4Runner with Twins and a Toddler?

Hi! My husband and I are expecting twins this fall. Our oldest will be ~25 months when they arrive and we’re struggling with the car situation. Husband currently drives a Tahoe with bucket seats so while it won’t be ideal to crawl in the third row and buckle our oldest in, all car seats will at least fit. I drive a 4Runner though and no matter how we spin it, we’re having a hard time figuring out how we’ll fit 2 infant car seats and a toddler seat in one row. Has anyone in this sub made it work in a 4Runner or is it impossible? I just paid my car off last year so I’m really trying to find a solution and avoid a car payment on top of everything else; however, we won’t sacrifice safety so if we need to find a new car, we will. But any feedback/advice is appreciated!

Also wanted to add, we’re looking at two Nuna Pipa RX infant seats and a Graco LX Slimfit, but not completely set on these.

 

Hi. We had 3 kids as well and both my wife and I drove 4Runners as our daily drivers until the olders ones were about 12 and 13 years old. If you want to, you can certainly make it work. However, it is a tight fit. Maybe look for car seats that are narrow (but still super safe - of course).

That being said, if you want a wider vehicle, that is certainly an option and may be easier to grow into as they get older.

Congrats on the expanding family!!!

 

Get smaller car seats. Or sell your 4runner for something bigger that is equivalent in value

 

An option might be to trade your 4R in for a model that has the third row seat. SR5 Premium, not certain of all the models.

 

Honda Pilot or a Highlander?

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/will-3-car-seats-fit.30987/#post-440193

This response and mine below it. I have had Diono for all seats I've had and they have been great

 

2 Graco LX Slim Fits and a Diono RXT in the middle. (It’ll be a tight squeeze but will get you by)

You’ll have to secure all 3 seats with the seatbelt.

Once your twins are out of infant seats get two more Diono RXTs and you’ll be set!

 

I raised my two younger kids (now 18 + 22) in the miniature back seats of Porsche 911's. You just need to find the right car seats that will fit properly (and, of course, safely). I can't see any reason at all you can't make a 4Runner work.

 

Putting kids in the back seat of a 911 s/b illegal !

 

Lol!

 

If you want the most comfort and versatility, go with a Sienna or Odyssey. They can be had in AWD and the hybrids get amazing gas mileage. Heck, you can even get a 1500w inverter in the Sienna from the factory. If you need to haul any lumber, just fold down or remove the seats and you're in business. Need to take 3 kids and their friends around, get the 8 passenger model. No room for luggage, throw on a super massive roof box.

 

+1,

If common sense is part of the equation, then this is the most viable option.

 

The 5th gen is hardly the safest vehicle out there. Look up the crash test results.

The modern minivans also crash m test poorly for 2nd row passenger.

look into a Subaru ascent

 

Y'all, read the prompt (don't want a new car payment), and the room: family just finished paying off a 12 year old car last year, meaning they probably bought it used, and they probably don't have funds to dump on a new car, even if that would be more practical. Also, swapping to another midsized SUV (like the Ascent or 7-seat 4R) makes the least sense.

This situation is fine with the Tahoe as the large family hauler, anything else with 5 seats will legally get it done.

I'd try and get some real measurements on the toddler seat; some of the Graco slim fit models are only .5-1" narrower than the standard models. You may even be better off getting a more basic convertible car seat.

You also need to decide if you'll have both cars set up for kids, or just one. I'd be tempted to put all 3 car seats in the Tahoe, and then whoever isn't taking the kids at the moment takes the 4Runner. Saves you buying an extra car seat + two infant bases.

 

I have this conversation regularly with a family member. She thinks that driving a minivan defines the "soccer mom" image. I always tell her two things.

First, you're a mom and take your kids to their sports activities. Whether you pull up in a Lamborghini Urus or a minivan, you're still a "soccer mom". The former just makes it stand out more.
Second, driving a Pilot or Highlander doesn't mean you're driving an SUV. It's just a lifted minivan.

 

I had my kids in a front seat of my roadster with the top down more than once, they loved it. Different times.

 

. . .

Putting ANYONE in the backseat of a 911 should be illegal!

 

Your 4runner should be fine. Wonder if she can add a 3rd row somehow?

 

I was only able to get my first 911 after I flushed my ex down the toilet.

 

Have an 11 year old odyssey in addition to the 4R. Thing is just so dang practical and versatile. It has 170k miles with mostly routine maintenance.

 

If you are looking to avoid another payment, makes sense to make the Tahoe work. It won’t be long (time goes fast!) before the toddler can get back to the third row without your help, with maybe help to get buckled in. That will make it easier to focus on getting the twins situated. Even if you had a minivan, it would probably be easier/more comfortable with the toddler in the back.

 

Amazing how things change. When I was kid I sat on a round cooler between two captains chairs in an Econoline 150 full size van. I sat next to Grandpa driving and my Dad towing a fishing boat a hundred miles to catch salmon. On the way home I was the kid who reached in that cooler and got their beer to enjoy as we drove home. Amazing looking back thank God there was never an issue.

 

Lucky kids!

 

Driving while beering?

 

Back in the day yep.

Obviously you don’t see that anymore. Ironically now you get a whiff of someone smoking pot in the car next to you instead since it was legalized.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

I don't think people smoking pot is a recent development...