WWYD with my lack of tethers

Phineasmama · Feb 20, 2013

Okay so as I said I got a SureRide for DD1 because she hasn't been sitting nicely in her booster and the shoulder belt slides off her shoulder because she's LEANING all the time. So the SureRide is great, installs perfectly, tons of growing room, except for one thing- the stupid crotch buckle. She usually gets one side buckled and then can't do the other side. So I have her in the 3rd row middle because that's where my 3rd tether is, but it's hard for me to climb back there every time to help her do the last buckle. I already have to open and close both of the sliding doors, and buckle DS and DD2. I have some chronic joint pain issues btw so it's not just an annoyance but a little more than that (in case anyone was wondering).

So WWYD? My preferred set up would be DD2 rear facing in the captains chair, and DD1 and DS both FFing on the middle and outboard passenger of the 3rd row bench. That way I can have one captains chair stowed and I only have to open ONE door, and climb in ONE time to help them all buckle.

Is it better to have the captains chair stowed on that passenger side if one of them is not tethered? I can put DS on the passenger side and use a seat with FFing lock offs too, he's in the ProRide right now but his Foonf is coming tomorrow so I would most likely use that. But I'm still a little paranoid. Tell me is it okay? Or should I just deal with it and keep them all tethered?

Brianna · Feb 20, 2013

Can you put the RF'er in the untethered spot?

MommyShannon · Feb 20, 2013

What are your set up options? Can you slide one captain's seat over? Can you use the 3rd tether for the outboard position?

Phineasmama · Feb 20, 2013

I could try it...I just thought it might be hard to load/unload the baby if there is a FFing seat right next to her. She is 30 lbs and it's like picking up a rock

Phineasmama · Feb 20, 2013

MommyShannon said:
What are your set up options? Can you slide one captain's seat over? Can you use the 3rd tether for the outboard position?

I have a 2010 Dodge grand caravan with stow n go, there are tether anchors in the captains chairs but they cannot slide over, they can only fold down flat into the bottom. The 3rd row is like a 40/60 split where the passenger side is a full seat, and then the middle/driver side is together with a weird middle seat belt and off center latch with one top tether anchor in the center.

Syllieann · Feb 20, 2013

Have you looked at the Durango retrofit for the stow and go platform? If you haven't seen it, you can start reading at post 2 here
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=171473

Phineasmama · Feb 20, 2013

Syllieann said:
Have you looked at the Durango retrofit for the stow and go platform? If you haven't seen it, you can start reading at post 2 here
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=171473

You know I actually read that a while ago but it wasn't really on my mind because I thought the 3 tether situation was working for me but obviously it's just not cutting it anymore. I will look into this again.

Genevieve · Feb 20, 2013

I got the retrofit for for my 07 T&C. I had it put behind the outboard passenger seat in the third row. So my set up is two kids in that third row, one kid in passenger captains chair and the other captains chair stowed. Perfect set up.

Phineasmama · Feb 20, 2013

Yeah I have been looking at the tether kit and I think I'm going to get one now and get another one later just so I can do all kinds of different set ups if I need to

It looks super easy to do!

Genevieve · Feb 21, 2013

It was super easy. You just need a torque wrench. My FIL put it in and it took about 10 mins. It was totally worth the $100 because it made my van so much more functional.

Phineasmama · Feb 21, 2013

Just ordered one today

I will probably order another later. It was only $94 shipped though.

canadiangie · Feb 21, 2013

For anyone out there reading along, it seems that Chrysler put the halt on this retro-fit for vans made after 07. The key issue being Stow n' Go. If the van is 08 or newer it will have Stow n' Go (I think?) and adding an anchor to a 3rd row with Stow n' Go is a no per Chrysler.

I would love to know why... there must be a reason. It's been 5 years since the new body style hit the market so I'm sure they've done testing by now.

I know OP says she's fine with doing it anyway, but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Phineasmama · Feb 21, 2013

Yeah I do think that's a little strange. Maybe it's something stupid like they thought that putting an extra strap on there would interfere with folding up the seat? Who knows.

jenfrogmom · Feb 21, 2013

You ordered another foonf? Where is the twe?

Phineasmama · Feb 21, 2013

jenfrogmom said:
You ordered another foonf? Where is the twe?

Oh you caught me

Phoebe LOVES the TWE so she is riding in it right now. Phineas got a Faux Hawk foonf because he's all about FFing now for some reason. Which is fine...since he's 4, but I didn't really want to use the TWE FFing.

NVMBR02 · Feb 21, 2013

Phineasmama said:
Oh you caught me Phoebe LOVES the TWE so she is riding in it right now. Phineas got a Faux Hawk foonf because he's all about FFing now for some reason. Which is fine...since he's 4, but I didn't really want to use the TWE FFing.

Would you mind posting a picture or two of your 4 year old FFing in the Foonf when you get it installed in the car? I have seen some pictures of kinds FFing in the house but none in the car. I am thinking about a Foonf for my 3.5 year old, but she will probably switch FFing within the next 12 months. Since she is small with a short torso she has plenty of room in her BLVD70 so I am trying to decide if I should just wait it out and loost at the stratofix and fronteir 90 when they come out or get the Foonf....

Phineasmama · Feb 21, 2013

Mommyto2 said:
Would you mind posting a picture or two of your 4 year old FFing in the Foonf when you get it installed in the car? I have seen some pictures of kinds FFing in the house but none in the car. I am thinking about a Foonf for my 3.5 year old, but she will probably switch FFing within the next 12 months. Since she is small with a short torso she has plenty of room in her BLVD70 so I am trying to decide if I should just wait it out and loost at the stratofix and fronteir 90 when they come out or get the Foonf....

Sure! I am going to install it tonight but it's freezing so I won't have him sit in it in the car until tomorrow morning. But I can definitely take pics. He is small for his age too and has TONS of room above his shoulders in it. Just watch this thread and I'll post them here.

daniele_ut · Feb 21, 2013

Phineasmama said:
Just ordered one today I will probably order another later. It was only $94 shipped though.

Where did you order the tether kit? I also have a 2010 Grand Caravan and have contemplated moving DD to the back row eventually but I will need the extra tether strap to do so. I hate calling our local dealer with odd requests. They are slightly clueless.

Phineasmama · Feb 22, 2013

I ordered from this site:

http://www.factorymoparparts.com/05015403aa.html

I wouldn't bother calling the dealership, especially since it's not officially "approved" as a retrofit. But it looks like you should easily be able to do it yourself.

Genevieve · Feb 22, 2013

Mine is a Mopar part too, but I did get it through the dealer.

WWYD with my lack of tethers

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