Need help please. 2003 Grand Jeep Cherokee ... three carseats

Hey, guys.

Have a 19 month-old in a Britax Marathon and twins on the way. We have two vehicles that are both leased (didn't know twins were a possibility, or would not have leased the vehicles) ... a 2003 Grand Jeep Cherokee and a 2002 Nissan Altima.

I was thinking of taking the Jeep since I'll need room for all the baby items, etc.

The thing I'm wondering about is fitting three convertible seats across the back seat. (We already have two infant seats from when DS was born and will use those at first). Does anyone have any experience with this? Will three Marathons even fit? What about a Marathon and two Evenflo Triumph IVs (we have one already)? Both of those convertibles seem to have an extremely wide base to me. Help please!!

I don't have a ton of experience with that particular car but I can tell you I've crammed 3 across safely in several other cars that may have been smaller. LOL!

I can usually fit 3 across in my Ford Escort and I can easily fit 3 across in a Subaru Forester. I know I've succeeded in couple other models but those come to mind right now. Oh, a Toyota 4Runner, too. Hmmm....can't remember the others.

Anyway, the point I wanted to make is....with a little creativity and trial and error, 3 across can usually be done. You just have to be willing to work at it a little. Sometimes it takes an hour or two of maneuvering and trying out different combinations and seats. I have read that the Marathon base is actually narrower than a Roundabout. I have an Advantage (same base as the Roundabout) and it's been fine for me, width-wise.

Try out some different things and see what works. The main thing is making sure each seat is installed independent of the others...that is to say, make sure the last seat you install is not hung up on the seat that you installed before that. Does that make sense?

I'm sure others here will have more tips and ideas. Another thought is to check the compatibility database for both your vehicles....that may give you some idea of seats that don't already have compatibility issues with either of your cars and then you can go from there trying to get them all installed at once. Most stores will let you drag some seats out to the parking lot to try them out, etc.

Congrats on the TWINS!!!! Busy days are ahead for you!

Twins + 1

Hi!
I have 2 year old twins with one on the way. My mom has a 2003 Jeep cherokee. I would say that it would be a very tight fit. The biggest obstacle will be installing them appropriately. We have Britax Advantage seats, and just installing 2 of them leaves little room for anything else. We have a Suburban, so we don't have any problems.

Good Luck...... get some rest.....it will be a few years before you will sleep all night.

Stephanie