How to use an AO as a booster.

[Kristy00]

Long story short, we've gotten an AO from FIL. FIL says the seat is new, but there was no box and no instruction booklet. :thumbsdown: I told DH I am not a fan of using the seat, but he insists it is fine and FIL wouldn't give us anything that wasn't properly taken care of. :(

DH would like to use the seat in his truck, but since DS is over 40 lbs, it will have to be used as a booster. (Again, not a fan of this at all) How do we even do this? Just pull the harness straps out? The AO seems to be in some sort of base - do I leave it, or do I remove it? I looked for the instruction booklet online and found the costco site and emailed for a book but I haven't heard anything from them. Can anyone help -either with instructions or advice on how to get out of using the seat?

[cpsaddict]

With the AO, you need to move the headrest all the way up, remove the harness and remove the base. Also, check to make sure the lap belt portion is not riding up to high on DS. The AO makes a craptastic booster and causes the lap portion to ride to high on the abdomen.

[LISmama810]

The best way would be not to. It tends to make a terrible booster. But it sounds like you might already know that.

I believe the base needs to be taken off for booster mode. If it has the belt guides that are really small, you don't have to use them if you don't need to. In fact, it's often better if you don't. Sometimes a kid will lean forward, and then the belt gets stuck and can't retract back, leaving a ton of slack.

I would definitely put your child in the seat to see how the belt fits. If the lap portion doesn't sit low on his hips (touching his thighs--not over his tummy) or if the shoulder portion crosses his neck or off his shoulder, it's not a good fit and you'll need something else.

[SusanMae]

Look on the back of the seat...it will have a "Do Not Use After December XXXX" on it. What's the year? If it's expired, you can't use it.

Can you find a model number to check it for recalls?

In the recent booster study, this booster performed badly. It generally doesn't fit children well(any child really). To fit properly the shoulder belt should like flat against the child's collar bone about 1/2 between their neck and shoulder and the lapbelt should sit low on the lap. Usually this seat holds the shoulder belt AWAY from the body and allows the lapbelt to ride high on the abdomen.

Also how old is your child?

Susan

[MomToEliEm]

Here is a good link showing how to tell if the booster fits your child well:
http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/child_restraints/default.html

[keri1292]

If it's really, truly new and you trust FIL, sell it and get him a better booster seat. :twocents:

[Kristy00]

Look on the back of the seat...it will have a "Do Not Use After December XXXX" on it. What's the year? If it's expired, you can't use it.

Can you find a model number to check it for recalls?

In the recent booster study, this booster performed badly. It generally doesn't fit children well(any child really). To fit properly the shoulder belt should like flat against the child's collar bone about 1/2 between their neck and shoulder and the lapbelt should sit low on the lap. Usually this seat holds the shoulder belt AWAY from the body and allows the lapbelt to ride high on the abdomen.

Also how old is your child?

Susan

The DOM was March 08, so it isn't too old but not brand new either. (The first thing I checked was the expiry - it was an easy out that DH understands)

DS is just about to turn 4 - he is 43lbs and I'm not sure on height. I'd rather not be using a booster at all, but I'm in Canada and our options (both for high weight/height limit, and to fit our budget) are pretty slim. This seat would only be used for occasional trips in DH's truck. (Which bothers me even more with him in the front seat...)

If it's really, truly new and you trust FIL, sell it and get him a better booster seat. :twocents:

I do trust FIL, but I'm not sure if it is really, truely new. It was obviously bought earlier this year, but I am not sure if it was used or not. The latch connectors were still encased in plastic so if it was used, they must have used the belts. I would love to sell it but it was a gift and DH thinks FIL will be offended if we don't use it. (Part of the problem ie: Why DH insists on using it)

[LISmama810]

I understand that your DH doesn't want to offend his dad, but your son's safety trumps all. At his age, he is MUCH safer harnessed than in a booster, though I know the options (especially affordable ones) in Canada are slim. Perhaps a Canadian tech will be able to chime in with some options for you.

If you MUST use a booster, I would really get one that tends to work better with most kids. Print out the information for DH about how the seatbelt needs to fit, and then show him how your DS (likely) doesn't fit well.

Then it's just a matter of saying, "FIL, thank you so much for the seat! Unfortunately, it wasn't the right size for DS." He wouldn't expect your DS to wear a gift of clothing that didn't fit, right? This is the same thing...only way more important.

