Help with seatbelt install of Radian 65 in Honda Odyssey

[Unregistered]

Does anyone have some suggestions on getting a great seatbelt fit with Radian in the Odyssey. Our son is 4 1/2 and close to 50 lbs, so we can't use the latch. We do have the seat tethered. My son sits in the 3rd row on the driver's side. When I wrestle with the seat and sit on it, I get a very solid installation. But, after a day or two, when I'm tightening his harness, by pulling the front strap the seat sometimes pulls forward and the installation is no longer as solid.

[Judi]

So, does it pull forward, like straight forward from the base? if so, try putting the recline foot down.

[LISmama810]

I've heard of that happening a lot. When you tighten his harness, can you brace your knee (or something) against the front of the seat to keep it from moving? (This is assuming it's a tight install to begin with.)

[KristiD761]

Is your seatbelt locking up and staying that way?

[joolsplus3]

Did you try reclining the vehicle seat, installing, then pulling the vehicle seat back upright to get things really stuck in place? That can help. And I think I'd pull the adjuster strap down, rather than forward, when you need to tighten it (which I try not to do so much with my Radian... if you don't have the longer crotch strap from www.skjp.com (http://www.skjp.com) you can order it and that extra inch makes it easier to buckle up without loosening the harness at all). (here's a pic of the long strap versus the short... it's just a little easier to buckle up with that longer strap on... http://picasaweb.google.com/joolstag/LeahInCarseats/photo#5122680017468849458)

[bubbaray]

I had some issues with the locking retractors in my '05 Ody. What I found was you have to pull the belt super-slowly to engage the locking retractors. You'll hear/feel them engage. If you don't, talk to your dealer.

The 3rd row seats don't recline much in the new Ody's, so its harder to use that trick (works great in the 2nd row).

GL

[Unregistered]

Thanks all for the tips. The locking retractor is fine - that is staying put. I think the long crotch strap is a great idea. It will be easier for my son to use. (Don't worry we always double check his work.) I'll try pulling down rather than straight out. And re: the first response... are those the little red pegs for the recline base? I should pull them out so they jam into the seat???

Thanks!

[Judi]

No. Your base has two settings. Look for the C shaped cut outs, with the bar going through.

[Unregistered]

Thanks! I realized right after I sent the last post that it was a pretty dumb question. I need to reread the manual and take a closer look at the car-seat. Thanks for all the tips.

Another question though... I went on the website to see about the longer crotch strap (yeah! cheap!) and saw a safestop harness. What do you think about this harness? Should I get one for our Radian? Our Radian is a 2006 model.

[bubbaray]

Not sure about in the US, but in Canada, the SafeStop is standard issue with the RN AND is only used for installations under 40lbs. I can't remember if its used RFg (I've only used the RN FFg). There was actually a recall on the SafeStop in Canada last year, but from what I understand, the recalled SafeStop was not recalled in the US. The recall had to do with head excursion.

If your son is over 40lbs (as per your initial post), you would not use the SafeStop. If its standard issue in the US, I'd call and get Sunshine Kids to send you one, in case you need to use the seat for a smaller child in the future.

[bubbaray]

Here's the link the SKJP's US RN manual:

http://www.skjp.com/media/Radian65-manual.pdf

P. 26, at the bottom, sets out only to use the SafeStop with FFg installs with children under 40lbs.

HTH

[Jeanum]

One point of clarification to add: The Safe Stop is used for children under 40 lbs. when the forward facing Radian is top tethered. If the top tether isn't being used for a forward facing child under 40 lbs. (which shouldn't be the case in Canada where top tethering is required for a forward facing harnessed seat, but can occur in the U.S.), then no Safe Stop. :)

[Chex]

I have a Radian installed in that exact position in my '05 Odyssey. What helped me the most was leaning the seatback back a bit, getting as tight an install as possible (I have to turn the female end of the buckle 3 full times before it's out of the way of the belt path). Also, recline the "foot" and install it pulled out from the back of the seat a bit (pull it out a few inches from the bight of the seat). Then when I have an insanely tight install that way, I go around to the back of the van and push the seatback back up into the Radian. That makes it pretty darn tight. I hope that helps!

It is a possible install, it's just hard. But the more you do it, the easier it gets.

There's a thread here somewhere that shows great pictures and has better explanations than I can give. I'll see if I can find it.

ETA: Here's that thread! (http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939)

Also, about the safe-stop. You should have one. It might be in one of the compartments on the back of the seat or hanging back there somewhere. If not, I'd call SKJP and have them send you a new one just in case you need it for another child in the future.