Harness for 5 year old?

I'm trying to see if 3 across will work in my 2005 Ford Escape when we have our 3rd child this summer.

DD is almost 5 years old, 43" and 49lbs. Riding in Safety First Air HBB.
DSL is 2.5 years old, height?? and 27lbs. Riding FF in Evenflo Triumph.

Planning on either B-Safe or Keyfit for baby, and will move DS to a Radian. I'm thinking of switching DD to a harness seat to avoid trying to cram my hand for buckling multiple times a day!

Any suggestions for a harness seat for three across? I heard the Radian makes a terrible booster, and I'm concerned Frontier85 is too wide... I'm in Canada, and the Harmony Defender 360 isn't available here... Help!

Smart of you to put your oldest back into a harness for the three across. I think cramming my hand in there would drive me crazy also! Also, some children who are 4 and 5 are better off in a harnessed seat because they sometimes forget the rule about sitting properly, or fall out of position when asleep. The general recommendation is 5.5 or 6 for children to go into a booster full time, although of course it depends on the child's maturity.

You're probably right that the Frontier will be too wide, and that a Radian would be a good choice for either or both of your older children. You could consider a second one, or look at the Clek Fllo/Foonf (pricey) or Evenflo Sureride (inexpensive) which are both narrow seats with good high harness slots.

Both the Keyfit and B Safe are narrow and could work.

If you find puzzling the three seats easier with two rear facing seats, your toddler could go back to rear facing in a variety of seats, including the ones mentioned above. The added bonus is he would be even better protected in the event of a crash.

If you are able, I would find a store that carries all these seats to try installing the demo models in your car before buying them.

Also, I heard today that the Harmony Defender is in the process of being sold in Canada - it's up on the Walmart site with a price, but still unavailable. If you have until summer, it might be an option.

Can you measure your oldest's torso height? Measure seated against a wall from floor(bum) to the top of the shoulders. You may be able to keep using the triumph and put a Radian beside it with your oldest in it.

Also consider the Snugride 30 for a narrow infant seat.

And you will most likely need to install all of the seats with seat belts to utilize all the space side to side as the lower anchors tend to move the seats towards the centre.

Alison's Mom said:

Also, I heard today that the Harmony Defender is in the process of being sold in Canada - it's up on the Walmart site with a price, but still unavailable. If you have until summer, it might be an option.

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Seriously? You just blew my mind. I've been hoping for this as my DD has just (today!) turned FF and I'd love a narrow combination seat.

Olga said:

Seriously? You just blew my mind. I've been hoping for this as my DD has just (today!) turned FF and I'd love a narrow combination seat.

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http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/defender-360-car-seat/6000189057048 It was posted on a FB tech page just a couple of days ago. . . I can't remember what someone said about availability - spring?

Alison's Mom said:

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/defender-360-car-seat/6000189057048 It was posted on a FB tech page just a couple of days ago. . . I can't remember what someone said about availability - spring?

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Hopefully by February, I believe.