Good set-up for front bench seat?

sixboys

Member
I am so excited, I learned I can turn my Excursion into a 9 passenger vehicle by putting in the center seat where the console currently sits! That is what I had wanted to buy originally but I couldn't find one.

So, who should go up there? There are driver and passenger airbags. It is going to be set up like most Ford F-250 pickup trucks. Would you put the largest FF harnessed child there? Should I put the child in the passenger seat and me in the middle? Should I try to get an airbag turned off? Should I put my 10 year old in her Parkway booster in the passenger seat?
 
ADS

mommy2zander+baby

Senior Community Member
Wow!!

I would think it would be the oldest harnessed child that should be in the middle front... as long as the middle seat is wide enough to get a safe install... & I think another recommendation is to have the seat back as far as it will go (although I don't know if it will move independently or with the other front seats)

I'm gonna let a tech answer you for sure, but I wanted to also mention that I'd love to see some pictures of all your kiddos in the car! Seeing a few kids in carseats in the car together is interesting, but seeing 6 or 7 would be really awesome!! :D

edited to add: I didn't see your kids picture before... they are all darling!! :D
 

sixboys

Member
Thank you, I just got the pics to go through! I don't currently have a picture of all of them strapped in, but I'll try to remember to do that next time I've got them loaded up.

The center seat is 16 inches wide, so I was thinking of getting the Radian 65 and putting my almost five year old up there.
 

Tara

New member
Well, I have no advice as to who should go up there. I just wanted to say "Awesome!" that you are able to get that other seat. We have 5 kids in our Expedition...one more and we're full. So, I can understand how great it is to have that extra seat.

I'm guessing that you're considering putting one up front to keep a seat open in the 2nd row for access to the third row?
ETA: sorry, my bad...lack of caffeine is my excuse...**6** boys **1** girl = 7 children + parents = 9 people ... sorry 'bout that

With it having an airbag, hmm

I really don't know. Not a tech. But...I think I'd lean to a harnessed kid up there.
Where does your boostered dd currently sit? In an outboard or center position? If center, I'd certainly leave her where she sits, but if outboard, then, I dunno...I don't see how it'd matter a whole lot to move her up front.

But, like I said, I'm not a tech...

I just mainly wanted to say Rock on! For all those critters of yours AND on finding the extra seat option ;)
 

sixboys

Member
Currently, my daughter does sit in the front in her booster if I have to take the seven of them somewhere (which is rare). Otherwise, we've had to take two vehicles. The other option would be my son in his Blvd. and I just hate re-installing it for the times when I only have six or less of them with me.

I am so excited to have figured this out! Not only that, I found the seat that was made with the same leather as in my truck, so it will look like it's been there from day one!
 

my3girls

New member
This is a dumb question, maybe it's been covered - will the new seat have a lap and shoulder belt or just lap belt? I'm sure you know if it's lap only, then you CAN'T use it for a booster. I would guess oldest harnessed child, but then again that child will (likely) weigh the most and have the most head excursion towards the airbag. Will you be able to top tether this seat? Is turning off your airbag as simple as a switch (sometimes operated by the ignition key) or will you have to ask the dealership to disable it? Sorry I'm no help, just full of questions to hopefully help you get help. :)
 

sixboys

Member
This is a dumb question, maybe it's been covered - will the new seat have a lap and shoulder belt or just lap belt? I'm sure you know if it's lap only, then you CAN'T use it for a booster. I would guess oldest harnessed child, but then again that child will (likely) weigh the most and have the most head excursion towards the airbag. Will you be able to top tether this seat? Is turning off your airbag as simple as a switch (sometimes operated by the ignition key) or will you have to ask the dealership to disable it? Sorry I'm no help, just full of questions to hopefully help you get help. :)

It's a lap belt only. So my options are a harnessed seat in the center position - or me! :) I'd prefer not to sit in the center because of comfort issues, but I will if there is no safe way for a harnessed seat to go there. I'm thinking the Radian 65 would be my best bet, as I learned it has lower head excursion vs. the higher up Britax seats. I can't turn off the airbags myself, I'd need the dealership to do it.
 

Kellyr2

New member
Yeah, assuming good installation, I'd go with the Radian. I'm just thinking, it would be annoying having a seat that sits up higher and is wider, beside me while I'm driving. It would get on my nerves. The Radian would work well, though.
And also, I agree, SO cool that you've found an option to transport your whole family - and to do it safely!
 

sixboys

Member
Yeah, assuming good installation, I'd go with the Radian. I'm just thinking, it would be annoying having a seat that sits up higher and is wider, beside me while I'm driving. It would get on my nerves. The Radian would work well, though.
And also, I agree, SO cool that you've found an option to transport your whole family - and to do it safely!

I am so thrilled. We were so nervous about the big passenger vans after learning the government does not allow children in public schools to be transported in them due to rollover issues! I figured if the federal government said "no" to those vans, and many states don't allow daycares to use them either - I did not want one for my crew! Plus, we wanted a diesel engine, and it was very easy to find a diesel Excursion whereas it's a little harder to come by in the big vans.

And, now I get to buy another carseat! Yeah!
 
I would say a Radian in the center for a harnessed child would be safe. If the seat is on it's own track and you can scoot it back then keep it scooted back as far as possible. And tether it somewhere if you can. Also, if you want the airbags off a dealer or a shop *may* be willing to tell you how...all you have to do is pull a fuse...but it's not the safest option b/c then there's no airbags for anyone...
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
It's a lap belt only. So my options are a harnessed seat in the center position - or me! :)

Also remember it's not just about comfort - YOU are not nearly as safe in a lap belt, either! Your lovely babies need their mommy to ride as safe as possible, too. :)
 

sixboys

Member
I would say a Radian in the center for a harnessed child would be safe. If the seat is on it's own track and you can scoot it back then keep it scooted back as far as possible. And tether it somewhere if you can. Also, if you want the airbags off a dealer or a shop *may* be willing to tell you how...all you have to do is pull a fuse...but it's not the safest option b/c then there's no airbags for anyone...

This is what I'm most uncertain of.

Is it better for a harnessed child to sit in front of an airbag (or in this situation, in the middle of two big airbags), or is it better with no airbags?
 

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