My Perfect 3 Across!

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #1

My search is now over for that perfect 3 across that I needed on my 3rd row bench seat.

I wish I had tried this combination before my looooong endeavors to find the perfect boosters to use with a RN in the center that would allow ease of access to the buckles. I now have a SKJP suv with 2 Monterey's and 2 RN's.

Well here it is and I LOVE it! This is in the 3rd row seat of a 2004 Ford Expedition. I measured the seat width at 49" and there is actually 50" from side to side since the bench has a tiny gap on both sides. The boys have approx. 2.5" between each of their seats to allow even my husbands wide hands to fit and buckle them. :thumbsup: I was really going for getting enough space that the boys could buckle themselves and after trying it tonight both boys could do it easily.

Previously they were in Vivo's and I could barely get my skinny hands between the seats to buckle and the boys couldn't do it at all.

 

MoreLatte

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #2

Awesome! I'm surprised the Monterey is more narrow than the Vivo, the Monterey just looks like a beast.

 

hsjwmom

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #3

Wow! I never would have expected those to fit so well. Good job!

 

djma

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #4

Looks great! I love the red/black montereys!

 

lovinwaves

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #5

You know...I just got a Monterey today for my 3 across in my 2005 HOnda Odyssey van second row, and I must say it is WAY easier to buckle in than the Turbo Booster there. It's weird, it just allows more hand room or something Oh, and I have Radians on each side

The Monterey isn't as big as I thought it was going to be. It's pretty narrow at the base, but gets much wider up top.

So glad you found a solution, and woo wee it looks good

 

Twinklefae

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #6

A solid 3 across is one of the best feelings out there! Looks good. It's very interesting about the Monterey - how wide is it at the base?

 

Mommy0608

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #7

Wow, that's great! Never would have thought the Montereys would work with 3 across. :thumbsup:

 

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #8

Thanks everyone and I was super excited they fit so well together too. I was worried it wouldn't work since all 3 seats are wider at the tops and more narrow at the bottoms. I was more concerned of the RN not fitting between the 2 Monterey's, but it is a beautiful fit.

I am curious though if the RNXT I have would fit with those head wings so I may try that later this week.

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #9

WOW... I never would have guessed it would work in a million years (and I definitely don't think your boys will fight over which one is which... I certainly can't tell a difference between Montereys)

I honestly would have thought the Vivo would work better for 3-across.

Ah, well... must have to do with where the belt guide is and the shape of the lower portion.

I can't get over how well they puzzle together in that vehicle!

 

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #10

Twinklefae said:

A solid 3 across is one of the best feelings out there! Looks good. It's very interesting about the Monterey - how wide is it at the base?

Click to expand...

I got 14.5" just measuring across the front of the seat. If you account for the cupholders that stick out a bit it would be more like 15".

 

J

jesster

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #11

This is great! Thanks so much for the pictures. We got a Monterey last week and LOVE it.

lovinwaves said:

...I must say it is WAY easier to buckle in than the Turbo Booster there. It's weird, it just allows more hand room or something ...

Click to expand...

ITA! We are really enjoying the Monterey compared the TB. Although my fav change (compared to the TB) is how the seat belt *stays* in place at the shoulder (DS would always manage to pop it out in the TB and couldn't thread it back through by himself).

 

B

babyherder

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #12

MOM25BOYS said:

I am curious though if the RNXT I have would fit with those head wings so I may try that later this week.

Click to expand...

I am curious too. Cause I think a red RNXT would look awesome in there!

 

cookie123

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #13

Is that 49 inches?

 

oxeye

New member

• Apr 6, 2010

• #14

Wow! I never would have guessed that would work!

I wonder if I might want to try a Monterey in DH's car once DD outgrows the XT (planning way ahead here!). How narrow it is at the bottom makes me think I could probably do Monterey, RF Radian, FF Radian.

 

Laurette

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #15

I don't see why a XT wouldn't fit in the place of a regular Radian. The headwings nestle inside the outter lip of the seat itself.

 

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #16

babyherder said:

I am curious too. Cause I think a red RNXT would look awesome in there!

Click to expand...

The Rio is a little darker red than the Monterey's are, but I will post a pic of them together when I get out today to try it out.

cookie123 said:

Is that 49 inches?

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Yes, 49 inches from one end of the seat to the other and 50 inches from one side to the other. :thumbsup:

Laurette said:

I don't see why a XT wouldn't fit in the place of a regular Radian. The headwings nestle inside the outter lip of the seat itself.

Click to expand...

You know what that is soooo true. I was thinking the wings on the XT stuck out to the sides a little and they would bump into the wings of the Monterey. I guess now I see that is should work since like you said the wings are nestled inside. :thumbsup:

 

monstah

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #17

It looks SO much better in your 3 across than it did sitting lonely in my closet, that's a happy Radian! Isn't SSK on Facebook? I bet they would like that picture.

 

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #18

2mykids said:

It looks SO much better in your 3 across than it did sitting lonely in my closet, that's a happy Radian! Isn't SSK on Facebook? I bet they would like that picture.

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Lol, it won't get lonely here! Yes, they are and I am a fan of theirs! :thumbsup:

 

stayinhomewithmy6

Senior Community Member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #19

I have been coming back to look at your picture over and over again today and then I went out and measured the back seat of my van. I have 48" side to side. I wonder if it would work? Right now the only thing I have been able to fit that is buckle-able is an old style PW. I can fit PW SG, RN, PW if I really wedge them in, but then the SG is impossible to buckle. I wonder if the Monterey would work there? Hmmm.... I might have to order one just to see.

 

MOM25BOYS

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #20

stayinhomewithmy4 said:

I have been coming back to look at your picture over and over again today and then I went out and measured the back seat of my van. I have 48" side to side. I wonder if it would work? Right now the only thing I have been able to fit that is buckle-able is an old style PW. I can fit PW SG, RN, PW if I really wedge them in, but then the SG is impossible to buckle. I wonder if the Monterey would work there? Hmmm.... I might have to order one just to see.

Click to expand...

You know I think it all has to do with how the base of the seats form around eachother and that's what makes the Monterey's and the RN mesh. :thumbsup: The base on my Vivo's was not curvy and kinda wide so that made it bump closer to the RN and darn near impossible to buckle a booster. When I tried it with the old style PW they were too curvy in the front and didn't mesh well with the RN center. Same for the Turbo and the Compass B510's I had. I have tried most of the boosters I could get my hands on and the Monterey's by far have surprised me by playing so well together.