What vehicle for 7 kids in carseats?

K

kdkm

Member

• Sep 21, 2009

• #1

A friend of mine has 5 children, 5 and younger. She is currently in the process of gaining custody of her 7 year old twin niece and nephew. She has a 5 year old, a three year old, two 2 year olds, and a 10 month old (the younger 4 all rear facing still!) Her current seats are 3 TFs and 2 CAs. What vehicle would you suggest they invest in? Also which car seats should they get for the twins? They are small, both around 50 lbs (and they obviously have many kids to pass the seats down to!).

Thanks!

 

swtgi1982

New member

• Sep 21, 2009

• #2

If they are looking for something inexpensive, I would opt for the nautilus for the seven yr olds, and then look into a large van i know they make 15 passengers, but i thought there was something in between, so that would be my choice.

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• Sep 21, 2009

• #3

Physically and developmentally typical 50# 7yos are usually fine in highbacked boosters -- but if seating is tight, harnessed seats are usually easier because once they're in, they're in, and nobody has to try to wedge their hand between seats to buckle.

 

M

Maedze

New member

• Sep 21, 2009

• #4

I wouldn't spend money harnessing seven year olds unless there was a profound reason to do it.

What about one of those Sprinter dealies? It seats 12. That way she wouldn't have to worry too much about three acrosses...spread the seats out as necessary. I would even be comfortable putting the seven year olds in backless boosters to accomodate the large number of kids riding back there.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 21, 2009

• #5

Yep, I'd want a Sprinter. Much more stable and easy to fit seats in than a 12 passenger van, and headrests and shoulder belts for all positions. Tether anchors too now, I think.

 

QuassEE

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• Sep 21, 2009

• #6

Sprinter!

Heck, I only have four kids and I STILL want a Sprinter!

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Sep 21, 2009

• #7

So do I...maybe for the dogs? All in pet buckles?

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 22, 2009

• #8

Judi, your dogs and your baby dolls could ALL ride in style in a Sprinter!

Or, you could just go on a road trip collecting c-s.orgers and our kids (and seats) along the way. Like bingo. "Okay, I have a Regent, a Coccorro, and a Boulevard... If I hit L.A. I can pick up Anne's kids and score a Complete Air, a SafeGuard, and a RSTV, and on the way over to Texas, I'll swing down to pick up a Two Way Elite on the way... BINGO!"

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Sep 22, 2009

• #9

:ROTFLMAO: Car seat Bingo! Yes!!!!

Oh, and the dogs would have the seats, the babies live in a bag, or two...

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 22, 2009

• #10

Yes, I know. With knives. *tsks tongue*

 

Jennifer mom to my 7

Well-known member

• Sep 22, 2009

• #11

We bought a 9 passenger conversion van. Dh wouldn't go for a sprinter.

 

strollerfreak

Senior Community Member

• Sep 22, 2009

• #12

I like my 12 passenger E350 van...I'd pink sparkly heart a Sprinter but it was NOT in the budget at ALL.

 

zeo2ski

Well-known member

• Sep 28, 2009

• #13

ketchupqueen said:

Yep, I'd want a Sprinter. Much more stable and easy to fit seats in than a 12 passenger van, and headrests and shoulder belts for all positions. Tether anchors too now, I think.

Click to expand...

Whoa whoa back up--"Much more stable"--let's talk about that please! Aside from the headrests and l/s belts, is the sprinter safer than other big vans? I me a sprinter when the time comes but the word "van" scares me (safety wise). Whenever I look for the crash ratings the big vans are excluded; anyone know where I can find their ratings?

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 29, 2009

• #14

My understanding is that it's built on a bus chassis rather than a van chassis-- it's not nearly the rollover risk as the other vans (at least that is what I was told.)

 

zeo2ski

Well-known member

• Sep 29, 2009

• #15

Oh my goodness that's so great to hear. I mean reeeaally great! Thank you thank you. Do you remember where you heard that? Or does anyone know where I could find out for sure?