Radian in Toyota Echo

[mommy_quigg]

Are there any installation issues? I don't know what year it is. It'll be for a 5 month old, 19 lbs naked baby. She's currently in an Evenflo Embrace. Obviously RF for now, and quite some time to come, but will eventually be FF.

I'd like to get a seat for her, but would rather use a TF myself than the RN since I can't get the RN in my Aztek using the seatbelts. The TF has a higher belt path so I think it will be easier.

That said, if the RN has issues with the Echo, I'll get her a TF and deal with the seatbelt issue when he reaches 48 lbs. Maybe get him a GN if it EVER gets to Canada :p

ETA: I need an answer quickly if possible, since if we get it, we'll pick it up tomorrow afternoon. I searched, but didn't find much so I'm thinking it's probably not an issue - I hope!

[canadiangie]

Hi,

If the Echo is new enough to have LATCH/UAS then it will work until she is 40lbs with no issues. This assumes it will be an outboard install, and that the car allows for bracing against the front seat (it should unless it's brand spankin' new). Once it has to be installed with the seabelt you could run into issues, but I'm of the opinion this shouldn't be a deal breaker when you're talking about a kid that won't be forty lbs for literally yrs to come. Who knows, they might have another kiddo by then who needs the seat, or they might have a different car... kwim?

Either way, if there is anyway you can get your hands on the vehicle manual and/or take a boo at the back seat (look for long floppy seatbelt stalks) then that's what I'd do. Even if it means talking a drive to your local Toyota dealership... that's what I'd try to do. Barring that, clarify the return policy at the time of purchase, and keep your receipt. ??

[Shaunam]

I've installed radians in an echo before, both rfing and ffing. I didn't have any issues. I did have to twist the seatbelt stalk to get a tight install. The only thing that might be a problem is that the radian takes up a fair bit of room front to back while rfing and the seat in front of it can't be back very far. For an older baby, you can try to install it a bit more upright by pulling the seat back from the seat bight a bit and pushing down on the front of the base when you install it (where the child's feet would be rather than his bottom). This will give you a bit more of an upright install.

[mommy_quigg]

The baby's mom is my cousin. The car is her mom's and they might need to get her 6 year old sister (I think she's in a really old NBB), and 4.5 year old brother (harnessed booster, though probably not harnessed in it anymore) in the back with the baby's seat. She doesn't plan to have another kid for many years, if ever. She's 19 years old and in an... unsteady relationship.

They've had the car for at least 4 years, they had it when I was pregnant with DS. His Evenflo Embrace fit okay in the middle and the EE and RN fit somewhat similarily (front to back) in my Aztek. The RN is taller, but since the EE requires space in front of the handle, it ends up the same.

I don't remember at all what the buckle stalks were like though. It's been 3.5 years since I installed his seat in there.