Safe to drive with either 40 or 60 portion of 2nd row tumbled?

[Michelledu4]

I have a 2012 Explorer. Currently have 2 kiddos in carseats but will be adding a third to the mix by the end of the year.

Pretty much resigned to the fact that 2 kids will be in 3rd row & one will be in 2nd row.

Since I will be needing to tumble a portion every time we load kids in that 3rd row (I'll have to get back there to buckle, etc), my question is whether it is safe to just leave it tumbled forward while driving? Or do I have to open & close every time?

Tried to find the answer in Owner's Manual in the Safety/Seating section, but I really couldn't find anything about this.

Any recommendations of how to make the 3 carseats in an Explorer thing work would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Michelledu4. :wavey:
I can't see any issue driving with the seat tumbled or folded. Although I don't my Explorer any longer, I believe the seat is still anchored at the front. I can't say however, if the front anchors would be enough to hold it in place in the event of a head-on collision.

Here are 2 threads I found in a 'Search' that you may wish to look at about kids and car seats;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381281&highlight=child+seats
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308493&highlight=child+seats

Peter

 

[Michelledu4]

Thanks so much!

 

[orangesoda123]

I wouldn't leave it tumbled forward. Its not worth the risk in my opinion. My fear would be having it possibly tumbling back into position and pinching or hitting the little ones. I also wouldn't trust it to stay put in the event of a collision.

Just my 2 cents.