Tell me about carseats in trucks

[Bernadine]

H has an extended cab Tacoma.  We clearly did not think that through all the way, because now we're wondering how we're going to get a car seat in there.  It would obviously have to go in the front seat, and we're not sure how we feel about that.

We're considering getting a 4-door Tacoma, but I'm not sure that back seat will really be big enough?

Ugh, I hate adult decisions.

[1confused1]

When we had a truck, the car seat was in the front seat with the airbag off.

It was our second car so it wasn't used as much when we were driving with the baby.

We didn't have back seats so that wasn't an option.

[themysteriouswife]

Why can't you put it in the back? My dad has an extended cab with the wing doors. We got Allie in and out with no issues. We used convertible seats in his truck.

Eta wing doors may not be the technical name.

[Bernadine]

Jan 29, 2016 11:37:07 GMT -5 themysteriouswife said:

Why can't you put it in the back? My dad has an extended cab with the wing doors. We got Allie in and out with no issues. We used convertible seats in his truck.

Really?  Hmmm.  It just doesn't seem like there would be room.  I guess a convertible seat would take up less room than the infant carrier-type seat.

[hocus2]

A google search indicates that are indeed car seats that fit in the jump seat of an extended cab truck. I would look for the smallest car seat on the market since most folks say it is very very tight when your child is rear facing and that the passenger seat needs to I would also consult your owner's annual since it will probably address this.

[themysteriouswife]

Do you have a friend who will lend you a seat to try?

[jeaniebueller]

A car seat definitely fits in the crew cab vehicles, if you are thinking of choosing one for your next one. The only issue I have had with the extended cab ones, is that the base of the carseat is something too long to sit on the bench, so they are generally a no go.

[jenny1223]

DH has the car seat in the front seat of his truck with the airbag off, but it's only ever for short rides. I don't think he's driven with DS more than 10 or 15 miles.

[hocus2]

Jan 29, 2016 11:45:10 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

A car seat definitely fits in the crew cab vehicles, if you are thinking of choosing one for your next one. The only issue I have had with the extended cab ones, is that the base of the carseat is something too long to sit on the bench, so they are generally a no go.

  I believe some cabs allow you to remove the headrest and attach it to the seat to address this issue.

[who22]

Lurker chiming in...We have an extended cab Tacoma with the suicide rear doors and I'm currently pregnant with our first. Our truck only has latch points in the back, and we got the Chicco Keyfit which fits in it. However, the front seat has to be pulled all the way forward so if I want to ride in it too, I have to sit behind the driver. It's not ideal. DH has a company work truck for his daily driver so he'd primarily be by himself picking kid up from daycare and we'd take my car for family stuff.

[MrsAxilla]

We have an extended cab tundra and the car seat fits just fine. I'm sure it would fit in a Tacoma, too.

[Chloride Kate]

My husband had a 4-door Tacoma and the space is tight for a car seat. Car seats are always so much more bulky than you think they will be, so you may want to bring the vehicle down to Babies R Us and they'll let you try them in to be sure they fit. I'd also try a convertible seat so you know what your options will be like a few months down the line. The smallest infant carrier we were able to find was the Chicco Keyfit 30- and I'll be honest, we got annoyed with the lack of room in his truck for the kids (and anything else). We traded his Tacoma in for a Silverado and it has SO MUCH MORE ROOM. If you are thinking about trading, I'd maybe go bigger than a 4-door Tacoma.

[sparkythelawyer]

Car Seats for the Littles on FB may have some suggestions for you.

[Bernadine]

Jan 29, 2016 12:03:16 GMT -5 sparkythelawyer said:

Car Seats for the Littles on FB may have some suggestions for you.

I did join the group, I'll look around some there.

[sparkythelawyer]

Jan 29, 2016 12:03:50 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Jan 29, 2016 12:03:16 GMT -5 sparkythelawyer said:

Car Seats for the Littles on FB may have some suggestions for you.

I did join the group, I'll look around some there.

Post to the page, you may be able to get some responses.

[jlt19]

When DH was truck buying, we had to either get a Ram Crew cab which are bigger, but far less common than the quad cabs or an F150 crew cab b/c of fitting our car seats comfortably. No way would I put a car seat in the front seat.

[Deleted]

You may want to look for a bigger vehicle. If you want a truck, I have a f150 super crew and it's perfect for 2 kids. I'm 6'1, my husband is 6'4 and we don't have to move the seats at all. Leg room for everyone!!!

[swarley]

My H has an extended cab Ford and there is not much space in the back. He placed the car seat in the center because there is a center console that allows for more room. DS is still RF in a Diono Radian with an angle adjuster and there is plenty of room.

[kate1482]

My dh just bought a 2016 Tacoma (TRD quad cab) and it fits our dd's RF chicco Nextfit perfectly.

[lattelady5]

I'm a CPST. I don't know the details of your vehicle but I can look into it of you'd like. If you pm me your location I can try to find a tech in your area if you need

The truck situations that I've done rearfacing only seats in usually required a baseless install (with a few exceptions). There was too much overhang otherwise.

There are compact convertibles that work well too and I'd be happy to recommend some.

And rf carseats can only go in the front of the airbag can be disabled with a key/shutoff. The sensors that detect weight and turn on and off the airbag are not reliable.

[nachos]

Jan 29, 2016 11:52:49 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

We have an extended cab tundra and the car seat fits just fine. I'm sure it would fit in a Tacoma, too.

What seat do you have? I have to upgrade from an infant seat soon, and this is the truck we have. We're looking at larger trucks next year, but we need the seat before that.

[stackingtens]

Jan 29, 2016 12:27:42 GMT -5 kate1482 said:

My dh just bought a 2016 Tacoma (TRD quad cab) and it fits our dd's RF chicco Nextfit perfectly.

We have the 2014 Tacoma quad cab and have no problem with carseats.  We have a nextfit on one side and a base and infant carseat (Britax B-safe) on the other with plenty of room.  I can ride in the passenger seat fine as well.   It isn't any more or less room than my car (Mazda Tribute SUV).

[MrsAxilla]

Jan 29, 2016 12:34:53 GMT -5 nachos said:

Jan 29, 2016 11:52:49 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

We have an extended cab tundra and the car seat fits just fine. I'm sure it would fit in a Tacoma, too.

What seat do you have? I have to upgrade from an infant seat soon, and this is the truck we have. We're looking at larger trucks next year, but we need the seat before that.

The one from Costco - lol.  I think it's safety 1st or something.  I can check when DH gets home.  She sits behind the driver's seat and there's plenty of room.  

[prettyinpearls]

My H has 2 trucks at all times (don't get me started), and at one point he had a truck w/ an extended cab and one with a quad cab. A car seat will work in an extended cab but the quad cab is definitely more comfortable for everyone.

[Deleted]

We had a 4 door Tacoma and we were able to fit the bucket seat and her convertible seat RF totally fine in the back.

[muffin0]

Jan 29, 2016 11:39:06 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Jan 29, 2016 11:37:07 GMT -5 themysteriouswife said:

Why can't you put it in the back? My dad has an extended cab with the wing doors. We got Allie in and out with no issues. We used convertible seats in his truck.

Really?  Hmmm.  It just doesn't seem like there would be room.  I guess a convertible seat would take up less room than the infant carrier-type seat.

My family has what we call the "family pick up" It's basically a POS 1999 ford f150 that my dad bought from his neighbor to use whenever we need a truck. It runs perfectly but it's ugly as hell. It has the extended cab with the wing doors and we've all fit two bigger convertible car seats in there fine. 

I agree that an infant seat might not work on the sides but I think it'd work in the center.