[Bunny Mumma]

We have a 2010 Hilux which only has 2 anchor points, and we are expecting baby #3. We've tried getting another anchor point installed by an authorised child restraint fitting station and they all say it's illegal and can't be done unless by an engineer. We've tried several engineers who have all said it can't be done. We have heard of several people on various forums who have had a 3rd anchor point successfully installed in this model hilux. Has anyone here had that done? If so, where/who has installed it for you? We are desperate to keep the car as DH and I can't agree on a replacement!

[ras500]

We have an older hilux but planned to upgrade when we fell Pg with #3 but were told by Toyota and various Toyota dealers that you cannot put a 3rd anchor point in legally in Hilux's of any year model, so we had to buy a different car

[2anewme]

The 2012 Hilux has spots for 3 restraints - the middle seat however is only a lap belt so not much use really

[Bunny Mumma]

Thanks ras500. I guess that solves that problem. What car did you end up getting? We're thinking it'll have to be a landcruiser (DH is deadset toyota man).

[azalia]

In any model bar the brand new one, you can only anchor 2 points. The middle seat is a lap only though so fairly useless for most car seats.

It can however be used for some capsules, but as soon as you need a proper seat in there you will not be able to use it.

Dh has a 2008 Hilux, we can only ever have 2 kids in there, so it doenst get driven much. He will be changing over to a Landcruiser in the coming year. I have a Kluger (we are also avid Toyota drivers!)

[midstudentcatie]

We have a 4Runner, and have the same problem, only two anchor points (I do school pick-ups drop-offs for work, so sometimes having three would be handy!). From memory it's something to do with the way the middle seat splits, it's 50/50 in our car instead of 60/40 or 70/30. We're avid Toyota people as well, will be upgrading to a 76 series LandCruiser for DP (Troop-Carrier style but 4 door, I love them!) and a Rav4 for me in a few years.

[Bunny Mumma]

Our back seat is not split at all, it's one piece. So that's not the issue. The only thing we can think of is there's a small bracket in the middle behind the seat to hook a strap onto to when you want the seat held up permanently. I don't believe a car seat strap would interfere with this. Anyway, we'll look at getting a 100 series Landcruiser instead. Thanks for all your help!

[machine]

Sorry to thread crap but I wanted to ask how you feel about the Kluger - lots of room for the kids, do you take it off road at all? I'm thinking about getting one.

In any model bar the brand new one, you can only anchor 2 points. The middle seat is a lap only though so fairly useless for most car seats.

It can however be used for some capsules, but as soon as you need a proper seat in there you will not be able to use it.

Dh has a 2008 Hilux, we can only ever have 2 kids in there, so it doenst get driven much. He will be changing over to a Landcruiser in the coming year. I have a Kluger (we are also avid Toyota drivers!)

[ras500]

Bunny Mumma
We ended up with a new Kluger, we are toyota people too, We still have the hilux (traded a Rav 4) as DS1 will be 7 a few months after #3 is born so for offroading we can use this, but I wanted him still in a booster 99$ of the time, we would have loved a Prado or Landcruiser, but wanted a newish diesal and they are bringing big $, so decided with already having a 'proper' 4WD we'd get the Kluger

Machine
Love the Kluger, it is as big as a prado in the 2nd row of seaters and slighty bigger in the 3rd row, and when folded down has a massive boot, so much room between the 1st and 2nd row of seats I can now no longer reach my DS2 to hand his stuff LOL.
I don't think I'd take it offroad as we have a 'real 4wd' and would use it so now sure how they'd go, prob depends on how rough, dirt or sand etc

[azalia]

Hi Machine,

We got the AWD Kluger, I think we would take it off road but not often. My friend has taken hers quite a bit and she says it has peformed fine.

As far as room goes, I had a Rav4 before this and only upgraded to the bigger car for more seats, I loved the Rav 4 and fitted 3 car seats perfectly across the back. In the Kluger its a lot tighter. I think its because the seats are captain chairs and because the middle seat is completely removable its about 15cm shorter than the outer two. I wanted the ability to be able to pick up friends kids or have an extra in my car, and also if we have #4, I will put the older two into the back and the younger two into the second row. I have had this car set up with DS1 in a booster in the third row and the two younger in the second row anchored on the outer sides and the middle seat completly removed so that there is easy access to the back for DS1. Because of this there is very little boot room. My pram wouldnt fit so I sold it and got a second hand MB Swift, its the ONLY pram that would fit behind the third row. When I food shop all the food goes on the passenger side or under all the kids feet, not ideal, but obviously you loose your boot when you use the third row and have a pram in.

For last week we tried to have three car seats across the back and it was nothing short of a nightmare. It would be fine if you have 3 in 5 point harnesses, but as soon as you have one using a booster with a seatbelt its near impossible to get that seat belt done up, and I am using the narrowist seats on the market for my outer two seats and a Hiliner for the booster. Ds1 could not get the seat belt done up nor could hubbie and it took me a lot of mucking around and sore hands to get it done up.

Aside from that I do love the car, and it has lots of perks - kids love the tv which is handy if we have long trips and it drives well. Im only getting 14.2kms to a litre, but I am on full city roads, often stop start. In the country I got 9.2. Hope that helps