My wife and I bought one of those convertable car seats for our little one since she is outgrowing the original setup that we had. We go to drop it in the back seat, and I've got to move the passenger side seat up to where it might get a little cramped in the back. This thing is a monster! I really want to turn the thing around but she's not old enough yet. Anyone else have an issue with those?

 

Krohbar,

I feel your pain. I placed the car seat in the center of the rear seat, then when it was sitting backward it rested slightly between the front bucket seats. My boy is big enough to face forward now but I still have him in the center. I figured it gives him more protection in case of a side impact. Of course your case might be different if you dont have buckets.

 

The first year when the seat faces the rear its suppose to be in the center. After that just turn it around in the center, this way you and your wife have access to the baby.

 

our son just turned 1 last month, he was facing backwards in our scab, with the car seat between the front seats. we just got our screw and now he is facing forward, but behind the passenger seat. it is easy to load / unload him and lets us flip up the long part of the rear seat for groceries (still waiting on topper to be delivered). it would be nice to have him in the middle, but atleast this way when he throws the bottle, it is only on one side - i need a bungy on that thing!

 

My daughter just moved to a forward facing which was a real joy, but in order to get the baby in and out of the truck easier, we put the rear facing seat behind the passenger seat. It was a little cramped for a while because of the front seat position, but my wife got used to it and no one complained. Now that the baby is forward facing, I got one of those 5 point booster style seats and dropped it on the driver side so I didn't have to walk all the way around the car to get to her.

DE '04

 

center rear seat is the safest for rear facing.

it make be more difficult to get her in, but its a small price to pay for the added safety.

 

We are expecting our first in May, and I was wondering which car seats you guys were finding to be the best fit for the screw. I have been researching the heck out of these things, but real world experience and opinion always seems to be the best. I am fairly certain we have LATCH compatibilty? Thanks in advance, and sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

I dont have the seats in my screw yet, there in my wifes Tahoe. I have to get a second set for my truck. I dont remember off hand the names but deffinitly do research because safer ones come out all the time. I have a 2-1/2 and a 6 month old set of boys and the 2.5 year old seat belt is a pain to snap on because the buckel has to fit into its self before snapping into the bottom portion of the belt.

 

One reason for getting a Screw (apart from the F150 just being an awesome truck) was to have lots of space in the rear to manipulate a 35 pound 18 month old. I'm 6' 2" and can climb in with him in my arms and drop him into a center child seat no problem. I prefer the center position for safety, but also for us both to see the little guy.

As for flying bottles, there is no answer to that issue that I know of. Many road side stops to track down that elusive bottle on the floor. The joys of parenthood I guess.

 

The LATCH system, for rear facing, is only at the doors. The center has the hook for front facing. I'm not realy happy with how the seat belt holds it in. We tried to fit this monster in my wifes Intrepid, that won't work either... not rear facing anyway. The seat is good up to 80lbs, converts to the booster for the last stages of it being needed. This thing is just freaking huge. I wonder if I should just get an ACES II ejection seat?

 

Bar- Thanks, that was kinda what I was looking for. A friend of ours has a seatbelt tensioner that he picked up at a baby outlet that seems to help with the center belts. Any other suggestions before I start plunking down the cash for this thing?

 

there is only one LATCH system... which are the metal hooks which replace using the seatbelt. Do not confuse it with the tether strap of which there are three points for attaching the tether.

LATCH is in all three rear seat positions of a Crew.
Rear facing seats should be in the center position. Period.

 

I guess I have to ask why you say that.
NHTSA Link

 

Center of the rear seat is best for room. But it is one hell of a reach. My boy is 2 now and his legs can reach the passenger seat he is going to the middle as soon as i finnish my subwoofer box.