3 across 3rd row of Suburban?

[tenecwalker]

We are looking at getting a suburban, but it only makes sense if we can fit 3 across the back row. We are looking at models from 99-06. I need 3 kids across the rear seat. Preferably 1 hbb & 2 forward facing seats. Would consider a rearfacing seat if it is relatively easy to load/unload a kid rf back there. It takes long enough to buckle them in easy reach. Thanks!

 

[An Aurora]

We are vehicle shopping as well and crossed the Suburban off our list since the 3rd row is too narrow to reliably get 3 seats across. I wouldn't attempt it with a booster unless you don't mind climbing back there to buckle and unbuckle.

 

[Brigala]

That's a very very difficult one. Are you looking at 7 passenger or 8 passenger Suburbans? If you only need to fit 7 passengers, you can easily fit 3-across in the 2nd row. It is a LOT wider than the 3rd row. If you can put two kids in the 3rd row and 3 in the 2nd row it would be very doable.

 

[tenecwalker]

We are vehicle shopping as well and crossed the Suburban off our list since the 3rd row is too narrow to reliably get 3 seats across. I wouldn't attempt it with a booster unless you don't mind climbing back there to buckle and unbuckle.

Have you found anything that is better?

 

[tenecwalker]

That's a very very difficult one. Are you looking at 7 passenger or 8 passenger Suburbans? If you only need to fit 7 passengers, you can easily fit 3-across in the 2nd row. It is a LOT wider than the 3rd row. If you can put two kids in the 3rd row and 3 in the 2nd row it would be very doable.

8 passenger. The 2nd row is definitely wider and we could fit 3 across that with the seats we have now (wide seats, including 2 frontiers). But I prefer to have a vehicle with 3 across the back for a couple of reasons.
Currently, If we have 3 across the 2nd seat then the kids have to step on the carseats to hop over the back, which gets the seat wet/muddy for the kid that is sitting there. And for the future if we end up having 6 kids (have 4 now). They will probably all still be in carseats, because the oldest just turned 7 and our kids tend to be very small.
Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time finding a vehicle that can fit 6 kids in carseats.

 

[TXDani]

Not easy in the 07+ models but I believe it isn't too bad in the older ones like you are looking at. Someone has one and does it here...but I can't remember who.

Sent from my iPad using Car-Seat.Org

 

[tenecwalker]

Not easy in the 07+ models but I believe it isn't too bad in the older ones like you are looking at. Someone has one and does it here...but I can't remember who.

Sent from my iPad using Car-Seat.Org

hmm hope they come along!

 

[glockchick]

I've got a 99. All I can say is good luck with that.

My 12 and 14 year olds are uncomfortable sitting next to a Radian in the center and they're both pretty slender. It is TIGHT back there. I've yet to fit anything side by side that left room for another passenger, much less a seat. I think perhaps Radians on the sides and a MR or Britax convertible center so it could overlap the edges of the RNs, but I think that's about your only bet. MAYBE a literider on one side instead of a RN, but I don't know for sure and I don't have those seats or I'd try it for you.

Can you not put 2 kids in the 2nd row, leave the seat behind the passenger flipped down, and put two more in the 3rd row? That's what I'd do if I only had 4 kids.

By the time you have another, your oldest will be in a booster and you could put him/her in the flip down seat and still be able to slide the seat forward for 3rd row access.

I promise there is no vehicle short of a bigger van that seats 12-15 that will be easy to access the 3rd row in with 6 car seats. Sorry.

 

[An Aurora]

Have you found anything that is better?

We are looking at an Excursion or a 12-passenger Nissan NV3500.

 

[zactayaus]

I have a 2000 and I've never had to have 3 seats across the back but I'm sure it would be quite a challenge. We've done a skinny harness seat (graco cargo) center next to a TB (which was almost impossible to buckle) and I sat squished on the side. No way another seat was fitting were I was sitting.

 

[mama23boyz]

Well I'm not sure how much help this will be, BUT I have a 2011 yukon xl (same as suburban) and I have successfully installed 2 coccorros (ff or rf, which was near impossible, had to have the coccorros more upright than the 30* neccessary for a newborn rf) and a scenera all in the 3rd row...it was VERY difficult to buckle them all in, but I did get them in and independantly tight. As a side note, I do not love the belt stalks forward of the bight, it seems to make some seats harder to get a good install on. Oh, also, can't remember if you said you already own the vehicle or are shopping for it, but my friend has an expedition el (longer than the reg, same-ish cargo room behind 3rd row) and her 3rd row has a little more room width-wise than my yukon xl. HTH!!

 

[J-max]

I have done 2 low back TB and an Aton without the base, but it was a very tight squeeze. You can also do a 3 across with a RF radian in front of the folded passenger side entry seat (but it has to stay folded up - so that leaves you with only 2 spots in the middle). I have only had to do it a few times with my 08 and it really sucks. I did it a few more times in our 04 and it was still hard, but doable. Now if you go back to a mid 09s or earlier, it is much easier.

 

[Peony]

I also have a Expedition EL, there is WAY more room in the 3rd row. 3 across is fairly easy to achieve but I don't think they started making them until 2007. Don't quote me on the year but they are only a fairly recent new SUV. In older SUVs, an Excursion would probably be a better bet then a Suburban.

 

[T4K]

I also have a Expedition EL, there is WAY more room in the 3rd row. 3 across is fairly easy to achieve but I don't think they started making them until 2007. Don't quote me on the year but they are only a fairly recent new SUV. In older SUVs, an Excursion would probably be a better bet then a Suburban.

Yeah, the Expedition's third row is fabulous. If you don't need the cargo room, the regular Expedition may work.

 

[TheQueenMother]

You can go gn, radian, MA in the third row of a suburban. With a radian center of our 2005 suburban, I could do several options.
Boosters were a pita so I tried to keep everyone harnessed as long as possible.
The expedition is wider and I can do 3 across with out a radian now. My favorite quick install to pick up the respite kids is 2 gn outboard with a forward facing myride center. You lose cup holders, but it works nicely.

 

[Sweeten mom]

I'm wondering the same thing about these years' Suburban. I could fit 2 Radians & a booster in my husbands Ford escape....... hoping I can do the same in a burb? Wanted to start my own thread but my account isn't working. Sorry.....

 

[An Aurora]

I had to laugh and look at the date on this since I have a Suburban now

Anyway, I have an 06 and I actually can fit three seats back there. A myride in the center with a booster on either side fits fine.