Recommendations for 3 kids in rental car

katiebo

New member
Hello, we've got twins and a bonus baby that will be flying in December and renting a minivan. I have small, lightweight kiddos. The youngest will be newly turned 3, and we've been using a Cosco Scenera Next as her travel seat since she was 1. She's around 33" tall and 29lbs. The twins will be 5.5 and my son is 42" and 35lbs and my daughter is 41" and 36.5lbs. They typically ride in Dionos but I have no desire to drag those suckers through an airport. We also have 4 Evenflo Amp HBB - I know, I know, they're under 40lbs. However, they're only used for quick trips in my car since I don't have top tethers available and in the after school program since there isn't someone who can buckle/unbuckle them from a convertible and I doubt they'd install it correctly anyway.

I saw that the Yumi can fold, but wasn't sure if the airline would let us bring two onto the plane. I'd be interested to know if people have successfully brought some on the plane. Everything I've read is only about taking 1. I really don't want to check seats because I'd worry about the integrity. We want to go with boosters because space will be an issue for the second leg of our trip (cruise).

Any recommendations? I'm also not entirely opposed to purchasing a set of cheap boosters upon arrival and then ditching them before heading home. Ideally, I'd like to bring whatever we need with us so that I don't have to worry about store availability and leaving everyone at the airport while I purchase seats.

Thanks in advance!
Kate
 
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ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
If they sit well in boosters I'd just bring backless boosters. You'll run into space and headrest interference issues in many rental cars. I would use a backless that starts at 30 lbs and is small (Harmony Youth Booster for instance.) They should fit under the seats on the plane.

Ride Safer Travel Vest would be another option but it is much more expensive.

Edit: just processed minivan. Ok, folding boosters would work (and can be used as your carryon for the kids.) much more cumbersome though! If you wanted a sedan to save money my recommendation stands. If you will have other riders in the minivan my recommendation is actually the vests because you'll likely end up with a Town and Country and that way you can put them in the otherwise unusable outboard third row.)
 

katiebo

New member
I actually have one RSTV. I know someone who is selling two and could possibly get a deal. Will they really be ok in just a backless booster? I didn't think it was safe at their age/weight.

My Edit: Yes - we definitely are renting a minivan for the space. We'e going to Disney for a week and then a cruise so we have to pack for all weather plus formal stuff for the cruise. I'm just terrible at packing light. ;) The rental car company lists a Dodge Caravan as the minivan.
 

katiebo

New member
Wouldn't a booster be more comfortable than the RSTV? They'll be spending a decent amount of time in the vehicle. We fly to Orlando and then will drive to the hotel and throughout Disney. Then we have to drive from Orlando to Tampa for our cruise.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
It depends on your kids what they prefer. Some prefer the vest, some a booster. If they're going to be the only 3 people in the back of the minivan then I guess any of the options will work. Be aware the folding boosters are short though. You'd want to check if they actually fit (yes they are THAT short.)

Backless boosters are appropriate based on age and maturity if they can sit properly, as long as you get one rated for their weight. If you'll have a long drive you will want to consider how they will sleep.

If you'll be going on excursions on the cruise I would bring the vests though (and get a locking clip for the NEXT since you don't know what you'll end up in.)
 

katiebo

New member
They'll be good about sitting in a backless booster. I was actually surprised at how well they adapted to the HBB when we bought my car in June. They also probably won't sleep in the car since the only extended trips will be during daylight. Why the vests for excursions? We've never needed a restraint for any of our excursions, but we've also mostly done bus or boat travel in the past since we typically just go to a beach because of their age.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Sometimes you end up in a taxi. Sometimes you end up in a shuttle bus with seatbelts. Sometimes you end up in a 15 passenger van/shuttle. Since you don't know what you'll end up in you'll want to carry restraints with you and hands down the vests are easiest to carry around all day.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi,

Just want to say that I recently carried 2 Dionos and a Cosco Scenera Next through the airport for a flight from Montreal to Buenos Aires (with a connection through Panama). It's a pain, but it is doable. We made the decision to bring our Dionos because we'll be staying in Buenos Aires for 6 months and because we didn't want to have to purchase new seats since the Dionos were so expensive to begin with!

We had luggage carts at the airport, so we rarely had to carry the seats at all. The only time was from security to the gate and then into the plane, and then from the plane to customs on arrival. They are HEAVY, but we had plenty of people offering help when they saw we had three kids. In Montreal, they offered the courtesy cart, so my husband got to take a little ride!

If you choose to take the Dionos, don't buy the straps. They're useless.
 

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