Boulevard in new Tahoe

[toko6214]

I just bought a 2008 Tahoe with rear captains chair seats. My daughters mico fits well with latch. My sons Britax Boulevard (ff) has a very tight install with the seatbelt and tether - the seat doesn't move at all when tugged.(he's right on the cusp of 40 lbs and I'm not sure how accurate my scale is, so I'm using the seatbelts instead of the latch...I can't find a weight limit in my manual for latch, so I assume it's 40lbs, right?).

The problem is with the base - I can actually run my hand under about 65% of the base starting from the back of the seat and the base is also several inches away from the car seats back (the Tahoe seat, not the Boulevards). I just read on a different thread that 80% of the base needs to be snug with the seat cushion. Can I put a towel under the seat, as I could with an infant rf seat or should I use this seat for my old car (with great install) and get a new car seat for this one (I'm an addict, so I wouldn't mind trying a new one out if I had a reason to convince my husband :whistle:)? I'm planning to take my kids on a long trip either today or tomorrow, but won't if I can't figure this seat out first.

I hope this description makes sense, I would send a picture, but my camera is broken right now.

[crunchierthanthou]

It's okay if the back isn't flush, but the base should be. You can't put anything under a ff base to adjust the recline. Is the base in the upright position? It needs to be for ff. You can use LATCH up to 48 lbs in GM vehicles- although seatbelt is no less safe.

Is your headrest interfering at all? Try reclining the captain's chair a few clicks, install the seat so the base is flush and pull the seatback up before tightening the tether. You could also pull the base away from the seat bight an inch or two to get the base flush with the slope of the seat. Lastly, well, put your weight into it. Climb up and kneel on it as you're tightening the belt.

[jen_nah]

I just called my neighbor who has an '08 Tahoe and 2 ff'ing Marathons (same as the Boulevard). She says just raising the headrests will allow the base & BV back to sit flush with the vehicle seat.

And, Yes the LATCH limit on the Tahoe is 48lbs. I have an '05 Tahoe (old body style).

[toko6214]

Okay, I tried raising the headrest, but it doesn't lift high enough to clear the Boulevard and I can't fully remove the headrest either. Does your friends Marathon have a dial that moves the headrest of the car seat up as her child grows like the Boulevard (sorry, I'm just not familiar with it)? Maybe my son is taller than her kids...THANK YOU for going through the trouble of calling her though - how nice, honestly.

The Boulevard is fully up (not reclining). I haven't had a chance to try all of Crunchier's tips, but will try them later this afternoon once my DH gets home to help with the kids. I have put all of my weight into installing it (basically standing in the seat and pushing up against the ceiling of the car while pulling on the seatbelt. I'll let you know how it goes, though.

Glad to know about the 48lb weight limit for GMs latch - I just think the latch is so much easier with installation and was so excited to finally have a car that had it!!!

[toko6214]

I was finally able to get the Boulevard's back under the headrest and put the part that dials in front of the headrest, which did help a bit. I also tried reclining my car's seat back and installing the Boulevard as well as moving the base of the Boulevard forward a bit. Both measures helped as well.

I can, however, still slip my hand between the car cushion and the Boulevard base most of the way up to the front of the seat (although it is much more difficult). The seat, itself, is very firmly installed - my dad was just yanking hard on the top and the sides of the Boulevard and it doesn't move. I'll try to attach a picture for you to see what I mean. Please excuse the filthy appearance of the Boulevard - I've spent so much time trying to get this thing installed, haven't cleaned it yet:o