Head Restraints

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My youngest (of three) is getting old enough that it won't be much longer before he could sit in the rear/middle seat position without a booster. At his age, it is desired (required by NHTSA standards) to have a head restraint for all kids *not* in a high back booster. I can't imagine why GM wouldn't put one at that location, but did place a should belt. I've actually found myself looking over the Tundra Crewmax as a potential replacement, since it has a lot better head protection for rear occupants. I also have an idea of having a very firm tubular "pillow" made to fit across the center above the seat. It would transfer force directly to, and across, the window at impact, but that's better than the head hitting the window directly.

 

Has anyone seen or know of an aftermarket head restraint for this position? Am I the only person with this problem (or that cares)?

[Stevens03]

My youngest (of three) is getting old enough that it won't be much longer before he could sit in the rear/middle seat position without a booster. At his age, it is desired (required by NHTSA standards) to have a head restraint for all kids *not* in a high back booster. I can't imagine why GM wouldn't put one at that location, but did place a should belt. I've actually found myself looking over the Tundra Crewmax as a potential replacement, since it has a lot better head protection for rear occupants. I also have an idea of having a very firm tubular "pillow" made to fit across the center above the seat. It would transfer force directly to, and across, the window at impact, but that's better than the head hitting the window directly.

 

Has anyone seen or know of an aftermarket head restraint for this position? Am I the only person with this problem (or that cares)?

 

At his age, I wouldn't put him in the middle The front seats would act as another line of defense in his safety. I too had that concern for my kids but I made sure they sat where there was a head restraint.

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At his age, I wouldn't put him in the middle The front seats would act as another line of defense in his safety. I too had that concern for my kids but I made sure they sat where there was a head restraint.

 

Where would you put a 5th person? That's the problem... GM trucks only have 4 head restraints. As of now, he sits in the middle (rear) position in a high back booster (with the shoulder belt), and the other two sit rear/outboard. My wife rides shotgun, and the front/middle "jump seat" doesn't have a shoulder belt or head restraint.

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Just for comparison, the rear Tundra seat: I think that Ford and Dodge have a similar layout now, but I haven't looked at them firsthand.

 

 

I realize they're not SUVs, but I often haul stuff in the rear that I don't want inside (gas, firewood, etc.). Any bed at all is better than none (for my use). The Tundra Crewmax interior is a good family layout, but I'll be the first to say they're not the best looking truck on the road. In fact, it's hard to even call it a "truck". It's more like a delicate looking SUV with a bed.

[Stevens03]

Where would you put a 5th person? That's the problem... GM trucks only have 4 head restraints. As of now, he sits in the middle (rear) position in a high back booster (with the shoulder belt), and the other two sit rear/outboard. My wife rides shotgun, and the front/middle "jump seat" doesn't have a shoulder belt or head restraint.

 

My opinion would be the Next closest adult sits in the middle. But I certainly understand your concern. And I'm not sure if ford or dodge have a middle head restraint, but I'd be looking at those before I'd be looking at the tundra. It's just so dang ugly to me

 

Or a burb.

 

Just looked, Dodge has center head restraints....And so does Ford... WTH?!?!? Why doesn't GM have it

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A few minutes in photoshop, with close to zero photoshop skills, produced the image below. Imagine a "pillow", but with a single block of high density foam, that wedges between the outer headrests. It would have to be dense enough to distribute force and not break the window from mild impact, but not rigid (for comfort). I'd take it out and store it when not in use. I don't have a sliding window, so it wouldn't block anything.

 

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Just looked, Dodge has center head restraints....And so does Ford... WTH?!?!? Why doesn't GM have it

 

Yup... frustrating that GM did that. The Dodge wouldn't be a terrible option style wise, but they have other issues I don't care for (especially our local dealer). I know it's just opinion, but I don't care for style on the newer Ford trucks. Way too much grill/chrome, and everything on them has "corners". Door handles, dash, etc. I don't care for our Ford dealer(s) either. In fact, I've only stepped foot on their lots while they were open once... which I then regretted

[dsr611]

Check with a local upholstery shop and see what they can come up with. I'm sure they could some up with something that would span the area like you have in the photoshop pic (maybe with velcro straps to attach to the other headrests) and probably match the interior close enough to look like it came from the factory like that.

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That's pretty much what I was considering (a local upholstery guy I've used before). I (very quickly) drew it earlier to fill in the whole area, but after looking some more, I think it would have to stop short enough to clear the seat belt strap for the center position. It really only needs to stay in place, and distribute force / keep neck from snapping backwards during a rear impact. When you look at them, even the outboard/rear headrests aren't very substantial, and don't adjust to the correct height for adults / older kids.

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As much as I hate to admit it, the seating arrangement in the new F-150 is definitely "family friendly". They also offer a "max payload pkg" in the crew, which offers over 2000 lbs of payload. Notice the fold up front/center and rear/center seats, both with head and shoulder restraint. Where's GM???

 

F-150 Crew: