more TruFit ?

[jheimes]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this?
I tried the TRuFit out RF and ran into issues with the belt lock offs not working well bc of the angle the seat belt was going thru. (No latch avail). I was really looking at this seat bc of the lock offs, so I really need them to work. Any tips for this. The seat belt all pulled to the side the lock off twists over on so I could not get it twisted over and locked off. It seems that it may be ok when installing at less of an angle which would flatten out the angle of where the seat belt threads through. I also had to use 3 pool noodles to get it level for RF. Is that acceptable? I have a deep seat incline and long female belt stalks. Any tips to get it to work.
(I don't own the seat yet, but am pretty sure this is what we will be buying so I want to be able to install it well). I pretty much have issues installing any seat except the SS2 in my vehicle.

I tried out a TruFit in Monet over the weekend and fell in love with the cover. I know my DD 3.5 yrs would love it, but it will be handed down to DS 9 mos eventually. Anybody know if you can order a cover in a different color and if so for approx price?

[JerseyGirl'sMama]

Have you tried twisting the female belt stalk? You can twist it 3 full times. Maybe that will help?

It is acceptable to use up to 3 noodles to achieve the proper angle. Are you trying this out for your younger, or older child? The older child can be less reclined.

[jheimes]

Twisting the stalk kept the seat belt connection plate out of the path, but did not help the angle the belt was going through the built in lock-offs.
Anybody else have trouble with this?
Is there a trick to pushing on the seat at a certain angle to flatten the seat belt fabric out so it does not roll up in the corner of the TruFit RF belt path?

[jess71903]

We have this issue in the center of my Explorer. It's a PITB, but I can get it in with much sweat and usually hubby to help me by holding the buckle stalk in place (after twisting 3 times). It's difficult, but can be done. Mine gets put outboard with LATCH now because of that and the fact that DS is difficult to hoist into the middle of the car now.

[snowbird25ca]

How old would the child be using it rf'ing? If it was for your ds who is 9mo right now, then you most definitely don't need the line level to the ground. The lock-offs can be difficult to finagle with in some vehicles when the seat is at a full 45* angle, but they typically don't cause much difficulty if the seat is installed more upright. At your ds's age he can be as upright as 35*, and I think you'll find that makes a big difference.

One other thing, is that you'll find it easier to position the belt in the lock-offs if you don't 100% tighten the seatbelt rock-solid. Leave it just barely loose enough so that you can slide the webbing away from the hinge area, then shut the lock-off. Slide the webbing on the other side and shut that lock-off, then check for movement. In most cases that trick will allow you to get the belt positioned so that you can get the lock-offs shut easier. :thumbsup:

[jheimes]

Thank you so much for all of the help. I made it to Omaha (big city about 2 hours away) and tried the TF out again. I got it rock solid at about 35-40* RF with 2 twists of female belt stalk and 1 pool noodle outboard. The kids fits in it well and seemed to like it.
(Now I just have to get somewhere to try out the new TF ARB and the MyRide 65 and make a decision before DS outgrows the SS1 by torso height).

[newmomapril2008]

Ok, I'm going to show how absentminded I can be with this post...

Have you made sure that the recline foot on the seat is set to the rear-facing position?

I read the manual twice before installing the seat rf, and kept wondering why I wasn't getting a good fit. Uninstalled it, reseated, installed, still not a good fit. Uninstalled, added a pool noodle, reinstalled, still wasn't right.

My husband walked out, looked at it, and asked - "why is the recline foot in the forward facing position?"

Doh!

I guess the good thing about that is that I'll be really really good at installing the seat if I need to move it into another vehicle.

[jheimes]

Yeah, I checked the recline foot. I have very inclined outboard seats. This was much easier to install RF than my older foot type Radian 65. I am trying to keep myself from just ordering the new TF online until DS actually is closer to outgrowing the SS1.

[newmomapril2008]

I'm glad install worked out for you.

I'm going to try reinstalling the seat one more time. I've got it seated so it won't budge more than 1/4", but I'm having issues with reaching the harness tension adjuster now.

I'm going to try it with the pool noodle and see if that gives me some more space.

I took my headrest off because I just weighed ds and he's at 21lbs fully clothed. His head is close to, but just below the red line.