Need a RF seat that fits 2016 Explorer center bench mini center seat and still allows for …

[AutoShopMama]

We just added a little foster guy to our clan that needs to be RF and I need to find a seat that when installed in the center bench center seat of my 2016 Explorer still leaves both door seats useable.

The struggle is that the buckle receiver for the driver’s side bench seat ends up under the belt path when a seat is installed in the center. I tried using the inner latch, but had the same problem. So far I’ve tried my Radian 3R, the infant seat w/ base, and a couple inexpensive seats that have not worked. The only thing that has allowed the drivers buckle to be useable is when I install the infant seat (Evenflo LiteMax 35(?)) by itself, without the base. I’ve been installing seats correctly for years (my oldest is 21 and I used to spend way too much time on this forum LOL) and I’m confident that the seat is snug/correct, but it’s not optimal, and the seat he’s in says 1” from the top of his head to the edge and he obly has about 1.5” so I’m going to need a convertible seat soon anyways.

Soooo … that was A LOT of words … I don’t know if I’m explaining the issue correctly … if you’ve got suggestions on RF center bench center seat installs that allow both outer seats to still be used, let me know!!

 

[ketchupqueen]

What I'm hearing is that you have a very narrow seating position.
You could try the Clek Lling, which has a 13" base, and may fit with the base.
If you want a convertible, you could also try the Graco SlimFit3 LX (not regular SlimFit), or True3Fit which is the same seat by a different name. Overall widest point is 16.5", but the base is significantly slimmer- especially at the very bottom.
Long shot to try might be the Clek Foonf- besides being pretty narrow at the base it sits high enough it might change the geometry enough to work?

 

[AutoShopMama]

What I'm hearing is that you have a very narrow seating position.
You could try the Clek Lling, which has a 13" base, and may fit with the base.
If you want a convertible, you could also try the Graco SlimFit3 LX (not regular SlimFit), or True3Fit which is the same seat by a different name. Overall widest point is 16.5", but the base is significantly slimmer- especially at the very bottom.
Long shot to try might be the Clek Foonf- besides being pretty narrow at the base it sits high enough it might change the geometry enough to work?

Thanks! Narrow is helpful, but I think something that sits a little higher above the base is what will be most helpful.

I’m not going to convince DH to let me get a Clek, but I might look at the Graco … and tell him it’s $200-something

 

[AutoShopMama]

Any other thoughts? I have an appt with Wal-Mart on Thursday to try a couple seats they have (Evenflo EveryKid, Safety 1st Gro and Go Sprint, and Safety 1st TriFit)

I need something where the buckle path is quite a bit higher than the car’s seat so that the outboard seat passengers can reach the buckle receiver.

 

[ketchupqueen]

I'm not sure any of those seats will work there, though it won't hurt to try. Chicco and Britax make 3 in 1 and convertible seats with high belt paths too.