Do you have any car seat/children's seats pics/ideas?

[80k20andbroke]

For those of you that have young children as I do, what type of set up do you have? I have a cage and use carseats and belts, but I was just curious of other set ups, as I would like something better and more permanent. If anyone has pics of their set-ups that would be great! Thanks!

 

[Mikey von]

We have a carseat in the burb. It is a Britax and it is easy to install with the lap belt (center seat). I can take some pictures, but it is nothing much different than any other car.

I will have to figure something out quick though. We are expecting child #2 in April. The burb has shoulder belts for the two window seats in the back (not far back). They will not work well with car seats as the extend from both the shoulder and the lap. I want new seats, but not sure if I will have time by April. I think I may put lap belts in, not sure if that will work.

Has anyone replaced retractable shoulder belts (3 point) with lap belts?

 

[bear76]

You can use the 3pt belt for the seats. The lap part holds the seat in and the shoulder part rests on the back of the truck seats. I guess you could put a lap belt in, but child seats are fine to use with three point system.

 

[Mikey von]

I know they work with 3 point systems. We use 3 point belts in our camry and they work good. Big difference is in the camry they only retract/extend from one point (the shoulder). The lap anchor is fixed.

In the suburban, both the lap anchor and shoulder anchor retract/extend. Basically, due to the lap anchor not being fixed, it does not work so well. I have only played around with it a little, as the center seat is a fixed anchor lap belt that works great.

 

[gmcjimmy88]

I have looked into the simpson's racing seats for kids. They are for a five point harness (they sell the kids versions), but it is a little pricey. Upon reflection though what is a limit when it comes to your children being safe. My advice is to make certain the seat/booster you use fits them well and is a good quality brand. Also do not try to be cheap and use a yard sale seat. According to the insurance institue (from what my insurance company says, USAA) a seat needs to be replaced if involved in a accident. My ins. company will replace them as a part of the claim. I had five seats in my van when my wife totalled it. Two of them ours two of them friends (one empty), and they replaced them all. We purchased the new ones and sent a copy of the reciept. Theyu sent us a check a week or two later. Just food for thought. I have heard that some companyies will also reimburse you for a seat when a new vehicle is purchased. Not sure on that one though. Anyway I wheel with my kids and I keep everything fairly calm. If things look to be questionable I have them walk it with my wife or someone else. Just my .02.

 

[80k20andbroke]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I have the original bench seat in my K5. My oldest is 5 and he uses a booster seat. My youngest is 3 and he uses a car seat. My original belts were long gone, so I purchased belts from local parts store. Man, those things have gotten expensive ($28 ea.). So, both are just using lap belts. I have seen the Simpson car seats. I was just curious if you guys are using stock seats with car seats, or something custom. This is my trail rig not a DD by the way.

 

[miniwally]

For a three year old and five year old look into something along the lines of the PRP premy seats. They are a scaled down version of a full size suspension seat and come setup with little kid sized five points.
They work well.

The other thing you can do is take a piece of thick foam like from a RV seat/mattress and trace the kids head and shoulder outline on it. Cut out the outline so their head and shoulders fit snug in it. You can put this around there head anytime they get tired and they start doning the head bob deal.

I used the car seat in the back seat with my 10 month old this weekend and it was fine. I will probably do that until he can hack being in the buggy with me.

BTW I watched my father roll his crew cab with my 6 year old nefew in it this weekend. He rides shotgun and we make him wear the five points all of the time. He was just fine and held into the seat well even with the adult sized seat and belt system.

 

[boz42]

I know they work with 3 point systems. We use 3 point belts in our camry and they work good. Big difference is in the camry they only retract/extend from one point (the shoulder). The lap anchor is fixed.

In the suburban, both the lap anchor and shoulder anchor retract/extend. Basically, due to the lap anchor not being fixed, it does not work so well. I have only played around with it a little, as the center seat is a fixed anchor lap belt that works great.

My CC is the same way, but I figured out how to defeat that. After you buckle the seat belt, pull the lap belt all the way out. When it retracts it will not loosen back up until you un-buckle it & let it retract all the way. That way it will hold the tikes seat tight. That is what I do w/ mine I have a 3 yr/old & a 18 month old.

 

[Mikey von]

boz42 - I will give that a shot. Does it hold the seat tight enough?

 

[boz42]

Yes it does. After you pull the belt all the way out & let it retract. I push down on the seat & pull the belt reall tight. It holds the seat tight enough that after you take it out it will leave indents in the bench were it was.