How to install 3 child seats across the back seat?

How to install 3 child seats across the back seat of a car? We get asked this a lot... and we have a lot of practice trying to install many combinations of child seats! It can be quite tricky, but here are a few tips worth considering.          

• The key to fitting three child seats across the back seat is that the car has three individual adult seats in the back. That sounds obvious, but what you need to avoid is a car with a bench style backseat. The bench seats are usually only two and half seats, and three child seats definitely won't fit!
• Something to consider is the position of isofix anchor points in the car. Generally speaking, the two outside seats will have isofix anchors, but not the middle seat. The same goes for tether strap anchors.
• You will also need to check if there is a handbreak tunnel or underfloor storage compartments, as you cannot install a car seat with a stability leg on either.
• These factors will determine what positions you can install the car seats in.
• It's worth considering too, do you need access to the boot via folding forward a back seat? If so, you will need to be able to lift the car seat in and out easily. It is easier to install seats that stay in the car, such as child seats and /or boosters, in the middle position (with a seatbelt), and seats that you tend to click in and out of the car, ie infant seats, on the outside position.

      Here is a list of cars where you can install 3 child seats across the back seat. There may be more, but these are the ones we know about!      

• Citroen C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso
• Ford Max and Ford Galaxy
• Peugeot 5008
• Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic
• VW Touran and Sharon

    For information on mistakes to avoid when installing a child seat, have a read here.