Can 3 car seats fit in a "full size" car rental?

[dtsaos]

It would actually be an infant car seat, a toddler one and a booster seat. Anyone have any luck with this kind of scenerio? It just cost so much more to rent the mini van!

 

[OKW Lover]

I seriously doubt you'll fit all that in a "full size" rental. First, full size cars just aren't what they used to be anyway. And second, a "full size" car at most rental agencies is not the largest car they rent - those are often referred to as Preimum or Luxury.

As far as vans go, check at Dollar. They often have codes offering a van for $199/week. Look at www.mousesavers.com for a list of current codes.

 

[mbb]

in my DSIL's Ford Taurus...baby "bucket" seat in the middle (the one with the stationary base - install that one first), then the high back 5 point harness toddler seat on one side, and the booster on the other. It's tight, but doable Buckling the booster seatbelt is the worst - or if the two older children are asleep, and you need to tend to the baby...but doable

If you can swing the van, I would

Good luck and have fun!!

HTH!

 

[dtsaos]

Thanks for the advise guys! We'll see what kind of rental rates come up between now and sept when we plan to go!

 

[disneymom3]

We in an emergency situation had to try this just this week. We have a Dodge Dynasty that is pretty wide, but it was a no go. Luckily DD 8 is technically old enough and big enough to legally not ride in her booster, 'cause there was no way we could get all three in there.

 

[cepmom]

If you can't swing the minivan, I would suggest going with a premium size. My MIL has a Buick LeSabre (premium size at National) and is able to fit 3 car seats across the back seat comfortably. It shouldn't be as expensive as a minivan, but still give you some room

 

[golfgal]

When our kids were small, we were able to get all three car seats, 2 infant carriers and a full size car seat in the back of our little Toyota Corolla. I would put the booster seat in the middle and the other two by the doors. I bet they will fit. The real question is will everything you are taking fit into the trunk? If you aren't taking a large stroller, you should be ok there.

 

[nicdanh]

We rent from budget & we get a premium which is a buick and it fits 3 seats perfect!!

 

[dtsaos]

When our kids were small, we were able to get all three car seats, 2 infant carriers and a full size car seat in the back of our little Toyota Corolla. I would put the booster seat in the middle and the other two by the doors. I bet they will fit. The real question is will everything you are taking fit into the trunk? If you aren't taking a large stroller, you should be ok there.

Good point about the stroller. I hadn't even thought about that! We were planning on renting a double stroller from a baby's best friend and those are kind of large...Anyone have any idea if a front/back double stroller will fit in the trunk?

 

[nicdanh]

Yes in a premium most definitley. I am sure in the small cars it will fit also but not with anything eles in the truck.

 

[golfgal]

The stroller will fit, but what else will be in there? If you have it loaded with your suitcases, then, no it won't fit. If you are picking up the stroller after you check in and don't have anything else in the trunk, or minimal stuff in the trunk, you will be ok. In our old Toyota, we could fit a suitcase or two and the double stroller, but the Corolla has a large trunk. We could fit about the same amount of stuff in the Corolla trunk as we could in the back of our minivan.

 

[DemoBri1]

I seriously doubt you'll fit all that in a "full size" rental. First, full size cars just aren't what they used to be anyway. And second, a "full size" car at most rental agencies is not the largest car they rent - those are often referred to as Preimum or Luxury.

As far as vans go, check at Dollar. They often have codes offering a van for $199/week. Look at www.mousesavers.com for a list of current codes.

Even though I'm a huge supporter of Dollar and their Grand Caravan fleet, if you are planning on folding down the third row seats then you are not going to be able to fit 3 car seats in their vans. All of their vans, at least the ones that were down there last November all had a bench seat for their second row seat. The seat was not that wide, so as to allow an access point to the back row seats. With the third row down, we were able to fit our 2 seats on the 2nd row, but I'd doubt you'd be able to get a 3rd on their safely.