Jeep Liberty 3 Seats

[libertytofill]

I am wondering if I can fit three carseats in the back of a 2005 Jeep Liberty. I have one child who is 4 1/2 years old, one who is 2 1/2 years old, and one who is 3 months old. This will be a second car and would require all new carseats. We can get the car for a decent price, so I don't really care how much the carseats cost as long as they work. I have read a little about the Radian carseats in these forums, but I haven't been able to find them locally to try them out. I wouldn't mind buying them online if I were pretty sure it would work. I am also open to any other configurations that might work. I looked online and the Liberty shows 47.4 hip room and 56.5 shoulder room. Can anyone help me out?

	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]

We have a 2007 Liberty.... I don't have a Radian to try out, but I don't think it would work anyway I mean, I think it would install fine: just not 3 across It's difficult enough in vehicles that have a hip width of 51-52"

What is each child's actual weight & height (with age)?
What are your current carseats?

Worse comes to worse, I have had 2 seats installed outboard in our Liberty + my 5 year old in a Ride Safer Travel Vest in the center

P.S. if you want to try the Radian out just make sure the online retailer has a good return/exchange policy.

	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.

[libertytofill]

I had to get out the scale and measuring tape!! My 4 year old is 42 pounds and 41 inches tall. My 2 year old is 29 pounds and 37 inches tall. My 3 month old is approximately 15 pounds and 24 inches tall. I looked a little bit at the travel vest. I'd like to research it a little more to see the comparison to a booster seat. It says it meets Federal standards, which is good since boosters are required until 8 years old in my state.

My current car seats are the Graco infant carrier, Graco Turbo Booster and a Cosco seat (can't remember the type.) We would be getting all new seats for the jeep since it would be a second car. I can't believe the jeep is narrower than most cars!!

Thanks in advance for your help.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat).

[Papooses]

The RSTV crash tests really well because kiddo sits so low & further back than more typical seats (injury doesn't happen from movement alone, but when the body impacts the vehicle interior ... which is why it's important that carseats are locked into place rather than just buckled in loosely)

It also distributes crash forces over the entire torso when using the top tether anchor It does lack any side impact protection, though, which is why I only suggest using it in the center -- my kiddo uses it in the center of our 1997 Civic: she slept comfortably in it for 4 hours.

It's a little hot & requires buckling both chest clips + vehicle seatbelt each time so it might take a little longer than you're used to. However, it's much safer than a booster & may be the only safe/correct option for the Liberty

I think you're just going to have to play around seats to figure it out. I'll ask around to see if anyone else has any experience.

P.S. the laws of physics trump state legislation. It's great! that are required till 8 in your state, but many 8+ year olds are still not safe without a booster. The 5 Step Test is the only safe indicator of whether a child can safely ride without a booster. (RSTV meets the law as an approved child safety device/booster)

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Top-Tether A top tether (or top strap) is the supplemental attachment now standard on almost every new carseat in the USA. Top tethers can be used with either the seat belt or with the lower anchors (as part of the LATCH system). In other countries, their use may be required by law. A top-tether is simply a strap that connects the top of the carseat to an anchor mounted in the vehicle at a location behind the carseat, usually the parcel shelf or a point on the floor of the cargo area. It is designed to prevent the forward movement of the top of a forward-facing carseat in a frontal crash. This reduces the head excursion of the child, and can reduce the chances of injury. Almost all current carseats can only meet the tougher new federal safety standards when the tether is used, even though they must still meet the minimum safety standards without a tether.