I am trying to figure out what my options are for putting as many kids into my van as possible. I have a dayhome, so I potentially could have six, although right now I'm only at four kids (currently two 3.5 year olds (both 34lbs), one 23 months (22lbs) and one 22 months (26lbs)). I hope it's okay to put all my questions in one post, since they are somewhat related. Oh, and I'm in Canada.
First issue: My Sceneras both state a maximum RF limit of 32 inches. (I know the minimum for FF is 34 in the States, so what's up with that? What a stupid rule!) One of my kiddos is just barely 22lbs clothed, but is pushing the 32 inches. I don't want to flip him, both for safety and for convenience and because I'm short on top tether anchors. Do other RF seats have this same maximum?
Second issue: I drive a 2005 Montana. I have 4 factory installed top tether anchors, 3 in the second row, but only one in the third row. I'd much rather have more FF seats in the third row than the second, for ease of access. I'm also going to have a newborn in August, and I'd rather not have to lift him/her up over a million seats (on top of worrying about where the FF kids are standing while I do it) just because I have to have the RF seats in the back. Can more anchors be installed? Do top tethers have to have 'official' anchors, or can they be anchored to any suitable location? (I'm assuming not, but I can always hope) I'm also thinking long term - when all these little ones need to be FF, I'll need more anchors if I don't want to put them in boosters too soon!
Third: If I CAN get more anchors in the third row, I'm going to need some fairly narrow seats to fit. I know the Radian is narrow, but which other FF (hopefully less expensive) seats are? If I CANNOT get more anchors, I'm going to need high RF height/weight seats and then eventually boosters that will puzzle together in the third row. Any suggestions?
I hope that wasn't too confusing. Thanks to anyone who made it through all that and might have some suggestions for me.
Joanne
First issue: My Sceneras both state a maximum RF limit of 32 inches. (I know the minimum for FF is 34 in the States, so what's up with that? What a stupid rule!) One of my kiddos is just barely 22lbs clothed, but is pushing the 32 inches. I don't want to flip him, both for safety and for convenience and because I'm short on top tether anchors. Do other RF seats have this same maximum?
Second issue: I drive a 2005 Montana. I have 4 factory installed top tether anchors, 3 in the second row, but only one in the third row. I'd much rather have more FF seats in the third row than the second, for ease of access. I'm also going to have a newborn in August, and I'd rather not have to lift him/her up over a million seats (on top of worrying about where the FF kids are standing while I do it) just because I have to have the RF seats in the back. Can more anchors be installed? Do top tethers have to have 'official' anchors, or can they be anchored to any suitable location? (I'm assuming not, but I can always hope) I'm also thinking long term - when all these little ones need to be FF, I'll need more anchors if I don't want to put them in boosters too soon!
Third: If I CAN get more anchors in the third row, I'm going to need some fairly narrow seats to fit. I know the Radian is narrow, but which other FF (hopefully less expensive) seats are? If I CANNOT get more anchors, I'm going to need high RF height/weight seats and then eventually boosters that will puzzle together in the third row. Any suggestions?
I hope that wasn't too confusing. Thanks to anyone who made it through all that and might have some suggestions for me.
Joanne