New vehicle (07 Odyssey)..new problems

[canuckhead]

Hello...I have 3 seats to get into my new minivan...it's driving me crazy

1- Alpha Omega Elite (eddie bauer) 35 pounds 5 point harness. second row captains chair??

2- Radian 65 ( 5 point) 45 pounds
3rd row??

3- booster

I am trying to get the radian into the passenger outboard 3rd row but with no luck. I cannot seem to get it tight. I have read many posts about twisting the female end of the belt......is that safe??? I will try the technique of unbuckling, then letting it retract, then rebuckling.

Any other suggestions for seating arrangements maybe that would work better??

Thanks very much

[Defrost]

Do you have the recline-thingy down on the Radian? That seems to make all the difference for me. Sorry, not familiar with the Ody so I can't think of anything else to add.

You mentioned the AOE but didn't ask any questions - I take the Radian's the only one giving you trouble?

[lovinwaves]

:happy-wavehello: It's me from the Ody Forum :)

[CDNTech]

Start with this thread for tips on installing with a seatbelt for the Radian... http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939

The corresponding pictures are for an '03 Grand Caravan, but the basic principles are still the same.

Twisting the female buckle stalk up to 3 full 360 degree twists is both safe and a recommended fix for getting a tight install. :)

If you're having issues installing the AOE, remove the base... it'll go in a lot easier. You can also remove the headrest on the vehicle seat if that is in the way as well.

[mykidsmylife]

Does the van seat recline? I have found that I can get super super tight installs by reclining the van seat, then tightening the car seat then putting the van seat back up.

[canuckhead]

I didn't think to remove the base on the Alpha Omega Elite....it doesn't need the base right??

And extending that extra piece on the radian is also safe??

You guys are a great help. I will try and report back....will have to be tomorrow..sigh..husband has the vehicle...yet again...I am dying to drive it.

Hello to the other OdyClub member..wahoo..happy to be in the club! You are from the USA??

[CDNTech]

Yep, lowering the recline on the Radian is perfectly safe for forward facing installs.

Removing the base on the AOE is also perfectly safe (and I believe required for booster mode)... I almost never install the AOE with the base. I always show my parents how to remove it and install without the base... it's just so much easier. :)

If you're anywhere near the Calgary area, I can help you out... although with your username, I'm more inclined to guess Vancouver area?

[lovinwaves]

Hello to the other OdyClub member..wahoo..happy to be in the club! You are from the USA??

I have been helping you over at odyclub. I am "odyness" over there :)

[canuckhead]

Guys....I so need your help. I have tried and tried and cannot seem to get the Radian tight in the third row, passenger outboard side. I have those seatbelt latches that stick forward (bight?) and it's driving me crazy.

I am a little reluctant (to be very honest) to twist the seatbelt stalk, as I did read that it decreases teh weight load in a crash by a percentage. So I thought I could try everything else. No luck. It's not a bad fit, but with the latch system, I could get it rock solid. Not with the seatbelt.

I am trying to pull the seatbelt through the velcro opening. Then I am using my knee. Etc. Etc. Any other options. Is this the problem with the bight seatbelts?

thanks for all your help'
very appreciated!!!

[Defrost]

Set it in the vehicle seat with the belt path even with the forward-of-the-bight buckle. This will make it more inclined than you are probably used to - this is what really stumped me when first installing the Radian, too! Then push the seat DOWN (not back!) while tightening the seat belt.

[canuckhead]

thanks very much for your reply. If you position the selt belt path with the seatbelt end, does that not leave a gap between the carseat and the seat of the vehicle? Does this go away when you sit on the seat and put pressure down while tightening? Sorry, I know I should be getting this. Thanks for your patience!!!

[CDNTech]

It will leave approximately a one inch gap between the carseat and the vehicle seat, but it will only be towards the bottom of the carseat. The back of the carseat will still be touching the vehicle seat on approximately two thirds of the carseat. This is okay. If you look at the pictures in the original link I gave you, you can see the space between the carseat and the vehicle seat.

Twisting the seatbelt stalk is completely fine. Up to 3 full 360 degree twists are allowed and have been proven to be safe for carseat installations. :)