2 RF with a 6'6" parent and no minivan... impossible?

[sillysmile]

We have a 24m RF DD, and are expecting #2 in the Spring. Given that DH is 6'6" and puts his seat pretty far back, he is convinced that there is no way that we are going to be able to fit both kids RF with our current cars. Please help me prove him wrong!

We have a Ford Escape and Lexus SUV (both smallish SUV's). Does anyone know offhand which sites have the best information about this? I would think that the 2-kid, 2-RF scenario would be VERY common, and I've been surprised about how difficult it has been to find the relevant information. A lot of reports seem to be anecdotal (x car with y and z car seats), with no mention of the driver height.

We currently have DD RF in a Sunshine Radian seat (and a Chicco Keyfit for the new baby), but would happily buy different seats if we could make them fit. We'd like to have both kids by the windows (outboard) if possible.

Thanks in advance!

[LaurenAnanas]

Have you tried installing the seats as if you were using both already? I'd try that before getting all worried or buying new seats.

If you can't get them both outboard, could you install one in the center, so it goes more between the front seats?

[sillysmile]

Thanks for the suggestions. We unfortunately learned from DD1 that there was no way that DH could sit in front of either seat, in either car. Therefore I'm thinking that we're going to have to (a) find MUCH smaller car seats, or (b) get at least one new vehicle in order to make this work.

We might be have a few more options with a center/outboard installation, but I don't like the idea of DD1 having direct access to the baby.

[lunarlady]

We had to do the center/outboard combo in our Acura RDX (small SUV). I was a little worried about DD1 having access to baby, but honestly with her still strapped in tight in 5 point restraint, she can barely reach. With both RF, I don't think there would be much issue since it is hard for them to reach over the sides and into the second seat.

If price isn't a big issue, I would go for something smallish for baby, like the cocoro or roundabout, and just know you will need something bigger down the line.

Good luck!

[illumini]

We have a Nissan Versa (way, way smaller than either of your vehicles) and my dh is 6'5". He puts his seat all the way back still and our current set up is directly behind him. We have a Complete Air installed driver side RF at probably 35 degrees. We also have another one on the way and we are going to go with a Cocorro RF on the passenger side.  The only change DH had to make (and it's safer for him anyway!) is he had to sit more upright. The angle of the back of his seat used to be leaning way back and we just  moved it up a few clicks. This works perfectly for us!  I would go to BRU and try out the CA for your DD and put that behind your DH.  Hope that helped some!

[elmh23]

My dh is 6'3" and always has the seat all the way back.  We have never been able to get a RFing car seat behind him.  This has been in a Dodge Neon, a Toyota Sienna and a Honda Odyssey.  We did get the seat in the middle in the Neon, but then the backseat was so small we couldn't get a seat next to it.

Go to Babies R Us and try out every seat they have.  You might find one that works in your car.  Good luck!

[an_aurora]

If you already have a Radian, try it in the center with the Chicco behind the passenger.  

[elus0814]

I know this doesn't really answer your question but we've had two minivans, a mercury and a honda, and the only way to have a rear facing seat behind the driver is if the seat is pretty far forward. The only way we've done it and still been able to drive is with an infant carrier without the base (it's too big with the base). Our other car is an escape. I've put a RFing seat in the middle but since the car isn't all that big is means the driver's seat still won't go back far enough. I've tried it with a radian, a marathon, a fairly compact evenflo, and two infant carriers. The carrier will fit without the base just like in the van.

I think the reality might be forward facing after the infant carrier stage, that's what we had to do. If you get a high weight infant seat, ours goes up to 35 pounds) and use it as long as you can your now 24 month old could be 4 before being forward facing.

[an_aurora]

Convertible seats can be more upright than infant seats, and thus they take up less room.  If you can fit an infant seat, you can fit most convertibles.  The exception would be the Radian since it's stuck at a 45* angle in many cars.
 

Originally Posted by elus0814 

I know this doesn't really answer your question but we've had two minivans, a mercury and a honda, and the only way to have a rear facing seat behind the driver is if the seat is pretty far forward. The only way we've done it and still been able to drive is with an infant carrier without the base (it's too big with the base). Our other car is an escape. I've put a RFing seat in the middle but since the car isn't all that big is means the driver's seat still won't go back far enough. I've tried it with a radian, a marathon, a fairly compact evenflo, and two infant carriers. The carrier will fit without the base just like in the van.

I think the reality might be forward facing after the infant carrier stage, that's what we had to do. If you get a high weight infant seat, ours goes up to 35 pounds) and use it as long as you can your now 24 month old could be 4 before being forward facing.

[TheGirls]

I like to have my seat all the way back and can do it with the TrueFit in my Honda Odyssey ('07) at a more upright angle.  Also, I could fit it in my old Mazda Protege (4-door sedan) with the driver's seat all the way back. 

I also wouldn't worry about the 2yo's access to the baby - if she is harnessed and rearfacing and at a 30 degree angle, she's not really going to be able to reach the baby who is more reclined, facing the same direction, etc.  We have twins and a 2.5yo, and she can't even come close to touching them when they're all RF side by side.  And their seats touch...

[sillysmile]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions! I'm less concerned about the center/outboard scenario after reading your experiences. I'll have to give that a try first. I'll also look into the complete air, truefit, and cocorro (though I'd like an infant carrier if possible). I'm pretty average-sized (5'6"), so I assume if we can find one very compact convertible, the infant carrier can just be behind me and won't be as big of an issue.