We will be renting a Ford Escape, will it fit 3 across?

[tillylyn]

We will be in NYC (and beyond) and are renting a Ford Escape. I would love to get some advice on fitting 3 kids in the back seat, if possible. We have a 6 year old, 7 year old and a 3 year old. The seats we have are 2 Frontiers, 1 Marathon, 1 Radian, 2 backless boosters and a ride safe vest (which my kids don't find to be that comfortable because it rides up on them).

I am thinking it will be easiest to bring 2 boosters (the backless ones as much as I prefer my kids to be in a 5 point ) and the radian. (and the vest as another possiblity). I also don't want to lug the huge car seats through the airport with 3 kids and a husband. So, there is that....

What would you do?

 

[QuassEE]

I would probably put the Radian in centre, with LATCH, and then the boosters outboard. That way you're not having to worry about the outboard kids unlatching the centre seat, and you have a little extra space on both sides.

I had a Mazda Tribute (same vehicle) and I know my model year allowed centre LATCH so you'll want to double check that, since the rental car will be newer than my Tribute was. But in general, it's actually a really easy car to install in and it's not too bad for 3 across. You'll be just fine. It's actually one of my favourite vehicles for installs, and one of the vehicles I rent the most because I always know what to expect. The only thing I don't like about it is that the tether anchors are in the ceiling and it always catches my eye in the rear-view.

-Nicole.

 

[TheGirls]

I rented one awhile back and (BARELY) got three RF convertibles in there (Complete Air, Scenera, TrueFit), so I'm betting a Radian and two boosters would fit fine. It was a pretty easy backseat for carseats, IIRC.