Lap belt or front seat?

[Unregistered]

Normally we seat our children (5 & 7) in belt-positioning boosters in the back of our 2001 Saturn. But now that my 5 year old is in kindergarten, she will be riding to school with her dad in our 86 Corolla. It only has lap belts in the back. According to the instructions on her seat, she can ride in the harness until she is 40 lbs or 43" tall. She just misses that at 43 lbs and 43.5 inches. Should I keep her in the back with the harness even though she's past the recommendations? Or is it better to place her in the front seat with the shoulder belt and the seat pushed back. There is no airbag.

Which do you think is safer?

Is there a better option?

Thanks so much!
Karen

[jennsmile]

Well you have several options.

1. Replace your seat with one that allows a higher height and weight, Regent, Radian, Como, Signo, Or Britax convertiable.

2. Get a harness to use with the lapbelt and a booster. (86y harness.)



Jenn

[AutoShopMama]

If it were me, I'd either get a higher weight harness seat for the back...Apex 65 is a decent price at $130 if you have headrests...or use the booster in the front seat with the seat scooted all the way back.

[Defrost]

2. Get a harness to use with the lapbelt and a booster. (86y harness.)


You forgot "...and install the tether anchor." ;)

To the OP, no, your dd cannot use the harness - three pounds may not seem like much, but weight limits are very strict. Yes, she'd be safer in the front with the seat used as a booster. You're also correct that a lap-only belt wouldn't be safe, either. A lap-only belt cannot be used with a booster seat, and it's very dangerous for anyone when used alone, but particularly dangerous for a child.

However, the front seat is considerably more dangerous than the back seat. With this being a frequent situation, the safest thing to do would be to find a solution that will keep her harnessed in the back seat. As has already been posted, the easiest option is a seat with higher weight limits for harnessing. A cheaper solution would be the 86Y harness used with her booster, but that would require installing a tether anchor.

[jennsmile]

[QUOTE=Defrost;218202]You forgot "...and install the tether anchor." ;)

:rolleyes: Thanks for keeping me straight. I thought about it but I think I was dealing with a muddy puppy, or a screaming child...it is a blurr..

Jenn

[Defrost]

:rolleyes: Thanks for keeping me straight. I thought about it but I think I was dealing with a muddy puppy, or a screaming child...it is a blurr..

Jenn

LOL! Plus, it is very hard to remember that cars didn't always come with those handy little hooks behind the seats!

The nice thing is, with a car that age and it being a sedan-style, installing a tether anchor is quite likely possible.

[mykidsmylife]

I ordered ds1 Apex for $94 including shipping from Allbeebaby.com. He is almost 5 and 44.5" and 38 lbs. He has a lot of room to grow before he is out of it.
I would also recomend this option. I am too paranoid to put him in a booster...

[papooses]

The Apex requires vehicle head support at least up to eye level. This can only be judged with the seat in the vehicle. Consider child's growth pattern for the duration of use.

You could contact the vehicle manufacturer about retrofitting shoulder belts?

Your safest/easiest + least expensive option is to buy high weight harness carseats: my website (page "Preschool -- Preteen") includes information, resources, options, etc.

[Misty-Bug]

I would actually get a seat that harnesses higher. Then you can put it in the lap belt portion in the back. I am not comfortable with children under 12 being in the front seat. But that is me.

[jennsmile]

I ordered ds1 Apex for $94 including shipping from Allbeebaby.com. He is almost 5 and 44.5" and 38 lbs. He has a lot of room to grow before he is out of it.
I would also recomend this option. I am too paranoid to put him in a booster...

But you need headrest for the Apex. I don't think a corolla has them.

Jenn

[kimk2230]

I had the same problem with my dh's car. We only take it a few times in the summer but it has lap belts only in the back. We have a Radian and It fits great back there. My dd is 41 pounds and is 43 inches tall. She has loads of room left in the Radian.
Kim

[flipper68]

You could contact the vehicle manufacturer about retrofitting shoulder belts?


Not likely. Toyota and most other mfg. don't offer after market lap-shoulder belts.

I'd vote for purchasing a seat with a higher harness weight limit - faster/easier than Harness or retro fitting.