[CDNTech]

I would *not* use a booster for a not quite 4 year old... especially the AO. A booster only lifts the child up to assist with proper seatbelt placement. It does *not* keep the child in place. Since the brain synapses that govern impulse control do not develop until age 5 - 6 years old, it's highly likely that your child will not sit still in the booster and is at great risk of being injured (or even killed) in a collision.

The other issue with the AO as a booster is that it is very short. If the tips/top of your child's ears are above the AO's hard shell, then he has outgrown it in booster mode and can not use this seat. At almost 4 years old, it's possible he's already outgrown the seat in booster mode as well or very close to it.

I would get an Evenflo Visons/Chase/Traditions or Evenflo Bolero/Generations (between $100 - $150 depending on which padding level you go with - at Zellers/Walmart/Toys R Us/Sears)... harnesses to 47lbs, makes an okay/decent booster.

At his age, those 4lbs could take awhile to gain. In the meantime, he's still harnessed (which he *needs* at his age in order to be safe) and you won't have broken the bank to do it. :)

The other option IF the vehicle has head restraints... is the Safety 1st Apex. This seat *MUST* have vehicle head restraints/support behind the seat, so double check that it installs well with the vehicle head restraints in place. This seat harnesses to 65lbs and makes a decent booster seat afterwards. It can be found at Toys R Us for $180.

[canadianmom2three]

How to get out of using the seat - - show DH and FIL the Kyle David Miller video on youtube. I don't know how anyone could watch that and agree that a not yet 4year old should ride in a booster....
Even if FIL doesn't agree, tell him it's not that you don't appreciate his gift, it's just that now that you've seen the video, you just don't feel right having your DS in a booster.
Sell the AO on your local swap site, or have FIL take it back. The harnessed seats that the pp suggested are great, and if you can sell the AO for $50 or $75 even, then that could go toward the purchase price of a new seat - the Chase is $99 at TRU.

[Kristy00]

If you MUST use a booster, I would really get one that tends to work better with most kids. Print out the information for DH about how the seatbelt needs to fit, and then show him how your DS (likely) doesn't fit well.

Then it's just a matter of saying, "FIL, thank you so much for the seat! Unfortunately, it wasn't the right size for DS." He wouldn't expect your DS to wear a gift of clothing that didn't fit, right? This is the same thing...only way more important.

This is a great way to put it!! Thank you!!!

I would *not* use a booster for a not quite 4 year old... especially the AO. A booster only lifts the child up to assist with proper seatbelt placement. It does *not* keep the child in place. Since the brain synapses that govern impulse control do not develop until age 5 - 6 years old, it's highly likely that your child will not sit still in the booster and is at great risk of being injured (or even killed) in a collision.

The other issue with the AO as a booster is that it is very short. If the tips/top of your child's ears are above the AO's hard shell, then he has outgrown it in booster mode and can not use this seat. At almost 4 years old, it's possible he's already outgrown the seat in booster mode as well or very close to it.

I would get an Evenflo Visons/Chase/Traditions or Evenflo Bolero/Generations (between $100 - $150 depending on which padding level you go with - at Zellers/Walmart/Toys R Us/Sears)... harnesses to 47lbs, makes an okay/decent booster.

At his age, those 4lbs could take awhile to gain. In the meantime, he's still harnessed (which he *needs* at his age in order to be safe) and you won't have broken the bank to do it. :)

The other option IF the vehicle has head restraints... is the Safety 1st Apex. This seat *MUST* have vehicle head restraints/support behind the seat, so double check that it installs well with the vehicle head restraints in place. This seat harnesses to 65lbs and makes a decent booster seat afterwards. It can be found at Toys R Us for $180.

I honestly don't know if the harnessed seats you have suggested will fit. I'm not too worried about the weight, but DS is currently in a Platinum cargo with less than 1/2 an inch to go on the top slots. From looking at the thread over in Canadian chat, those seats have the same or less top harness height. Right now the plan is to buy DS a nautilus as soon as they become available. If he outgrows the cargo before then, he will use DD's TF.

I actually do not have much concern with DS sitting still in the booster in *this* situation. This seat will be used rarely and only for very short distances and I think the novelty of it will keep DS still and in place. If it were his regular seat or for a longer trip there is no way I would consider it. I guess I am looking at it as a way to teach him how to behave in a booster before it becomes his main seat.

