The great car seat debate rages on!
06-08-2008, 10:39 AM
#1
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The great car seat debate rages on!
Alright, you guy inspired me to try this whole 3-car-seat thing out today. I pulled our son's original face-backwards, snap-into-a-base seat out of storage along with the spare base we had so he could easily move from car to car. Note: All pictures below are with the driver's seat in my wife's driving position.
I started out leaving his current convertible seat in the middle (usual location) and then tried to get his old seat (while snapped into a base) installed behind the driver. The results were less than stellar! The base is really the widest point of the seat and seems to be the stumbling block of the whole operation. You can see in the pictures that, with it pushed all the way up against his current seat, it hits the outside bolster of the back rest in a big way. This hurts for two reasons: 1) it allows for air space between the seat base and back rest, which means it won't pass the installation inspection at the hospital (no air space allowed) and it really isn't all that safe and 2) Because it can't move all the way against the backrest, it makes it impossible to move the driver's seat into MY driving position (although, it clears with the seat where my wife likes it).
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center1.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center2.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center3.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center4.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center5.jpg">
The next attempt involved me moving his current seat to the outboard position and trying his old seat and one base, side-by-side in the middle and other outboard position. This was even worse! Even moving his current seat outboard until it was about 0.5" from the door armrest made it impossible to even close the door on the opposite side. Furthermore, his old seat is now INTO the back of the driver's seat!
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side1.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side2.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side3.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side4.jpg">
The only option I can think of is to ditch the bases and buckle/unbuckle the seat(s) every time we take them in an out of the car. The nice thing about the bases was that it made it SOOOO handy to tote him around in various cars. We could have another base in my car, grandma's car, grandpa's car and just move him from car to care with just a "Snap". Hands full, raining, snowing, in a hurry, etc, no big deal, just drop the car seat in the base and listen for the "Click" and you're done. On top of that, my wife thinks this is the safest way to use those seats and REALLY REALLY doesn't want to use them without the base.
You guy have been GREAT so far. I appreciate all the input and kind words you guys have given me!
Grant says, "Please don't sell my German Uber-Sedan and make me ride in a Minivan!"
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/IMG_1755.jpg">
I started out leaving his current convertible seat in the middle (usual location) and then tried to get his old seat (while snapped into a base) installed behind the driver. The results were less than stellar! The base is really the widest point of the seat and seems to be the stumbling block of the whole operation. You can see in the pictures that, with it pushed all the way up against his current seat, it hits the outside bolster of the back rest in a big way. This hurts for two reasons: 1) it allows for air space between the seat base and back rest, which means it won't pass the installation inspection at the hospital (no air space allowed) and it really isn't all that safe and 2) Because it can't move all the way against the backrest, it makes it impossible to move the driver's seat into MY driving position (although, it clears with the seat where my wife likes it).
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center1.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center2.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center3.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center4.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Center5.jpg">
The next attempt involved me moving his current seat to the outboard position and trying his old seat and one base, side-by-side in the middle and other outboard position. This was even worse! Even moving his current seat outboard until it was about 0.5" from the door armrest made it impossible to even close the door on the opposite side. Furthermore, his old seat is now INTO the back of the driver's seat!
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side1.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side2.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side3.jpg">
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/Side4.jpg">
The only option I can think of is to ditch the bases and buckle/unbuckle the seat(s) every time we take them in an out of the car. The nice thing about the bases was that it made it SOOOO handy to tote him around in various cars. We could have another base in my car, grandma's car, grandpa's car and just move him from car to care with just a "Snap". Hands full, raining, snowing, in a hurry, etc, no big deal, just drop the car seat in the base and listen for the "Click" and you're done. On top of that, my wife thinks this is the safest way to use those seats and REALLY REALLY doesn't want to use them without the base.
You guy have been GREAT so far. I appreciate all the input and kind words you guys have given me!
Grant says, "Please don't sell my German Uber-Sedan and make me ride in a Minivan!"
<img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa294/coloradoaudi/IMG_1755.jpg">
06-08-2008, 01:57 PM
#3
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Welcome to my world . .
We tried to make this exact same scenario work with three kids and an A8 and A6 (my car and my wife's). Three car seats just won't fit easily or safely. Trust me, you need a minivan. Don't kid yourself.
Don't get an SUV, get a minivan -an AWD minivan. SUV's are cooler, but way way way less practical when your arms are full of groceries, kids, and carts. Minivans open their doors and tailgates for you with the touch of a button on the remote, the doors are lightweight, the doors don't swing out and dent other cars, and they are low to the ground and easy to climb in and out of. These may sound like little things but they add up to be priceless with kids. And, minivans for the most part are less likely to roll than and SUV in an accident (car platform with lower center of gravity).
