Car seat options - Do I have to get rid of my taco?

I'm looking for some help from our fellow taco world members. So my wife and i recently found out we're going to be having twins next year. We already have a 2.5 year old daughter. so potentially 3 kids. I'm kinda freaking out because I'm not sure how i'm going to be able to fit all 3 kids in the taco. I have drop off duty and my wife who has a highlander with a 3rd row does pick up.

Do I have to sell my taco? Anyone on here able to make it work? Looking for alternatives to not having to get rid of my truck.

FYI, i still use the truck for a lot of house stuff and anytime we travel out of the city because of the storage in the bed.

Any advice?

 

You cant fit 3 seats across the back if that is what you are wondering. Not even close. There is always adoption. Priorities my friend...

 

What are your state laws regarding kids in the front seat? Could the oldest sit up front?

 

Wow, congratulations! To be honest it will be tight, I have a 2 and 4 year old back there and those child seats are quite large. Hopefully others can chime in with 3. Good luck my friend, I hope you can keep it.

 

no

 

In CA you can have an infant in the front seat as long as you are able to turn off the front airbag. My '04 has an on/off switch for it so legally I could put a carseat up there, if I had to. However it's still definitely not the safest place for a baby.

I imagine since it's legal in that regard that the same would apply to any child under the age/weight limit for front seats and airbags.

 

If your older child is sitting forward facing you can put the carseat in the front passenger seat and disable the airbag (We can do that in our Tacos right?) I used to do that in my Ranger as my back seats couldn't fit a carseat.

 

I bought a Tundra instead of a Tacoma in 2013 because I found that two full-size car seats (one rear-facing) in a Tacoma was untenable. 4Runner was a LOT better. But I don't know that 3-wide would work any better than a Taco.

My kids are both in boosters now, so I'm back to looking at Tacomas and 4Runners.

I know it's possible to get them in there, but if you can get something better...I'd make the switch. Even if it's only for a few years while they're in those MASSIVE seats.

 

I don't know about newer models but the 1st gens have an on/off switch using the ignition key.

 

Honestly I wouldnt like to get rid of my truck either, but to fit 3 car seats is going to be a feat... especially for newborn twins.. (infant car seats are typically rear facing)... and the brackets take up some space... you'd have to get out the tape measure, and allow for 2 inches between the seats.. I believe the tacoma has 3 mounts for car seats, but I am doubtful you can find ones narrow enough that will allow you to close the doors, and still have your seat in a comfortable position.. it'll be tough....

 

4x4 van. Do it

 

$464 Baby Trend Infant and Toddler Double Stroller & 2 Car Seat Combo, 3 Pc Set, Magnolia - Portable and Lightweight Stroller Duo and Car Seat Travel System Tandem

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-H...+double&qid=1570814879&s=baby-products&sr=1-6

 

ours have a weight sensor, anything above 80lbs turns it on...

 

No it isn't. Could be an option though depending on his drive to drop off the kids. In my situation drop off is a half mile away down a dirt road. Relatively safer than a 10 mile trip on the freeway in rush hour.

 

Even with narrow car seats like the Diono we have I don’t see you getting three seats in the back of a Tacoma. You’re going to have a full-size family, time for a full-size truck.

 

So the passenger airbag won't go off if the sensor doesn't read 80lbs or more in the passenger seat? That's pretty nifty, I was thinking it was an on/off option built into the head unit or something but that's actually better so that you don't accidentally forget to turn it off.

 

My 50lbs dog sets it off....

 

Hopefully this helps. For my 18-month old we have the Diono Radian 3RXT. A LOT of research went into this and here are a few things:

• It's a pricey carseat (and heavy) but it lasts from 9-120 pounds so it may be the only carseat they ever need and cheaper than buying multiple.
• High quality seat and durable.
• You can put three of these across the back seat.
• with the angle adjuster the seat sits straighter allowing for more legroom in the front. I'm 6'3" and luckily the wife is 5'3" or it would be a tight squeeze on top of the tight cabin. Your height and your wife's height will be a huge part of what works and doesn't work with this setup.

I really didn't want to sell my Tacoma for a lot of reasons, but one of the top ones was giving up the manual transmission. To be honest when we are doing a lot of family driving we usually take the wife's GMC Yukon. Good luck and congrats on the new additions!

 

Find one of those rare Toyota vans with the manual trans and 4lo range....mmmmm