How to get out of using the seat - - show DH and FIL the Kyle David Miller video on youtube. I don't know how anyone could watch that and agree that a not yet 4year old should ride in a booster....
Even if FIL doesn't agree, tell him it's not that you don't appreciate his gift, it's just that now that you've seen the video, you just don't feel right having your DS in a booster.
Sell the AO on your local swap site, or have FIL take it back. The harnessed seats that the pp suggested are great, and if you can sell the AO for $50 or $75 even, then that could go toward the purchase price of a new seat - the Chase is $99 at TRU.

Selling it/returning it are not an option. FIL aquired it through his second-hand business so if anyone sells it, it will be FIL through his shop.

The Kyle David Miller video is a good idea - although DH is already well aware of my preference to keep DS harnessed and why. He just thinks that the boosters available wouldn't have the limits they do if it wasn't safe - ie: DS is perfectly safe in a booster, just safer in a harness.

[CDNTech]

He just thinks that the boosters available wouldn't have the limits they do if it wasn't safe - ie: DS is perfectly safe in a booster, just safer in a harness.

They have the limits they do for children like my son... 40lbs dead even at 6.5 years old. ;) They are not meant for 40lbs, 3 yr olds. :)

If he's only got 1/2 an inch left in the Cargo, then those seats won't provide more (if any) growing room... although in a truck, the seat may fit differently. ie. more upright, which will give you more torso growing room... so I'd check that out by installing his seat in the truck to see just how much (if any) extra torso growing room he has in the truck.

If it's so far and few between, is there any way to move the Cargo to the truck for when he needs it in there?

If you need another seat, I'd still much rather see you get one of the previously mentioned harnessed seats... even if it does only have 1/2" harnessing left. It could take him a few months - year to grow that last 1/2" of torso at this age. Better to spend the money on a harnessed seat than a booster seat (which would cost about the same as the $99 Chase).

[Kristy00]

They have the limits they do for children like my son... 40lbs dead even at 6.5 years old. ;) They are not meant for 40lbs, 3 yr olds. :)

If he's only got 1/2 an inch left in the Cargo, then those seats won't provide more (if any) growing room... although in a truck, the seat may fit differently. ie. more upright, which will give you more torso growing room... so I'd check that out by installing his seat in the truck to see just how much (if any) extra torso growing room he has in the truck.

If it's so far and few between, is there any way to move the Cargo to the truck for when he needs it in there?

If you need another seat, I'd still much rather see you get one of the previously mentioned harnessed seats... even if it does only have 1/2" harnessing left. It could take him a few months - year to grow that last 1/2" of torso at this age. Better to spend the money on a harnessed seat than a booster seat (which would cost about the same as the $99 Chase).

I think I've just about got DH convinced we can not use this seat - thanks to you ladies! He still isn't convinced we can't just use a booster, but at least he understands that the AO isn't the booster to be using, KWIM?

Moving the Cargo is an option if it is really needed. I have a very, very hard time getting the Cargo secure in our van (must go with the belt in the 3rd row) and once I finally get it in, I hate to move it. Also, now that it is regularly -15 or colder I'd rather not be fooling around with seats changing them in and out of vehicles in the middle of parking lots. ;)

Where can I find the $99 Chase?

[CDNTech]

Where can I find the $99 Chase?

I hear you on the cold factor! :D

The $99 Chase is at Toys R Us right now...http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=3417285&cp=2582967.3021052.3021052&parentPage=family

They don't have a picture of it up, but it looks exactly like the Traditions (just no extra cushion inserts)...http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2855528&cp=2582967.3021052.3021052&parentPage=family

There is also the Generations for $140... I think the top slots are a touch taller and it makes a better booster...http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2855529&cp=2582967.3021052.3021052&parentPage=family

The less padded version of the Generations is called the Bolero... Walmart has it for $119 (I think that's the right price).

[Gypsy]

Give ds, dd's True Fit and let her use the AO rear facing.

[northernmommy]

You could also wait for the True Fit to go on sale again for $149 at Zellers, it should be doing so soon, as it's been a while!

