My DH and I are looking to buy a Suburban. Our triplets are 2 and we have an older son who is 4. We currently have a Toyota Sienna XLE with captain chairs. With the 4 carseats installed their is no room for anyone else to ride. It also does not have alot of room for extras when traveling (even with using a turtle on top). We are currently looking at 2007 Suburban. It has the bench seats in the middle and a third row. And LOTS of extra space. Does anyone have a Suburban (os similar size vehicle Excursion, Denali, Yukon XL) that has the bench seat in 2nd row? WOuld you rather have had the captains chairs instead? Looking for pros and cons of bench seat v. captain chairs. TIA!

Tanya
Brenden 12/05
Ethan, Zayne, and Tristan 02/08
www.vatriplets.blogspot.com

P.S Just changed ID's. Former username is jeffp731

We have an Expedition EL which is pretty much the same size as a Suburban. I put 2 car seats in the back and one in the middle right now. When baby #4 comes we will ahve 2 in the middle right next to each other so you can put the seat by the door up and have a walk way to the back 2 car seats. I like it better than captains chairs because if I needed to I can still fit 2 more people, 1 in the back and 1 in the middle. I also think that there is more storage room in the back than in a suburban.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

Rachel

BGG 3/20/07 - 32 weeks

Chase 4 lbs
Carolyn 4 lbs 1 oz
Charlene 2 lbs 11 oz

www.chapmancrew.blogspot.com

I also have 4 kids -- 2 year old triplets and 3 year old. I have had both a Yukon XL with captain and Yukon XL with a 2nd row bench. Currently, I have the second row bench. Good and bad to both. I prefer the bench. We put two car seats in the back row, 2 seats in the 2nd row. We use the Radian carsets and are still able to sit an adult in addition to car seats in the second and third road. So potentially we can have 8 individuals in our car. We often have 8 in our car so we find the additional seat useful.

My husband is tall and husky at 6 foot 3 and getting kids in and out of the 3rd row with the bench seat is a huge chore and uncomfortable for him. However, I am not sure it would even be possible with the captan chairs. Typically I do all third row duties. However, I wouldn't trade it for anything as this allows use to have 4 adults in the car also.

I am not a light packer. So I am not sure I could go on vacation without additional trailer for luggage, etc. But I comfortably fit two strollers in the back of XL along with anything we need for day trips without any issues.

Is there any way to fit 3 front-facing car seats across in the 2nd row? We have the Yukon XL and are still in rear-facing with all 3 across and I hope to have them together in the new seats but I don't know what kind is the best. Thanks!

Yes! We had them all 3 front facing in the 2nd row. You can't use cup holders if you have ones that hang off the side, but they do fit!

Rachel

BGG 3/20/07 - 32 weeks

Chase 4 lbs
Carolyn 4 lbs 1 oz
Charlene 2 lbs 11 oz

www.chapmancrew.blogspot.com

Radian 65 or 80 should fit three across.

This is a good website with very knowledgable people.
http://www.car-seat.org/index.php

Were you ever able to put all 3 across the back row in the Expedition?

Jill

www.rauckmantrio.blogspot.com/

Sept 5/08 @ 32w6d

Yes! We have done that too! I had a Graco seat that all 3 fit and my mom has Safety 1st (I think). and they all fit! I am not sure if there is a difference in the size of the 3rd row between the Expedition and the Expedition XL, but you could always measure. It is definitely a tight fit, but I have no safety concerns with all 3 in the 3rd row!

Rachel

BGG 3/20/07 - 32 weeks

Chase 4 lbs
Carolyn 4 lbs 1 oz
Charlene 2 lbs 11 oz

www.chapmancrew.blogspot.com