Can't install radian:(

[melniemi]

I got my radian. I cannot get it tight. I've always gotten rock solid installs w/every other seat. I tried 3rd row ps and center. Twisted belt stalk 3x. What else can I do???? FRUSTRATED:mad:

[crunchierthanthou]

What kind of car? rf or ff?

[papooses]

Vehicle year, make, model + child's age, weight, height will help us help you :)

[melniemi]

02 chevy venture, ff 6yo 44# 45.5 in, even w/2nd to top slots, leather seats

[An Aurora]

Which seating position are you trying? I have an 01 Venture w/ leather and I can get a very easy install both RF and FF with LATCH. I haven't tried with the seatbelt.

ETA: Never mind I saw your OP about the seating position. :o My Venture has 3 bucket seats in the middle (2nd) row and 2 buckets in the 3rd row. I guess yours must be different.

[papooses]

It might be the leather.... Do you absolutely have to use the 3rd row :confused: Maybe we can help you reconfigure who sits where (child & carseat stats again, please ;))

The Radian should install just fine in the Venture's middle row (not sure about 3rd row) -- try reclining the vehicle seat before installing as tightly as you can, then bring it back fully upright. If this doesn't work, you could try a thin layer of meshy/tacky shelf liner, but only as a last resort (we prefer not to add anything + in extreme heat it could melt to the vehicle seat cushions)

A safe installation is when it moves 1" or less at the belt path when using only 1 hand :)

You've thoroughly read both vehicle & carseat manuals, right? Have you contacted your local CPST?

[melniemi]

I could use latch in the 2nd row but that doesn't help much - only 4 pounds:( I have captain's chairs in the middle w/3 yo in MA and 7 mo in keyfit - both rock solid latch installs. The buckles on the captains chairs are 3-4 inches forward of the bight, fixed stalks tilted forward - horrible for the radian.

I tried shelf liner - didn't help. This was my last hope for harnessing my 6 & 7 yo's since I don't have tether anchors in the backrow - only 1, center, so I can't do the regent - would need 2 outboard. My back row is a solid bench. I have been trying to find 'my' van at a dealer w/ the split bench for the 3rd row that has 2 anchors, hoping they would switch me seats. Chevy okayed this. But no luck thus far.

I really wanted to put 3 across my back row for a 20 hour trip we are taking in 2 weeks - to open up a captains chair and give me access to all kids.

Maybe I should just upgrade their boosters, tb's to pw's or something????

Any other ideas???

Thanks

[melniemi]

A good tech is 1.5 hours away. She is onboard w/erf & eh, but when I've gone there. she has told me my installs are great - the only perfect car she's ever had!! So I do have faith in my installs - but I can't get this one:(

[papooses]

I'm sorry I forget what the venture buckle stalks actually look like, but the Radian is a rare seat in which long buckle stalks are OK because it's an enclosed belt path -- did you try the middle row? Maybe put 3 year old in the back....

Parkways or the Fisher Price booster are usually easiest in 3 across situations since the Parkway lacks armrest & the FP adjusts quite narrow: the Ride Safer Travel Vest may also be a solution :o

[melniemi]

I was hoping to do MA/radian/radian for 3 across, but I can't get the radian to install. There is no chance of a seatbelt install for the captains' chair. I dont' want to buy a radian for 4#. I got it for 162 on Amazon's sale, too so if anyone wants it for that plus shipping let me know asap before I send it back on monday.

Any chance of a regent install w/seatbelt with this seatbelt?

[papooses]

Aha -- thanks so much for the picture! :thumbsup:

The Regent with long/reverse belt path should be perfect there ... but they recommend the short (traditional) belt path after 40#

1 of the Britax reps told me that if a long/reverse belt path Regent is the only way to keep a child harnessed when there are no other safe options (ex: lap only belt, etc.) then she would inform parents to make the parental choice of using the long/reverse belt path (when the short/traditional method is incompatable). Last resort only, though, meaning I would much rather prefer the RSTV in the back center with vehicle head support at least up to eye level :twocents:

[melniemi]

I guess the regent won't work in those seats either. I'll just have to do tb, keyfit, 16 yo to fit 3 across. I was trying to put my 16yo sis in a captain's chair - 20 hour ride. She'll survive! I did want to harness the boys tho. Bummer. Should I replace their tb's w/recaro vivos or pws or something - or is a booster a booster??
Thanks.