ETA: Our Walmart has the Chase for $87, so you might want to check there before you buy one from TRU. Though it doesn't have very high harness slots, and makes a right crappy booster...probably not the seat I'd choose :twocents:

[CDNTech]

Give ds, dd's True Fit and let her use the AO rear facing.

This is the best suggestion and costs you nothing. ;)

DS gets a Cargo and True Fit (one for each vehicle) and DD gets the AO rear facing. It does make a nice rear facing seat. :)

[northernmommy]

Give ds, dd's True Fit and let her use the AO rear facing.

Actually, :yeahthat: Must have missed it before I posted...sorry!

[Kristy00]

Give ds, dd's True Fit and let her use the AO rear facing.

This is the best suggestion and costs you nothing. ;)

DS gets a Cargo and True Fit (one for each vehicle) and DD gets the AO rear facing. It does make a nice rear facing seat. :)

Ducking the tomatoes here, but I don't think I could have DD RF. Don't get me wrong, I would love to, but if both her and DS2 are RF in the second row there is no way for me to get to the 3rd row to buckle DS1. I was going to put DS2 and DS1 in the third row, but I couldn't get an acceptible install with the two of them side by side. (DS1 has to go in the middle position because that is the only one with a rear tether (mandatory in Canada) which leaves barely any room outboard on either side) I then tried DD and DS2 in the 3rd row, but that didn't work either. I had a horrible time trying to buckle in DD upside down (since there was no room for me to go beside the seat) and I coudn't get a good install RF with the seatbelt (no latch). When I would buckle in DD I couldn't help to lean on the seat, which would then rotate within the belt path because of my weight on the back. Does that make sense? It's off the purpose of the thread, but if anyone has any tips to keep DD rear facing and get acceptible installs, please let me know!!

[Gypsy]

I'm sorry but I couldn't follow you there.

I know tethers are mandatory in Canada, but rear facing tethers are not.

Even if you absolutely cannot rear face her - she can still use the AO in harness mode and your ds can use the True Fit.

[Blondie87]

How old is your DD? What are her stats?

[Jeanum]

If your DS isn't quite 4 years old, and you're in Canada, using a belt positioning booster seat instead of a harnessed seat for him at less than age 4 could also be illegal depending on the jurisdiction as I understand it. I'm also going to move this thread over to the Canadian forum. :)

[CDNTech]

If you want to post your location, we may have a tech near you that can help.

I'm also having a bit of a difficult time following who needs to go where. Can you post *each* child's stats (age/weight/height) and what seat they are currently in? Then we can help you to come up with a solution that is both safe and works for you. :)

Your top tether in the 3rd row is used for the center position OR the LATCH position. The LATCH position is offset between the driver's outboard position and the center position. If you install with LATCH in the third row, the seat is top tether'd (as required by law) and you have *plenty* of room to install a seat next to it in the passenger outboard position.

If DS2 is still in a carrier, that would make it easy to put DS1 and DS2 in the third row and leaves a captain's chair open for your DD to rear face in.

[Kristy00]

I'm sorry but I couldn't follow you there.

I know tethers are mandatory in Canada, but rear facing tethers are not.

Even if you absolutely cannot rear face her - she can still use the AO in harness mode and your ds can use the True Fit.

How stupid am I that I didn't think of using the AO FF in harness mode!!:p

If your DS isn't quite 4 years old, and you're in Canada, using a belt positioning booster seat instead of a harnessed seat for him at less than age 4 could also be illegal depending on the jurisdiction as I understand it. I'm also going to move this thread over to the Canadian forum. :)

He will be 4 in January - which is when we will very occasionally need to transport him in DH's truck.

If you want to post your location, we may have a tech near you that can help.

I'm also having a bit of a difficult time following who needs to go where. Can you post *each* child's stats (age/weight/height) and what seat they are currently in? Then we can help you to come up with a solution that is both safe and works for you. :)

Your top tether in the 3rd row is used for the center position OR the LATCH position. The LATCH position is offset between the driver's outboard position and the center position. If you install with LATCH in the third row, the seat is top tether'd (as required by law) and you have *plenty* of room to install a seat next to it in the passenger outboard position.

If DS2 is still in a carrier, that would make it easy to put DS1 and DS2 in the third row and leaves a captain's chair open for your DD to rear face in.

