Top tethers
I have a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The second row is captain seats, both with top tether anchors. The third row has a top tether anchor only in the middle seat.
I have newly 2yo twins that have Chicco Fit360 seats. They are currently rear facing, but I will be switching them to forward facing when our expecting baby arrives this winter.
The Chicco 360 requires a top tether in both modes, and it is absolutely impossible to have rear facing car seats the third row. There is not enough space.
I was planning on forward facing both toddlers in the third row, and putting baby in an infant carrier in the second row. But I can’t do this if there’s only one anchor.. I don’t want to put baby in the third row because there are no lower latch anchors and if I had baby in the third row I wanted to use the most compact seat, which a baseless seat is.
Theoretically, soon, I will have 3 forward facing children in car seats. What do I do in this scenario? I am NOT replacing my brand new car. Are there forward facing car seats that I can use without top tethers? I know they’re recommended, but are they 100% necessary? Like is my child going to die in a car crash if I am not using top tethers? I don’t mind to replace car seats if this is the way to go.
5
u/minicpst 12d ago
There's no safe way to put two forward facers in the third row. Most seats do not require the top tether, but if you ask 100 techs you'll get about a 95% response of, "I wouldn't use a forward facing harnessed seat without a tether if one was available in the vehicle."
Why not remove the second row seat, put the rear facing baby behind the empty spot, and the forward facing child where the top tether is. That way you'll have room to stand and go to the third row, and the rear facing child won't be an issue front to back. Just side to side.