A 3-across riddle for you

My cousin just moved to a new house. Her two kids are the same age as mine (4 and 2). She's completely overwhelmed with unpacking, her DH came down with the flu and "took to the bed" for 2 days, leaving her with 2 kids, a sinus infection herself, unpacking and oh, her sister's wedding is in a week and they're flying to Seattle (from VT) and they need to be packed by Friday.

I really want to help her out. I was thinking of offering to take her dd (4) for a couple of days. But I think I'd be housebound with 3 kids unless I can figure out a 3 across situation that will work.

Here are the kids stats:
DD#1 (mine) 4 1/2 yrs, 42 lbs. w/ long torso.
DD#2 (mine) 23 mos. 29.5 lbs. (can be RF or FF at this point)
DC (cousin) 4 yrs., aprox. 45+ lbs. and tall.

Here are the available seats
MA
Regent (Ha!)
Safeguard Go
Evenflo Chase (BPB or 5 pt)
Costco Scenera
And her dd rides in an Apex and Compas B510 HBB, either of which would be available to me.

My two vehicle options are:
2003 Santa Fe (so far no 3 across situation has worked, but I haven't tried all these seat combinations)
And 1999 Honda Accord sedan - I think this one is more promising than the Santa Fe.

Obviously I'd like to keep the older ones harnessed if possible, but both of them have ridden in HBBs as back up seats. I'm not sure I'm comfortable putting anyone in the front seat either. I can't turn off the airbags in either car.

I had good success with a 3-across in our VW Golf, with the MA RF in the center. The two outboard seats were Turboboosters. The Scenera is pretty narrow, yes? I think you could probably fit it next to the MA RF.

Anyway, I don't have much experience with the other seats you've got available, just wanted to say that you could start with the MA RF in the center & see how the others puzzle around it.

(Remember, if you get it to work, take pictures for us!)

I am sooo not an expert on the variety of different carseats out there, but if you put Dd#2 RF in the center (Scenera, maybe?), would that make it easier to fit FF seats on either side for a 3-across config? Maybe then you could try to fit the MA outboard, FF, and DC's Apex outboard. It seems the likeliest possibility for keeping them all 5-pt. in the safest possible manner... :shrug-shoulders:

I would go MA forward, Scenera RF, Safeguard GO

I can fit 3 Marathons accross my 98' accord FF, RF, FF, so I really think you can do it that way.

There isn't a body change between 98' and 99, so you're golden, as long as the bottom of the Scenera is as narrow as the Marathon, you're golden!

Erika

I like the MA, scenera, GO configuration because I have all 3 of those seats at my disposal. I'd hate to go up there to pick her up and then realize that it won't fit.

I have tried the MA RF in the center, next to the Go and it was tight at best. I didn't mess with it too much because I was just playing with them to see if I could do it. But I remember thinking it could work. The armrests of the Go are taller than you'd think though.

Oh, and I only have a tether for the Go in one outboard position since it's a pre-latch car.

DD#1 hasn't ridden in the MA in a while. I think she still fits as long as I go by the "top of the ears" rule and not the "shoulders not above top slots" rule. Not sure I'm comfortable with that, but I'll have to check to see how close she really is.

And then, of course, to schedule this whole shin-dig to fit into both of our schedules.

I would just go out and test them out, in the car, and see... Since you have all 3, I would give it a shot. (You never know until you try).

Hey! I know! Just go out and get two Safeguards... That would only set you back $900 for a weeks worth of use! Not bad! (Just joking).

Or even better yet, just go out and buy a NEW CAR! (teasing again).

Erika

Erika Ruth said:

Hey! I know! Just go out and get two Safeguards... That would only set you back $900 for a weeks worth of use! Not bad! (Just joking).

Or even better yet, just go out and buy a NEW CAR! (teasing again).

Erika

Click to expand...

HA!!! Or I could just win the lottery and do both. Yes, that would do. A brand new Sienna filled with Safeguard Child Seats. Now that would be nice!

Ah, to dream!

Hey! That is what I would do too!!!!!

I guess I'll have to stick with the Town and Country, and 2 Marathons and one new seat on the way...

(The Town and Country will be a straight trade for my Honda Accord, as they are worth the same, so it is the cheapest way to get us more room, and we can still save up to buy that house...

Erika