Infant seats in 4Runner

[xlr8]

3 across in 2011 TE

I have a LATCH seat in the middle, using the two inboard anchors. Booster seats on either side using shoulder belts.

It's a really tight fit, the kids can unbuckle themselves, but right now they can't buckle themselves in.

Sorry fuzzy cell phone pics

 

[diverdriver]

Solved the problem of the upside-down LATCH. I removed the plastic liner around the LATCH bar, the Brtax clip fits easily now.

 

[adey]

Access to 3rd row?

Great discussion!! Was checking out 2012/2013 4runners (and other mid-size SUVs). Someone mentioned it was a big pain to get to the 3rd row if there are carseats behind the passenger and driver - in our case, it will be an infant and a rear-facing Britax convertible. Can anyone else chime in on their experience?

THANKS!

 

[lezavw90]

If you are using carseats the third row is almost inaccessible. I have cars seats, one forward facing behind the passenger and one rear facing behind the driver. To get to the third row you have to climb over the carseat then climb over into the back. I took a buddy one day and had him climb in from the back with the hatch up. This vehicle was designed similar to what a 2door car with back seats to access the third row. The second row folds forward slightly to allow you to climb into the back, not possible with latched in carseats unless you remove them.

 

[Glenn_Law]

Great discussion!! Was checking out 2012/2013 4runners (and other mid-size SUVs). Someone mentioned it was a big pain to get to the 3rd row if there are carseats behind the passenger and driver - in our case, it will be an infant and a rear-facing Britax convertible. Can anyone else chime in on their experience?

THANKS!

I have carseats in the 2nd row and my son is in a booster seat in the third row. With one 3rd row seat folded down, its easy for a child to get to the 3rd row through the back gate. The 2nd row middle seatback folds down, so my son sometimes gets in and out by climbing between the seats.

It would be difficult for an adult to get in and out of the 3rd row with carseats in the 2nd row.

Glenn

 

[adey]

Thanks, Glenn_Law and lezavw90!

We're going with the 4Runner!

 

[diverdriver]

We have two seats in the middle row, so to access the back for one person the emergency potty becomes a step to the hatch. For two, its done in stages;
1 slide the pax side 2nd row seat forward
2 driver side 2nd row back
3 fold down the center section of the 2nd row
4 rear pax enter driver rear door
5 shove em through to the back of the bus:biggrin2:
6 enjoy the comfort of your drivers seat:driving:

 

[lezavw90]

I'm not sure if all Latch clamps are created equal, we are using 2 Evenflo Symphony 65 seats. I tried to free up a seat in the second row by putting 2 latch seats side by side. One forward facing and one rear facing. In the Tacoma I was able to do this. On the 4runner the bar for the Latch clamp is just slightly too narrow. I'm wondering if the Latch bars are narrower in the 4runner due to the 40/20/40 folding seats. The Tacoma has a 60/40 bench.

You could probably make the Latch clamps work by cutting some of the plastic away from the metal latch, but theres no way I am messing with my kids seats just for the sake of taking an extra passenger.

 

[keh3180]

Baby Seat

I have a 2010 SR5 and have a forward-facing toddler carseat and a rear-facing infant seat in the backseat. The space between the two is 12". You might be able to squeeze a third in between, but you would probably have to have three of the smallest carseats on the market. There is, however, just enough room for a smaller adult or teenager to sit in between the two.

Hi, just curious on your baby seat....I have a BabyTrend FlexLoc and am having a hard time locking it. Did you lock the baby seat using latches, or just the seatbelt?? I have tried to use the seatbelt, but the base tends to slide side to side....not good ya know :redbrick:

 

[Fiona]

Hi, just curious on your baby seat....I have a BabyTrend FlexLoc and am having a hard time locking it. Did you lock the baby seat using latches, or just the seatbelt?? I have tried to use the seatbelt, but the base tends to slide side to side....not good ya know :redbrick:

I have heard that Baby Trend Flex Loc can be difficult to install either way. I have not personally used it but know of install issues. Which install methods have you tried? We currently have a convertible seat installed outboard behind the passenger seat using LATCH and it is very tight. You may need to try all the options- middle seat using seatbelt, both outboard locations using seatbelt and both outboard locations using LATCH. Sometimes even after trying all those options a car seat is just not compatible with your vehicle.

