I currently have a 3.5 y.o. RF and a nearly 2 y.o. RF in the two captain's chairs in a Dodge Grand Caravan. With another baby on the way, we are looking at a new van. Both my kids are in Radians, and the baby will be in a Snugride and eventually a Radian.
I want to move the 3.5 y.o. to FF in the 3rd row, and leave my 2 y.o. RF for at least another year in the 2nd row, plus add the baby to the 2nd row. It is not an option to move the 2 y.o. FF or RF in the 3rd row, I want to leave her in the 2nd row.
The Dodge cannot do this and still give easy access to the 3rd row. My son would have to climb in through the hatch or climb under the RF seats in the second row. Both scenarios make it impossible for us to latch him in properly, or even once he can latch himself, to check the tightness of the straps to ensure he's properly seated.
In looking at vans, it appears the Honda is the only van that will meet my needs (is that right?). I can put the baby in the middle 2nd row seat and my toddler in the side captain's chair. Then, remove the other captain's chair for easy 3rd row access. Is this correct?
For anyone in this situation, would it be better to have the toddler in the middle? I'm concerned about lifting the Snugride from the outside of the van to the middle seat. My DH has back issues and it just seems like an awkward lift to get the carseat to the base. I know it could work just by sitting the seat on the floor of the car, climbing in a bit, and then doing it. But I was just curious if anyone else found it easier to have the toddler in the middle. I do tend to have lightweight children so we will not liking be lifting a heavy kid, but still I can see it as an issue.
I know all this stuff will work itself out once we have it, but I'd just like some BTDT experience to give me a heads up. Thanks for the help!
I want to move the 3.5 y.o. to FF in the 3rd row, and leave my 2 y.o. RF for at least another year in the 2nd row, plus add the baby to the 2nd row. It is not an option to move the 2 y.o. FF or RF in the 3rd row, I want to leave her in the 2nd row.
The Dodge cannot do this and still give easy access to the 3rd row. My son would have to climb in through the hatch or climb under the RF seats in the second row. Both scenarios make it impossible for us to latch him in properly, or even once he can latch himself, to check the tightness of the straps to ensure he's properly seated.
In looking at vans, it appears the Honda is the only van that will meet my needs (is that right?). I can put the baby in the middle 2nd row seat and my toddler in the side captain's chair. Then, remove the other captain's chair for easy 3rd row access. Is this correct?
For anyone in this situation, would it be better to have the toddler in the middle? I'm concerned about lifting the Snugride from the outside of the van to the middle seat. My DH has back issues and it just seems like an awkward lift to get the carseat to the base. I know it could work just by sitting the seat on the floor of the car, climbing in a bit, and then doing it. But I was just curious if anyone else found it easier to have the toddler in the middle. I do tend to have lightweight children so we will not liking be lifting a heavy kid, but still I can see it as an issue.
I know all this stuff will work itself out once we have it, but I'd just like some BTDT experience to give me a heads up. Thanks for the help!