3rd row booster recommendations for 2006 Mazda5

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 14, 2020

• #1

We are expecting our third child so bought a 2006 Mazda5 off a family member who was selling. Currently DS (aged 7 and tall for his age) and DD (aged 3) in the 2nd row.

When DS2 comes along we'd like to move our 7 year old to the 3rd row. I've seen a lot of posts about car seats, but curious if anyone has any recommendations for a booster seat solution. He's getting too tall for a lot of common booster seats with a back, but can't go into a backless booster because of the 3rd row seat belt position.

Would love any recommendations for booster seats or alternative solutions to help get the seat belt safely in the right position.

Thanks in advance!

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 17, 2020

• #2

This is a notoriously tricky spot. Does your year also have the fixed forward leaning head restraints?

Some families use a Ride Safer Travel Vest.

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 17, 2020

• #3

They tilt back but are slight set forward. Not sure if that's what you mean? They're similar if not the same to the image below.

https://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/..._5_passenger-minivan_touring_ri_oem_2_815.jpg

I had looked at the vests. Obviously safety before convenience, but I thought they looked like a bit of a hassle. Also, any if they're certified for use in Canada?

It seems as the best option would be a high back booster that he can still grow into, but that also has a clear path for the seat belt that pulls is down and back while still being safe. Any input on things like seat belt clips or straps that adjust the seat belt height and position? It seems like they'd do the trick, but I never really trusted them as a safe alternative.

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 17, 2020

• #4

ketchupqueen said:

This is a notoriously tricky spot. Does your year also have the fixed forward leaning head restraints?

Some families use a Ride Safer Travel Vest.

Click to expand...

I previously replied to the thread rather than to you, but also realized I didn't say thanks... So, thanks for the response!

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 18, 2020

• #5

MichaelD said:

I previously replied to the thread rather than to you, but also realized I didn't say thanks... So, thanks for the response!

Click to expand...

You're welcome!

The RSTV is only legal by prescription in Canada. So that's out.

Your headrest situation is a little tricky but not as bad as some.

The Evenflo Big Kid sometimes works in those seats but you say he's possibly too tall. How tall is his seated torso height? (Sit him cross legged against a wall, mark the high point of the shoulder, measure from there to the floor.)

My usual solution for this kind of situation requires lower anchors so that's out.

Who else is in the vehicle? Perhaps seats can be shuffled around?

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 18, 2020

• #6

ketchupqueen said:

You're welcome!

The RSTV is only legal by prescription in Canada. So that's out.

Your headrest situation is a little tricky but not as bad as some.

The Evenflo Big Kid sometimes works in those seats but you say he's possibly too tall. How tall is his seated torso height? (Sit him cross legged against a wall, mark the high point of the shoulder, measure from there to the floor.)

My usual solution for this kind of situation requires lower anchors so that's out.

Who else is in the vehicle? Perhaps seats can be shuffled around?

Click to expand...

Just measured and his torso height looks to be ~18". I had been looking at the Evenflo Big Kid. I wasn't sure how much time it would buy us though!

The alternative would be putting our 3yo in the back but that adds the challenge of having to crawl through the car to buckle/unbuckle her which isn't ideal.

Thanks again.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 18, 2020

• #7

Hmm, that would likely only work for a year.

What are the other riders in?

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 18, 2020

• #8

We don't have anything yet for our third who's on his way in a couple months (probably time to get on that!). I'm not exactly sure of the model for our 3yo but it's a pretty bulky Britax harnessed booster.

What about a backless booster with a strap that goes up the back and clips to the seat strap? Or any other devices dedicated to holding the seat belt down/back?

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 19, 2020

• #9

Unfortunately, while those do a little pulling down (sometimes- they aren't usually that effective really) they don't really help with this kind of positioning issue.

Here's a thought- can one of the second row seats be removed? Then you could put both harnessed children in the 3rd row with easier access to buckle.

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 21, 2020

• #10

That was one of our thoughts as well. We do like the idea of the younger ones being closer but it might be a tradeoff. At this point we're thinking of going with the Evenflo Big Kid, riding that out as long as we can, then when the newborn's a bit older we can think about removing a seat and moving the younger ones to the back... or hope our oldest hits a major growth spurt and outgrows the big kid booster while simultaneously being big enough to make a backless booster work.

Thank you so much for all your help!

One last question. If we ever did look into any clips/straps, is it right that they are intended to hold into position but break off in the event of a collision?

Thanks again.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 21, 2020

• #11

They are a pre crash positioner... But so is a high back booster. The important thing is position in the instant the crash occurs. If that is correct, what happens to the booster pieces after shouldn't matter. The seatbelt should function.

 

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MichaelD

Guest

• Sep 22, 2020

• #12

Amazing. Thanks again for all your help working through this and for helping education myself and others! Safety shouldn't be guesswork and I'm certainly feeling more empowered to make a good decision.