Please Help with True Fit...

[tjdaddy]

Hello All,
I am both a new member and new Dad. Afters much research I just bought my 6 month old (21lbs and 30") a True Fit and after a few days I am close to returning it and buying a Symphony.

I want to be a True Fit believer but I am having a hard time getting a proper fit. I have a 2007 Honda CRV, I installed it in the center of the backseat in the rear facing position at a 45 degree angle utilizing the latch system. But it moves I think way too much and I have already pulled the webbing end to max position and I still think its too loose. Also, is it normal for the harness tension adjuster to be so hard to get to?

Maybe my expectations are too high, maybe it is already as tight as it's going to get but before I return it I would appreciate any advice anyone might be able to offer. Is there any instructional videos out there?

Thanks in advance!!!

TJ Daddy

[tjdaddy]

P.S. I checked and the level indicator was not parallel with ground. I wedged a rolled up towel between the recline foot and the seat, I think this will fix my son's head falling way forward when he falls asleep but still hasn't fixed how much I can move the TF from side to side...

[snowbird25ca]

Hi and welcome to the forums at Car-Seat.org.

Would it be possible for you to take a picture of your current install and post it? There are a few things that I'm wondering off the top of my head. Is the recline foot flipped to the rf'ing position, and do you have the LATCH strap coming through the rf'ing belt path? (That's the one that would be going underneath your son's legs.)

I don't have my manual handy to look it up, but you'll want to check your CRV manual to see if there are dedicated anchors there for installing the seat with LATCH. If there aren't dedicated anchors, then you'll need to use the seatbelt instead. It's perfectly fine to try installing it with the seatbelt if you get a better install that way as well.

When you're checking for movement, you describe that it moves a lot - where on the seat is it moving? It is normal for a rf'ing seat to be able to be moved around quite a bit if you grab at the top of the shell and push it towards the rear of the vehicle. When checking for movement you want to place one hand at the belt path - the place where either the LATCH belt or the seatbelt is going through, and check for side to side and front to back movement. There should be less than 1" of movement when checking that way. As long as you're under 1", then you're perfectly fine. :)

So far as the recline, that's something that is easiest to tell in picture, so if you're able to take a picture parked on level ground with as straight a side view of the seat as possible, then that would be very helpful. :thumbsup:

[BeachMama86]

Couldn't have said it myself! Pics will def. help and and I recommend that you try a seat belt install and see if you can get it tighter, LATCH and I are not friends, lol. And LATCH is not any safer than a seat belt, they are both equal.

And I have to say WTG on informing yourself about what is safest for your child, you don't see too many dads in parenting forums period, much less car seat safety. :)

Make sure to familiarize yourself on the importance of extended rear facing (rear facing past the minimum requirement of 1 year and 20 pounds). If you haven't already, that is. If you need info, just ask and you'll get more than you need, hehe.

[mommycat]

Ok, there are some great True Fit installation tips in this thread:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=840804#post840804

Here's a video of what a RF seatbelt install should look like on the TF and what movement is normal. I don't have sound on this PC so I can't vouch for the commentary! ;p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arQuErWBJJU&feature=related

Here's what looks like a really nice videao of a RF convertible install with LATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5HnuYzFtWM
(I personally tend to push straight down in the middle of the seat as I tighten, but whatever works for you. I also use my hips at the back of seats a lot to give me extra leverage and to try to influence the angle by pushing down on the seat back to get more recline.)

And Britax's video on installing with lap/shoulder seatbelt using their lockoff; on the True Fit you would use both lockoffs and they look a little different, but the idea is the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ZVrn7xVu0

A lot of TF install pictures available in this thread and links from this thread:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=458007#post458007

[LISmama810]

I just wanted to add that Honda does not allow borrowing LATCH anchors from the outboard positions (and the CRV only has LATCH outboard). If you want to use LATCH, you'll have to move the seat to the side, but personally, I would install with a seatbelt in the middle. Like others have said, the seatbelt is no less safe than LATCH, and it can sometimes be easier. Belt installs with the TrueFit are generally very easy. :thumbsup:

[tjdaddy]

Hi Jennie,
I am a bit confused. Attached is a pic of my CRV manual (sorry it's in spanish) and the top text translates to Lower Anchors for Center Position and has two arrows indicating which anchors to utilize for Center use.
I am not opposed to using the belt install but now I am wondering about proper position for my vehicle... Any ideas???
Thanks a bunch.

