Frontier LATCH too long??

[Moonprysm]

Now, I'm assuming that I've come up with the solution, but I'm not entirely sure so I wanted to throw this out there.

I'm installing it in a 2001 Ford Escape, outboard (adding a Blvd on the other side for the new baby due any day). I tried to install it with the latch, but I had the latch belt pulled as tightly as it would go and still had probably 3 inches or more of room between the back of the seat and the carseat. I'm THINKING that it's because our seats tilt so far backwards. I always have a hard time getting rear-facing carseats in right because even reclined all the way, they lean towards the seat due to the slant of the seat. I think having the recline block back would help, but I know you're not supposed to do that with it in harness mode.

So I bought a pool noodle today to see if that fixes the situation, but before I try it I was wondering if anybody else has had this problem? I couldn't get a really good install with the seatbelt, either, and I'm wondering if that was for the same reason?

[BookMama]

Unfortunately, you can't use a pool noodle (or a rolled towel, or anything similar) with a forward-facing child restraint.

I'm having a hard time picturing what you've described. Where is there 3" between the Frontier and the vehicle seat? Is it toward the top of the seat? Is there 3" between the entire child restraint and the vehicle seat?

If there's any way you could take a few pictures and post them, that might help us troubleshoot the problem for you.

[Gypsy]

Harness mode is reclined, and booster mode is upright.

Have you tried installing with the long belt path?

[joolsplus3]

Try the 'Long Belt Path' installation instead of LATCH...though it is *really* hard to do, the belt appears to be about three inches too short unless you put a lot of weight in the seat and use a lot of strength to get the latchplate into the buckle.

[Moonprysm]

Unfortunately, you can't use a pool noodle (or a rolled towel, or anything similar) with a forward-facing child restraint.

I'm having a hard time picturing what you've described. Where is there 3" between the Frontier and the vehicle seat? Is it toward the top of the seat? Is there 3" between the entire child restraint and the vehicle seat?

If there's any way you could take a few pictures and post them, that might help us troubleshoot the problem for you.

I'll take pics in a minute, but there's 3 inches between pretty much the entire carseat and the back of the seat. It's not anywhere near secure at all, and the straps for the latch don't go any shorter (the buckles would have to actually go INTO the seat, and then you can't pull the straps).

[BookMama]

(the buckles would have to actually go INTO the seat, and then you can't pull the straps).

Actually, if you want to use LATCH, that may be exactly what needs to happen. There should be slits in the cover that will allow you to reach through from the front of the seat (where the child's lower back would be) and tighten the LATCH strap further. This will mostly likely pull part of the LATCH assembly into the seat somewhat, and that's OK as long as you get a good install.

Installing the Frontier with LATCH has proven to be challenging with some types of seat belts. If you continue to have trouble with it, I would recommend a seat belt install instead, as others have suggested.

[Mom to a few]

I know you said that you are going to take pictures, so that may help answer the question I'm about to ask...

You said this:
I'm THINKING that it's because our seats tilt so far backwards.

Maybe you have your vehicle seatback too reclined?? I used to have a 2001 Escape years ago, and I always found it really easy for installing seats (and I installed a lot of seats in that car!!). It was possible for the vehicle seats to recline very far back, but that's not where they should be for installing the carseats for your kids. Check the owner's manual (look in the index for "Child Restraints" or something like that) and see if it tells you specifically where the seatback should be. If it doesn't give specific guidance, then fold your seat all the way forward, and then fold it back up into the first locking position--Is it completely vertical, or just slightly reclined?

[joolsplus3]

The back seats recline in a 2001 Escape? I"m GREEN with envy! The 2006 Hybrid has no such recline (which used to be my savior for installing in my Honda CR-V...).

Anyway, good tip about checking recline! :)

[CDNTech]

I've put our Frontier into an '08 Escape and you need to pull the LATCH straps *through* the velcro slits to the front of the seat... this is described in your Frontier manual.

Doing this will cause the LATCH buckles to come through partly to the front of the seat (make sure they don't get caught up on the shell of the carseat) and you should get a rock solid install. :)