Carseats in an 8-seat 2006 Sienna?

[Monkey Keeper]

We are contemplating purchasing a 2006 Sienna with 8 seats. It appears to have latch in 4 positions, which is great even though two of my three harnessed kids are now 40lbs, so I think they are at the point where they require seatbelt installs anyway?

I know I saw a thread a while back discussing pros/cons of carseats in minivans, but I can't find it. 

Does anyone have any feedback on the '06 Sienna? Thanks!

[Maedze]

Toyota defers to the child restraint manufacturer on LATCH limits, so if your seats say 48 lbs, you can use them till 48, and if they say 40, then 40.  

The important thing is that the Sienna has top tether anchors for all three seats in the middle row and the middle and passenger side of the third row.  The 8 passenger (from models prior to 2011, when it substantially changed for the worse, horrible design flaws) is a great vehicle for larger families. 

What kinds of kids (size) and car seats do you own? 

[Monkey Keeper]

5yo, 40lbs/44"--> harnessed in a Maestro

3.75yo, 40lbs/41" -->harnessed in a Radian65 (from 2007) FF

12mo, 24lb/32"-->RF Radian65

It seemed to be great. We liked the 8-seater better than a 7 because of the LATCH positions!

ETA: We do live in an 8y/80lb/4'9" state, so we will be using boosters for a long, long time particularly with DD1 who is very slim and slow to gain.

Edited by Monkey Keeper - 10/9/11 at 8:11am

[broodymama]

We have an 08 Sienna (also has LATCH in 4 positions) and I like it.  We took out the center captain's chair in the middle row and keep it stored in the garage, it makes it easier to access the 3rd row.  I have my younger two (1 year old DS2 and 3 year old DD2) in the middle row so I can snap them in.  DS2 is rear-facing in a Marathon which expires in the spring and will be switched out for a RFing Radian.  DD2 is currently FFing in a Radian, but has also been RFing in a Marathon in the middle row.  DS1 and DD1 would just climb underneath her RFing seat and then go to the back row.

DS1 (7) sits in the spot with no LATCH.  First he was in a Radian with a seatbelt install and then early this year we moved him to a Britax Parkway SG booster.  DD1 (5) is on the passenger side in the 3rd row in a Radian.  DD1 can buckle herself in and DS1 can help unbuckle her.  If she needs help I just reach over the middle row seat and help her snap in, I can also check to see that her straps fit properly. 

OK, that was too much typing, LOL, just to say that I like our Sienna. 

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Red Sonja 

We have an 08 Sienna (also has LATCH in 4 positions) and I like it.  We took out the center captain's chair in the middle row and keep it stored in the garage, it makes it easier to access the 3rd row.  I have my younger two (1 year old DS2 and 3 year old DD2) in the middle row so I can snap them in.  DS2 is rear-facing in a Marathon which expires in the spring and will be switched out for a RFing Radian.  DD2 is currently FFing in a Radian, but has also been RFing in a Marathon in the middle row.  DS1 and DD1 would just climb underneath her RFing seat and then go to the back row.

Radians have a history of being incompatible RF in the center row of the Sienna   :(  They over-recline and tend to over-recline MORE as time goes on, uninstalling themselves.  
 

[Monkey Keeper]

Originally Posted by alegna 

Radians have a history of being incompatible RF in the center row of the Sienna   :(  They over-recline and tend to over-recline MORE as time goes on, uninstalling themselves.   

Well that sucks :(  Is it in all years/all seat? Would we have better luck in the center seat of the middle row since it's not a captain's chair?? I hate to buy ANOTHER higher weight RF seat for year or so of use. We have an older Scenera, but I just HATE installing them, and DS is pushing 25lbs already.
 

[DahliaRW]

Diono which is the company that used to be sunshine kids has a new angle adjuster coming out shortly or out for radians that keeps them more upright rfing.  It most likely will solve the overrecline issue.

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

Diono which is the company that used to be sunshine kids has a new angle adjuster coming out shortly or out for radians that keeps them more upright rfing.  It most likely will solve the overrecline issue.

That would be fantastic  :)   Any idea on when that might be out?  Or how it will be labeled to tell it's a new one?

[SynEpona]

Originally Posted by alegna 

Quote:

That would be fantastic  :)   Any idea on when that might be out?  Or how it will be labeled to tell it's a new one?

The 'Angle Adjuster' is a separate product, a wedge of sorts, that you install under a Radian carseat, they are just coming out this fall. If you go to diono.com, you should be able to find out more. I'm not sure if they are retroactively approved for use with Radians that have already been sold under the SKJP name -- in my vehicle, the recline is not an issue, so I haven't paid a lot of attention to the specifics of the adjuster.

[DahliaRW]

Diono has said they can be used with older radians (or at least someone on car-seat.org said they were ;)).  http://us.diono.com/en/car-seat-accessories/angle-adjuster

[alegna]

Thanks!  So, you couldn't use them with aa infant then.... because I'm still concerned that the seat would over-recline in the sienna seats.... though obviously not as badly as with a larger, heavier child.

But yay!  Maybe I can keep my 3yr old rf longer after all...

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by alegna 

Thanks!  So, you couldn't use them with aa infant then.... because I'm still concerned that the seat would over-recline in the sienna seats.... though obviously not as badly as with a larger, heavier child.

But yay!  Maybe I can keep my 3yr old rf longer after all...

It's for over age 1.  But I didn't have an overreclining prolem until my kiddos were taller and hevier - closer to 2 and 35lbs.  So it shouldn't be an issue for most people.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

It's for over age 1.  But I didn't have an overreclining prolem until my kiddos were taller and hevier - closer to 2 and 35lbs.  So it shouldn't be an issue for most people.

Was that in a Sienna though?  I love the idea of the radian and have been so frustrated with its incompatibility with my van.

[DahliaRW]

Yes, that was in my 2009 7 seater Sienna.