Well, I now have a running Townace thanks to the Alternator from Caroline :o)
The speedo suddenely stopped working for five minutes on the school run this morning, then came back on again, but will get mechanic to look at this tomorrow when the car has a full service. I've been reading away on here and have specified everything recommended for the service! I need in running perfectly as we're taking it and the 5 kids to Disneyland Paris in it next week, which leads me to question no 1
Is there any breakdown service that will cover us abroad? We have full AA cover in this country but they won't cover any vehicle over 10 years old abroad, and I'm a bit paranoid now!

Next question is, is it safe to rear-face the middle row and put baby seats on the lap belts? Logically I would've though it would be best, as rearward is the safest way for any passenger to travel isn't it? I'm just having trouble finding any info on the web whatsoever to back this up or otherwise. Has anyone done any research into this? I'm a bit of a car safety fanatic when it comes to the kids!

TIA,
Hannah

- (#7859) Hannah, 15 Jan 04 05:46

Hi Hannah
If the baby seats are designed to be secured by a lap belt, then yes you can face them backwards. However one thing to bear in mind is that if you crash into anything at speed, what ever is in the rear seats could fly forwards. With the middle seats facing forwards, anything flying forward from the back will impact the back of the middle seats, rather than the occupants if they are rear facing. You don't give any details of the children or type of belts, but assuming that they are all lap belts, and there are two small children in baby seats, and three older ones on boosters, it may be safer to put the older ones in the middle facing backwards, and the baby seats in the rear. The small ones will be safely secured by the baby seat three point harness, and the older ones will be more protected by facing backwards. The only other option to consider is, do not crash into anything yourself, and do not let anything crash into you.

- (#7859) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 15 Jan 04 06:04

Speedo cable may not be connected correctly at the back of the dial?
I got Euro cover last year, but was part of a package from Eurocamp cost £110 for 21 days.
Most Townace owners with small children have had 3 point belts fitted. Rear facing is safest (the Queen used to travel backwards in her VC10), and indeed my older children prefer it. Have you thought about luggage straps to act as the diagonal on the baby seats?

- (#7859) Clive (Bristol), 15 Jan 04 06:09

Wow, thanks for the quick replies! I hadn't thought about the luggage thing in conjuction with rear facing seats. Think I'll invest in a luggage net!

We got a 92 J reg Super Extra, which has four 3 point belts, and two middle laps in the back, but if I turn the middle row around there's only lap belts on that row then.

We've got a 9, 8, 5, & 2 year old plus 6 month old baby. Baby has to 'rear-face' wherever he is, so I was thinking he could go in a forward facing seat on the reversed middle row (so he's still facing the rear) Britax do 3 different seats that are safe for lap belts BUT they haven't been tested on vehicle rear facing seats. I don't know, my gut instinct is that it must be safer, I just want to know for sure LOL. I think I need a physicist who knows all about forces in a crash or something ;o)

Hannah

- (#7859) Hannah, 15 Jan 04 06:31

Hannah
If this were me, I would turn the middle row to face backwards and seat the baby, 2year old, and one other using the lap belts. Then the remaining two can occupy the rear corner seats with the 3 point harnesses. This tends to create a bit of extra storage space between the rear facing middle seats and the engine bulkhead and front seats. Ideal place to put a mini fridge for storing the babies milk, assuming its moo moo juice of course.

- (#7859) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 15 Jan 04 07:09

My babies are fed on 100% mother's milk - Moo moo juice indeed!

Seriously though - thanks - I shall go and play around with seat configuration shortly - I think that'll be he best arrangement (particularly extra storage space too) - then I just have to break it to dh that we need to spend £100 plus on new car seats! eeek.

Hannah

- (#7859) Hannah, 15 Jan 04 07:22

National Breakdown (formerly Green Flag) will provide cover for vehicles up to 12 years at the stated rate. Older vehicles incur a supplement.

http://www.nationalbreakdown.co.uk/

Disneyland Paris at this time of year with a wagonload of kids eh? Brave lady! If it's wet take them to Disney Studios next door. The younger ones will love Animagique - mine did (me too!)

- (#7859) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 15 Jan 04 08:39

Am now covered - excellent - will tell my parents as well - they couldn't find cover for their T25 VW Camper. I got a good deal on a couple of Britax Freeway seats in Toys r us today, they checked the fitting too so I'm happy. What a helpful board this is :o)

Hannah

- (#7859) Hannah, 15 Jan 04 16:27

That's useful, Ian, about continental rescue cover for older vehicles - many of us will be running into that problem. Another factor with any rescue cover is whether they register the number of passengers that you may have on board - not so much a problem with small children but in the, very unlikely, event of breaking down with 8 adults on board it would help to know that they're not going to send a truck with more than 4 seats, at least you can phone for a taxi straight away.
I agree with Dave Bright, there's lots of "extra storage space between the rear facing middle seats and the engine bulkhead and front seats" but do be careful about the heater vents - block the inlet and you won't get any heating or aircon, or you may "toast" something you didn't intend to near the outlet.

- (#7859) Dave (Sussex), 17 Jan 04 03:12

Hi Hannah - Why don't you do what I did? I went to Mothercare and asked which baby seat was best for lap belts (for my little granddaughter). The lady was very helpful. She showed me how the lap belts can cross-buckle,in other words, the buckle ends up on the hard bit of rounded plastic on the seat and if there was a crash, the buckle could easily undo. I tied a knot in the lap belt so it fits

When I drove to Poland in my SpaceCruisder, the RAC covered any car up to 15 years with Eurocover and then, over 15 years old vehicles had to pay extra and had to take extra parts - 'Hope I've helped - Jo

- (#7859) Jo, 17 Jan 04 10:15

Through the post this morning - New for 2004 -
Britannia Rescue members can upgrade to Deluxe (£71) cover and get free European cover! Take as many trips as you like for upto 90 days at a time. Just let them know and you are covered for that trip. No conditions on age that I could see (car not the driver).
- (#7859) Clive (Bristol), 19 Jan 04 08:38

Sorry thats £71 for CSMA members, non members price £119.40. Still cheap in my view.

- (#7859) Clive, 19 Jan 04 08:41