10 Recommended Car Seats for Extended Cab Trucks In 2024

If you’re a pickup truck enthusiast, you know that extended cab trucks have become increasingly popular in recent years. But hey, traveling in the back of these trucks can be a bit cramped, especially if you put a car seat in there. 

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 10 best car seats for extended cab trucks. These car seats will not only fit comfortably in the small space provided but also provide the necessary safety features to keep your little ones secure. 

So, if you own an extended cab truck and you are looking for a car seat, keep reading! 

In a Hurry? Choose one of these

• Britax Boulevard ClickTight (Best Convertible for Extended Cab Truck)
• Graco Contender Slim (2^nd Best Convertible for Extended Cab Truck)
• Chicco KeyFit 30 (Best Infant Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)
• Diono Radian 3RX 3-in-1 (Best for 3 across in Extended Cab Truck)
• Safety 1st Guide 65 (Best budget car seat for Extended Cab Truck)
• Evenflo Gold Revolve360 (Best Swivel Car Seat for Extended Cab) 
• Britax Marathon ClickTight ( Best for Rear-facing in Extended Cab Truck)
• Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX (Best Travel Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)
• Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 (Best Booster for extended cab truck)
• Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus (2^nd Best Booster for extended cab truck)

10 Best car seats for extended cab truck

Britax Boulevard ClickTight (Best Convertible Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)

If you’re looking for a convertible car seat for your extended cab truck, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight is an excellent option. 

Britax Boulevard accommodates children rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 20 to 65 pounds.

Not only does it offer significant cost savings by providing years of use, but it also has one of the smallest profiles for a rear-facing car seat, making it ideal for even smaller trucks.

It fits perfectly in the following extended cab trucks:  The Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, RAM 2500, RAM 3500, and the Toyota Tundra.

The Britax Boulevard even fits in other extended cab trucks like the Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, RAM 1500, Toyota Tacoma, and many more. 

The only thing to note is that the passenger seat may need to be moved all the way forward for the seat to fit comfortably in these trucks.

The Clicktight feature of the Britax seats makes this car seat super easy to install and tighten. 

Chicco KeyFit 30 (Best Infant Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)

The Chicco Keyfit 30 is one of the narrowest infant car seats. It measures only 17 inches wide making it a good choice for small vehicles like cab trucks. 

While it can only accommodate babies from 4 to 30 pounds, the Chicco KeyFit 30 is an excellent option for parents looking for a lightweight, easy-to-install infant car seat.

Chicco Keyfit is also available as a part of a travel system that includes a compatible stroller. This makes it easy to transition your baby from the car to the stroller without disturbing their sleep. 

The Chicco Keyfit is suitable with several extended cab trucks including Chevrolet Colorado, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, RAM 1500, Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota Tundra.

Diono Radian 3RX (Best Car Seat for 3 across in Extended Cab Truck)

The Diono Radian 3RX 3 in 1 car seat can be used from the newborn stage all the way up to the high back booster stage. 

The car seat is engineered to accommodate children weighing between 5 and 120 pounds and up to 57 inches in height.

Why the Diono is suitable for an extended cab truck? The Radian has a slim-fit and compact design that allows it to fit in small vehicles. It is also easy to fit 3 across with a Radian 3RX

I love that this seat can be folded for easy storage when not in use. Also when folded, it is much more compact, making it easier to transport when traveling or flying. 

The Diono offers superior protection with the steel frame built which makes it very heavy.

In addition to being heavy, the Diono may not be a great choice for the extended cab truck when rear facing. It’s quite tall and it takes up more space front to back when rear facing. 

Overall, the Diono Randian is a well-reviewed car seat with the price and I would highly recommend it for your extended car truck for forward facing.

Safety 1st Guide 65 (Best budget car seat for Extended Cab Truck)

The size of the safety 1st Guide 65 is one of its main selling points if you’re looking for a car seat to fit into the back of an extended car truck.

