RF seat for 03 Dodge Ram quad cab

[vlswager]

Currently we are driving a 2003 Dodge Ram quad cab. We have two car seats in there:

4yo - 42" and 37lbs in a Maestro
2yo - 32.5" and 24lbs RF in a MR65 in the truck and a Symphony 65 in my van

My oldest is in the middle and the baby is in the passenger side. I cannot sit comfortably in the front with the MR behind me. I have it as far up as I can possibly get it while still having the ball in the green.

I want to keep her RF for as long as possible, she has a few medical conditions that would make me feel better about keeping her RF until at least 3 at the minimum.

I'd like to keep it under $100 and absolutely hate the MR. Any suggestions for a seat that will sit upright and not be a total pain to use? We don't drive the truck often as a family so it doesn't need to be super plus and comfy.

 

[safeinthecar]

Have you tried the Symphony in the truck? Or just switching the rfing child to the center?

 

[vlswager]

I haven't tried the Symphony in the truck b/c I truly dislike the MR and the van is our primary vehicle. I haven't tried center, it seems like it might be too hard to get baby up and in then buckled, especially if we have another RF'er (we do foster care). I was thinking maybe a SureRide?

 

[Kecia]

We used to have an '04 Quad Cab and we now have a 2012 Ram Crew Cab so I have lots of experience with these vehicles. Your problem (besides lack of front-to-back space) in the quad cab is that the center position in the Rams isn't as deep as the outboard positions. For some unknown reason - the center seating position is indented in these trucks.

I can tell you from personal experience that a "Classic" Britax Marathon or Roundabout 50 will install well rear-facing in the center and will allow you the room to move the front seats back as much as needed. The Classic RA 50 is still available at Walmart.com and it's close enough to your price range when it's on sale like it is now: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Britax-Roundabout-50-Classic-Convertible-Car-Seat-Charcoal/21670119

You can get a good installation rear-facing with a Classic Marathon or Classic Roundabout 50 in the CENTER seating position. The Classic RA50 pictured below was installed in the center of a 2011 Ram crew cab. As you can see, installing it in the center allows it to "clear" the front seats so you don't have to eat the windshield just because there is a rear-facing seat behind you. The Ram center seating position is 15" from the bight to the edge of the cushion. As you can see in the pics, you have about an extra 2" of cushion that extends past the footprint of the Classic Britax seat in this seating position.

The MyRide and Symphony won't work in the center position rear-facing in a Ram because the "footprint" of those seats is too long and hangs over the edge of the cushion substantially. Actually most infant seat bases and rear-facing convertibles won't work in the Ram center position for that exact reason. You can't have more than 20% of the footprint extending beyond the seat. We call it the "80% Rule" - meaning that 80% of the footprint must be supported by the vehicle seat cushion.

Good luck! I hope this helps!

 

[vlswager]

Thank you so much Kecia...the 80% rule is why I didn't even try the MR in the middle. I did see the RA50 on Walmart last night and it is a great price. I just need to convince my hubs that we NEED to spend the money right now

I absolutely LOVE this sight and all the helpful info...it has made me want to become a CPST, especially since there are NONE in my area(except ill informed officers)

 

[Kecia]

Glad the info was helpful! Good luck and I hope you can make it to a tech certification class sometime in the future.

 

[Shanora]

Im a little later coming into this but yes to all of what kecia said. I have. 2011 ram quad cab and its a royal pita to fit seats in. Im thankful I dont have anymore rearfacing kiddos. But just went through a fight looking for a proper forward fscing seats to accommodate my kid and truck. Also just wanted to mention to check your owners manual for the proper way to top tether a forward facing seat. Often trucks have a different routing for them.