[joolsplus3]

Did you try engaging the 'recline' mechanism on the Radian, too?

Yeah, I'd use this as an excuse to get something more comfy than a Turbo :p... look for good thigh support and big headwings...maybe the Vivo or Compass B510...Maxi Cosi Rodi, perhaps (no one seems to own one yet for a review, though)

[crunchierthanthou]

Are the 3rd row buckles on rigid stalks? I'm thinking no because you mentioned twisting them. Is it lapbelt only for the middle?

I'm just thinking that if you can you get the buckle completely within the beltpath (such as that the edge isn't pushing against the hard part of the buckle) that it might work. Generally, I'm in favor of keeping it outside of the beltpath, but going completely in might work better in this situation where you can't get it tight any other way. That would be tricky with a lapbelt and the rigid beltpath though.

[melniemi]

I did try to recline the radian - got a slightly better install w/o recline. But it wasn't nearly good enough for me. Maybe I will invest in better boosters. I went w/tbs because they like to see each other and 'play' in the car so I didn't want them leaning forward all the time.

[papooses]

As long as it can only move 1" or less with a one-handed tug, then it's safer than a booster.

[melniemi]

The belt stalk isn't long enough to go all the way in the path. Center is lapbelt only. I don't know of any other tricks. My seat doesn't recline, so I can't use that trick. I think I'll have to return it.

[melniemi]

It moved a good 3-4 inches w/o much force at all:(

[crunchierthanthou]

As long as it can only move 1" or less with a one-handed tug, then it's safer than a booster.

:yeahthat:


edit: I don't know what else to recommend if it's still moving that much with all that you've tried. I know others have mentioned acceptable installs in vehicles similar to yours. Hopefully those posters will see this before Monday and have some ideas for you.

[melniemi]

The others who got acceptable installs had a split bench - or cloth. You can recline that seat to help get it tighter. I was hoping it would be close enough and that I could do it. Thanks for your help.

[papooses]

Hmmm ... I've heard some of the plastic buckle stalk covers can be removed -- maybe try giving the vehicle manufacturer a call :shrug-shoulders: Otherwise, is the vehicle seatback higher than eye level? I wish I had my LATCH manual inside, too: does the center seat have tether anchor? If yes to both, then I would definitely consider the RSTV :)

[snowbird25ca]

Here's a link to a couple of threads/posts with radian install tricks:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=23129&highlight=radian+install
http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=201066&postcount=7
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=21882&highlight=radian+install

Aidensmom02 has some pictures on some of those threads that should help, and there's some good descriptions. I'm not sure exactly what you've tried, so I thought I'd just put some of these ideas out there. You should have switchable seatbelts in the outboard positions of the back row, so using the tighten-unbuckle-let the seatbelt retract a few clicks-rebuckle trick should allow you to get it acceptably tight.

Also try starting with the base of the radian slightly out from the vehicle seat back.

I find when tightening the seatbelt with the Radian, it's helpful to pull up on the shoulder portion where it goes through the latchplate first.

Perhaps if you can tell us what all you've tried we'll be able to offer some more pointers. :)

[Defrost]

Otherwise, is the vehicle seatback higher than eye level? I wish I had my LATCH manual inside, too: does the center seat have tether anchor? If yes to both, then I would definitely consider the RSTV :)

Just curious - why the RSTV over the 86Y harness? I passed up the vest, myself, because it looks like a pain to get in & out of - so, is it actually better than it looks?

[papooses]

Just curious - why the RSTV over the 86Y harness? I passed up the vest, myself, because it looks like a pain to get in & out of - so, is it actually better than it looks?

