How to install carseat in 3rd row of minivan?

Unregistered · Jan 9, 2007

I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. My sons want to move to the 3rd row, which is fine with me because we are having another baby this summer and they will need to move anyway. My sons are 1 and 3 years old. My 3 year old is in the Eddie Bauer High Back Booster and he is in the 5 point harness. My 1 year old is in an Even flo carseat.

However, I cannot figure out how to install 2 carseats in the 3rd row? There are 2 LATCH hooks in the seat, but they are more towards the middle, not more towards either seat. And there are only 2, also, there is no-where in the back of the seat to attach the tether strap.

How can I install 2 carseats back there safely? Do I have to use the lap/shoulder belt? I am not comfortable using only those, can't they come upclipped? Are there after-market anchors I can buy? Are there locking devices I can install on the seatbelts?

Thank you for any information you can provide!

DEmomof2 · Jan 9, 2007

I'm not an expert but wanted to tell you that my sister has a Honda Odyssey and she had to purchase the tether anchors from Honda and install them herself. She didn't even know they were available until recently. Maybe contact Dodge and ask them about location or installation of anchors??

mdsvc89 · Jan 9, 2007

When people talk about "tether anchors," there are 2 different things -- there are LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) which are installed in the car at time of manufacture, and cannot be retrofitted. These can be used in place of the seatbelt to install car seats. The idea is that they should be easier than the seatbelt, but it doesn't always work out that way. Until about 5 years ago, I dont' think these existed at all -- all installs were done with seatbelts. I'm sure someone will chime in with information on how to lock the seatbelt in your car.

As for the tether anchors for tethering the ff carseats, these can be installed after manufacture. YOu just need to get the right part number (again, someone here will probably be able to help)

-Michelle

wendytthomas · Jan 9, 2007

Seatbelt failures are EXCEEDINGLY rare. I would, and do, use one quite comfortably for my daughter's seat. There's no need to worry if you use a seatbelt. Would you be concerned sitting back there yourself? You weigh more than your son and carseat combined.

Is your 1 year old FFing or RFing? Unless he's more than 30 pounds, the RFing limit for an Evenflo, I would HIGHLY recommend you turn him RFing again. Check out this link. http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=13&topic_id=44503&mesg_id=44503&page It shows the bone structure of the vertebrae of a one and six year old. You'll see the one year old has three bones instead of one solid bone. Those three bones can move up to two inches in a frontal collision. However, the spinal column can only move 1/2" at best. Also, check out this link, http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx and definitely watch the videos at the bottom.

Wendy

How to install carseat in 3rd row of minivan?

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