Car Seat in Center with 40% Side Down ?

[GreyhoundGuy]

We're having our first kiddo in late August, and I'm trying to get everything set WAY beforehand so I'm not scrambling last minute. So, I'm trying to figure out how to install our infant carseat.

We'd love to install the infant seat in the center position, but there's a problem that I need some ideas on.

We take our dogs EVERYWHERE. Always have. Always will. (Austin, TX, is a very dog friendly place, so going out to eat or heading out for a beer/wine means taking the pups and sitting on the patio.) Our dogs are greyhounds, 80# and 85# respectively... and they're ALL legs. It won't work to just give them the back portion behind the second row. They won't be able to lay down without being all over each other.

We'd like to put the 40% side of the backseat down, keep the 60% side up, and install the carseat in the middle section (safest spot for a carseat). However, with the 40% side down, the carseat latch is no longer accessible.

As I folded down the 60% side, I saw a bolt holding a bracket in place directly under the center seat (slightly towards the door on the driver's side). My initial thought was to drill a hole in the metal carseat piece and simply bolt it in to that bracket. But, this is my kid's life we're talking about, and I don't really want to cut corners or take chances.

Anyone do anything like this or have some ideas?

-Joel

 

[gm350reratliff]

Congrats on the kiddo! Man your life is going to change.

Anywho, I would advise against modifying any part of the carseat or your vehicle restraint system. If you're dead set on installing the carseat in the middle, I would just use the center seat belt. I have done this on a few vehicles when my kids were babies and it seemed to work fine.

I will note that, thankfully, my kids have never been in an accident so we never had to fully trust the center seat belt (or any other safety system for that matter).

 

[mattr]

What he said. You might be surprised how the two dogs like it in the back. I've had 2 labs and a labradoodle behind the second row on a long trip and they were happy, fwiw.

 

[Jhalko]

Put the kid on one side, yes the center is safest, but when you have your second it becomes irrelevant anyway. If not, go with the seatbelt option.

Otherwise go buy the minivan now. :sorry:

 

[jicko]

Some thoughts:

1) Congrat

2) The LATCH system is much more solid/stable than "just using the seatbeat"

3) Hence, you can't really, securely, stable'ly setup a car seat in the middle if you want to flip ANY of the 2nd row down.

4) You are correct that middle of the 2nd seat is the safest spot for carseat mounting

5) Practice defensive driving will make it EVEN safer

6) I have 3rd row seats, so my 2nd row can slide forward, so if yours is too... you can slide 2nd row forward and that gives a LOT more room for the cargo area for your extended families

7) If you HAVE to flip down the 40% 2nd row seats, you just have to put the kid behind the driver; and drive EVEN MORE defensively

8) Not all carseats are created equal, some are MUCH BETTER than others on side impact..... do your research

:flock:

 

[Steamtrain]

Car seat goes on passenger side in second row.

 

[4OYOTER]

Just put an infant seat in our 2013 SR5 with no 3rd row. We were surprised there were no latch attachments for the middle seat.. Only the left and right possitions have the car seat attachments. While we could have just used the seat belt in the middle, we decided to use the passenger side attachments. Do all 5th gens only have the seat belt option in the middle?

 

[theknack]

Just put an infant seat in our 2013 SR5 with no 3rd row. We were surprised there were no latch attachments for the middle seat.. Only the left and right possitions have the car seat attachments. While we could have just used the seat belt in the middle, we decided to use the passenger side attachments. Do all 5th gens only have the seat belt option in the middle?

You can put the carseat in the center and use the closest latch points on either side. The latch strap on our infant seat base barely made it that far but with a little pressing into the cushion (which you should be doing anyway) we got it to work. Was much more snug than with the regular seat belt and I liked having the baby away from the windows.

To the OP...I have 2 good sized dogs, lab and rottweiler, which fit fine in the rear cargo area. I never tried it, but I'd worry if the single seat was folded flat the dogs would come lick/sniff the baby and wake him/her up. Once you've been a parent for a little while you'll understand how precious a sleeping baby is.

