Car Seat in Jump Seat

[awilder]

Hi all, I am wondering about whether it would be safe and legal to have a front facing car seat either next to or slightly behind and to the right of the driver's seat (as in the attached picture).
It will be mostly just my 4 year old and I, and while of course all eyes on the road, it would be helpful to be able to reach her to give her a snack or whatnot in a pinch. I'll probably have some seats on the stair side too, just seems rather far away for her to be by herself.
Thank you!

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Personally, I would salvage and mount a standard minivan seat with an integral seat belt. Reason being minivan seats are typically designed better to properly accommodate and secure such equipment.

I do not, however, recommend putting yourself in a situation where you would have to take your eyes of the road to provide snacks or whatever. There is simply too much that can happen in the blink of an eye that can be tenfold worse in a skoolie than the already dangerous situation of the same in a minivan or conventional car / SUV. Not because skoolies are not safe -- they are, moreso than most everyday vehicles. BUT, loss of control is far easier and far harder to regain when it occurs. Not to mention having occupants too close together in a vehicle can cause them to bounce off each other in an accident.

You might consider mounting storage near the child that she can access easily, perhaps with an electrically controlled door / lid that you can control via switch from the driver's seat. Just my $0.02.

[magnakansas]

look around for 2nd row seats from minivans... I will use my 2012 mazda 5 as an example. These seats have built in latch points for baby seats/ child seats. and I think these could be mounted on swivel seat mounts.... so you can have the kid in the seat next to facing forward or rear ward. for a more grown up person, I like the seats from 2004-2007 chevrolet pick up front seats. built in seat belts and comfortable enough for me.

I also like the 2nd row seats from toyota sienna... some of the newer ones even have a foot rest that comes out.... so imagine, you can spin the chair round facing back and kick back for the night .......

william