On a smaller child it positions the lap belt properly ... my KidY & 86Y didn't do that unless used with the RideRyte (which is too wide for a 3 across) :)

[Defrost]

On a smaller child it positions the lap belt properly ... my KidY & 86Y didn't do that unless used with the RideRyte (which is too wide for a 3 across) :)

Oh yes! I can see that - and the OP's child is under 40 lbs as well, right? I'm just used to seeing my big kids using it. :)

[An Aurora]

Just for "fun", I went out and installed the Radian in my 01 Venture. My seats are different from yours, as I have buckets instead of a bench, but I have similar rigid belt stalks that are set out form the seat bight. I did get a solid install. I also got a good install in my friend's 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette (same as the Venture) with leather seats. She has captain's chairs and a 3rd row bench, and I installed it drivers side outboard FF.

[melniemi]

Here is all that I tried.

I put the recline foot down, put the seat in ps of the 3rd row. I buckled it in and tightened it down. Buckle stalk too long. Unbuckled, twisted it 3x and rebuckled. Pulled belt parallel to belt path, from van wall side, stood in carseat, pushed the small of my back into the van ceiling to get it as tight as possible, all while pulling on the belt. After pulling as tight as possible, I activated the switchable retractor to lock the belt. Checked for belt path for movement - moved 2-3 in.

Put recline foot up and did all of the above again. Still moved at least 2 inches, side to side and about the same front to back.

Did all the same in the center. The problem there is the locking latchplate is too big. If I had the same buckle tongue part there as the side, I'm quite sure it would work. The buckle stalk isn't long enough to fit in the belt path and I can't twist it down enough to make room to fit the buckle and latchplate and still tighten it enough.

I didn't try a seatbelt install in the captain's chair, but I don't see how the buckle stalk I posted pics of will work for a secure install, when I am having issues with buckles from the seat bight.

Should the seat have less than 1" movement before toptethered? That is what I was aiming for. I only have a top tether in the center. I would rather have a hbb for the boys for the trip than a vest. When installed ps, I could grab the side by where the child's head would be and it would move all over the place, almost twisting the base on the seat. At the belt path, there was still 2+ inches of movement.

I was so confident I would be able to make it work, I even ordered 2 britax chest clips:whistle:

It seems like the distance between the edge of the seat and the buckle is just too wide to get the seat in securely enough.

Anyone live in upper michigan that wants to come play??:whistle:

Thanks for everyone's input. I played with this thing for 2 hours and never worked up such a sweat installing seats in my entire life!!

[snowbird25ca]

Should the seat have less than 1" movement before toptethered? That is what I was aiming for. I only have a top tether in the center. I would rather have a hbb for the boys for the trip than a vest. When installed ps, I could grab the side by where the child's head would be and it would move all over the place, almost twisting the base on the seat. At the belt path, there was still 2+ inches of movement.


You're right, the seat needs less than 1" movement before attaching the top tether.

Have you tried tightening the seatbelt as you did before, engaging the ALR, then unbuckling the seatbelt and allowing about 1" of seatbelt webbing to feed back into the retractor, then rebuckling? This trick almost always works for the radian, you just may have to repeat it a few times. It's pretty much a 2 person job though - one to steady the buckle and help latch, the other to apply enough pressure on the seat to allow the buckle to be done up again.

Also, start with the back of the base slightly out from the vehicle seat. As long as 80% of the back of the car seat is touching the vehicle seat, having the base out slightly from the vehicle seat bite is no problem and often fixes the sliding forward problem. I've found the biggest challenge with the radian isn't side to side movement, but front to back movement.

One other thought - lift the flap so that you can visually see the belt path, and make sure the shoulder portion isn't getting caught underneath the edge of the foam - that can sometimes make it difficult to remove any more slack from the belt.

[melniemi]

I'll try to get ambitious enough to try again:D

[safeinthecar]

The belt stalk isn't long enough to go all the way in the path. Center is lapbelt only. I don't know of any other tricks. My seat doesn't recline, so I can't use that trick. I think I'll have to return it.

Try threading the seatbelt on top of the Radian cover instead of under it. It seams to help with belts forward of the bight.

Kimberly