Should I Get a Trufit?

[flick37]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a trufit to put RF in my car, and then putting the marathon FF in DH's truck for when DD hits 30 lbs (she is 28 now). Then, when DD hits 35 lbs, I will put the MA back in the car FF and the trufit in the truck FF (I just love the MA!)

But, I keep reading about the difficulties of adjusting the harness when the Trufit is RF.

Also, DD is 34.5 inches tall, and getting taller, so I am not sure if she would soon be outgrowing the Trufit in length.

Is it worth it, with the RF hassle of adjusting the straps and my DD's height?

Also, we do not have any Trufits here for me to test in my car, but there is a Zellers where we are going this weekend, but we are taking DH's truck. My car is a 2004 Subaru Forester, and I wonder if there would be room for the Trufit to fit RF without touching the back of the front seat.

Thanks!

[northernmommy]

I've got 4 TrueFits, and love them. So far, I haven't had an issue with adjusting the harnesses, I actually find them easier than my Radians. I would definately reccomend one, especially to give your DD that extra 2lbs RF. I've found them to be easy to install, and quite user friendly. I installed one in a Subaru wagon a couple of weeks ago, and it went in well outboard, but not well in the middle.

HTH!

[TechnoGranola]

You don't have to worry about her outgrowing the True Fit at 34.5" tall. DD is 34" tall, and a couple pounds less than your DD, and is nowhere near outgrowing it RF (or FF). She is on the 2nd shoulder harness height. Here's a pic so you can see how much room she has (her head is tipped a bit to the side as she was sleeping, so she has *slightly* less room above her head than what's shown in the pic):

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/d/7/c/64259/preview_imgp10620.jpg?rev=0

As for harness strap adjusting, we don't have any issues, but you can see our seats are very contoured (just like front seats), so that likely helps us out some.

We've got a True Fit in 2 vehicles. In one vehicle, the True Fit can be reclined 5° further than the Marathon in the EXACT same amount of space. In the other vehicle, it's the same recline (or possibly a degree or two more, I didn't check as closely in this vehicle). I've heard the same report from many others. So, if you can fit a Marathon RF in your Forester, it's likely you can fit the True Fit in the same space with the same or greater recline. That being said, seat geometry affects install, so there is always the possibility that it will be different in your vehicle.

[northernmommy]

Just wanted to add that my DD2 RF in the TF until she was 3yrs3mo old, and still had plenty of room (she got too heavy)...so I wouldn't be concerned about her outgrowing it. It should get most kids to a safe boostering age FF as well...my 5yo DD1 has about 1.5" of torso growth left in it...about .5" less than in her radian.

[snowbird25ca]

Just wanted to add that my DD2 RF in the TF until she was 3yrs3mo old, and still had plenty of room (she got too heavy)...so I wouldn't be concerned about her outgrowing it. It should get most kids to a safe boostering age FF as well...my 5yo DD1 has about 1.5" of torso growth left in it...about .5" less than in her radian.

I just want to :yeahthat: except my dd was around 10 days shy of 4yrs old and 40.5" tall in this picture:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/snowbird25ca/compass%20true%20fit/DSC01373.jpg

It has one of the tallest rf'ing shells, and doesn't state a numerical height limit - can be used rf'ing as long as there is at least 1" of shell above the head.

I had some difficulty with loosening the harness because the tab is hard to access when the seat is installed more upright, but never had difficulty tightening it. Now that it's ff'ing, the adjuster mechanism is much much smoother than the MA, and obviously easier to reach. :thumbsup:

Maybe try posting on the main board about whether or not somebody has had it in your vehicle before? I'm not familiar enough with your car to know how the seat would install... I can speak for fit though and that it is an extremely roomy seat for an older rf'ing child.

[SafeRide]

Is it worth it, with the RF hassle of adjusting the straps and my DD's height?

I find when RF with the TF, you can now easily reach around the back of the seat and pull the harness straps to help tighten the harness straps while you pull on the adjuster up front.

[sparkyd]

I was having the same debate because we have a Marathon (RF to 30 lbs) in my car and a True Fit (RF to 35 lbs) in DH's truck. I wasn't sure whether it was worth spending the money on a 2nd True Fit for my car so he can stay RF in both vehicles. Then I read this: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=59783 and decided that since we can afford to get the seat it is totally worth spending the money (even though it seems extravagant). We're planning on having another child, so we'll still get good use out of the Marathon. Otherwise I'd probably try to sell the Marathon.

I'm one of the people that complains about adjusting the True Fit when RF, but I'm willing to put up with it for the sake of my son's safety. I'll just try to keep my cursing under my breath. Hopefully I'll get used to it the more I use it. To be honest, I was cursing adjusting the Marathon when I first got it too.

[flick37]

Thanks for all the responses! I am now hoping one goes on sale!