3 across in a 2003 CRV??

[Emmas Mom]

Candice (Saschalicks) got me thinking about three kids in a vehicle & I realized this is something we seriously need to consider as we plan to start trying for #3 later this summer. Theoretically I need to make sure this is doable as we definitely will not be able to get another car for quite some time. So, if I have DD#1 in a Compass B510 (not yet but by the time #3 comes around she'll be in it full time), DD#2 in her MA FF & DC#3 in a Graco Snugride (don't have it yet but that's what I'm planning on...those are still the good ones right??), will it work?? I want the base for the Snugride but I know that makes it wider. Any CRV experts out there? Jools??

[westgre]

I have a 2001 and unless the 2003 is a lot wider, those three seats will not work. My DD was in a B510 before I found out I was pg and that booster is wide. I got one of the Parkway's on sale to put in the backseat. DS was in a Marathon -- also too wide. I already had a Platinum CarGo that we used to use as a third seat for DD, which I moved DS into. Then, I bought a Chicco KeyFit30 for the new baby since my old Snugride had expired. These three seats fit, but it's tight. The key is to get seats that are approximately 17" wide. I would love to replace my CarGo with a Radian, but it's just not in the budget right now. The Parkway is a nice booster, but DD and I both prefer the B510. Id do have the base of the KeyFit30 installed with no problem. I plan on getting a Radian for #3 when he outgrows the KeyFit30. So, it's possible to fit three across the CRV, but it does limit your choices in seats.

[Joolsplus2]

Eeeeeeyup...

That Compass is a behemoth when it comes to three across (looks so innocent there on the seat by itself, I know, but stick it next to something else? It becomes King Kong... ).

I didn't have too much trouble fitting a Safeseat 1 next to two narrow boosters in DH's tiny ford escape... I think the Cargo or Radian in the middle can accomodate an infant seat on one side and a narrower booster on the other just fine though (Maybe we'll know more about the Frontier by then, it might well be a workable booster in three across...even the Monarch might work, but the sidewings are bulky...)

[Emmas Mom]

Oh this is not good news. So are you ladies talking about these Radian 65's or 80's? Or does it matter? Are there any decent boosters out there that will work & are belt positioning? Will the MA work at all with a Snugride & booster?? Or am I looking at theoretically buying three new seats?! And Jools you're totally right, the Compass doesn't look big at all! We are definitely in trouble.

[Joolsplus2]

Radian 65's and 80's are the same, just the 80's have nicer covers (though I actually love the 65 cover and never would have wanted the newborn padding for the 80, anyway). They are as cheap as $159 at dmartstores.com, so just keep your eyes peeled for deals...though, a whole new version is coming out in August that should have nicer features and be just as narrow, so might as well wait for THOSE to be cheaper! Britax Parkway is the Narrowest/easiest to buckle/tallest backed booster available, you might want to snag one before they are gone forever (they are discontinued and on clearance now...)

[Emmas Mom]

And our MA? It's just not going to work with three across is it? That is a major bummer.

[Joolsplus2]

MA melds perfectly next to RN when they are both FF... not so sure about if one is RF, though...

[american_mama]

What about the SafeGuard Go seat? It harnesses to 60 pounds and looks relatively narrow. Actually, it mostly looks different. Does it have adequate side impact protection?

Also, my First Years catalog has a First Years True Fit. Is that the same as the Compass? It seems to harness to 65 pounds and costs $179 in the catalog.