three across question

[crayfishgirl]

Hi

We're visiting friends who have a 5 month old in a Graco Snugride. Our 3.5 yo is in a Britax Frontier, and our 18 month old is RF in a Britax Boulevard. Can anyone tell me if we can fit all three in the backseat of a 2008 Lexus ES 350? Our friend thinks that we can, but I'd prefer to be sure of that before we arrive to avoid drama at the airport.

Thanks!!
 

[HappyHappyMommy]

I hope you have a good trip!. I'm bumping this up for attention. Anyone have experience to share?

[crayfishgirl]

Thanks! 

We're guessing that DD's Frontier is going to be too large, and instead will bring the Boulevarde for DD to sit in (forward facing) and a MaxiCosi Priori for my 18 month old.  I'm not sure if they'll fit, but the likelihood is greater than with the Frontier.  Unless someone has some experience that confirms it we're hoping for the best and will deal with alternatives if we need to when we get there. 
 

[CelloMomCars]

Your options:

1. place all three seats side by side and measure total width.  Ask your friend to measure the width of their back seat, taking care to miss the arm rests and such.

2. Brazenly go to a Lexus dealer and try your car seats in the back of the relevant model (check Wikipedia to make sure there hasn't been a drastic re-design between the current model and your friend's).

if you do this more often, you might look into the European makes that have recently started to come to the US, they tend to be built less wide.  List of measurements for selected car seats here:  https://sites.google.com/site/carseatmeasurements/

Have a safe trip, and a great time!

[Maedze]

No, total width is not going to help you here.  Whether or not car seats fit have a lot more to do with how they puzzle and what the molding in the vehicle seat is like, as well as positions of the seat belts, than 'inches'.   

I suspect also that the Frontier will be too large, but frankly I don't think you'll be improving the situation any by bringing a Boulevard and a Priori.   

I would suggest purchasing a Ride Safer Travel Vest and using that for your three year old, and using the Priori for the baby.   That way you are assured that all three children can be correctly restrained.   

You are purchasing an airplane seat for your baby and using the car seat aboard the plane, yes?