Where is the safest place for a carseat in a minivan full of luggage?

[Solved]

We're taking six 50-lb suitcases and 4 adults + one 41-lb child (Graco Argos) in a rented 2011 Kia Sedona. Would it be safest to pile all the suitcases in the trunk and place the child in the middle third row position (with a 3-point seatbelt, no LATCH), or to stow away half of the third row, place suitcases in the trunk and in the third row side and put the child in a captain chair in the middle row? We don't do this often so we can't agree.

Thanks!

 

[Mommy!]

Seeing as it is a rental, I think you should invest in some rubber bungee type straps, either purchase at home and take them with you or purchase at your destination, in order to secure the luggage. Most vehicles have somewhere you can secure to, seat posts, etc. Probably not a huge cost and they will certainly be useful again in the future. We've always done this when we had a van.

Regarding the seating hopefully someone more experienced can shed some light.

 

[Pixels]

Put all the suitcases in the trunk and put the child in the second row.

Rubber bungees won't hold the suitcases, they will just snap in a crash. Ratchet straps have a chance of holding, depending on what you attach them to.

 

[Mugsmom]

Not sure if the headrests on a Sedona move, but in our Ody, we put all cargo in the trunk and put the 3rd row headrests in the top position. Kids are in the 2nd row.

 

[Solved]

Thanks for the replies! We had SO MUCH luggage (4 29-inch suitcases and 2 huge carry-ons plus sundry little bags for 2 travelers!) that the only way they fit was pulling down half of the third row and have a grown up sit in the third row and put my son in a captain chair.