 

[Tyota89]

My dog loves to lick so I leave the seat up with a gaurd when my son was younger. I had a 2 boxer (55lbs & 95lb) and a 165lb mastiff in the back for a while so I dont think you would have to worry about room.

I would never modify anything or risk my childs life to tend to my dogs needs. If you have to give your dog more room put him behind the drivers or passenger seat.

My wife wanted my son in the center because if we were to get hit from either side he would be further from the impact. My dogs were happy as can be in the back especially with the window down.

 

[Mgyver1]

If you install using a seatbelt properly and correctly it will be just as tight and secure as using LATCH. And while LATCH is considered just as safe as using the seatbelt, consider that LATCH typically has a weight limit of 40 lbs whereas the seatbelt does not.

What make/model car seat are you installing? Try to find one with a built in seatbelt lockoff (Chicco Key Fit and Britax B-Safe are two that I can think of off the top of my head). Even if you don't get one with a built in lock-off, you can always use a locking clip. Here's a video on how they work, and note that you do not have to pull the seatbelt out all the way to lock the retractor when using a lock-off in the car seat or a locking clip.
https://youtu.be/e2QKoVaHJAM

I would find a Child Passenger Safety Technician who can show you all the ins and outs. Car seat installs aren't as easy as everyone thinks they are. Even if you think you've done it right, why not get it checked out by someone else? Rock climbers have someone double check their harness before climbing.
Get a Car Seat Checked | National CPS Certification

 

[4RnR Grl]

As one other poster mentioned I would be concerned about the unrestrained access the dogs have to the child while driving down the road. Even the most socialized well behaved dog has limits. Travel creates stress, even for seasoned travelers.

Greyhounds are sight hounds bred to course live game. When the game is caught, it lets out a high pitched screeching sound. At this point the dog shakes the animal to dispatch it.

At any time, the child can begin screaming and while in close proximity to the dogs and this is not something I would want to risk with a new baby. I would invest in a barrier for between the cargo area and back seat. They are dogs and they will be fine if they have to share space with each other. I have two Ridgebacks and they do fine. I love my dogs more than anything but I would not expect them to deal with something in an enclosed area while they are already slightly stressed while traveling down the road.

JM2C

 

[nb rob]

hey Joel!

I occasionally drive 4 or 5 hounds for a couple hours for my adoption group.
You might consider muzzling them and putting them in the far back for a bit until they're used to being on top of one another. I have a female that's not in to cuddling at all. Most of my foster dogs learn this the hard way.

I actually had one of my greyhounds crash right through the center seat a couple of weeks ago in a panic stop situation. The seats were up, and she came sailing right through the middle one. Luckily no injuries. Even though she doesn't try to get over the seat, I'm considering a barrier for their safety now.

 

[4Surfin]

Car seat goes on passenger side in second row.

unless it is a rear facing and only carseat. then it goes in the middle. But yes the driver side is the safest because the driver naturally turns away from impact.

 

[Lenny33]

Go to a fire station or hospital (whoever installs child seats in your area) and let them install if you are using a lap belt. The lap belt is just as secure IF installed correctly. The latch is easier to install correctly and quicker.
I know that you already know this, but remember that you are making decisions that affect your child and that nothing should stand in the way of their safety. I personally would let the dogs "deal", they will be fine in that space - they are den annals by nature. My two 80 pound GSDs make it work.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Infant car seats

Congratulations on the coming child. Life is good. Blue skies ahead.

My daughter has two small children now - 6 months and 19 months old. I help her with the kids in the afternoons on at least two days a week and we often go out on errands in her Prius. I've learned a few tricks from the experience.

Infant car seats always face to the rear. She has placed one in the middle, held down by just the seat belt. It's pretty secure but a lot of work to adjust it tight. Now that she's got two kids the seats are on both sides, not in the middle.

