Is this the best solution or am I missing something?

We are taking a trip next month with my MIL & FIL. We'll be driving our Saturn Outlook (8 passenger) and there will be 4 adults, 2 kids (5.5yo DD & 3.5yo DS).

Vehicle constraints are: we need to be able to tumble the 40 section of the 2nd row for access to the 3rd row. All locations in the back have shoulder belts, center 2nd & 3rd row don't have headrests. Tethers in all locations 2nd row & center of 3rd row. If it makes a difference we have side impact airbags all the way to the 3rd row.

Seats we have are Frontier80, Marathon & PWSGL (DD doesn't fit in the MA anymore), both kids are FF. Can't fit a harnessed seat in the center 2nd row and still tumble the seat to get in the 3rd row.

So, what I'm thinking is DD in the Frontier, outboard, 2nd row & DS in the MA center of the 3rd row. The only downside to that is the adult that sits in the 3rd row is kind of squished next to the MA. (we did a trip last year with the MA in the center 3rd row, but it was less driving)

The Frontier fits beautifully outboard in the 3rd row, but no tether and not a lot of leg room for DD (not sure if she'd mind, but I just picture her legs getting squished being that close to the seat in front of her if we had any kind of accident). I could also try DD's PW back there but I'm not sure about her in a booster for such a long trip, although she'll have an adult next to her the whole time.

So, anything I'm missing? Stick with the MA center 3rd row or try something else?

Is there a possibility of putting the Marathon outboard in the third row? I think some vehicles allow that center tether position to be used either outboard or center. If the Marathon could go outboard and tethered to the center position, it would creat more space for the adult in that back space.

Melanie

Is boostering your dd an option? Then she can be in the frontier 3rd row outboard and tethering isn't an issue.

ETA: apparently I'm not completely awake and missed your last part about the booster. If you're unsure about it, maybe use the FR instead os the PW so you have the option of re-harnessing.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Borrowing the tether isn't allowed, I already checked that.

I hadn't thought of using the frontier as a booster, I'm not sure how I feel about using it as a booster without it being tethered though (it just seems so heavy). Honestly, I'm kind of tempted to go out and buy another seat (like the Maestro or something) but that just seems silly.

I need to take seats out tonight so maybe I'll play with some different setups tomorrow when I'm putting them back in.