3 car seats in 3rd gen Tacoma

New to the board here so forgive me is this has been asked multiple times before.

I currently have an 03 Tacoma that is only a front cab. I currently have two kids with a 3rd on the way. The family vehicle is a Honda Pilot. It’s time to upgrade my truck and I’m considering getting a 3rd gen double cab long bed Tacoma. The family would use it for the occasional big camping trips and trips to the Mountain but for the most part it’ll be my daily vehicle. Am I crazy for thinking I can fit 3 car seats back there? You could in theory fit 3 Diono RXTs in the back of an accord and the Tacoma is wider so I’m assuming it’s possible. Does anyone have 3 kids and a 3rd gen Tacoma that can share their experience?

Thanks

 

Honda Odyssey.

 

You forsure need Fullsize or SUV!!!

I could fit 2 but highly doubt 3... Why not a 4 Runner ?

 

In before souped up sequoia thread.

 

3 is going to be seriously cramped.... look at a tundra if you need a truck.

 

Depending on the age of the other 2 kids. If they are already using lapbelts with the bigger kid seats (3 years plus) then you can fit two plus a baby seat. You may run into issues when you have to move from a rear facing seat to a forward facing seat.

My best advice is to take your current seats and the new baby seat to a dealer and ask if you can try to fit them.

I would test on my truck, but I tossed my baby seats 2 weeks ago.

 

Ha. Thanks for the responses. Yea, I’m trying to avoid full size truck but it may be what I need to do. I have a SUV that works well. The truck would be for occasional trips. One kid will soon be in a booster so not exactly 3 car seats in the back but point taken. 4Runner s are nice but I want a truck. I use my 03 Tacoma very often so can’t give that up.

 

I have a britax installed in the center and can not imagine fitting another one in there, let alone two. I know that doesn't answer your question, but I'm almost positive that three would be a struggle you'd grow tired of very quickly. I know I wouldn't do it. An expensive experiment, to be sure, even if they fit initially and then you realize it's a giant pain in the ass long term.

 

Lots of opinions, no answers. If it is like the 2nd gen the answer is YES. You could even get a 4cyl 2wd if you like to keep your vehicle small.
Crap, my coworker raised 3 kids and him and his partner only had a 1st gen Prius.

 

Try before you buy. I have two in mine and it is extremely tight.

 

I had a pilot as family and truck. We just used the pilot anytime we had the kids. Don’t put 3 in the Tacoma. Too tight. No room for anything else in the cab. You’ll need a cap for groceries or shopping of any kind. If you need two cars that can carry kids, get another pilot. IMO most room for the $$$.

 

tundra crew
or f150 crew would be opinion.
had MANY recalls with a '14 Chev silverado.
See many dodge fiat rams on the road. No idea how they are. F150 owners I know are happy with the 5.0 V8 or wish they had one instead of the turbos (great when they dont have probs).

 

3 car seats in a Tacoma be like....

 

That is gonna be one hell of a tight fit. The 3rd gen is not a small vehicle, but the back seat is not overly large, especially if the driver and front passenger are taller. The Tacoma is fine for me, but I'm a single guy with no children.

I'd look at a decent wagon instead. Maybe a Subaru Outback?

 

I have a rear infant Chico Key Fit 30 in my double cab tacoma behind the passenger seat. It's tight and thats one of the smallest rear facing infant seats available.

I also install car seats locally through a free program. (CRS tech, under NHTSA certified training).

You would be ill advised to buy a 3rd Gen Double cab and attempt to fit 3 seats in the rear of your tacoma (in ANY configuration, besides having all boosters).

I'd recommend a full size truck to fit your needs; Good luck!

**Edit** If you and your partner are under 5' tall, 3 seats may work fine.

 

Thanks all. I put two Diono RXTs and there was plenty of feet room for the kids and my wife and I. I’m only 5’10” so don’t need that much room in front. The middle seat was tight and I’m pretty sure I could get a keyfit 30 in between but like you all said. It would be really tight. I need to think about this. I don’t want a full size and I want the bed so no outback or SUVs. I may just have to go try all 3 seats and see how bad it is. Like I said. I won’t be doing daily driving with the family but would like to do smaller trips when possible.

 

You have an 03 tacoma that you’re going to keep still?

 

What is with the responses to ditch a truck for a suv or minivan. You can't haul 2 yards of mulch/dirt/rock in a suburban. Most people dont have room to store a trailer either. The nerve of some people!

I have a 4 and 3 year old in two forward facing kid seats. My three year old is behind me and I'm 6'-0", longer in the legs such that there is about 1" of clearance between my head and moonroof. The kid behind me fits, but he usually has his feet up on the back of my seat. My 4 year old on the passenger side has plenty of leg room. Once they are out of the chairs, I figure the two kids will have more room until they get to high school age.

I'm pretty sure I could fit a third seat in between, but there is only a seat belt in the middle for anchoring a child seat, there would not be any gaps between them, and getting to the storage under the seats would be an arduous task. That would only leave a small amount of space on the floor for bags/gear. It would be tight, but it could be made to work, just have to travel light.

A full size pickup would be more pragmatic, and a Ford ecoboost would likely be just as good for commuting (mileage only suffers when hauling). The main drawback to a full size truck is the sticker price, and parking it.

 

Yep I'd definitely take the three seats you plan to use and stick em in a truck on the dealer's lot. See how they fit.

And... take photos! It'd be a great thing to have on the record here on TW for others to see in the future.

 

Stop having children.
They suck.
There are enough of them already.