Dodge Caravan owners, will this work?

[BellePrincessBelle]

It looks like you have a lot of responses and I'll add another.

We have a '99 Grand caravan and I just went out to check. Ours would not work to do it that way. We have captains seats in the middle and the 3-seat bench from the 3rd row will not fit in the tracks where the captain seats are. If yours actually does fit, then a third row seat exactly like yours should work. It's not too hard to try it out before hand, just mover your seats around and see what fits.

Good luck.

Actually it should fit. The bench will hook into each track near the doors.Your captains chairs should each have 2 tracks the bench will click into the outside track on each side leaving the middle tracks open so to speak. The bench/captains chair positions were interchangable until Stow & Go came out. It will work however it may be awkward.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Wow, thanks for all of the responses to this. We know that the longer rear seat will fit in the middle position, and we've found another identical rear seat on Craigslist, the biggest questions are leg room in the rear seat, and luggage room. As my son says, 'we'll barely have room for Erin's (his sister)shoes!"

It is a grand caravan, so there is some luggage room in the back, plus we have one of those rear carriers that goes in the trailer hitch that we will use. and a car top carrier, but as mentioned that makes it noisier and hurts the gas mileage.

We're picking up the extra seat later this week, so I'll let you know how it works. It will be nice to have that extra seat other times as well, such as when the kids want to bring a friend along with them somewhere.

 

[chisnpeke]

We had a 1995 Grand Voyager (Plymouth) and we were able to move the three seat bench seat to the middle area so I think this could be done.

 

[lgjjp]

we had a 96 dodge caravan that we purchased a 2nd 3 passenger seat to have seating for 8. It worked fine. I could get 6 carseat-boosters in that car. we used it like that for 3-4 years. It was a pain to whoever had to sit in the 3rd row to climb over the middle seat but it worked...and it was alot cheaper to buy a 2nd seat instead of a new car!

 

[tlh0726]

Your biggest concern is going to be a weight issue.
Take into consideration everyone's weight, car seat, stroller, clothing, carrier to haul things, snacks, drinks, etc etc weights when totally up everything.
Even the additional weight of the extra seat you are purchasing. Everything adds up quickly.


I would be packing as light as possible and plan to do laundry a few times during your stay.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

This is a great idea. I'll have to see about getting one for our van.

 

[SandrA9810]

So have you gotten the extra seat put in yet??

 

[pixiewings71]

I think it will work fine. Just make sure and as a luggage option they sell top carriers that will fit your van, you can get a hard case (like we have) that attaches to rails (if you have the rails on top of your van) or you can get a canvas case that will attach thru the top with nylon straps and buckles, we had one of those for a while, we used for quite a few trips before it finally tore. If you have a Grand Caravan you will have the extra space in back for luggage and you will also have room around your passengers feet if you need it. Of course you will be packed in like sardines but if that's what you gotta do.....

 

[DreadpiratK]

Well, we got the new seat a few weeks ago, and it works surprisingly well. In fact, we put it in to try it out, and have left it in ever since. There is a surprising amount of room between the door post and the seat, the little ones can get back there no problem, and in fact the DW and I can both get into the rear seat pretty easily as well by just turning sideways. We've tried it with 7 people, not 8 yet, but there is room for another. It will be a bit cozy for the 18 hour drive, but I think we can manage. So, problem solved. an 8 passenger vehicle without renting, and with much better gas mileage than a 12 passenger van! This $15 seat has saved us a ton of money on our trip this September!

 

[patsal]

I have a caravan and this works. I also did it years ago with my astro van.

 

[Sweetie Love]

Please help! I will be renting a Dodge Caravan from Avis but it says it is a 7 passenger vehicle. I will be traveling with 8 people. There are 5 adults and 3 kids (ages 3,5 and 6). We don't need storage or cargo area because half of the family is getting there the day before. I was wondering if 4 people can fit (even snug) in the back seat? I was thinking the 3 year old and the 5 year old (they are siblings) with 2 adults in the last row. I don't want to rent a E350 for over $500 more. Thanks for your help.

 

[danygirl]

No. There are not enough seat belts. No one plans on an accident but we can make sure that we take steps to survive one. This is a terrible idea

 

[danygirl]

And don't you need a car seat for each kid?? So where will the fourth person sit, in the way back?

 

[danygirl]

Done being negative. Why not ask the folks who came down a day early to meet you at the airport so you can ride in 2 cars?

 

[Sweetie Love]

Done being negative. Why not ask the folks who came down a day early to meet you at the airport so you can ride in 2 cars?

I am the one coming the day before. No one else drives.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Please help! I will be renting a Dodge Caravan from Avis but it says it is a 7 passenger vehicle. I will be traveling with 8 people. There are 5 adults and 3 kids (ages 3,5 and 6). We don't need storage or cargo area because half of the family is getting there the day before. I was wondering if 4 people can fit (even snug) in the back seat? I was thinking the 3 year old and the 5 year old (they are siblings) with 2 adults in the last row. I don't want to rent a E350 for over $500 more. Thanks for your help.

No, you cannot sit 2/2/4 in a minivan. See if they have an 8-passenger van or SUV with 3-across in the center seat. Otherwise, you'll have to upgrade to something much larger.

 

[zdesiree]

You should try to rent a Chevrolet Suburban. It fits 8 passengers without the trunk sacrifice. The SUV is extremely comfortable even for adults in the third row. Not every car rental have Suburbans, but you can google "Suburban Rental Orlando" and the places will come up.

Best of luck!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

No. The t 2 kids are required to be in a car seat or booster seat. There is no way you are getting 2 boosters and 2 adults on the rear bench.

 

[Sweetie Love]

You should try to rent a Chevrolet Suburban. It fits 8 passengers without the trunk sacrifice. The SUV is extremely comfortable even for adults in the third row. Not every car rental have Suburbans, but you can google "Suburban Rental Orlando" and the places will come up.

Best of luck! ?de09

I own a suburban. .My truck fits 9 people comfortably. It has a bench seat in the middle . I only want to rent a vehicle that's not that expensive so I reserved a minivan and a E350

 

[Sweetie Love]

No. The t 2 kids are required to be in a car seat or booster seat. There is no way you are getting 2 boosters and 2 adults on the rear bench.

A neighbor says she squeezed two booster seats and two skinny adults in the third row