I hope this helps a little! Good Luck!

 

[Quentin]

Just FYI, I don't believe Toyota recommends LATCH in the 2nd row middle seat. The rule of thumb is that unless the vehicle owners manual specifically says latch in the middle is ok, you should use the lap belt instead. I could find nothing in the 4Runner manual saying middle latch is OK.

 

[Fiona]

Just FYI, I don't believe Toyota recommends LATCH in the 2nd row middle seat. The rule of thumb is that unless the vehicle owners manual specifically says latch in the middle is ok, you should use the lap belt instead. I could find nothing in the 4Runner manual saying middle latch is OK.

Yes, you are right Quentin, there are no LATCH anchors available for the middle seat. Just the outboard seats on the second row.

And keep in mind that the middle seat in the second row is the safest position in the vehicle for a car seat but only if your seat fits well in that position and you can get a tight install using the seatbelt. Hope that helps!

 

[keh3180]

I finally got it, after wrestling with it a few.....minutes.....again lol :whoo:

You are correct, the middle isn't necessarily the best place in a 4Runner. The anchors are on the outer seats, but with the FlexLoc, they are so dadgum aggravating to "click" and "unclick" lol. Anyway, thank you for the help

 

[grave]

bumping an old thread... any of you 4th gen owners have kids recently? my first is on the way and i'm just starting to research infant seats. like, one hour ago just started. seems like britax is the way to go according to a couple blogs, but do any of you recommend certain seats that fit nicely in our back seats?

thanks!

 

[85straight]

bumping an old thread... any of you 4th gen owners have kids recently? my first is on the way and i'm just starting to research infant seats. like, one hour ago just started. seems like britax is the way to go according to a couple blogs, but do any of you recommend certain seats that fit nicely in our back seats?

thanks!

Not exactly 4th gen specific, but from my research britax is an excellent brand. I compared a few Britax in person to a few Recaro seats. I ended up going with the Recaro for both of my kids, I really cant say enough good things about them. The whole seat(s) were very well thought out and the safety ratings were excellent. In person they seemed like theyd be more comfortable than the britax as well. The only downside is the size, they are very large seats so if you need to switch from car to car often it can be a pain

Also, I bought them with wheeling in mind as well so they are very bucket like and have great neck/head support

 

[grave]

good input! though i thought this was the 4th gen board... i guess they're close enough in size.

 

[mscot]

Our son just graduated into a convertible. My advice is to go with the lightest seat available.
All major brands are safe and a baby plus an awkward 16lb seat gets tiring to lug around. ESP in the last couple months before they're out of it.
We had the key fit 30 and hated it bc of weight.

 

[AZ Craig]

Quick vote for the Nuna Pipa as a rear facing infant seat. High safety ratings and super easy to install and use. We use it in both our 2016 4Runner and our 2016 VW Golf R (use in the VW requires having the passenger seat up pretty far, but my wife fits okay since she's only about 5' 3"). Lots of adjustment points to get it sitting just right in a large variety of vehicles.

Nuna stuff is not cheap though with it coming in at $299 plus additional money for a second base if you want the flexibility to move it around easily.

 

[Darrow]

bumping an old thread... any of you 4th gen owners have kids recently? my first is on the way and i'm just starting to research infant seats. like, one hour ago just started. seems like britax is the way to go according to a couple blogs, but do any of you recommend certain seats that fit nicely in our back seats?

thanks!

We just bought a Britax Boulevard ClickTight for our son now that he's outgrown his Chicco Keyfit 30. He's only 8 1/2 months but he's already almost too tall for it.

The Britax is great so far. Very easy to make sure the straps are secure enough. However, it is pretty heavy so this one is staying put in the 4Runner. If you have the need to switch it out between vehicles often you may want to look at another

Edit: I'm sure people have told you already but if you plan on using daycare sign up ASAP! We knew the exact one we wanted and it usually fills up almost a year in advance. My wife was only 3 months pregnant when we reserved our spot.

 

[slvrblt]

If you want the most space with a couple of forward facing seats, look at Diono. I have a pair of these and a keyfit 30. The Diono's are slim, but very well made.

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