Anyone Have a Honda CR-V & 3 Car Seats?

Not that you want to think about spending money, but maybe you need a different car seat. Since boosters tend to be the least expensive maybe looking for one with a narrower base? What about switching up the latch system for the seatbelt? The location of the latch can be limiting when every millimeter counts. The seatbelt might allow you to move the seat(s) ever so slightly in either direction before being "locked" in final position, and thus allowing the buckle to be free. Whatever you do, I know the carseat safety guru's say that each seat should be fastened independently of each other. I was actually shopping car seat today and the Sunshine Radian (I found it at USA BABY-Frisco)is a convertible seat to 65 lbs that is very narrow. If all else fails,
search for or post your dilemma on http://carseatdata.org/forum/ They can probably offer you better advice.

We had a very similiar issue about this time last year. I was pregnant with my third child and my older two were (are) still in car seats. (My kids are now almost 4, 2.5 and the baby is 9 months) I shopped around and looked at practically EVERY car out there to see if any can hold three seats (comfortably). I drove a Volvo Wagon and much to my dismay (at the time) we had to get rid of and get a Honda Odyssey. I struggled and fought getting the minivan (I didn't like the idea of being 30 and driving a minivan! lol!) B ut let me tell you, it has made my trips out of the house A THOUSAND time better. I could now be the spokesperson for the minivan. My kids can easily get in and buckle themselves in the seats and I can just open and close the doors in tight spots, especially with the infant carrier. I know it may sound scary to venture into the minivan world, but it is WELL worth it! Good luck! A.

We had a CR-V and when I first quit my job to stay home with my 2 kids (then ages 2 yrs and 4 months), I also kept another 4 month old. I fit 2 infant carriers and a forward facing toddler seat in the back seat. For whatever reason, the toddler seat needed to be on one side for it all to fit. It was tight back there, but it was the only way I could get out of the house for anything like a bank run, library, etc. Our CR-V was a 2001, so it didn't have the LATCH hooks.

Have you tried not using the LATCH system and/or switching around the order of the car seats? Also, Babies R Us will let you take display models of car seats out to your car to try them out (with a store associate watching closely, of course!). The backless boosters might be narrower and work better for you.

I totally understand not wanting a car payment!

Since our CR-V was a lease we ended up returning it at lease end a few months after I became a stay-at-home-mom, then bought a Dodge Grand Caravan that was a lease-return. So, we didn't do the "carseat squeeze" for long. We got our van from Superior Leasing (http://www.superiorleasing.com/). They are somehow connected to D & M auto leasing to sell their lease returns. Their prices are really great and the cars have low miles and are in great condition. We've had our van for 2 years without a problem. Also, we didn't have a car payment for long. We had some credit from the Honda, some cash in savings, then put the balance on a 0% interest credit card. We paid it off in about a year. Anyway, if you're interested, we can send you the name of our sales guy. He leased us the Honda 6 years ago, then sold us this minivan.

I know there are sooo many people who are anti-minivan, but these things were made with kids in mind. It's so easy to load and unload and stash all the kids' things. There are cup holders, A/C vents, power outlets, etc. exactly where we need them. And the sliding doors are wonderful!

Yes, it was weird giving up the Honda (it was my 3rd Honda) for a Dodge, but on reading reviews, even called Ed Wallis (he does a radio talk show on KLIF about cars), most cars have about the same ratings and performance these days as far as mechanical integrity.

Good luck!

I dont have a CR-V and we only have one child. But I wanted to tell you that as an Insurance Agent I know of many companies such as Allstate and State Farm offer and Farm Bureau to show you how to properly install a car seat for your vehicle. And you can contact your local police dept and/or fire dept and they offer assistance on help with installing car seats. I know installing them may not be your issue but at least you will have someone trained in that area to figure out your problem. Its your tax dollars that pay for it, so use it! Where we live I know they offer days where you can drive to such and such places and they have trained people there to help. You never know, in our town this is something they do every so often and there is always a line of cars. So you know they have seen all types of situation and vehicles. I would contact your Fire Dept and then the police and then the Insurance Agencys. I hope this helps and Congrats on the upcomming New addition to your family!!

Definitely try putting the seats in a different order. I've found the booster works best on the side, infant in the middle. BUT WITH THAT IN MIND! I understand you not wanting the car payment, but I will say my situation has been similar, and I will never regret getting my van!

I had a Taurus, with what I thought was a large backseat. Wrong! I have a 5 yr old, 13 month old, and due in Nov. We had to try and make three seats fit once while I was keeping another child, and knew something had to change. Even if I could make them all fit, there was no comfortable or reasonable way to get all the kids in and out without screaming! (ME I MEAN!) We had to put the booster on the side, which meant reaching over the booster to put in the infant seat, then the buckling problems. It was a nightmare.

Our Taurus was due to be paid off in 3 weeks. We ended up getting a Kia Sedona, and it was the best move I've ever made. We did get into a LOWER car payment, but yes, we still have one. However, my trips out of the house are about a thousand times less stressful now.

I see that this post is an older one. I am just finding it when I was searching. This begs the question:
How do you fit 3 booster seats in the back of a van? I have 3 kids (all in boosters) and am now carpooling with my neighbor who has 3 kids. Of her 3 one is old enough/big enough for the front passenger, 1 is in a 5pt. harness and the other is an 8yr. (booster). I found some carseats that converted to booster and once the back is off all 3 boosters fit flush aganist the seat, but the problem is the buckles. I cant seem to figure out how to buckle them in because getting all 3 seats in the back is so tight as it is - suggestions?

I don't know if this will work, but we have the baby seat in the middle, then we just have to lift the seat over the booster, which is kind of a pain, but the good thing is our three year old helps put the baby's pacifier in or feed her a bottle if she need it and our almost two year old hands her toys or just takes them away! The seat in the middle really makes it easier to buckle the booster seat, though. Good Luck!!

Just being another advocate here about the minivan. I too was in the same situation 9 months ago. My girls are now 4, 2.5 & 9 months. We tried everything to fit them all together and it just did not work. Also, our vehicle was paid off 6 months before I delivered so it was heartwrenching to get rid of it. It also never gave us any problems at all. Aside from the space issue, the thought of the newborn being so close to her sisters meant she would constantly be bothered and messed with which would leave me with stressing about the baby being okay back there. We ended up with the Honda Odyssey and have yet to regret it. Like the earlier posts, its makes life so much easier esp with 3 kids. Getting in and out is so EASY. Good Luck.