3 Across in '98 Ford Taurus?

A cyber friend has 3 children across in a '98 Ford Taurus.


5.5 yr. old, 45 lbs., 42 " in a Graco combo, outboard
4 yr. old, 43 lbs, 40" in a Graco combo, center
2 yr. old, 25 lb. in a FF convertible, outboard

I told her the two older kids exceeded the weight limit of the harnesses and need to transition to the booster mode. She said this was impossible because they could not reach the buckles due to having 3 seats tightly in a row. I asked if she tried with the convertible in the center and the two BPB outboard. (This would be a requirement since the middle position is lap belt only.) She hadn't tried that scenario but was still skeptical of it working. She also said she wanted her older kids to remain harnessed longer. I told her the few options - Nania Airway, Britax Marathon/Wizard and Husky. She also mentioned they hope to get a mini-van later this year.

Anyway, has anyone had trouble installing 3 across in the back of a Taurus? Any suggestions, other than referring her to a CPS tech in her area? TIA

I think it's certainly do-able. It sounds like your friend doesn't even want to try .

The Evenflo Big Kid has flip-up arms that would probably be especially helpful in her situation. I think the Cosco Protek has them too, but don't quote me on that one. If buckling/unbuckling becomes a problem, she could always leave the boosters buckled in and have the kids climb into the seats under the belt.

It's vitally important that she knows that those seats can fail in a crash because her kids are over the weight limit for the harnesses. The results could be catastrophic. I like that she wants her kids to remain harnessed, but she must use a seat rated for a higher weight limit (which I'm sure you've emphasized to her).

Good luck!

I'd also suggest the Big Kid. It's only 16 inches across & has the narrow "torso" and flip up armrests, both of which really help for a 3 across situation. Depending on which Graco combos they have - the CarGos are 16" and the Quest is 17.5" wide - the Big Kid will be at least the same width, if not narrower. She should be able to pick up the Big Kid seats for $30 for the less padded or $50 for the padded version. I'm not sure about the Proteck's armrests either, but it looks like a wider, bulkier seat to me.

I wouldn't think she'd have too much trouble fitting 3 seats in a Taurus (I've fit two combo seats and a booster in a Ford Focus and it was still possible - not easy, but possible to buckle the booster. The Taurus has about 5 more inches of hip room in the backseat, I believe.) Another tip would be to put a small piece of self-stick velcro, the bristly side, onto the carseat's buckle once the older two are in boosters. This way the child in the booster that buckles next to the car seat's buckle will be able to tell by feel which buckle belongs to the booster (a plus in a crowded situation), so the carseat doesn't accidentally get unbuckled.

Good luck convincing her!

Raechel
tech and mom of 2