Freestyle question

After researching a bunch DH and I are really interested in a few used Freestyles (06 and 07 models). Problem is they're all 60-90 minutes away. Obviously we'd have to try our car seats in anything to ensure they work (or deciding to get different seats!) but before wasting out time in driving out there to see these - how do you get into the 3rd row if you have the middle bench seat? I assume the passenger side seat does a fold and tumble style move? If so, it is potentially possible to have a RadianX FF driver side, infant seat (yet to be obtained) or possible RF radian65 (original model) in the middle seat of the bench and flip the passenger side for oldest DS to access the back row? Those 2 seats in the middle could go the other way, as well if needed (FF radianX in the middle and baby on the driver side) in whatever. We are potentially inheriting a 2 y/o infant seat barely used from a friend but I don't know the model yet.

I have an 06 w bench seat. A 5, 3 and 1 year old.

calebsmama03 said:

how do you get into the 3rd row if you have the middle bench seat?
Passenger side tumbles forward or the driver/center tumbles forward.
.. potentially possible to have a RadianX FF driver side, infant seat (yet to be obtained) or possible RF radian65 (original model) in the middle seat of the bench and flip the passenger side for oldest DS to access the back row?
You can have an infant base in the center, Radian FF behind driver and the passenger side will tumble. It wont tumble if the infant seat is clicked into the base. You will be unable to access the third row with two+ convertibles. Even two Radians are too wide (doesn't matter if they are FF/RF). *NO* rear facing convertible will install center. Only some infant bases due to hinges.
Those 2 seats in the middle could go the other way, as well if needed (FF radianX in the middle and baby on the driver side) in whatever. We are potentially inheriting a 2 y/o infant seat barely used from a friend but I don't know the model yet.

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Please, dont get a Freestyle w bench. It's impossible if you have more than 2 kids in car seats. I have spent MANY hours trying to work it out but it's brutal.

We have an 06 and decided we couldn't do the bench, especially here. We're covered in snow and mud about 8 months out of the year. We really like our Freestyle. :thumbsup:

I would be MUCH happier without the bench. That middle seat is useful only as a wall. Otherwise, I love our Freestyle. It's perfect for a one or two child family but useless for a 3+ child family, IMO.

hm. By middle bench, are you guys talking about the middle row that seats 3 people?
I really love the freestyle, but we HAVE to seat 7, so we have to seat 2, 3, 2......we simply cant get the middle row that only has 2 buckets, because then the vehicle only seats 6. Are you guys saying that it's not a good vehicle for my situation?

bobandjess99 said:

hm. By middle bench, are you guys talking about the middle row that seats 3 people?
I really love the freestyle, but we HAVE to seat 7, so we have to seat 2, 3, 2......we simply cant get the middle row that only has 2 buckets, because then the vehicle only seats 6. Are you guys saying that it's not a good vehicle for my situation?

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The middle seat is horribly uncomfortable. I am 5'5", 135 and I tried sitting in it between a KF30 and a Radian but it was painful. To give you a better idea, if you put a Turbo center, the belt comes out of the bight from behind the turbo. A literider works OK there but it's still a pain. Because the buckles are forward of the bight and rigid, there's no shifting things left or right, KWIM? The buckle was jamming into my hip bone.
My DH just bought an Explorer and I am FLOORED at how massive and accommodating the backseat is compared to my Freestyle.