CAR SEAT HELP!!!

This is my vote and what I did when our first was coming. It’s hard to do and I've always hated minivans, but man it was so worth it. With a child there are so many things that are needed and honestly a truck is just completely unpractical IMO. Car seats fit so much better in a minivan vs. a truck unless you have a full size crewcab or SUV. Even with a full size crew cab or SUV it’s not the best because of the vehicle height and limited space over a minivan.

From tending to the baby while driving (way easier in mini vs. SUV), to fitting the diaper bag and portable play pin, a mini van is a huge step up in the right direction. Having a Tacoma double cab now, there’s not way I would make this vehicle work with an infant on the way unless it weren't the primary vehicle.

Edit: ooooop I forgot the cool factor and ones impression is so much more import than anything else. Ignor my response.

 

Dont have to have a new vehicle. If the lower anchors are completely removed from both passenger and driver sides then you will have to use the trucks seat belt to secure the base of the car seat. Just run the belt through the belt paths of the base and click into receiver. Make sure the belt is flat and not twisted and pull out the shoulder portion of the belt all the way out then release it and let it ratchet back in. If the belt is not a self tentioning system the car seat should come with a metal belt clip to use to keep belt tight. Push down on the base into the seat while pulling the shoulder portion inline with the lap portion and let all slack retract. If done correctly the lower part of the car seat base at the seat belt should not move more than an inch side to side. The top portion near the front seat is designed to move much more to absorb an impact. The base can still be left in the vehicle and the car seat unclipped to remove the child. As far as saftey every new car seat on the market has to pass the same level of saftey so all are safe but some have more user friendly features then others all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

2013 double cab here. I have 2 car seats in mine, a convertible seat behind me and a newborn seat behind my wife. I am 6'1" and I am perfectly comfortable. My wife is 5'8" and her knees touch the dash, but nothing to complain about. You will be switching over to a convertible seat before long and they take up way less room. It's the handle on the baby seat that makes it so long by the way. Also you removed the hooks inside the seat or the ones behind it? Older models may not have them but I only use the hooks inside the seat like where the seat belts are. -sorry if any of this is repeat info. Best of luck and congratulations!

 

I know the handle takes up a lot of room but im only 5 foot so lugging a baby in and out of my truck is too much for me im pretty sure i can handle a newborn car sear for some time kids grow up fast no point in buying a different car when mines done and paid for.... I cut the ones by the seat belt and behind the seat i didnt realize you either used the seat belt or the latching system i thought it was best to use both... Learned something new

 

We used a Graco Snug ride and it worked fantastic. They have 2 models a 35 lb and a 22lb I think. They use a seatbelt or the latch system. We bought the combo kit that came with the matching stroller and it just unsnapped from the truck and you snapped it on the stroller. It also fits on shopping carts and locks in place. We bought an extra base for it too so we had 2 bases for the vehicles. Oh and the handle on it can be positioned any way you need it

 

I used the Chico key fit 30 in my access cab and had no problems

 

we used a graco with the detachable base that stayed in the truck at all times. We have had it in all three seats and it worked out fine, if the retnetion hooks were cut out then you can strap the base in with the seat belt and it will always remain in place and just pull the car seat off the base when you need to get the baby in and out without actually taking the baby out of the carrier.

 

I bought a quad cab specifically for my grandson. Our car seat split like you want and we had no prob except like others have mentioned about the pass seat being forward. We never latched to the center part of the seat. We still use the seat belts to latch his forward facing. I do know you can get a small plastic step stool dirt cheap. I use it for my MIL when I take her to bingo and I just toss it in the back. Works great. I wish you well and I'm sure you will come up with a solution.

 

I upgraded to a f150 super crew to solve my issues with my access cab. After getting the ford I don't know how I would have done it with the Tacoma.

If your set on keeping the Tacoma. Just attach the base with the seatbelt and your good to go.

 

Check out the Britax car seats. They aren't cheap but offer a major upgrade in safety over the more common ones. We used the removable carrier one initially then went to the Boulevard model which is built like a tank. They are somewhat heavy but the protection offered is outstanding.

 

Hi, I'm a carseat tech and have a double cab with two kids - I've used rear facing infant seats (the ones with the handle) and convertibles (the next seat after the infant seat). You can absolutely install your infant seat with just the seatbelt - it is perfectly safe, and in an 08, you have the locking retractors - you won't have to use a locking clip.

For a small seat, that installs easily with the seatbelt, I'd look at the Chicco Keyfit. It has some awesome belt lockoffs that get the seat base in fast and tight. It is also one of the smaller seats so that you get the most room in the front seat.

I could hook you up with a good tech in your area (Fresno/Clovis) if you want, and she could help you find what works best for you. Let me know.

 

That would be great thank you!

 

congrats! don't stress too bad, my son was born and occasionally hauled in my 92 ext cab 4x4. no locking seatbelts, little room. I thought it was hell until I realized I rode in an almost identical Toyota at that age. the LATCH system is only for convenience imo, the factory seatbelts work well too, even if you have to use the clip.

in your double cab, any carseat should be fine. the factory belts "ratchet" back, and carseats are still designed to use them. and remember, if you ever think you have the wrong truck, or wrong seat, its a pita no matter what. but it is one of the best pitas ever. . . .wait till he/she starts starts bugging about the next trip off-road, then you always have a perfect excuse