Help installing eddie bauer 3 in 1 in caravan

I'm trying to install this seat in the captain chairs behind the driver and passenger seats in a 1996 Caravan. I have 6 month old twins who are 2 pounds away from the max in thier carriers (22 pounds) and we have to upgrade. I simply cannot get these seats to work as their isn't enough room for the install since the seats have to be in full recline and level for the RF install. They are jammed hard up against the back of the front seats, and my husband, who is 6 foot 5, couldn't even begin to drive the van with the seats installed as the front seats have to be so far forward. I don't know what I'm doing wrong or if these seats simply won't fit in my vehicle. I've tried the towel under the front but that just makes the fit tighter and the level line would only be level if I parked on a hill. The manufacturer was no help. From the looks of the room required, I don't think that I could install them in my Yukon either. I'm willing to try other seats, but all the 3 in 1's look to be the same in size. I want safety above all else for the boys, but I also want comfort as they spend a lot of time in these seats, and some of the smaller RF/FF combos look uncomfortable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

First question: Have you removed the bases? Removing the bases usually gains a couple of inches of front to back room when installing these seats rear facing.

Second question: Are you checking the actual recline angle of the carseat's back? The part that supports your child's back should be at about a 45 degrees angle (more upright may be okay for an older baby with good head control). The built in line levelers on the sides of these seats have been know to be less than accurate, and when used as directed can result in an install that is more reclined than necessary. This increase in recline can take up more front to back room as well.

Unless your heart is set on these seats try asking for some recommendations for alternatives. These seats are often out grown by height long before weight and much sooner than many people expected, especially if you're planning on actually using the forward facing harness.

HTH

Belinda

This was discussed on this thread too just the other day, so you might find there's some helpful info there too.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=222432#post222432