Sure, minivans handle like washing machines, but they get you there very painlessly.
Don't get an SUV, get a minivan -an AWD minivan. SUV's are cooler, but way way way less practical when your arms are full of groceries, kids, and carts. Minivans open their doors and tailgates for you with the touch of a button on the remote, the doors are lightweight, the doors don't swing out and dent other cars, and they are low to the ground and easy to climb in and out of. These may sound like little things but they add up to be priceless with kids. And, minivans for the most part are less likely to roll than and SUV in an accident (car platform with lower center of gravity).
Sure, minivans handle like washing machines, but they get you there very painlessly.
06-09-2008, 06:01 AM
#4
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Damn dood - that's unfort. Thems gots to be some hugh jazz seats you got there??? I know...
...the Peg Perego seat with base was a nice fit and trim unit (even had folding handle). Coupled with larger Jeep seat / base / handle - like I said - fit in my UrS6 with my son's booster.
Something ain't right.
Try 'canting' the outboard seats to fit the contour of the rear seat back a bit. You can see here in my pic here my kids are slightly titlted (in more ways in one considering they're 'my' spawn!):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86747/dsc04442a.jpg">
You can also see Miss Vent Kicker's seat is simply *GINORMOUS* (and yes it is fully into the seat back). I kicked myself for buying that w/o measuring narrower options. Her sister's to the left is nearly 2" narrower sadly.
So my suggestion is: instead of shopping for minivans (oh the humanity), shop around for SEATS.
Telling you - this *WILL* work. BTDT, just a matter of finagling the right combo. Put your son behind you so you can move your seat back, and your twins center and behind passenger. Cant the outboard seats a bit.
Are you good at installing? I used to have the State POHleece do mine. While it was amusing watching a woman of "power" in uniform contort herself into ohso compromising positions and making all sorts of grunting noises in doing so, the info I learned on TECHNIQUE was HUGE!
I guarantee anyone that's not watched a pro do theirs has theirs in WRONG. Serious. And I thought naaa I can do it. Wrong. Nope.
*Really* STOVE those things into the seat bottom and back, get in the car, jam your knee into the kid seat, and use your back into the roof for leverage. Then pull the beejeezus out of the belt. Leather be damned - my kids' safety is more important than some dents in the leather. Big whoop it's a frickin car.
Oh and on ^that^ note - the CTSP here wouldn't do ANY install with ANYTHING under the seat bottom. FAIL. Leads to seat being able to slide around. And it does, they showed me how. Not good. Loose the towel, jam those suckers in there, ignore the dents (takes some higher Zen ability to look above / beyond but you'll get there), get some narrower seats, and you'll be set. Note: jamming the seats 'in' also provides more room for them to fit better.
Or drive a minivan.
Hmmmm.
Oh, and again - our ML 3rd row seat is a fabulous alternative to a minivan. So what if you have to lift your rear kid up and into the gate. Convenience is overrated - how fat are we anyway???
End rant 8-).
Again, email me and call me here for more info - esp. in getting you pointed into the direction of some good twins resources, etc.
Hang in there - you'll persevere Ben. Hate to see you scrap a REALLY nice car for the TWO YEARS you need ^this^ set up. It flies by and before you know it they're facing forward and things smooth out nicely.
Something ain't right.
Try 'canting' the outboard seats to fit the contour of the rear seat back a bit. You can see here in my pic here my kids are slightly titlted (in more ways in one considering they're 'my' spawn!):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86747/dsc04442a.jpg">
You can also see Miss Vent Kicker's seat is simply *GINORMOUS* (and yes it is fully into the seat back). I kicked myself for buying that w/o measuring narrower options. Her sister's to the left is nearly 2" narrower sadly.
So my suggestion is: instead of shopping for minivans (oh the humanity), shop around for SEATS.
Telling you - this *WILL* work. BTDT, just a matter of finagling the right combo. Put your son behind you so you can move your seat back, and your twins center and behind passenger. Cant the outboard seats a bit.
Are you good at installing? I used to have the State POHleece do mine. While it was amusing watching a woman of "power" in uniform contort herself into ohso compromising positions and making all sorts of grunting noises in doing so, the info I learned on TECHNIQUE was HUGE!
I guarantee anyone that's not watched a pro do theirs has theirs in WRONG. Serious. And I thought naaa I can do it. Wrong. Nope.
