Question renting an impala?

[Unregistered]

Hello! I've been browsing the archives, but haven't found an answer exactly, so thought I'd make my own thread. We're planning our summer trip and looking for a car rental. Its probably going to be an impala, because the cost difference to rent a van is just ridiculous. We've got three littles. J is 40# and 44" and 5.5 years. A is 27# and 36# and 3.5 years. And D is 20# and 27" and 7 months. We currently have J in an Evenflo Generations 65 booster using the harness. D is in a Evenflo Triumph LX, rf of course. And A just turned ff. I can't remember exactly which seat she's in (and the manual is in the little holder behind it). But I'm pretty sure its an Alpha Omega All-in-one convertible. Its enough cheaper that we could buy a different seat in order to fit them three across in a car rather than rent a van. So what do you think the best option is? I'm having a hard time telling what exactly is the slenderest options. And also if we would save any by putting J in a no harness booster kind of seat instead of what she has now. Any tips are much appreciated!

 

[ketchupqueen]

Hi! The Impala has a lot of room. You might be able to squeeze all three in, though switching the Triumph Advance for a Scenera or similar will give you more room. I would keep the eldest harnessed both for space-saving/convenience in buckling, and because I think the Impala has fixed forward-leaning headrests that could cause problems with a belt-positioning booster. Also, will you be flying? If so, you could be assured she will be able to use it on the plane, since not all kids will fit all airplane belts at 40 lbs. depending on build. Also, if your Alpha Omega is an older model that allows the base to be taken off, that will save you some room (but if it is, check that it isn't outgrown already as the top ”harness setting” on older models of the Alpha Omega Elite, with the no-rethread harness, isn't actually for harness use.)

Good luck!

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks! I think switching for a Scenera will probably be what we'll go with. My alpha omega doesn't have the removable base, so I don't gain much there. From the measurements I'm getting, the alpha omega is 18" at all the widest points. The Generations booster is 18" at the base, and 19" in the back. And the triumph is 20" at the wide part of the bottom. Any idea exactly how wide the back seat is? It seems like we should be in good shape. I'd just hate to get there and then be stuck not fitting. So I'm trying to do all the research I can! Thanks again!

 

[Ninetales]

I don't have experience with Evenflo seats but I have a RF Myride in the center of my Impala and was easily able to get a Complete Air next to it. I think I may even be able to get a SR35 next to it too. Super wide.