touching the front seat

[zeo2ski]

In my third row (suburban), I installed a radian RFing in the center seat. It goes over the seatback of the second row, and brushes the fabric but does not rest on it. Then my 30 lb DS sits in it and it rests ON the second row. Is this ok? Without a child in it, it's fine.

[crunchierthanthou]

Yes, it's okay if it touches. That's called bracing and it's fine as long as it's not crammed up against it. It may be cause for concern if it's going over the seatback and there is a passenger directly in front of it (just thinking of how tall the radian shell is and how my rf MA fit in the 3rd row of a Yukon).

The main issue with most carseats touching seatbacks is that some vehicles don't allow it because it can interfere with advanced airbags. Obviously, that's only a concern with second row carseats touching front row vehicle seats, but be sure to read your owner's manual.

[zeo2ski]

Right, no air bag sensors in this 1998.

As far as a passenger in front of it, we have DS2 in a snugride in the middle row center seat. Obviously the Radian isn't hitting it, but now I'm wondering about cocooning. Maybe I'll put him in the MA and tether it. I'm not thrilled with the SR anyway, but it is sometimes convenient like for the grocery store. Oh well, it was only a matter of time now, I figured he'd have 2 maybe 3 mos left in it max.