T3, 3 of us, 3 months Europe with 3 month old, advise?

[yellowman]

Calling campers with baby experience, hope you can assist.

My wife, (due anytime), '85 vanagon and I, intend to set off through Europe in May. We've a few questions you all may be able help with..

Anyone know of a newborn baby car seat (euro compatible) that will work with a lap belt? Not so keen on fixing 3 point seat belt if can be avoided. I've done a little googling, but with little success, it seems we in UK with our advanced safety standards require a new car every few years to keep compliant.

Whilst this is infuriates me, I don't want to put my family at risk beyond the legal boundaries. There may well be European car seat out there which may not be common to UK user that would comply.

I'm also, looking to source or if needs be manufacture a roof rack which works with use of pop up roof (with rain gutter fix brackets). I'm aware of use of bolted through fixing brackets/cross bars and strengthening of gas struts but not keen on penetrating roof for fixing. If I am to manufacture a roof rack I'd be grateful if some one could point me in the direction of CAD drawings or technical drawings of the T3/T25 outer body (plans, elevations).

Generally, any top tips for trip with 3 month old baby would be great!

Riki

[ringo]

Hi Riki and welcome.

The maxi-cosi cabriofix with the easybase (the belt version) is the only solution I know of.

Another top tip is to take a pop up tent that you can just throw up in seconds to store the car seat, pram and Moses basket. Obviously you can get away without the pram if you use a front carry bag or whatever but I wouldn't for that duration.

Yes, you will need a roof rack but i can't help you with that.
Suggest you draft some plans and then stick them on here for a review kind of thing - then people can use their experience to help you.

What an excellent way to bond with you new baby. I'm jealous!

Ringo

[1664]

What an excellent way to bond with you new baby. I'm jealous!

Don't be jealous Ringo, you can bond with Riki at a meet one day

[T'Onion]

have you thought about getting a twin front seat ? both then could have 3 pointers

[kathyshack]

Graco do a first stage car seat with a base you fit to seat with either 3 pt belt or lap belt. I bought mine as part or the mirage travel system - car seat, seat base and pram.
Second stage car seat, I use britax eclipse I think it is. Works fine with lap belt.
Where abouts are you? I have a first stage car seat and base I no longer need if your anywhere nr Blackburn or Bolton.
Kathy

[yellowman]

Hi all,

Thanks for the tips for the trip, keep them coming. Don't be jealous we're not gone yet......many factors in the mix that could keep us here.. fingers crossed though.

I remember seeing some tech drawings on the web for the t3 when I first got mine. i know they are somewhere out there....

Kathy, thanks for the offer I'm in Manchester. So we may well take you up on your offer. Do you have any photos of the seat & base, £££?? I may take the van to a nearby dealer and see how well the your suggestion works as I'll probably struggle to get away from Manc for a few weeks, with new addition imminent.

The more I think about it the more I realise that baby being rear facing staring at the back rest of the for 3 months could amount to a form of abuse....looking at option of car seat / carry cot by 'Jane'. That way she'd have the option at staring at the ceiling instead...

[NickB]

Just a little word of advice...
Not sure if your trip is creeping over the three month mark, but I recently did a five month trip round Europe, meaning RAC's regular European Breakdown cover wasn't valid. I therefore took out a hugely expensive Europe-wide policy which to cover this extended period.
Unfortunately, I had to call the RAC out within the first couple of weeks of my trip - then to be informed that I was only entitled to ONE call out on my policy.
Fair enough, I should have checked the small print better before I left, but really, one call out?
AA were much better, although were still limited to (i believe) 3 call outs.

[kathyshack]

Hi all,

Thanks for the tips for the trip, keep them coming. Don't be jealous we're not gone yet......many factors in the mix that could keep us here.. fingers crossed though.

I remember seeing some tech drawings on the web for the t3 when I first got mine. i know they are somewhere out there....

Kathy, thanks for the offer I'm in Manchester. So we may well take you up on your offer. Do you have any photos of the seat & base, £££?? I may take the van to a nearby dealer and see how well the your suggestion works as I'll probably struggle to get away from Manc for a few weeks, with new addition imminent.

The more I think about it the more I realise that baby being rear facing staring at the back rest of the for 3 months could amount to a form of abuse....looking at option of car seat / carry cot by 'Jane'. That way she'd have the option at staring at the ceiling instead...

aya,
sorry just seen this reply. You can have the seat n base if it's of any use to you. I'll try and dig out some pics of it if I can find some.

[kathyshack]

Only picture I have to hand. This is my eldest, summer at 3 weeks old when we took her camping for the first time. Tiny she was lol. (4 1/2 now)

if you google graco mirage travel system you will see detailed pics of how it works etc.

[Si_P]

We used the Jane lie flat seat (not with our van as we had not acquired it at that point).

It was very good we took a five month old from Bedfordshire to Cornwall through the night and she only woke for her normal evening feed.

When flat you would only need 2 lap straps but when upright you do need to have a shoulder strap.

[yellowman]

Thanks for the feed back all!

As an update, we ended opting for a maxi-cosi thingy but without the base, we decided the base would be another thing in the way on the trip. We'd looked at the lie flat JANE which seems great but size and money factored in decided no. Kath, once again ta for your help! Our bundles now 4 days overdue......

So, in the end we're having to go for the 3 pointer!

Now to decide which 3 point belt system to use.There's one type on gowesty and another type on brickwerks...Any experience out there?

[ringo]

Now to decide which 3 point belt system to use.There's one type on gowesty and another type on brickwerks...Any experience out there?

I have the brickwers one fitted but its a little small. Ok for kids seats that fit throught the back - but i doubt it would fit on a new born seat that the belt goes around the front.

However, i beleive Brickwerks is now selling a longer belt than the version i have (ask them to confirm) and also, if needs be, you can fit the roller to the top bracket instead of the bottom one which makes the belt plenty big enough (just doesnt look as nice).

Good luck,

Ringo