Date:         Mon, 18 Nov 2002 00:10:25 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Sheflo <skjeflo@ATTBI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Sheflo <skjeflo@ATTBI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Child seat/jumpseat compatibility?
Comments: To: Jessica Evans <jessica@LUNULA.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <3DD899B3.B551A150@lunula.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

While I haven't done this in a Vanagon I have done it twice in a Eurovan MV,
which has the same basic layout/seats as a vanagon Carat/Wolfsburg/MV.  It
did work fine for us after the kids hit the size/age where they could be
forward facing and kept the kids closer to the driver/passenger for the
occasional toy grab or drink/food request.  That being said, no manufacturer
of autos/trucks/van or of child car seats recommends doing this as they have
NEVER been tested in this position.  While I am quite certain that all the
corporations are doing is a bunch of CYA we decided not to tempt the gods of
fate and now the kids either ride in our Mazda MPV or in the very back seat
of either our Westy or my in-laws Eurovan.  Not as convenient maybe but
tested as safe at least.

And can anyone tell me if I have used/abused the forward slash"/" enough in
this message?!?  :)   Must be the end of the weekend, hope yours was grand!


-----Original Message-----

I have another question for your collective wisdom. Do any of you have
experience putting a child safety seat into the rear-facing jumpseats
found in Carat & Wolfy Vanagons? The year of the van is '87 Wolfsburg.
Seats and belts are in good shape.

Just wondering if there are any safety issues I should be aware of.
For example, are the jump seats large enough to hold a full-sized
toddler carseat (not infant seat)? Are the seats bolted to the frame,
or just to the sheet metal floor of the van? (Actually, that last
question applies to the rear bench as well.) All info received with
gratitude.

Thanks mucho, Jessica