Three Car Seats In a Prius!

[boulder_bum]

This topic has come up every once in awhile, and I always thought the answers sucked. I just put together a guide for three car seats in the back seat, and I was hoping to post here for posterity and to solicit feedback. Any takers?

[HTMLSpinnr]

While three could be done, I'd advise against using LATCH for the center position if the outboard positions are also using the connections as I'd be hesitent to suggest that the inner loops could support 2x the force in a crash scenario. I also had problems putting my infant carseat base in the middle w/o interference from the center console sliding back into it. My 8½ month old now rides on the driver's side of the back seat in a rear facing convertible (Radian65 - really quite narrow, perfect for a full back seat). The Radian65 could easily be done three-abreast, but the Britax Roundabout (free from my employer) that sits in the 2004 is a tighter fit w/ the other two kids in the back, and I'm not so sure it could be done three-abreast.


Notes on my 3 occupant back-seat (not 3 car-seats though):
My 8 year old (she's rather small) sits in the center and my 13½ year old on the right side (or front if my wife isn't along - she's big enough to enable the airbag). I left the passenger side open as it facilitates a safe drop-off at school w/o requiring one or both of them to exit unsafely on the driver's side. My wife is a bit leery of the carseat being close to the edge with side air-bags and what not.

Hope this helps a tad.

[Dgreene120]

Good to know and thanks for the tip. We have 3 Britax in our Odyssey, but it's good to know that we now have the option of getting all 3 kids in the Prius if necessary.

[CPSDarren]

Originally Posted by HTMLSpinnr

While three could be done, I'd advise against using LATCH for the center position if the outboard positions are also using the connections as I'd be hesitent to suggest that the inner loops could support 2x the force in a crash scenario..

Good advice. You should never hook two attachments to the same anchor. Also, Toyota does not recommend using LATCH for a child restraint installed in the center position. That said, this is a good setup for 3-across and the seatbelt installation(s) should work fine, also.

[bluemonday]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

This topic has come up every once in awhile, and I always thought the answers sucked. I just put together a guide for three car seats in the back seat, and I was hoping to post here for posterity and to solicit feedback. Any takers?

Nice job, just remind little Sleepy McDozerson not to block the air intake for the battery and you're good to go.

[boulder_bum]

Thanks, guys! I will probably update my blog post with the seat belt for the middle car seat tip.

Out of curiosity, what are the sources for the seat belt tip? I'll check the owners manual here shortly and Google a bit, but I want to make sure I have solid sources to corroborate before I publish my facts (and perhaps provide a link to the info).

[drees]

Cute kids.

Do you think that three of those Radian 80 XTs would fit all front-facing once your little one outgrows the rear facing seat?

BTW, it looks like the seat on the right could have the should straps adjusted down a bit - either that or your daughter is slouching.

We've got two kids but the Boulevard seats we have leave absolutely no room in the middle for another seat should we have the need!

[CPSDarren]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

Thanks, guys! I will probably update my blog post with the seat belt for the middle car seat tip.

Out of curiosity, what are the sources for the seat belt tip? I'll check the owners manual here shortly and Google a bit, but I want to make sure I have solid sources to corroborate before I publish my facts (and perhaps provide a link to the info).

This publication establishes best practice on the subject and compiles information from manufacturers regarding their policies, too-

LATCH Manual

Edited to add information from Toyota:

LATCH System anchor maximum weight (lb), both lower and tether anchors used: Follow Child Restraint Instuctions

Tether anchor maximum weight with seat belt(lb), if CR instructions allow: Follow Child Restraint Instuctions

Use of inner bars for center seat in non-LATCH positions- if CR instructions allow: Not Allowed

[boulder_bum]

Originally Posted by drees

Do you think that three of those Radian 80 XTs would fit all front-facing once your little one outgrows the rear facing seat?

...

We've got two kids but the Boulevard seats we have leave absolutely no room in the middle for another seat should we have the need!

Absolutely! I came across information on the interweb that said it couldn't be done in a Prius because of "the sloping roof", but that's totally bogus. The Radians can easily fit three in a Prius.

Originally Posted by drees

BTW, it looks like the seat on the right could have the should straps adjusted down a bit - either that or your daughter is slouching.

The manufacturer recommends fitting the shoulder strap one notch higher than the shoulder line of the child (and they have a big cross through putting the straps through a notch lower than the shoulder line). That's how the seat is set up.

Originally Posted by CPSDarren

This publication establishes best practice on the subject and compiles information from manufacturers regarding their policies, too...

Thanks again, CPS Darren! I still find a lot of the data confusing, but everything points to not using the LATCH system used for the middle seat.

I updated the blog post to correct this error, and offer a second round of thanks so I know I need to change the seat installations for my own kids!

[CPSDarren]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

Thanks again, CPS Darren! I still find a lot of the data confusing, but everything points to not using the LATCH system used for the middle seat.

I updated the blog post to correct this error, and offer a second round of thanks so I know I need to change the seat installations for my own kids!

Honestly, there is ongoing debate about "borrowing" the innermost anchors to install a seat using LATCH in the center, especially if the spacing of the anchors is about the same or somewhat wider than the standard allows. Some manufacturers, like Ford, have allowed this for years on many models, within certain constraints. Most, like Toyota, do not.

On the other hand, attaching two attachments to the same anchor is a definite No-No in any situation.