https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:45:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600847 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:32:39 +0000 kakimochi 1600847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have a used 2005 nissan quest van and we love it. we have 2 kids and a 45 lb dog, and it's ample room/cargo space. we use it a lot, and drive all over with it, and everyone's has lots of comfortable leg space. I like that I can get up from the front seat, and maneuver my way to the kids and back seat without having to get out of the car. i think perhaps with a little patience and if you are able to keep up on it, can find a used van with low mileage and under 20K. it's almost a bit cutthroat i have to say, how fast used vans were snapped up, but if you can stay on it, you can might be able to find something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600775 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:55:06 +0000 yoursilverlining 1600775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: I have a Toyota 4runner and an XL crate fits in the back cargo space. It fits straight in, so you still have a lot of cargo space left over. I transport dogs on the weekend and fit an XL crate and a medium crate in the cargo space, with some room on each side of the crates.</p> <p>Toyota also has an awesome used warranty program that covers up to 100,000 miles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600771 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:48:12 +0000 Dandelion 1600771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about a wagon? We have a focus wagon and it fits all people and 2 large dogs. We also have a minivan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600769 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:44:26 +0000 brownie 1600769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: okay so reading through I think you should test drive the Mazda 5. We have a 90 pound and a 20 pound and we all fit with most luggage. You could have one back seat up to buckle the pup in and the other down for the luggage. Our big dog will either hang out in the back or he will hang out on the bench seat. We have once had an adult in the seat with luggage (including stroller). I don't recommend it but it works. It's kinda a crossover but the sliding doors are my godsend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600762 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:37:18 +0000 ktdid23 1600762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Yes, I think we had a large crate for her - she's normally about 55 lbs but has some "winter weight" on her (this winter was rough, weather-wise). I'm thinking I don't want her between the 2 car seats because she's a face licker. My 3 year old can defend herself, but I'm worried my hypothetical newborn would end up in dog slobber :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600752 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:31:35 +0000 regberadaisy 1600752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: my pup is a medium sized stocky 65 and she can fit in a large crate. But it will be cramped with barely enough space to turn around. So something to think about when when car shopping. Go armed with crate dimensions! :)</p> <p>How big is your dog? Can s/he be buckled in between the two car seats? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600745 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:30:40 +0000 ktdid23 1600745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beebug: That could work. We travel 2-3 hrs each way to see family at least 1x a month and usually stay for a long weekend. We probably just travel with too much stuff, but I can't see how we'd fit 2 kids and a dog and our stuff in a crossover without compromising the dog's safety... I thought if we could find something with a 3rd row seat that we could keep folded down, that would work for us. </p> <p>That said, we haven't taken anything for a test drive so I have no idea. </p> <p>The space issue combined with the fact that we have two paid-off cars and I do NOT want a car payment is going to make for a very interesting car shopping experience this weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600735 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:26:40 +0000 ktdid23 1600735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Good question - we don't currently have her in a crate. She will go in any crate &amp; I was hoping to get one into the car for her instead of having her loose in the back. She needs to be buckled in or she'll end up in the drivers seat with me (I know this from past experience LOL). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600728 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:22:33 +0000 Beebug 1600728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about the barrier thing for the back part of an suv, and go with a small/mid-size crossover? I have one now and am waiting to get into a minivan next, but it does do the trick for now! Dog is in barrier thing (also about same size, 64lbs) plus I can tuck my stroller (bob) back with him and bungee it tight to one side so he still has plenty of space. Leaves the back seat for two carseats (and less of the dogs mess) and whatever else for gear. We are due with #2 in May.</p> <p>That being said, we are also having a hitch installed this summer so we can use a hitch box to store more for our cottage (every other weekend or so, 2 hr drive) and cross country (2x a year to DHs fam) roadtrips.</p> <p>I go to a lot of dog shows with my dog (and just one kid last summer!) and there aren't many vehicles out there from what I have seen at shows that would allow for two car seats, plus a crate for a dog (if we're talking wire crate, soft crate would defeat what you want for safety). There are fancy pants crates with angles made in them to fit in hatches/back of suv's, but definitely not cars. Most of the dog world has minivans, and no kids, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600720 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:19:45 +0000 ktdid23 1600720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I haven't looked into the kia sorento - but I will! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600718 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:18:59 +0000 regberadaisy 1600718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: how big is your crate? We have a xl for our 65lb.i have a hard time believing any truck /cargo space will fit a xl crate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600717 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:17:08 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1600717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: y dad drives an Acadia and loves it. My husband said its easy to drive. It's got a third row, too. Not sure on pricing. </p> <p>We got an insane deal on the edge. Otherwise it wouldn't be in my driveway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600711 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:14:46 +0000 ktdid23 1600711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I would love a Pilot, but it's looking like they might be out of the price range. Thanks for the suggestion, though!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600710 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:14:08 +0000 ktdid23 1600710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: Ah, didn't even think of that! The 3rd row is exactly what I need.. for the seats to be folded down and have extra cargo space!! Thanks for the suggestion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600706 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:12:19 +0000 lawbee11 1600706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: Kia Sorento! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600705 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:12:10 +0000 ktdid23 1600705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: We have a 60 lb dog who usually sits (buckled) in the back seat with my 3 year old, but we're hoping that seat will be taken by a car seat in the near future. I'm afraid to have the dog loose in the back, so I'm thinking a crate..... hmmm. I'll have to add the Edge to my test drive list :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600704 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:11:15 +0000 brownie 1600704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mazda 5. Trimmed out cost us 22k and room for the dogs and two car seats easily. Plus without the dogs we can sit two more kids. Have even had 3 car seats in there. I absolutely love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600699 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:08:46 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1600699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: depends on how big your dog is??</p> <p>My trunk space is pretty impressive, but maybe just thrilled since I upgraded from the focus. </p> <p>I can get our graco stroller, two large suitcases and a tall laundry basket in the trunk, plus room to spare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600696 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:06:10 +0000 ktdid23 1600696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. jump rope - do you think I could fit a dog crate in an Edge? We live 2 states away from family, so we travel quite a bit with our dog and still need cargo space for bags, etc.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600689 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:03:41 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1600689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We traded my focus in for an edge, and I LOVE it. Love, love, love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600688 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:03:04 +0000 HLK208 1600688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a Honda Pilot? DH has a Honda Element and it's pretty spacious/affordable. Plus it's been so incredibly reliable (it's an 04 but I think they stopped making them in 2010). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-for-2-kids-and-a-dog#post-1600685 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:59:18 +0000 ktdid23 1600685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm looking to buy a car to replace a Ford Focus. I need something that will comfortably fit 2 car seats and a dog crate/cargo space. My dream would be a minivan, but I'm trying to stay under $20,000 - we will be buying used but would like less than 40k miles because we drive a lot (family out of state). Any suggestions? </p>