We have 4 kids - 9, 8, 5, 3 and they are currently riding in a HBB, FFing, FFing, FFing Gracos in my Honda Odyssey. My husband is wanting to replace his Subaru with a truck, both for his comfort and so that he can more easily carry at least 2 kids. When I'm gone and he has the kids (or at least 3), we just switch cars. The only time I can foresee putting all 4 kids in the truck will be when all 6 of us go camping, but I still need to make sure this will work & is reasonably safe. We have had the same vehicles for years so I could really use help with these details.
I checked our WA state laws and it says a child under 13 can only ride up front when the rear seats are all full from other children - so I know that part is legal. We are looking at crew cabs - either the Dodge Ram or Chevy Silverado. It appears both trucks have two latch seat possibilities (behind passenger & driver) in the backseat. Our 8 yr old is still in a FFing 5 pt but we could switch her to a HBB if needed. But it looks like there is only a lap belt in the middle backseat (am I wrong about this?). Is this ok with a FFing 5pt harness seat? And the middle backseat is also shorter than the side seats - can the carseat extend over the seat? And my 9 year old that's in a HBB - I was thinking we'd just put him up front in the passenger seat & I'd ride in the front middle with the lapbelt? I have been told that the passenger airbag is no longer able to be turned off but goes by weight.
If it is just easier for someone that drives a crew cab to share how their carseats work & which brands you use, that would be great!
Again, this would be rare that we'd all be riding in it, but I need to know if it's possible. Thank you so much!
I checked our WA state laws and it says a child under 13 can only ride up front when the rear seats are all full from other children - so I know that part is legal. We are looking at crew cabs - either the Dodge Ram or Chevy Silverado. It appears both trucks have two latch seat possibilities (behind passenger & driver) in the backseat. Our 8 yr old is still in a FFing 5 pt but we could switch her to a HBB if needed. But it looks like there is only a lap belt in the middle backseat (am I wrong about this?). Is this ok with a FFing 5pt harness seat? And the middle backseat is also shorter than the side seats - can the carseat extend over the seat? And my 9 year old that's in a HBB - I was thinking we'd just put him up front in the passenger seat & I'd ride in the front middle with the lapbelt? I have been told that the passenger airbag is no longer able to be turned off but goes by weight.
If it is just easier for someone that drives a crew cab to share how their carseats work & which brands you use, that would be great!
Again, this would be rare that we'd all be riding in it, but I need to know if it's possible. Thank you so much!