Question Minivans and car seat confugs

U

Unregistered

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We are shopping for a minivan (likely Grand Caravan or Town and Country for price point) or crossover, and will have 2 ff and 1 bucket. These models only have a centre tether for ff in the 3rd row. Would we be better to get 2nd row bench or captains chairs? TIA
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Mags462

Mags462

New member
I think that depends entirely upon how you like to use your space. I have a 7 passenger van for 3 children and we have captains chairs. But pretty much from day one we have removed the passenger side chair and put two children on the back bench and the other on the remaining captains chair. This allows me to move around as well as my boys so much that idk if I can ever put the other seat in ;)

In reality I like space between my kids - not for fighting but because they have always used that space as a place to set their books, drawing pads, whatever they want to entertain themselves on that empty seat. So I always prefer the captains chairs personally but a lot of people I know like the bench.

I'm sorry I'm not more helpful but it's really just personal preference.
 
Mags462

Mags462

New member
Oh I will add that captains chairs are much easier to find around here. Benches in the 2nd row is really hard to find here... So one may be more easy to find than another in your area.
 
Brianna

Brianna

New member
The Grand Caravan and Town and Country don't get a lot of love around here due to the 3rd row seat belt geometry. It's not compatible with many high back boosters and generally doesn't provide good seat belt fit in a backless booster or for older children out of boosters. If you plan to keep it for a while when your children will need boosters, you would likely need the boosters in the 2nd row and rear facing or forward facing harnessed seats in the 3rd.

This might not be a breaking point for you, I just wanted you to be aware. The 2006 and newer Kia Sedona is more booster friendly, and is also on the more budget friendly side than the Odyssey and Sienna.
 

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