Britax Marathon and 2007 CRV

[shancat22]

Hi all,

I've been perusing the site for a little while and very much appreciate the information posted here. It has been invaluable in helping me decide on the right seat for my 15 month old daughter. After using a carrier for the first year, we installed a Graco that we got at the baby shower forward facing since she finally reached 20 pounds (barely). Then after reading here I realized that forward facing may not be the safest for her, and also that I wanted a safe car seat that would last for a while.

Anyway, we bought the Marathon and installed it rear facing, and something doesn't seem right. Even though I have it fully reclined, it is still very upright, and my daughter seems very uncomfortable in it while riding. Not to mention now she screams bloody murder every time we have to go for a ride, which she did not do before. I'm not sure how much this relates to an uncomfortable ride and how much relates to not being able to see mommy in the front seat anymore.

Does anybody have any advice for me? Did I install it wrong? I've tried to reach Britax customer service but have not been successful.

Thanks in advance!!!

[azgirl71]

Hi all,

I've been perusing the site for a little while and very much appreciate the information posted here. It has been invaluable in helping me decide on the right seat for my 15 month old daughter. After using a carrier for the first year, we installed a Graco that we got at the baby shower forward facing since she finally reached 20 pounds (barely). Then after reading here I realized that forward facing may not be the safest for her, and also that I wanted a safe car seat that would last for a while.

Anyway, we bought the Marathon and installed it rear facing, and something doesn't seem right. Even though I have it fully reclined, it is still very upright, and my daughter seems very uncomfortable in it while riding. Not to mention now she screams bloody murder every time we have to go for a ride, which she did not do before. I'm not sure how much this relates to an uncomfortable ride and how much relates to not being able to see mommy in the front seat anymore.

Does anybody have any advice for me? Did I install it wrong? I've tried to reach Britax customer service but have not been successful.

Thanks in advance!!!

This is not a great photo, but gives you an idea.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/832397262_564d2fccc8.jpg

Are you able to take some pictures and post them?

You can try reintalling the seat out a little (maybe an inch) from the bite of the seat if it is right at the bite. This should give you a little more recline.

Do you have your the MA tethered RF? if not i recommend using the Dring that cam with your seat and tethering it. You can try to tighten the RF tether to help adjust the postion as well.

[shancat22]

Thanks so much for your response. I pulled the carseat out to give it some distance from the seatback and then put a towel underneath it to prop it up. It is much better now, and my daughter did ok in a dry run so hopefully the next car ride will be better!! Thanks again!

[azgirl71]

YW. :) I am glad it has a better recline now. It should be between 30 and 45 degrees. $5 is usually only used for newborns and very young infants. I hope your DD does well when you drive for real ;)

I am assuming the towel is rolled tightly and in the seat bite. Also that is not to thick. You do not want the base of the CR off the seat of the vechicle except the part that is sitting on the rolled towel.

I have not seen your vehicle, so I o not know how the seats are. Do thye have quite a bit of slope down to the bite of the seat? If not you probably don't need the towel.

I just want to make sure you have the towel in corretly. I am assuming you got that suggestion from the Briax manual. I know it is permitted, so you did not do anything wrong :)

[azgirl71]

I also wanted to add that you can look for a local tech in your area here (https://ssl13.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap.bin/apps/assess/Webmembers/tool?pToolCode=TAB9&pCategory1=TAB9_CERTSEARCH&Webid=safekidscertSQL) and have them check your seat install as well if you get worried something is not right.

Or of course you can post a photo here as well and we can help too. ;)

As long as you used the towel correctly and there is less than 1 inch of movement at the seatbelt path you are probably fine. Ok I will qiut jabbering :D