Question RAV4 overlapping seat belts

[TechnoGranola]

Note that the pre-2013 RAV4 manuals do not state that 3 restraints can be installed in the second row. The pictograms show an outboard install and center install, but only one at a time. Because the manual is silent, IMO, MCAPS is still relevant.

Agreed that it can't be done safely in this vehicle, but does any vehicle manual show three car seats installed in a row? I'm looking at both of my vehicle manuals right now and one you can't tell if the seat is installed centre or outboard and the drawing is a section of the seat (this vehicle has centre UAS so maybe no need to show both) and the other they give examples of a centre install and an outboard install. This doesn't mean I can't install more than one car seat in my rear seats.

ETA: I get your point now. I read it differently the first time through. MCAPS applies because the vehicle doesn't address the issue and in the RAV4 case, it doesn't meet MCAPS. My vehicles are also silent on the issues so MCAPS is relevant but can be met.

 

[canadiangie]

Note that the pre-2013 RAV4 manuals do not state that 3 restraints can be installed in the second row. The pictograms show an outboard install and center install, but only one at a time. Because the manual is silent, IMO, MCAPS is still relevant.

Additionally, I'll put a vote in for good old fashioned logic. One only needs to attempt a 3 across install in a the 2nd row of a Rav 4 to see how incredibly overlapped the middle and drivers side seatbelts are.

I have a pic saved on my phone that I swiped from google images. I keep it to show Rav4 parents. It shows a rear facing car seat installed drivers side, and the middle seat belt simpy buckled. The middle seatbelt looks as if it is peeking out from behind the installed car seat. It almost looks like a photo shop attempt gone wrong. Yet it's real.. it's really that bad.

 

[bubbaray]

I'm always baffled that people think 3across is possible, regardless of the belts. I have two restraints in mine and can't fit a kleenex box horizontally between them (it barely fits vertically).

Don't get me wrong. I love my RAV4 for a four-seater. Nearly 300HP, lots of zip, 4WD yet small enough that I can drive it downtown without being nervous about fitting in our miniscule parking spots. But it really is not a 5 seater. I wouldn't even put three kids in belts in the 2nd row.

 

[ketchupqueen]

I'd put them in belts... If they were skinny. And scooted. And the kid center had adequate head support, which would be doubtful

 

[bubbaray]

Centre in my 2010 has an excellent headrest. But I can't imagine my stick-thin kids fitting 3 across. Nor being comfy.

 

[SnoGurl]

I've got a 2012, which I love, and have sat in the centre seat with two others in the back, on a couple hour trip. It actually wasn't a bad ride, at all.