7-UP: Seating Config.

[eksjay]

Has anyone here actually used a Seven seat Puma in a six or even seven occupant configuration with two child restraints?

I was advised yesterday that my XJ Jeep Cherokee wouldn’t be legal even with a custom jobby extra seat in the [far] back for a toddler.

Methinks one junior, a newborn and a full sized adult side-by-side in a Chekka rear bench on a long journey is a recipe for disaster , although possible.

Has anyone had experience fitting two child restraint seats in a Deefer and carrying extra pax?

Where have you put the restraints, say one for a junior, and the other for a newborn, particularly if you carry an extra pax (usually one full sized adult like a grandparent) for support?

I guess the far rear seating would be the most suitable for a junior, even though there is adequate space for an adult. Do the rear most seats cater for a child restraint [apart from the need to install an anchor point]? I am thinking that the only way to maintain the maximum use of 7 seats is to put the newborn in the centre of the middle bench, and the toddler on either side of the rear (kerb side probably). This would leave two seats spare.

If I wanted to keep the rear of the Deefer for cargo, would this car be any wider than a Chekka to accommodate three in a row? 1 adult, 2 child restraints. With two child restraints, there would be a limit on how high the cargo could be stacked before interfering with the anchor straps.

Has anyone else had to deal with this problem? If it were not for the kiddy restraints, the Chekka could do the job for me, easily. Right now, it would be a struggle. I guess I would have to leave the support person behind….

For anyone that has sat in the far back of the Deefer for any length of time, what kind of journey time would you max out on before needing a stretch? How is the ventilation back there? Any fumes?

Thanks…..

[BilboBoggles]

How about 4 restraints! There are 3 kids 4,2,8wks. We normally only have three kid seats filled. We have used the spares for transporting pax, and it's quite good in the puma.

It's a bit of a juggle to find a combination of seats that work. I've had to buy quite a few to find a set that fits.

The only seat position that works for a newborn rear facing seat is the 2nd row middle.

The outer 2nd row seats will take most compact seats and boster seats. The foam booster seats don't work on the 2nd row with a newborn in the center.

The third row seats work best with a foam booster, that does not require a tether. I have an engineered tether point for the rear most 3rd row, but I am sceptical about it.

Any vacant seat is fine in a PUMA for an adult - perhaps a small adult is better.

My other fender is a 5 seater and it has three seats side by side on the 2nd row, this would also work in the puma, or you can just have 2 + 1 adult. Seats are much better in the puma.

It's easier to get restraint points fitted as the puma has a steel tray under the rear body.

Get window tinting - makes it much nicer in the sun. Distance you can travel is only limited by the toddler or how loud you can make the radio.

You can keep one rear seat folded and put some cargo in its place, but you should tie it down with the cargo rings.

Beware though a toddler in the third row is difficult to reach from the front so would require some training.....

[eksjay]

How about 4 restraints! There are 3 kids 4,2,8wks. We normally only have three kid seats filled.

.... Distance you can travel is only limited by the toddler or how loud you can make the radio.

Beware though a toddler in the third row is difficult to reach from the front so would require some training.....

Thanks BB . Sound advice... I know this could be off topic but that bit about the toddler and the loud radio is so correct. Although, in a Deefer, you would just rely on the engine rattle.

We do two common trips [family visits]: one west and one south each lasting about 2 hours one way. I used to get howling and thrashing from my firstborn when he got to the terrible 1 stage -who is now 2.5years. Then I figured, I should get him a Philips Incar DVD player that you just strap into the forward headrest so that he could watch his favourite DVDs. Not a whimper out of him since. His restraint has built in speakers. Of course, some of the time he sleeps right through.

I have checked the dimensions of the XJ to the Deefer in terms of middle row seating and the Deefer is definitely wider [actually, it is a bus and has a lot of presence]. Thanks for covering the Td5 also - I was wondering about that.

[abaddonxi]

I have had and have three seats across the second row seats in '88 County 110 and '96 Defender 130. They are Safe and Sound Royales, which are about as wide as a S&S car seat gets. I could only get the rear facing seat to fit in the middle position. Well, never really tried any other way, the baby keeps the twins separated.

Cheers
Simon

[eksjay]

I have had and have three seats across the second row seats ... I could only get the rear facing seat to fit in the middle position. ..., the baby keeps the twins separated.

Cheers
Simon

Thanks Simon. Is this how the second row of seating looks for you, or is it ?

Either way, the Deefer definitely has good space.

[abaddonxi]

Thanks Simon. Is this how the second row of seating looks for you, or is it ?

Either way, the Deefer definitely has good space.

Mostly .

Trying to work out what to do if and when number four comes along.

Simon

[eksjay]

Mostly .

Trying to work out what to do if and when number four comes along.

Simon

Go in the far back third row seat and then in the seat directly in front. Or in the far back and in the middle.

Alternatively, it may end up looking like or in any combination.... Good Luck...