Three car seats in 09 Dodge Grand Caravan

keizern · May 6, 2009

What is the best sit up for three car seats in a grand caravan. There are captain/bucket seats in the second row and only one latch system in the third row bench, which is slight off center towards the driver's side. The seats are:

1) 5 year old 32lbs - Radian
2) 3 year old 28lbs - Radian
3) Newborn -Graco snug ride or safe ride I can't remember.

I am worried about where to put the newborn. Are there concerns with side airbags? Would the third row be better even though it is not as convient, or the passenger second row?

Thanks for the input.

sunnyflower417 · Jun 2, 2009

I would put the oldest in the back row, and the two youngest in the second row. You could put down half the back seat and have the oldest get in through the cargo doors. I have an 08 but have a bench instead of captains.

ANGELINTC82 · Jun 2, 2009

If it were me and I didn't need all of the seats for other passangers, I would remove one of the captains chairs and put the two oldest in the back. Then, you would easily be able to access the newborn in the one captains chair and still be able to climb into the van without climbing over seats to buckel the older ones in.

wendytthomas · Jun 2, 2009

ANGELINTC82 said:
If it were me and I didn't need all of the seats for other passangers, I would remove one of the captains chairs and put the two oldest in the back. Then, you would easily be able to access the newborn in the one captains chair and still be able to climb into the van without climbing over seats to buckel the older ones in.

Yup!! The Radians install well outboard in the third row, and as I recall the 09s have tethers across the back, not just in the middle (I could be wrong on that).

Wendy

mommyto4 · Jun 3, 2009

ANGELINTC82 said:
If it were me and I didn't need all of the seats for other passangers, I would remove one of the captains chairs and put the two oldest in the back. Then, you would easily be able to access the newborn in the one captains chair and still be able to climb into the van without climbing over seats to buckel the older ones in.

This would be my first choice too.

Nena2007 · Jun 3, 2009

Can your 5 year old buckle him/herself in? I would put them in the back and the two smaller in the front. We have an 08 Grand Caravan (I don't think there are many differences) and we are soon to be foster parents and plan to do that. If my DD is the oldest, she will go in the back or vise versa.

Maedze · Jun 3, 2009

The Grand Caravan does NOT have top tethers across the back, just in the one off-set LATCH position :thumbsdown:

I would put the five year old in the rear off set LATCh position (don't forget to use the safe-stop, since he's under 40 lbs) and the baby and the three year old rearfacing in the captain's chairs.

My Sweet Blessings · Jun 3, 2009

Maedze said:
The Grand Caravan does NOT have top tethers across the back, just in the one off-set LATCH position :thumbsdown:

I would put the five year old in the rear off set LATCh position (don't forget to use the safe-stop, since he's under 40 lbs) and the baby and the three year old rearfacing in the captain's chairs.

i have a grand caravan and i am pretty sure i have two top tethers. one on each end. they are connected to the seat. i have bench seating and those have tethers, too.

Maedze · Jun 3, 2009

My Sweet Blessings said:
i have a grand caravan and i am pretty sure i have two top tethers. one on each end. they are connected to the seat. i have bench seating and those have tethers, too.

A 2009 does not have multiple tethers in the third row. Older models used to but the later models do not.

My Sweet Blessings · Jun 3, 2009

Maedze said:
A 2009 does not have multiple tethers in the third row. Older models used to but the later models do not.

ahh.. good thing mine is an 08, then! I wouldn't want a car that doesn't have all sorts of tethering options.

firemomof3 · Jun 3, 2009

My Sweet Blessings said:
ahh.. good thing mine is an 08, then! I wouldn't want a car that doesn't have all sorts of tethering options.

Even the 08's only have 1 rear tether position in the 3rd row

Maedze · Jun 3, 2009

My Sweet Blessings said:
ahh.. good thing mine is an 08, then! I wouldn't want a car that doesn't have all sorts of tethering options.

The 08 also has only one tether anchor in the rear position. Are you using cargo hooks as tether anchors?

Louisa · Jun 4, 2009

My 06 has only one set of latch and one tether in the back row

it is a real pain!

ginny4 · Jun 4, 2009

for the tether issues alone....that's why i opted for an 01 gr caravan rather than any other year. the 01s have 5 total anchors. 3 across the back (tho only the center OR the 2 outboards can be used at one time) & 2 tethers on the capt chairs. every year therafter has been only 3 total anchors.

Three car seats in 09 Dodge Grand Caravan

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