[BigBoat]

One of the critical reasons of choosing a 2011 Honda Odyssey. Latches across all seats (see attached picture below)

 

[BigBoat]

And here is the pic

 

[cderalow]

yes, the 'wide' mode really helps for middle seat passenger comfort when it comes to an adult sitting between the two seats as well.

 

[smfinley]

This is exactly why I am looking at getting a 2011 Odyssey. Thanks for the picture. I will have newborn twins and a toddler under 2 years old.

 

[BigBoat]

This is exactly why I am looking at getting a 2011 Odyssey. Thanks for the picture. I will have newborn twins and a toddler under 2 years old.

And what about a video?

2011 Honda Odyssey with 3 seats across the 2nd row​

 

[CPSDarren]

And what about a video?

Thanks! ;-)

 

[BigBoat]

Outgrown middle seat infant carrier, upgraded to Britax

Time to upgrade: 2 Britax Marathons to the sides and 1 Britax Frontier in the middle. The seats barely fit, that is on full wide mode.

As for tethering the rear facing seat (PIA), here is a video, courtesy of car-seat.org:

 

[banswee]

is it hard to buckle them? just curious. I have two naughty kids.. the little boy dont even want to seat in his carseat-- want to be cuddled in the third row.. And of course wants to stand up to have a clear view from the miniscule third row window.

 

[BigBoat]

is it hard to buckle them? just curious. I have two naughty kids.. the little boy dont even want to seat in his carseat-- want to be cuddled in the third row.. And of course wants to stand up to have a clear view from the miniscule third row window.

The one in the middle is the most difficult to buckle, but for that same reason we decided to set it like that, the youngest (Britax Marathon, rear facing) and young-er (Britax Marathon, front facing) go outboards, and the oldest (Britax Frontier) goes in the middle. The oldest already climbs and helps buckling himself up, we just need to double check on him. We can seat them all inside the garage in a couple of minutes and without having to climb-up.

We had heavy rain yesterday and that configuration already paid off out of the store, believe me. On the downside let's see how long it lasts, being the oldest and having to seat in the middle should suck :nothappy:

 

[BigBoat]

3rd Update, Upgrading outboard Britax Marathon for Frontier 85

In addition to upgrading, I've installed them with the regular seat belts as the kids weight is bordering the latch weight limit that Honda has (40lb?). That weight number is a bit old but I've not been able to confirm if that has been increased in newer models...

The Britax Frontier 85 seats are wide, but the kids feel comfortable and enjoy their own cup holders. Also, the seat claims the Highest Five-Point Harness Seat Capacity (height and weight) in the market, which is good...

FRONTIER 85 - Car Seats - Britax USA

 

[beardown34]

I have two year old twins in each outboard seat of our 2012 Odyssey TE, and plan to place our upcoming newborn in the second row center seat. But I just tried installing the graco snug ride car seat base in the middle seat, and it seems to fit funny. Specifically, even after tightening the latches at tight as humanly possible the front part of the car seat base (the side closest to the front of the car) does not sit flat on the car seat, but rather sits slightly in the air. Somehow this doesn't seem safe. Any explanation/tips/fixes?

 

[BigBoat]

I have two year old twins in each outboard seat of our 2012 Odyssey TE, and plan to place our upcoming newborn in the second row center seat. But I just tried installing the graco snug ride car seat base in the middle seat, and it seems to fit funny. Specifically, even after tightening the latches at tight as humanly possible the front part of the car seat base (the side closest to the front of the car) does not sit flat on the car seat, but rather sits slightly in the air. Somehow this doesn't seem safe. Any explanation/tips/fixes?

I had a similar problem so I bought and cut a couple of swimming noodles to level the base as the bottom seat has a slight angle. Just putting them underneath. I've seen other options like a folded towel or similar. Also, try to have the back seat the least reclined possible, that helps keeping the base in place. I've seen that the newer bases come with a couple of base legs or extenders, possibly because of that same issue

I found this if it helps:

 

[beardown34]

I had a similar problem so I bought and cut a couple of swimming noodles to level the base as the bottom seat has a slight angle. Just putting them underneath. I've seen other options like a folded towel or similar. Also, try to have the back seat the least reclined possible, that helps keeping the base in place. I've seen that the newer bases come with a couple of base legs or extenders, possibly because of that same issue

I found this if it helps:

Thanks Bigboat! I'm glad to hear other people have found workarounds!

 

[Saruca22]

BigBoat- when you installed the Britax frontiers did you remove the headrests? I am trying to install a frontier in center seat of second row of our new '13 ody and I had to remove the cars headrest to do so. However, then I felt like the tether straps kept sliding off the shoulders of the seat back. Any suggestions??

 

[BigBoat]

BigBoat- when you installed the Britax frontiers did you remove the headrests? I am trying to install a frontier in center seat of second row of our new '13 ody and I had to remove the cars headrest to do so. However, then I felt like the tether straps kept sliding off the shoulders of the seat back. Any suggestions??

For the middle seat try turning the headrest backwards instead and pass the tether straps through it.

 

[lekolite]

Reviving this thread...

Bigboat, with three carseats across, were you able to get into the 3rd row? Is a child? I have 4 kids in carseats, and will have 5 come january. I currently have a 2005 T&C that we are at capacity on. I'm trying to avoid going to a fullsize van. I'm considering a 4th gen odyssey.

 

[BigBoat]

Reviving this thread...

Bigboat, with three carseats across, were you able to get into the 3rd row? Is a child? I have 4 kids in carseats, and will have 5 come january. I currently have a 2005 T&C that we are at capacity on. I'm trying to avoid going to a fullsize van. I'm considering a 4th gen odyssey.

Yes, although is not easy, we basically need to tilt the entire seat as the pic below. You need to use the seat release as if you were to remove it. We do that with guests a couple of times a year. Other option is loading the crew through the liftgate, but is not fun for the grandparents.

​

 

[tl01]

For the middle seat try turning the headrest backwards instead and pass the tether straps through it.

As a car seat tech we don't recommend turning the headrests around unless they actually lock into place backwards. They will come lose in a crash. Even when locked in properly they can come lose... Which is pretty dangerous given they have metal posts.

The britax marathons and frontier don't need the headrests anyway. You can just store them in the trunk or in your garage.

 

[BigBoat]

As a car seat tech we don't recommend turning the headrests around unless they actually lock into place backwards. They will come lose in a crash. Even when locked in properly they can come lose... Which is pretty dangerous given they have metal posts.

The britax marathons and frontier don't need the headrests anyway. You can just store them in the trunk or in your garage.

The Odyssey 2nd row middle seat headrest locks forward or backwards

 

[tl01]

The Odyssey 2nd row middle seat headrest locks forward or backwards

It actually does not lock. The lock mechanism is only on one side. Yes it slides in but that won't hold it in a crash.