RF in a 2 door...how?

[Adaline'sMama]

We have a 1997 Toyota T100 (extended cab, 2 door pickup truck). DD has been in an infant bucket since she was born, and we will continue to use it for the next couple of months because she is pretty small and its working for us. I also have an Evenflo Titan, which we've used in my MIL's 4 door car and have planned on eventually moving it to our truck.

We arent planning on buying another vehicle for at least a year. DD and I are only really in the car twice a week. Once on a 60 mile commute. Upon arrival we switch to my MIL's car with the Titan. The other trip is usually to the small town closest to us, about 5 miles away to run errands. Either way, I know that its best to RF as long as possible, but it seems impossible in a 2 door car. When we tried the titan out in our truck, we had to climb into the backseat to get her out and put her in. That is totally not conducive to running errands or really doing anything. I wound up just leaving her at home with DH whenever I went anywhere because it was too much of a PIA to take her with me because of the carseat.

DH wants to turn her around the day she turns one year old so that we can stop crawling over the backseat. Also, the truck is his work truck, so in order for us to crawl back there, he has to clear out the backseat everytime we go somewhere. (he should just keep it clean...but that is not happening). I dont want to turn her around, but I really dont see how we are going to do this.

Also, I am only 5' tall, and reaching over the carseat back is just impossible for me. Ive measured the carseat back of the titan, and its not any taller than any other carseat.

What should I do?

[Aliy]

honestly seeing as you use the vechile so little I would say as much as it sucks your comfort is not nearly as important as your child's safetly. i would keep her rear facing.

[chel]

plus if she is on the small side, she probably won't be the 20 lbs needed to turn. 

[an_aurora]

Is there an airbag up front on the passenger side?

My friends have a 1996 T100 (no passenger air bag) and have their 15mo rear-facing in a My Ride, in the passenger seat.  She's been that way since birth. 

[newsolarmomma2]

A car seat is no use if you dont use it! We have a little car and the car seat is a PIA in it too. the buckles are such a hassle it makes me not want to snap them. I do, but trust me, I feel your pain.

I dont know how much you DD weighs, but if shes at the weight limit, 20#, quit torturing yourself and put it forward! I am sure you can figure put how to rear face it in a 2 door. If you cant, there are check points all over the US where they will install a seat for you. Go there and have them figure it out. your local fire station ahould be able to point youu in the right direction, it may even be there. yheres also an 800# online.

Just keep it in perspective- if you drove a few hours a day, every day, with her, even in a rear facing seat, it would be more dangerous than the occasional ride you take with her now, even front facing. The reccomendations are great, but not everyone has a vehicle that conforms to them. Its not reasonable to never drive or take her out.

[chickabiddy]

Putting the carseat forward-facing would be illegal and unsafe.  Rear-facing is five times safer.  It may be inconvenient, but it is by far the safest way for the child to ride.

[an_aurora]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

Putting the carseat forward-facing would be illegal and unsafe.  Rear-facing is five times safer.  It may be inconvenient, but it is by far the safest way for the child to ride.

Absolutely!  It doesn't matter how frequently the child rides in the car--rear facing is always safer.

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

Putting the carseat forward-facing would be illegal and unsafe.  Rear-facing is five times safer.  It may be inconvenient, but it is by far the safest way for the child to ride.

 I can see your point about it being *less* safe (not unsafe), but it wouldnt be illegal. The law is over one year and 20 lbs. I wont turn her until she has reached that mark. As far as it being considered "unsafe" to turn a child at one year, I know it is safer to keep them RF as long as possible, but all in all, it is "unsafe" to take a child in a car.Quote:

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

Putting the carseat forward-facing would be illegal and unsafe.  Rear-facing is five times safer.  It may be inconvenient, but it is by far the safest way for the child to ride.

Absolutely!  It doesn't matter how frequently the child rides in the car--rear facing is always safer.

[chickabiddy]

The poster above me (sorry, couldn't quote) advised that you "stop torturing yourself" and turn if she had hit 20 pounds.  The "illegal" was in response to that.

[newsolarmomma2]

20# is the weight you can front face right? Am I missing something? ive got baby brain right now, lol.

[chickabiddy]

The child must also be 1yo.  The OPs child is not.

And rear-facing is five times safer than forward-facing.  It's worth some inconvenience, IMnsHO.

[an_aurora]

Yes, we would all be safer staying at home, but if you go in the car, it's worth keeping them as safe as possible.

[pixiekisses]

I would keep her rear-facing for sure. No doubt. It's worth it.

But as a PP suggested, if there is no air-bag, I'd absolutely concider putting her rear-facing in the front, or getting the air-bag disconected so you can.