Suggestion for Storage Once Car Seat is Installed.

My first little one is on the way, so that means a car seat will soon be installed in the back of my double cab. I'm planning on installing it in the middle (safest and more room for myself and passenger in the front). Only thing is, once it's installed, all my under-seat storage will be inaccessible.

I don't have, nor do I want, a big tool box in the already too short bed. I have a soft tonneau cover, and I thought about some sort of rugged rubbermaid container temporarely "mounted" in the bed...

Do any of you have any clever storage ideas for those items once kept under and or behind the seat? (Jack, Jumper Cables, Straps, Rope, etc.)

 

i put the car seat on the drivers side so that the bulk of the rear storage was useable and it is easier to put them in and take them out without climbing in the back. it is a little difficult for the driver to take care of the baby this way but when yours child gets older it will be a easier place.

 

The driver side rear under-seat compartment is still accessible when the car seat is in the middle. Otherwise you are right, you have to remove the car seat. That is where we have it, in the middle, and I've had to pop the base out a few times, it's not that big of a deal to me really.

 

I'm 6'1". A rear facing car seat behind the driver side seat would put me in the dash board. Not safe for me or my son.

Do you have yours installed with the shoulder belt?

 

I have two car seats in the back. I've got a small plastic box with a lid that I use now to store all my junk (Thanks again Janster!).

 

I would highly advise that you read the warnings on the car seat.

Most state that a Rear Facing car seat should be install in the middle of the vehicle if possible (we fit a front facing on the drivers side, and a rear facing in the middle of a Mazda3) due to safety. Also make sure you utilize the "Latch" system that are in all newer vehicles since it is a heck of a lot stronger than trying to make sure the seatbelt is tight. After awhile you become a pro at taking out and installing car seats, so anything you store in the bins can be accessed, just not as quickly as before.

And Contrats!

 

I have 2 1/2 year old twin daughters, so two car seats. I have a rubbermaid plastic box on the floor behind the passenger seat(wife is shorter than me) and keep the back-pack with all the kids stuff in it between their car seats. Seems to work pretty good. Hope this helps...

 

I would not recommend putting the car seat in the middle. The latch system is designed to have a seat on the drivers or passenger side only. Not to mention trying to get a get a child in the truck and fastened in tightly. Also a car seat or booster is much more stable there as the center of the seat is higher. I would rather have my child safe than worrying about where I'm gonna put my junk. $.02

 

With the latch system it isn't a big deal to uninstall and reinstall the car seat. I have mine in the middle with no problems whatsoever. When I travel with my family I always install the car seat in the middle in rental cars as well unless there will be a back seat passenger.

 

last week i picked up one of those rubbermaid action packers (8 gallon) and put it in the bed for all my straps, tie downs, recievers etc. It's waterproof and works out really great. only 20 bucks at walmart

 

I was suprises how much space a carseat takes up in the back. I had to move both front seats to get it to fit.

I just move the base to the car seat each time I need to get in them. Total pain in the ass, but its not that often I have to do it.

 

There are measurements that come with the car seat, that state that if you use a latch system, then the two latches must be no more than a certain distance apart. Basically what this translates to is if you use the latch system, you need to have them on the passenger side or driver side in the back seat, not in the middle using the two middle-most latches. I looked into this, and thee middle latches are farther apart than the recommended distance, likely not meant to be used together. Securing the car seat in the middle was done with the middle seat belt for me. It's not that hard for me, however I can see how it would be hard for some. I put the majority of my 230lb body on the car seat base when I tighten down the base using the seat belt. The fire station we had them inspect the car seat at said that as long as there no more than 1" side to side movement, we should be fine. Cranking down on the base with the seat belt gives close to 0 side to side movement.... it's tight!

 

That may be correct in the Tacoma, but other vehicles will differ. I know this is a Tacoma forum, but what if the OP needs to move the base to another? I would hate to throw out a blanket "Throw it on the driver/passenger side" and (God forbid) he has to take a loaner Prius and gets t-boned. Center=Farther away from impact=Better. Don't take my word for it...Ask a Pediatrician, EMT, Fireman or Police officer. Center=Better in most cases.

This is why I mentioned reading the instructions that come with the child seat.

Section 5.0 of the manual for the one I owned (Thank GOD both kids are forward-facing now) "Whenever Possible, secure the infant restraint in the center position of the seat directly behind the front seats". Mind you, it may not be possible in the Tacoma, but at the time it was possible in the Mazda. And I totally agree with your last statement!

 

to fit a rear facing infant seat behind the driver in a double cab the driver needs to be about 3'6" tall or you are crammed into the steering wheel. my wife is 5'4" and even if i put ours behind her seat her knees are in the glove box the middle is the only place they really fit well in these trucks.

placing the seat in the center is completely possible and all latch anchor points reach from the seat just fine and according to all instructions and everything you can find online it is the safest seat in the car. always. the hospital wouldn't even let us leave if the seat wasn't in the middle. just because there are only 4 latch points doesnt mean it wasnt meant for that none of the 5 vehicles i own have separate ones for the center because they would be too close together you just use the two inside latch anchors they are spaced just as close to the seat as if you placed it on one side.

 

OP, what car seat do you have? I have a First Years True Fit installed rear facing behind the driver's side seat and I'm 5'9, and it fits no problem. And thats the second largest car seat on the market. Of course, I have back problems and can't lean back in the seat.

http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html

As for the LATCH system, it isn't any safer than a seat belt install if properly installed. The LATCH system was designed to make the installs easier, thats all.

Install it in the back seat where it fits, has no side to side movement, and rear facing as long as possible. Thats the best you can do. Better yet, take it to the fire department like someone said earlier, they get certified on how to properly install them.

 

Mount in Front Passenger seat? Turn off airbag and let mom ride in back?.

When my girls were babies we had economy cars or VWs; I thought backs seat on double cab would be big enough not to encroach on drivers space.

 

According to my car seats manufacturer, middle is the best place and with the Tacoma you should install using the shoulder belt. Plan on having local fire Dept do the install.

Wasn't really asking for safety advice though... just looking for some storage options. (Thanks, hookedontronics)

 

Kids...They mess with parents heads. Safety is number 1 until they go after the wall outlet with a fork. Then it's time to grab the popcorn!!