[PaulSGV]

Hi All

I don't get a chance to get on the 'Net much & when I do it's quick, so no - I didn't do a search to my questions ok!

Firstly - I have a 2000 GV & have one kid, but I have a 2nd due in 4 months, the baby seat is mounted on the left hand side - due to the baby seat installer saying that - as the GV has a 50-50 split seat it has to sit either side [no seat in the middle due to the split]. Now that's fine, but I take it the 2nd seat will have to be on the other side & will leave the middle seat free. This is ok for a 4 person vehicle - but what happens if I would like a 5th person with us?

Has anyone got a seating set-up [legally set-up with paperwork] like this? If so - can a 5th person sit in the middle?

So for the XL-7!!!
- Can any owner please tell me the split seating combo of your wagon! is it the same as a GV? or is it 30/70, 40/60, 50/50 etc?

I'm happy with my G.V & I'm looking into all this before my next born child comes along.

Also, I take it the suspension I got [40mm lift] & AT tyres [225x16] can go straight onto the XL7?

Thanks to anyone who can help me with this!

Cheers,
Paul

[banga]

the vitara has split seat as well not 50/50 we some time put both seats in the vit you might fit a tiny person doubt it very very tight though. in the courier we can fit someone between the car seat but it isn't very comfortable and its a fair bit wider than the vit.

[bailey08]

why can't you put a baby seat in the middle with the 50/50 split.

seems like a better idea as the middle seat has a lap belt leaving the 2 sides with the lap sash belts.

the tether strap that mounts to the floor in the rear can just go between the seats so it's pulled tight and can't come loose by sliding further down the split. this would be ok on a forward facing seat.

It wouldn't work with a rear facing seat due to the teather strap being split as it goes over the seat, in the event of an accident, one strap could slide down the split and make the whole lot loose..

[PaulSGV]

The seat installer says no one can have - legally - a baby seat where another seat splits - if one goes there, you get no seat installer paperwork & that's up to you to wear a fine if caught etc if your vehicle is inspected for some reason.

My other vehicle has [appox] 30/70 split seat & 2 baby seats have to go on the 70 side - no seat on the 30 side.

[bailey08]

Are you saying that if you have two baby seats, one on each side that no one can legally sit in the middle seat where the split is.

in that case it wouldn't matter if there's baby seats or not, it would only make it a 4 seater legally due to the split even though the are 3 belts in the back..

[royce]

I dont know anything about this stuff but

Seat installer? WTF you have to get some numpty to put the seat in and do the belts up? or do you mean somebody fitting child restraint mounts into a car that doesnt have them?

There could be something in what Bailey08 mentions, if the tether is designed to go over the top of a seat and then down and ends up between a split seat the angle may reduce its effectivness, in teh same way that racing harnesses cant go straight down behing a seat, in an accident the will pull down and crush you.

Perhaps its incase the body deforms and the seats are no longer in line it might pull the mounts wrong and deform the seat?

I would ask another installer or the DOT

[PaulSGV]

Normally there's no issues if a 5 person [middle seat] is to be used, but not for baby seats.

Naturally I understand the need to have baby seats properly installed/safe etc, but some of the new rules & regs are getting over the top, I know some people who will have to change vehicles due to the increase in family size, another issue in a choice for another vehicle is - where the seats can be put in relation to airbag positions.

Plus the issue of kids staying in certain seats to 8 years old etc, can cannot sit in the front till that age etc.

[PaulSGV]

Yes royce - I'm talking about a proper licensed child restraint fitter approved by the RTA & having the legal paperwork of the fitting.

[royce]

ahhh ok, dont GV's already have restraint points?

[PaulSGV]

Yes they have them.
I also know there would be people who wouldn't worry about getting them fitted by an installer as you can do it yourself, just that I'm happy to have the required by law - fitting paperwork in the glovebox.

[PaulSGV]

So getting back to the original question - the XL-7
Anyone know the rear seating question - split - 50/50 , 40/60, 30/70 etc, thanks.

[TheOtherLeft]

That's very odd. My 4 seater GV has 3 anchor points on the floor. So in fact one is illegal???

[PaulSGV]

It'll be good to know if anyone else has a vehicle that has the rear seats split at 50/50 has come across the same question/issue.

[Mugwui]

I have a 99 GV with only 2 anchor points, I also have 2 kids in full car seats....trust me, you are not going to get a fifth person in the car. With 2 baby seats, the back seat is full and your only option will be to put one on either side. Mine is also 50/50 split.

[PaulSGV]

Ok, thanks for that Mugwui
Cheers,
Paul

[Built4thrashing]

Its not recomended to use a child restrain in the middle on a 50/50 split seat as the rstraint can slip into the split. That is the only reason. Its not illegal...just not rcomended.

And GVs come from factory with 3 anchor points at the base of the back door opening.