Safety 1st is suitable for children weighing between 5 and 65 pounds. Rear-facing, this car seat keeps your little one comfortable for up to 40 pounds.

Another advantage of this car seat is the price. The Safety 1st Guide 65 is often praised for its affordable price compared to other convertible car seats on the market. 

This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious families who still want a safe and reliable car seat for their kids.

And for parents that frequently travel or switch cars, this Safety 1st 65 is FAA-approved and lightweight making it travel and airport friendly. 

When purchasing this car seat, you need to get the installation right. Many parents complain about how difficult the installation is and how hard is to tighten it.

My advice is if you are not good with car seat installation, get help from a CPST. 

Evenflo Gold Revolve360 (Best Swivel Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)

I already wrote about how rotating car seats can be a game-changer for parents.

If you have a small car like a cab truck, a rotating car seat can be a great option to maximize space and provide convenience. 

One of the swivel car seats that have gained popularity is the Evenflo Gold Revolve 360.  

With its easy 360 rotation feature, the Gold Revolve 360 allows you to get your child in and out of the seat with no hassle. 

In a small car, getting your child in and out of a car seat can be a real challenge, especially if you have to lean in awkward positions that may hurt your back. 

The revolve 360 accommodates kids of any age simply by swiveling from rear-facing to forward-facing with a click of a button. 

It’s also designed for kids weighing 4 to 120 pounds making it a worthwhile investment.

Britax Marathon ClickTight (Best Rear-facing Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)

Britax car seats are one of my favorites for ease of installation and comfort. 

The Britax offers the ClickTight technology that serves as a self-tightening system, ensuring that the car seat is properly installed and your baby is secure.

This feature is a huge plus, trust me. The last thing you want to deal with when you have a small car like an extended cab truck is the impossible-like installation. 

Britax Marathon uses premium-quality materials making it a plush car seat that looks good and feels good. 

In addition to the easy installation, Britax Marathon has a small footprint allowing it to fits snugly in compact cars rear-facing and forward facing.

  

Graco Contender Slim (Best Graco Convertible Car Seat for Extended Cab Truck)

For Graco brand lovers, the Graco contender convertible car seat is perfect in the back seat of small cars and SUVs including the extended cab truck. 

The narrow side-to-side design of the Graco contender (17 inches only) makes it easy to fit 3 seats across in most cars.

The Graco contender is a quality car seat for a reasonable price. It accommodates children rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds, and front-facing from 22 to 65 pounds.

Given the price tag, you would expect a low-quality fabric and padding but the Graco Contender is surprisingly well-padded and soft. 

As you would expect from many car seats, including this one, installation can be a nightmare.

If you purchase this seat and you face difficulty installing it, you can get help from a CPST in your neighborhood. 

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX (Best short-term use car seat for Extended Cab Truck)

Cheap and cheerful, the Cosco Mighty Fit is one of the most reviewed Cosco car seats. Positively of course. 

This car seat is compact both front to back and side to side. It fits in most trucks cars and SUVs.

If you have a small car and you want to fit 3 car seats in the back, the Mighty Fit 65 can do the job. Also, your child will be capable of using the seat until he/she is 65 pounds. 

The downsides of the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 are the frustrating installation and the lack of comfort. 

If you are looking for a quality car seat, this shouldn’t be your first choice. But if a temporary or short-term use car seat is what interests you, I definitely recommend it for your extended cab truck. 

Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 (Best booster for extended cab truck)

The Graco transitions 3 in 1 fit with no issues in cars with limited back seat space like the extended cab truck. 

This booster fits taller kids as well as it leaves enough legroom behind the driver/ passenger seat which adds to the comfort of your child.

The Graco Traditions can also be used as a 5-point harness until it’s outgrown at 65 pounds. Once outgrown, it can be easily converted to a high-back booster and later to a low-back booster, if needed.  

You may need some extra work for a proper installation but that’s very normal with most Graco car seats.  

Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus (2nd Best booster for extended cab truck)

The Chicco Kidfit Zip is a 2 in 1 belt-positioning booster seat that comes with premium LATCH connectors which make the installation a breeze. 

The Chicco booster can be used as a backed booster and then converts into a backless booster when you need it. The seat also provides head and torso protection with its rigid shell and energy-absorbing foam. 

When it comes to fit, the Chicco Kidfit high-back booster easily adjusts throughout 10 height positions to extend protection as kids grow.

The Chicco KidFit is not a 5-point harness booster but it’s designed to accommodate bigger children up to 110 pounds. 

Just make sure your child is ready to switch to a belt-positioning car seat before your buy this booster. 

Buyer’s guide

1. Safety

While it’s true that most car seats are NHTSA approved, there are a few other important factors to consider when choosing the right one for your child’s safety.

First off, it’s a good idea to go for a car seat with a five-point harness– 5 point harness car seats give your little one some extra protection if you get into a crash. 

Another thing that we recommend a car seat should have is a steel frame. The steel frame makes the seat extra sturdy and can keep your little one safe and protected in case of a collision. 

Side impact protection if available is another plus, which can help prevent injuries from side impacts. 

Lately, if you’re able to invest in a toxin-free car seat, it’s definitely worth considering for th long-term safety of your child.  

2. Size and fit

Before purchasing any car seat, it’s a good idea to measure the seating area of your vehicle and compare it with the car seat’s dimensions to ensure a proper fit.

Also, always check how much overhang a car seat allows and verify that your car seat fits properly in the back seat of your car. Cab trucks have different seat styles and sizes and most brands don’t allow more than 20% overhang. 

Another thing to consider is the proper location to install a car seat. Sometimes it’s not possible to install the car seat in the middle seat because the seat is more shallow. 

3. Comfort

In a car seat, comfort is very important. Having a comfortable car seat will minimize the chance of your child rejecting it. When buying a new car seat, look for the following features for a better riding experience. 

Padding and fabric quality: A car seat with good padding and softness can provide your child with the necessary support and comfort during long car rides.

Also, choosing a car seat with breathable fabric is important, particularly in hotter environments where your child may be prone to sweating and discomfort. 

Multiple recline options: A car seat with multiple recline positions allows flexibility and customization of your child’s seating position.

Younger children may need to sleep during car rides, and having a car seat that reclines fully or partially can allow them to do so more comfortably.

Some children may prefer different levels of incline or recline, and being able to adjust the seat to their liking can help make the ride more enjoyable for them.

Built-in cup holders: Cup holders come in handy. With built-in cup holders, you don’t have to worry about your child accidentally spilling his/her drink or snack while on the road. Your child to easily access their drinks or snacks

4. Easy of use and installation

Ease of use and installation are two crucial factors to consider when selecting a new car seat.

Buying a car seat that’s easy to install and use ensures that the car seat is installed properly and that your child is safely secured during car rides.

A LATCH system is a popular feature that can make car seat installation easier and more secure. This system allows you to attach the car seat directly to the vehicle using lower anchors and tethers, rather than relying on the seat belt.

Another feature to look for is easy adjustments, such as a no-rethread harness. This allows you to adjust the car seat’s harness straps without having to rethread them through the seat’s slots, which can save time and reduce the risk of errors.

Other useful features that can enhance ease of use and installation include clear and simple instructions, easy-to-use buckles and straps, and compatibility with a variety of cars. 

5. Easy cleaning

Children can be messy, and car seats can quickly become dirty or stained, so it’s important to choose a car seat that’s easy to clean. 

The removable cover allows you to remove the seat’s fabric cover for cleaning or washing. This is especially useful for spills or stains that may require more thorough cleaning. Also, with a removable cover, you can easily clean the seat without having to remove the entire car seat from the vehicle.

In addition to a removable cover, a car seat with machine washable fabric makes it easy to clean and maintain the car seat, as you can simply remove the fabric cover and toss it in the washing machine. 

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