*Really* STOVE those things into the seat bottom and back, get in the car, jam your knee into the kid seat, and use your back into the roof for leverage. Then pull the beejeezus out of the belt. Leather be damned - my kids' safety is more important than some dents in the leather. Big whoop it's a frickin car.
Oh and on ^that^ note - the CTSP here wouldn't do ANY install with ANYTHING under the seat bottom. FAIL. Leads to seat being able to slide around. And it does, they showed me how. Not good. Loose the towel, jam those suckers in there, ignore the dents (takes some higher Zen ability to look above / beyond but you'll get there), get some narrower seats, and you'll be set. Note: jamming the seats 'in' also provides more room for them to fit better.
Or drive a minivan.
Hmmmm.
Oh, and again - our ML 3rd row seat is a fabulous alternative to a minivan. So what if you have to lift your rear kid up and into the gate. Convenience is overrated - how fat are we anyway???
End rant 8-).
Again, email me and call me here for more info - esp. in getting you pointed into the direction of some good twins resources, etc.
Hang in there - you'll persevere Ben. Hate to see you scrap a REALLY nice car for the TWO YEARS you need ^this^ set up. It flies by and before you know it they're facing forward and things smooth out nicely.
06-09-2008, 07:34 AM
#5
So what is the best child seat for the D2?
Say you just had one kid - pk: are you recommending the Peg Perego seat? It's got to fit the A4 also.
Recaro Como and Graco Snugride have been mentioned on the B7 forum.
Cute kid BTW - I'd keep the car key hidden when you're not looking!
Recaro Como and Graco Snugride have been mentioned on the B7 forum.
Cute kid BTW - I'd keep the car key hidden when you're not looking!
06-09-2008, 07:59 AM
#6
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Peg Perego stuff is pricey, but I've def. noted better quality compared to our...
...Graco or Jeep. This goes for seats and strollers - seems I've had them all. Ah, now THERE's my mod budget 8-). But, does seem you get what you pay for.
The PP seat was good in the fact that it was pretty darn compact. Nice and narrow. The Graco units are friggin HUGE.
Dunno what's the 'best'. Seems it all changes each year, and I'm now like 6 & 4 years out since purchase.
Best bet is to measure a bunch and see, then go online for opions on quality.
YMMV. All I know is they fit & work 8-).
The PP seat was good in the fact that it was pretty darn compact. Nice and narrow. The Graco units are friggin HUGE.
Dunno what's the 'best'. Seems it all changes each year, and I'm now like 6 & 4 years out since purchase.
Best bet is to measure a bunch and see, then go online for opions on quality.
YMMV. All I know is they fit & work 8-).
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06-09-2008, 08:21 AM
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You know, we had thought about that....
...the only "problem" I have with that course of action is that *I* would only drive the S8 in the summer. Like I said in the thread below, my winter commute involves driving a section of highway that gets HEAVILY sanded for ski/tourism traffic. So, in the winter, I would just be sitting in the car gritting my teeth and worrying about every rock chip the nose of the car is getting. I know it's "just a car", but I assure you that it would bother me and it just make my life so much simpler if I DON'T have to worry about that in my "disposable" car.
So, that would leave the S8 sitting in the garage for 6-7 months of the year and that makes no sense.
So, that would leave the S8 sitting in the garage for 6-7 months of the year and that makes no sense.
06-09-2008, 08:29 AM
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I beg to differ....SUV's are NOT cooler at all....
....I assure you that I would drive a minivan WAY before I would drive an SUV.
I agree with everything you have said here too. I like the idea of the low floor and the big open doors. It makes sense, it really does. I would just PREFER that the S8 worked out. Purely from a monitary stand point, getting OUT of the S8 will cost us $5000-$6000 (depreciation, upgrades, plates, etc etc). I KNEW going into the purchase that it was going to cost money in the long run, but it's always nice to spread that loss out over a longer period of time.
...not trying to kid myself (well maybe I am a little bit)....just trying to consider all aspects and figure out the best and most economical way to make life happen with two new kids on the way and a wife that won't be working for a while.
I agree with everything you have said here too. I like the idea of the low floor and the big open doors. It makes sense, it really does. I would just PREFER that the S8 worked out. Purely from a monitary stand point, getting OUT of the S8 will cost us $5000-$6000 (depreciation, upgrades, plates, etc etc). I KNEW going into the purchase that it was going to cost money in the long run, but it's always nice to spread that loss out over a longer period of time.
...not trying to kid myself (well maybe I am a little bit)....just trying to consider all aspects and figure out the best and most economical way to make life happen with two new kids on the way and a wife that won't be working for a while.