There is no Latch in my 3rd row at all. The only seats with latch are the 2nd row captains chairs. My car manual states that the rear tether for the 3rd row must be used with a car seat in the middle position.

I will posts stats in a bit...

[CDNTech]

There is no Latch in my 3rd row at all. The only seats with latch are the 2nd row captains chairs. My car manual states that the rear tether for the 3rd row must be used with a car seat in the middle position.


Sorry... mixing up my threads. For some reason I thought you had an '05 Grand Caravan... wrong thread. :o

What vehicle are the seats going in?

[Kristy00]

DS1 is 3 years, 42lbs, 42 inches. Currently FF in a Graco Platinum Cargo.
DD is 2 years, 25lbs, 32.5 inches. Currently FF in a TF (would love to have her RF if I can get everyone to fit)
DS2 is 3 months, 17.5 lbs, 25.5 inches. Currently RF in a Graco SS.

[Kristy00]

The seats are going in an 06 Montana SV6.

[Blondie87]

You DD is tiny, the size of my 16 month old! She should definately still be RF. I agree with a PP. Can you put your DS1 (FF in TF) and DS2 in the 3rd row, and then DD RF in the middle?

Do you have captains chairs? Can you move them at all? Like take one out or put one in the middle? (Or is that only with the Odyssey..?)

[Kristy00]

You DD is tiny, the size of my 16 month old! She should definately still be RF. I agree with a PP. Can you put your DS1 (FF in TF) and DS2 in the 3rd row, and then DD RF in the middle?

Do you have captains chairs? Can you move them at all? Like take one out or put one in the middle? (Or is that only with the Odyssey..?)

I really do want to put DD RF if I can find a way to do it...I know she is tiny - it is so funny because my boys are so big!

DS1 and DS2 do not fit together in the 3rd row. DS1 has to go in the middle, and there is not enough room on either side for the SS. Well, I should say that I can get them both squeezed in, but I can't get an acceptable install on them independent of each other, if that makes sense. Wedging the SS in causes the Cargo to gradually shift over. They seem tight at first, but after a few days, the I guess the pressure and vibrations from driving force the cargo over, and then it sits on an angle.

I have captains chairs and I can remove them. None shift to the middle though.

This wouldn't be an issue if there were more rear tethers in the 3rd row so I could put DS outboard. I emailed the company about getting additional tethers installed and their response was "As much as we try, we can not meet the wants of every customer, and every vehicle is designed with a different target user in mind so not all are geared towards families" Umm...so rear tethers (Ie safety features) are wants and not needs? And your mini van is not intended for families??

[Blondie87]

Since DS would be in the TF, not the Cargo, would it work? Why does he have to be in the middle and not outboard?

[Kristy00]

Since DS would be in the TF, not the Cargo, would it work? Why does he have to be in the middle and not outboard?

He has to be in the middle because that is the only position with a rear anchor. The TF is even wider than the cargo - if I can't get the SS to puzzle with the cargo, I'm pretty sure it won't work with the TF.

[Blondie87]

Ah.. and in Cananda they HAVE to be tethered huh? Dang. Hm. Is there anyway you can get one installed for outboard?

I dunno... someone else maybe can give you some ideas...

[keri1292]

Hard to explain but, I buckle my 3rd row middle guy up by standing on the floorboard right inside the sliding door (so, right beside my RFing kiddo with my booty hanging out the door. I lean over the back of the 2nd row captain's chair. I removed the headrest from that seat to make it easier.

So, two RFing in the 2nd row and your 3rd FFing in the center 3rd row. :)

[Kristy00]

Ah.. and in Cananda they HAVE to be tethered huh? Dang. Hm. Is there anyway you can get one installed for outboard?

I dunno... someone else maybe can give you some ideas...

See post #29 for my response from Pontiac...

Hard to explain but, I buckle my 3rd row middle guy up by standing on the floorboard right inside the sliding door (so, right beside my RFing kiddo with my booty hanging out the door. I lean over the back of the 2nd row captain's chair. I removed the headrest from that seat to make it easier.

So, two RFing in the 2nd row and your 3rd FFing in the center 3rd row. :)

I'll try this, but I'm not very tall! It would make a difference though without the headrest - I'll have to try!!!

[HONEYhas3]

can the FF seat go in a captians chair (tethered), the baby RF in a captians chair and the middle child RF in the back....??
Thats what I do when i go out with a friend and her Dd is RF. it was also my plan if we had another baby.

