Twin - 2yr olds in front of 2003 Dodge Dakota - HELP!

[BBB]

My son recently divorced, has 50% custody of his 2 year old twin girls. He owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota pick up truck. No back seat. Current car seats are too big (wide). We need to know if there is a brand of car seat for 2 yr olds that are narrow enough to fit in the front seat of his small truck. He lives in Florida, so don't know if there are differences in some of the child care laws that will affect his choice of car seat. OR does he have to trade in the vehicle for something with a back seat? NEED TO KNOW ASAP. THANKS!

	Combi Dakota - Click for more info The Combi Dakota Booster is a backless booster car seat meant for travel with kids over the age of four. The Dakota weighs only 3.45 lbs., making it easy to throw in the car and go without lugging any heavy straps or bases around. The extra wide seat and base are one piece and each is covered with machine washable air mesh fabric that?s comfortable, breathable and cool for short rides or long road trips.

[CPS-I_Jeff]

Originally Posted by BBB

My son recently divorced, has 50% custody of his 2 year old twin girls. He owns a 2003 Dodge Dakota pick up truck. No back seat. Current car seats are too big (wide). We need to know if there is a brand of car seat for 2 yr olds that are narrow enough to fit in the front seat of his small truck. He lives in Florida, so don't know if there are differences in some of the child care laws that will affect his choice of car seat. OR does he have to trade in the vehicle for something with a back seat? NEED TO KNOW ASAP. THANKS!

My suggestion would be to get a different vehicle. If that is not financially possible, then possibly the Radian will fit. It's going to be extremely tight and honestly I do not think two will fit, but it is probably the best bet of all of the seats.

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

[Papooses]

Yes, ideally, a more family friendly vehicle is necessary.

I suggest referrencing Informed For Life & Fuel Economy to compare the safest vehicles within his price range. The back seat is at least 40% safer than the front for everyone of all ages . . . a university study near me showed 86% safer assuming correct use.

Otherwise, or until he has a more family friendly vehicle, I wonder what their exact ages/weights/heights are? If they are barely 2 & on the small side, then I would have the child positioned outboard/passenger side rear facing -- please visit my website via the link in my signature for information. If they are about to turn 3 & no longer fit the RF size limits, then I would want a High Weight Harness FF seat.

The Radian is a convertible + High Weight Harness. It's also the narrowest carseat I know of. Perhaps the True Fit puzzles well with the Radian? I'm not sure, but I would visit a "Babies R Us" to test seats out. I would also try a Britax Marathon (as well as it's clones, just not the Roundabout because it's very short). I would test the Radian FF center with TrueFit or Marathon etc. passenger side both RF & FF.

If the child in the outboard/passenger seat does ride rear facing the airbag *must* be deactivated! The carseat & vehicle manual may say the passenger airbag should be deactivated for any young child....

Both girls cannot ride RF (although it is 5 times safer than FF) because the driver airbag is necessary for the driver's safety, but could break a RF carseat. I'm not sure about that specific vehicle. Hopefully, the vehicle owner's manual has some explanation & diagrams for installing carseats.

In older model years I have installed the Cosco Scenera FF center + RF outboard/passenger side. It won't work if the cupholders are attached, but they are easily removed. If this seat is more within his budget, that's OK. The most important thing is CORRECT USE

Whichever carseats he chooses, it is wise to visit a local technician to ensure correct use. The Safe Kids tech finder link is at the bottom of my signature.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.