Mommy0608
New member
Advice on 3rd row in ‘08 Grand Caravan
Hi all! It’s been a few years since I’ve been on here. We have an ‘08 Grand Caravan (have had it for 8 years now). Had I known then about how terrible the belt geometry in the 3rd row is, I wouldn’t have chosen this vehicle. However, we are stuck with it for now.
DD is 11 years old, 56” tall and about 70lbs. She’s rather petite/thin. She currently rides outboard in the 3rd row in a high back Monterey booster. The fit is fine in the booster as long we use the back. However, at nearly 12 years old, she really wants to use a backless booster or no booster. I’ve tried her in that seating position with both backless and no booster and the belt fit is awful! The shoulder belt is way off her shoulder and sticks out in front of her rather than touching her chest/shoulder.
I have not tried her in the center position. Perhaps the shoulder belt there would be better?
Other than getting a new vehicle, there probably isn’t much I can do to remedy the situation is there? Some magical solution?
The captains chairs aren’t much better unfortunately. She insists on riding in the 3rd row to have her own space away from her brother.
If I could convince DH to trade in our van and get something of similar value ($5000-$7000), what older used vans would have better 3rd row belt geometry? Money is an issue so unfortunately we can’t get something worth much more than the current van.
Edited: Just looked up the KBB value on my van. Much lower than I had hoped. If we trade in, it would only be worth about $2000. Would still appreciate older van recommendations.
Hi all! It’s been a few years since I’ve been on here. We have an ‘08 Grand Caravan (have had it for 8 years now). Had I known then about how terrible the belt geometry in the 3rd row is, I wouldn’t have chosen this vehicle. However, we are stuck with it for now.
DD is 11 years old, 56” tall and about 70lbs. She’s rather petite/thin. She currently rides outboard in the 3rd row in a high back Monterey booster. The fit is fine in the booster as long we use the back. However, at nearly 12 years old, she really wants to use a backless booster or no booster. I’ve tried her in that seating position with both backless and no booster and the belt fit is awful! The shoulder belt is way off her shoulder and sticks out in front of her rather than touching her chest/shoulder.
I have not tried her in the center position. Perhaps the shoulder belt there would be better?
Other than getting a new vehicle, there probably isn’t much I can do to remedy the situation is there? Some magical solution?
The captains chairs aren’t much better unfortunately. She insists on riding in the 3rd row to have her own space away from her brother.
If I could convince DH to trade in our van and get something of similar value ($5000-$7000), what older used vans would have better 3rd row belt geometry? Money is an issue so unfortunately we can’t get something worth much more than the current van.
Edited: Just looked up the KBB value on my van. Much lower than I had hoped. If we trade in, it would only be worth about $2000. Would still appreciate older van recommendations.
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