[Kristy00]

can the FF seat go in a captians chair (tethered), the baby RF in a captians chair and the middle child RF in the back....??
Thats what I do when i go out with a friend and her Dd is RF. it was also my plan if we had another baby.

There is not enough room between the second and 3rd row for the TF to be rear facing, unless I take out one of the 2nd row captains chairs. I could take out a second row chair, leave DS1 FF in the 2nd row, and put DD and the baby RF in the second row. I did try this briefly with DD's comfortsport, and I found I couldn't get her in the harness without leaning on the back of the car seat. My weight on the back would then cause the seat to rotate in the seat belt becoming further reclined. It seemed to be in solid, but would still rotate through the belt path when I leaned on it so I figured it wasn't an acceptable install.

[Kristy00]

All of this is further complicated by the fact that there is no latch, and only difficult seat belts in the 3rd row. The belts have long stalks and are slightly forward of the seat bight and I find it very hard to get any seat in there properly. The only one I didn't have a problem with was the base for the SS, because the buckle can sit partially in the belt path and not interfere with the seat or install.

[Blondie87]

I don't know much about your car, but when I had my boys RF in my 3rd row of my SUV, I put them in through the back hatch. It was really easy. I took off the headrests and would just lift them over. But I don't know how much trunk space you have back there...

[Gypsy]

OK, how about your dd RF in AO 2nd row, drivers side.

Your ds1 FF in True Fit in 2nd row, passengers side.

Ds2 RF in SafeSeat in passengers side or center 3rd row.

To get ds2 in, lean the passenger 2nd row seat forward or put him in through the back hatch.

[Kristy00]

I don't know much about your car, but when I had my boys RF in my 3rd row of my SUV, I put them in through the back hatch. It was really easy. I took off the headrests and would just lift them over. But I don't know how much trunk space you have back there...

I didn't think of going through the back. :) We do have some trunk space, but I would never be able to have my stroller or anything if I was loading kids through there. Something to try though!

OK, how about your dd RF in AO 2nd row, drivers side.

Your ds1 FF in True Fit in 2nd row, passengers side.

Ds2 RF in SafeSeat in passengers side or center 3rd row.

To get ds2 in, lean the passenger 2nd row seat forward or put him in through the back hatch.

The passenger seat will not lean forward if there is a seat there... and I'm pretty sure there is not enough room between the 3rd row and the roof to fit DS2 (in his seat) through the back. Another thing to try! Not today though - it is -25 with the windchill!

Seriously, our van just sucks when it comes to car seats!! We borrowed FILs van for a few days and had no issues - there was more room between the seats, and latch and rear tethers in every location. Also, one of his second row captains was slightly towards the middle, so we could reach to the back through the side. It was so easy to get everyone in! If only we could afford a new van!

[HONEYhas3]

ok, FF child in the TF in a captians chair thethered, then REMOVE the other captians chair. Middle child RF in the AO 3rd row behind the TF and a Base for the bucket on the other side of the bench. so you only open the drivers side door, buckle in older and middle child, while baby waits in the carrier, inside the van and keeping warm.. just an idea.

[Kristy00]

ok, FF child in the TF in a captians chair thethered, then REMOVE the other captians chair. Middle child RF in the AO 3rd row behind the TF and a Base for the bucket on the other side of the bench. so you only open the drivers side door, buckle in older and middle child, while baby waits in the carrier, inside the van and keeping warm.. just an idea.

Tried that, but I can't fit a RF seat behind the captains chair without it being braced against the captains seat.

[mommycat]

I did not read the other responses aside from the first couple and I am not getting into the discussion of how crappy the AO is as a booster. Just wanted to say in case no-one else has that once you remove the base, you need to flip out the little foot at the bottom of the seat. And if you "reinstall" it, you need to check for this every time, as the %$#*% thing tends to keep flipping back under when you move the seat.

[Kristy00]

Just going to update - I did manage to convince DH that we are not using the AO as a booster. Once I showed him how it fit DS, and told him how it was supposed to fit he had no objections. :) For now, we have just left everyone where they are and are hoping to get a Nauti for DS in the next month or so! Then we can use the Cargo in DH's truck until DS is too big for the harness.