

Maybe turboboosters on the outsides and a nbb in the middle (if there's a headrest)?

There are no headrests on the seat. I don't think the 10 yo is ready for no back anyway. Thanks for letting me know about the scenera being outgrown.

 

[thepote]

Hmm, I'm not familiar with the car but three high back boosters across is generally tough. Your kids are tiny, though. If you wanted to keep the younger ones harnessed you could maybe try two SureRides outboard and a booster in the center. With their stats the SureRide would last a while. My DD is 4, 36lbs, 43", size 5 shirts and here is her in a SureRide... Top slots are near the top of her head.

 

[joolsplus3]

Turbos are pretty boxy, short, and hard to buckle next to other seats. Not impossible, just not easy in many, many cases.
Not the tallest, but quite narrow, would be the Harmony Dreamtime, might work in terms of puzzling next to other seats, like maybe the Britax Parkway. Gosh your 10 yo is so petite, I was going to recommend the Safety 1st Incognito, because it's so low it allows the vehicle headrest nubs to be better headrests for longer, but it's got a 60lb limit :/ Chicco KidFit is spendy but has a very narrow base-between-buckle-anchors so might be a choice if nothing else works.

Also, *wave hi*, nice to 'see you around again! I'm sure we'll find a good solution!

 

[Keeanh]

Oh, wow! I knew someone with a Taurus of that generation and I never noticed that there was a shoulder belt there! I always assumed it was a lap belt in the middle. Not that I was paying much attention. I was only in it a handful of times and always in the passenger seat.

I agree that the Turbos are not the best for side-by-side since they're so square. Dreamtime & Parkway have a better shape.

I wouldn't worry about the short height on the Dreamtime, at least for the younger 2. My 54" 65lb 8yo is pretty much at the limit of comfortably using it. You'd have plenty of time. The only caution is that the Dreamtime is fairly deep, so better for skinny kids with long legs. I'm using it for my 45lb 46" 6yo. I'm thinking it would be too deep for my 41" 33lb kiddo. I can try her in it if you're interested.

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

We've decided to move out of harnessed seats now. Thanks for the recommendation though!

Hi Jools! Thanks for the welcome back. I will look into the other seats. Price is an issue, which is why we were looking at the Graco.

Keeanh - I would appreciate if you could! All 3 of my kids are slow growers, but the 6 yo has chubbier thighs then my other 2. My oldest is by far the thinnest looking, but all 3 have short legs for now.

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

I'd never heard of the Dreamtime, so I decided to look it up. Would 3 of those be an option? Someone mentioned my 10 yo going backless, and I assumed he'd be safer in the highback. Am I right? Slouching while sleeping isn't an issue since he never sleeps in the car. I was worried about the seatbelt bothering him without a guide though.

Edit to say nm. He needs a headrest for backless right?

 

[thepote]

I'd never heard of the Dreamtime, so I decided to look it up. Would 3 of those be an option? Someone mentioned my 10 yo going backless, and I assumed he'd be safer in the highback. Am I right? Slouching while sleeping isn't an issue since he never sleeps in the car. I was worried about the seatbelt bothering him without a guide though. Edit to say nm. He needs a headrest for backless right?

Yes he needs a headrest. It's possible that there would be backless boosters that are low enough that he still has seat back behind his head at this point but going forward he's going to need support . The good news is that they are petite so it sounds like they'll fit for awhile in almost any hbb.

The issue with three of the same seats is that they are all wide at the same points. They may fit, but be prepared to try another seat in the center that is shaped slightly different so that they puzzle closer together.

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

Yes he needs a headrest. It's possible that there would be backless boosters that are low enough that he still has seat back behind his head at this point but going forward he's going to need support . The good news is that they are petite so it sounds like they'll fit for awhile in almost any hbb.

The issue with three of the same seats is that they are all wide at the same points. They may fit, but be prepared to try another seat in the center that is shaped slightly different so that they puzzle closer together.

Thanks for your help! I'm not very knowledgeable about the seats available right now as we've been lucky to stick with the ones we have for awhile. And I admit, I dislike change, so if it works I don't change up my seats unless needed. Especially when the install can be a pain.

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

Can anyone give their personal opinion on which seat would be better to try in the middle and then the 2 same outboard? I'm going to try the Graco and the Dreamtime, but not certain which setup to try first.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

I would probably nix the Graco. They're super boxy. How about center child in a backless (Cosco Topside or Harmony Literider should work)? That might make things easier. I know you'd rather HB but if you can't find three to work then this might be an option. The dreamtime is one I'd try first.

 

[thepote]

I would probably nix the Graco. They're super boxy. How about center child in a backless (Cosco Topside or Harmony Literider should work)? That might make things easier. I know you'd rather HB but if you can't find three to work then this might be an option. The dreamtime is one I'd try first.

There are no headrests.

 

[nannykates]

I would try a high back evenflo big kid or amp and a parkway and keep the youngest in the scenera for a few more months. After the scenera is outgrown get another of whichever booster you like better (keeping in mind the parkway has a 40# minimum so only your oldest can use it right now.)

 

[safeinthecar]

I've always had more luck with buckling with different boosters next to each other.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

There are no headrests.

Oops. That would be my lack of coffee speaking..

 

[Mtdew@ngel]

There are no headrests.

Yes no headrests.

I'm wanting to get all 3 now while I have a little extra to purchase them. That being said, I can't do the parkways price. I will look at the Evenflo ones though ty!

 

[nannykates]

If you can find a harmony folding travel booster it may also work well next to other boosters. It's boxy through the torso so leaves space where the buckles come between the seats to reach in and buckle.

Eta- it appears to be available on walmart.com right now for $49 and the evenflo boosters are $35 ish