Be sure to check out my latest travel article on http://www.miraclechryslerdodgejeep.com/road-trip-packing.htmDo you really have to bring everything we own to pick up the new car? Sometimes we have the tendency to pack too much when we get ready for a trip, but what if you need what you leave behind is always what will stay on my mind the entire road trip, but traveling with kids can be tricky, you just never know what you might need and so you find yourself packing shorts and jackets!
It had been a long time since we have had a new car, especially a new car that had room enough for two adults and three boys under the age of 5. You find yourself looking up to the hubby and shaking your head to his request to pack light. Why would you, this new car is a mini-van with loads of space to stretch out in. Besides we will be cramped for a short period of time now, but we will be riding in style with tons of space in just a few hours. Well little did we know hubby decided to cut back on few coats I had packed for the kids. It was the beach, who needs jackets?
Some new cars are now coming out with built in car seats for kids, but is this worth the extra charge and is it safe?
It seems like a smart move for automakers to offer integrated child-safety seats in cars, but only two manufacturers currently provide integrated booster seats as an option: Volvo and Dodge. Of those manufacturers, only certain models in their lineups have the available integrated booster seat feature.
What is an integrated booster seat? It's a booster that pops up out of the rear seat's bench, raising the child up to create a better fit for the seat belt. When the booster is not in use, it can be stowed into the seat's bench. This feature is great if it fits your child properly, as the integrated safety seat is made specifically for that vehicle. A secondary benefit of the integrated booster is it will not be at risk of becoming a projectile in a collision.
Volvo offers integrated dual-stage boosters on its all-new 2015 V60 wagon as well as the XC60 SUV and XC70 wagon, all for $500. These booster seats can be adjusted to two heights, allowing the booster to adjust as the children grow.
The highest setting on the dual-stage booster seat is for children measuring 37 to 47 inches tall and weighing between 33 and 55 pounds; the lower setting is intended for children between 45 and 55 inches tall and 48 and 80 pounds, according to Volvo. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children remain in booster seats until they're 4 feet 9 inches, or 57 inches, tall.
There are standard integrated boosters in the second row of Volvo's 2014 XC90, but they are not dual-stage boosters.
For 2014, Dodge offers integrated booster seats on the Journey crossover only. On the Journey, the booster seats are a $225 option, but if selected on all trims but the SXT they're tied to a Flexible Seating package that adds another $1,500 to the crossover's price. On the SXT trim, choosing the $225 booster seats adds a choice of two Quick Order packages that each cost $995.
It seems like integrated booster seats are a perfect match for minivans, but they're no longer offered on the Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan. "While the built-in booster feature had been available in Chrysler Group minivans, they were tied to the captains' chairs that did not stow," said Wendy Orthman, Chrysler PR manager. "More often than not, consumers chose the stowing feature instead. Ultimately, the boosters were eliminated in the vans when the new Super Stow N' Go seats were introduced in our current model Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country."
It was so nice to be in our new car, everyone was looking happy. We all had plenty of room and even hubby commented about how nice all the stuff we packed fit and we still had plenty of leg room.
Once we stopped to fill up the gas tank, I noticed the weather was getting cooler so I went to the back to unpack the boys jackets. Hubby went inside to pay and came out and looked back at the boys wearing jackets and stated I am so glad you brought the jackets, good move Mom! Mom smiled. It occurred to Dad then that it wasn't the boys jackets he left behind it must have been his suitcase! He looks over at Mom and smiles, you know the suitcase I unpacked from the car? Well apparently it was my own clothes, looks like the first stop will be making is clothing store!
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