Is it alright to put a car seat in a big truck?

Question

We are going to be moving to New York from Georgia in another day or two. I can't drive our jimmy seperatly because we don't think it will make the trip. So, we have a 24 foot Budget truck and a 15 month old daughter. Is it safer to put her car seat facing forward or rear facing? It is a single cab. And where should we place the car seat? In the middle or the passenger side? I am pretty sure it has no airbags... so.... yeah.... PLEASE HELP! I'M SO WORRIED ABOUT THIS!

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure it does have airbags...most moving trucks do.

I would put her in the middle, however I'm not sure about front or rear facing. I would assume front because of her age though.

Answer 2

as long as the seat is secure its okay facing forward. but check the truck owners manual to see if there are airbags

Answer 3

1 I like the rental car idea...a reliable clean safe car to make the drive.

But if that's not an option....

#2 Airbags can kill kids..."pretty sure" isn't good enough.  Call the truck company and find out for sure.  Most definately rear face the child and I would absolutely place her in the middle.  It WILL definately be a pain in the ***...but safety is the most important thing.

Answer 4

If I were in that situation I would get a (cheap) Rental Car and use that just to transport the baby.

If the rental car isn't a possibility (for financial reasons, or what not) .. then as long as there are no air-bags in the truck, it shouldn't be a problem to let her ride in the cab with you.

I would suggest putting her in the middle if there is a shoulder strap; if there isn't a shoulder strap, put her on the end (where there IS a shoulder strap.) I would put her -Rear Facing- if she is under 30 lbs. It's safer on the baby if you were to be in a collision.

Answer 5

the big truck is going to be just as safe or safer than your normal car.  check the airbag situation and put the car seat in accordingly.  i would personally put it in the middle between the adults.

Answer 6

If she's under 33 or 35 lbs (depending on the seat), she needs to be rear facing. If she's over that weight limit, then forward facing. Rear is always safest, especially in a truck. Make sure there are no airbags. If there are, she can't be in the truck at all.  

Answer 7

If it has no airbags put her facing forward and in the middle. My sister and brother in law did this once and she was fine. But check out the airbags and know for sure. I don't think a baby is supposed to be rear facing after one are they? I would not put her on the side just in case of an accident.

Answer 8

I don't know if it's allowed to put a baby car seat in those truck but if you decide to do it, put her in the middle and rear facing. It's the safest.

Answer 9

Front-Facing.

In the middle.

      &

Make sure the air bags are turned off.

I know in my husbands truck you can turn them off.

Maybe you should double check with the fire department since they inspect the car seats at birth...maybe they could help?

Answer 10

You're going to want to follow the same safety rules that you would for a normal car.  The safest position for a car seat is in the middle, rear facing.  This also helps logistically too, since both of you will be able to do some entertaining for her and it's easier for her to see both of you when she is rear facing.  

Call ahead to see if the truck has air bags.  If it does, you may want to consider putting her forward facing.  I encourage rear facing for as long as possible (my 16 month old is still rear facing), but if you were to be in an accident, chances are there would be more force coming from the air bags than from the accident itself.  

Don't worry.  You're going to be fine.  Since hired transportation does not require child restraints, follow the same rules you would in your own car.