3 across in a mazda tribute

[aimeethompson]

ok, here is my dilemna

i currently have an nautilus and a snugride with base in my car and decided it is almost time to get rid of the snug ride and move my baby into a RF convertible. so with all the research i did, i settled on a truefit. so far i love it but it hasn't even made it into my car yet because my husband says there is no way it will fit in my car because "it is huge" . he thinks i went and bought the biggest carseat on the market.

I only have 2 kids and don't plan on having anymore. the only reason i have an issue is on occassion i take my older sons friends with me either in a booster or an enspira in booster mode (his little girlfriend has this seat but we haven't taken her since baby has been born). unfortunately i don't have the carseats to see if they will fit 3 across.

on the weekend we had 3 across with a graco backless booster and when my hubby did the installation, he said it was a very tight squeeze. he thinks this carseat is way wider then the base of the snugride.

does anyone have a similar vehicle with simialar seats? i know it may be far fetched but unless i go borrow the booster/enspira from one of my friends i really have no way of knowing.

thanks in advance

 

[canadiangie]

I have successfully installed a SafeSeat base, Radian, and Marathon across the back of an Escape (the Tribute's first cousin), and it was snuggly but doable.

That said, the TF is wide, as is the Nautilus. If you need a comfortable 3 across set-up I would suggest you consider a Radian instead.

What year is your Tribute? Does your middle seat have a lap and shoulder belt? Does it have a head restraint? (ie: head rest)

 

[aimeethompson]

my middle seat does not have a shoulder belt or head restraint. I am thinking the same. hubby said "buy smaller carseat", i said "lets buy bigger car" that didn't go over too well. i think the TF is going to have to go back and i am goign to have to rethink my carseat plan.

i will keep working on it. going to install and measure what room is left. sucks doing carseat install in the rain. argh to BC weather this week.

 

[QuassEE]

I had an '01 Tribute, and then sold it to another member here. We've both managed a lot of three across configurations, but the Radian is really quite helpful. It does install better with the lapbelt in the centre and then put whatever you need in the outboard seating positions. I'll have Desiree post here, since she does have three across in the Tribute now. I tended to use the front passenger seat for my oldest, and my ex-DH used the Safeguard Go in the centre since it sits low enough we could put about everything outboard.

-Nicole.

 

[desiree_leigh]

I currently have RF Marathon psgr side, FF Radian ctr, Graco Turbobooster driver side in my DHs 01 Tribute. I had a very tough time getting the True Fit in RF instead of the MA and then having enough room to put the booster on the driver side. Sorry hun, I think you need a Radian. I would definitely try it in the center to give yourself enough room for the recline you'll need rearfacing. HTH!

 

[aimeethompson]

well, the TF is goign back to the store. i tried it with just the TF and the nautilus and no luck. one of the seats has to be way up and that really isn't an option. i hope with a radian, nautlius and turbo booster it will all fit.

thank you for all your input. i am a bit sad as i loved the TF. on to finding another carseat.

as for the radian, where is the best place to buy one from. i am in lower mainland of BC.