Is this safe?

[Laura]

I have a Eddie Bauer bucket seat for my little girl - it's basically a Designer 22 (Dorel Juvenile Products) and ya know what, I love it. It has enough padding, more so than the Graco SnugRide we put in my mom's car that belongs to my cousin. It's better looking, and it fits more easily in my car.

I got a new car last month and took the base out of my old car. As I was carrying it to the new one, I picked it up by the LATCH tether strap, and all of a sudden KABOOM it was on the ground, only like a 1-foot fall, but it made a loud racket. I looked to see what had happened, and the tether (still in my hand) came off at the screw in the base. I don't know if it tore or stretched or what, something around the screw, but it came off.

Of course, I'm kind of freaking out at the time, saying I'm glad it happened now rather than instead of during a crash. Then I went to put it in my car by the seatbelt, considering nothing there was affected by the tether not being there. No cracks, warping, etc.

Am I wrong for thinking this seat is still safe? We're planning on replacing it soon. Whenever my boyfriend gets a certain check he's buying a new one, but it could be months. I was thinking about getting another Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 because I like their style, but now that I don't trust the quality of their products, I don't know.

Should I call the company and say, "This happened, I'm upset and concerned. Send me a replacement base. Send me a coupon."? I don't know what to do! What would you guys do? I ask my mother, she says, "It's fine. We didn't even have carseats when I was a baby. You had a seat but it didn't strap in. Blah blah." I'm concerend.

[Shanora]

are you worried that the base is compromised, or that the LATCH strap is broken??

If your concerned about the LATCH, I wouldn't be, as the only reason for the screw is so that the latch strap doesn't get stolen or fall off. As for the integrity of the base, I don't know the answer to that one, as I'm not experienced enough to make that call....but I'm sure one of the other Techs here can answer that one for you.

[Patriot201]

I am not familiar with the design of the Eddie Bauer base. Is the LATCH strap one long strap that just happens to be attached via a screw or is it two short straps that are attached via screw to each side?

If it is two short straps attached via screw, then DEFINITELY call Dorel Juvenile Products. If it is one long strap that just happens to be attached with one screw, I don't think that is as big of a problem because it is not a structural/required piece of equipment.

I would call Dorel, though, to talk to them about the fact that the strap ripped away and that the base fell against the ground.




Regarding convertibles, I would advise you to consider other seats than the 3-in-1.

~ The 3-in-1 seats are good rear-facing seats, adequate forward-facing seats, but crappy boosters.
~ They have relatively short top harness slots, so most kids outgrow them quickly.
~ They only harness to 40 pounds (but most kids won't make it anywhere close to that). Few children are actually ready for a booster when they outgrow the harness on the 3-in-1.
~ They expire long before you can actually use all the "features" on them.






There are other seats that are much more versatile and generally a much better use of money.

The Compass/First Years/Learning Curve True Fit, Recaro Signo, Recaro Como, Evenflo Triumph Advance, Britax Marathon, Britax Boulevard, Britax Decathlon, and Sunshine Kids Radian are all seats you will see recommended here over and over again.

~ These seats all harness to at least 50 pounds and most kids will make it to at least 40 pounds in these seats.
~ These seats all have much higher top harness slots, so they allow kids to grow quite a bit.
~ These seats all make nice rear-and-forward-facing seats.

[Laura]

It is one tether attached to the middle of the base. It's now completely not attached to the base at all, so obviously I'm not using LATCH or going to try to repair it. I think I'll call Dorel on Monday. I'm just worried about everything about this seat now.

We're seriously considering a TrueFit, too. I wish Target had the light blue one, though.

[Laura]

Oh, and if you watch the main video on this website, it shows the carseat, but you can't tell exactly how the tethers go onto the base. It's the plaid one on the left.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm

[canadiangie]

The strap that you're referring to is called a "pigtail strap". It's only there to keep the LATCH strap from getting lost, etc. It is not a safety feature whatsoever.

Because the base doesn't have anywhere to actually stow an un-used LATCH strap, I always slip the pigtail strap off the screw and ask that mom or dad find a safe place to store it.

It sounds like you intend to use LATCH, which is fine, and you can continue to do so...

You can either unscrew the screw and replace the LATCH strap (re-screw the screw on), or you can try to slip the pigtail strap back onto the screw (sort of like a button and button hole), or you can bypass the pigtail strap altogether and continue to use LATCH as you normally would (keep in mind the LATCH strap may get lost easier this way).

As for dropping the base 1 foot to the ground I wouldn't be too concerned about this. It will be fine.

Avoid the 3-in-1 seat. Top harness slots are too low, and it converts to a less than ideal booster. If you already have one just pass it down to the baby and get your older child something new. I'd look at the Graco Nautilus if your oldest is ff. If he's still rf then I'd look at the Compass TrueFit or Evenflo Triumph Advance. :thumbsup:

hth's