She added a mirror to the headrests of the back seat so she can see their faces from the driver's seat. She can see if they're sleeping or if either one is having a melt-down. She can do some things at a stop light but if either child needs anything, she stops the car and gets out.

If you get T-boned in an accident there isn't much of anything to protect you or your passengers. The infant seats have some protection built in. But a side impact accident is devastating. The 4Runner does as well in side impact safety as any car on the road. Add rock rails and a lift for more protection. :shocked:

Be safe and have fun. :grouphug:
Grandpa

 

[Swarty]

Dogs Comfort << Dogs safety <<Babys safety

Our dogs are greyhounds, 80# and 85# respectively... and they're ALL legs.
-Joel

Please reconsider your priorities.

You are worried about the difference of a side impact caused by seat position but think that 165#s of unrestrained live cargo is not going to be a problem? Your dogs could lose their balance and fall on your kid just from an unexpected turn or bump, let alone an actual accident. That's before taking into consideration you are trusting an animal to be reliably rational about your baby. This is not something you should be considering. :crazy:

My dogs can stay standing in the back behind a barrier. Better yet they can be restrained in a harness clipped to the restraints on the seat backs. This is safer for both the dogs and my family. My dog's comfort is a VERY DISTANT SECOND to my family's safety. :crutch:

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Nothing had seat belts, soft dash coverings, crumple zones, air bags or restraints when my kids were little - - -

But I digress -> Child safety should come before dog comfort.......

 

[Engineer]

Nothing had seat belts, soft dash coverings, crumple zones, air bags or restraints when my kids were little - - -

But I digress -> Child safety should come before dog comfort.......

We are blessed to have so many 1st world problems I will admit! This topic got me curious so from 5min of research it appears that car accidents are high on the list of causes of child deaths. But how far do we take concern before it gets irrational. (not saying this thread is, just in general).... If its so high risk how dare we drive with children in the car, or in a 4runner and not a fully caged truck, do we only drive during light traffic........it seems some people would consider leaving grocery bags on the floor of the car with a child is irresponsible as a horrible accident happens and they become projectiles........along with all the other bits and pieces of plastic, glass and truck parts that are going to come loose. Do we let kids play sports?....... I don't have kids so my perspective may change then and I would like to think as parent I would do everything I could to optimize/maximize my childs safety but everyones "line" is different

To the OP, Congrats and I would guess you will be a great parent based on the concerns/preparation you are doing!:dancin:

 

[nevada]

Please reconsider your priorities.

You are worried about the difference of a side impact caused by seat position but think that 165#s of unrestrained live cargo is not going to be a problem? Your dogs could lose their balance and fall on your kid just from an unexpected turn or bump, let alone an actual accident. That's before taking into consideration you are trusting an animal to be reliably rational about your baby. This is not something you should be considering. :crazy:

My dogs can stay standing in the back behind a barrier. Better yet they can be restrained in a harness clipped to the restraints on the seat backs. This is safer for both the dogs and my family. My dog's comfort is a VERY DISTANT SECOND to my family's safety. :crutch:

beat me to it.

I was going to say if you are concerned with your babies safety, leave the dogs at home. if you crashed, they will be flying everywhere.

 

[Kotrin]

This thread caught my eye and I wanted to offer my input from a previous accident my son and I walked away from. He was in a booster seat with just a seat belt holding him in. I always ensure the seat belt is tight and the strap across the back is where it's required (shoulder height). Granted this was in a Toyota Tacoma, but I wanted to point out, we flipped four times and walked away. Go to your local fire department, follow the manual, ask other parents and always follow the safety guidelines. If I hadn't of followed the guidelines I have no idea how my life would be now versus what it is.

Use the seat belt and whatever other straps are provided. A wee one that comes into your life changes your life like you won't believe. People can try to prepare you, but till your holding that little bundle, its a head turner..