[mommycat]

It does seem like your vehicle manual says that you have a set of LATCH anchors which can be used in the centre. Maybe it's a newer model and they added the extra position?

It appears that the center uses one anchor from the passenger side set and one dedicated center seat anchor, so if you ever need to have more than one car seat, keep in mind that you cannot attach 2 hooks to one anchor - you would have to choose LATCH for either the middle or the passenger seat but not both at once.

I would try the center seat install with the seat belt to see if you get a better fit. Please read your manual, though, to make sure that you are allowed to place a rear facing seat in front of the flipdown section in the middle as sometimes the flipdown feature can make a rf install unsafe.

ETA I would encourage you to take a pic and post it once you have your seat installed because we can often catch issues with the install if there are any.

[tjdaddy]

Hello All,
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to post so quickly it is greatly appreciated!!!
Attached are some pictures of the TF in the CRV. I was able to finally get a tight fit last night and now I am concerned that maybe it's just the rolled towel I placed under the TF so my son would be at a more reclined angle and his head wouldn't be all over the place that is adding extra pressure ant that is why I got a tighter fit... So here are a few questions:

- Is the angle I have the seat at appropriate for his age (6 months, 21lbs & 30")?

- What is that orange strap thing bolted to the TF and wrapped around the latch belt? Do I need to remove it? The orange strap kind of loops behind the right side harnesses and I am wondering if that is not correct? PLEASE SEE PIC

- When you say belt path movement do you mean the belt actually moving between the 2 lock off devices? I know realize thanks to you guys that up and down movement at the from of the seat is normal... thanks for making that clear.

Thats all I think I will bug you guys with... for now. :)

Thanks again for your advice and insight both me and my family greatly appreciate it.

[tjdaddy]

Thanks for the insight and also the Kudos... This site and it's members are a blessing for parents and more importantly the safety of children.

[TechnoGranola]

The orange strap is just to keep you from losing the LATCH strap. Right now though, you have it hooked around your harness which is going to make it hard to get the harness adjusted properly. Undo your LATCH anchors, and untangle it from the harness. Both side of the harness should be free from the orange strap (so your right side should look the same as the left side does now).

As for the angle, it looks a tad over reclined to me, but I am not sure if your picture is angled at all. Is there a line in the pic that is parallel to the ground? Is the top of the white fence parallel to the ground? You will also need to add the headrest on at 22 pounds or when your child's head reaches the red line on the seat, whichever comes first.

[tjdaddy]

Thanks for the response on the orange strap I will modify right away...
Here are some pics that might be a bit clearer on the angle of the seat vs the ground level. This street is pretty much level.

Thanks...

[mommycat]

I was able to finally get a tight fit last night and now I am concerned that maybe it's just the rolled towel I placed under the TF so my son would be at a more reclined angle and his head wouldn't be all over the place that is adding extra pressure ant that is why I got a tighter fit...
it was probably the towel that allowed you to have enough length in the LATCH straps to tighten well. That's fine. So long as the towel was tightly rolled and you tightened the straps well and there is less than 1" of movement at the belt path, you are fine.


- Is the angle I have the seat at appropriate for his age (6 months, 21lbs & 30")?
I think it is probably fine, though it does feel a little over reclined. This seat does, however, tend to seem over reclined especially with the headrest off. I would assume that the center console would be pretty much level to ground? If you could post a picture with a wider angle, showing the runnin board and some of the ground, it may be easier to estimate the recline. ETA I type too slowly and you post too fast!


- What is that orange strap thing bolted to the TF and wrapped around the latch belt? Do I need to remove it? The orange strap kind of loops behind the right side harnesses and I am wondering if that is not correct? PLEASE SEE PIC
As was already stated, this is just to keep the LATCH from getting lost. You want to re-route this so it is passing between the two hip straps.


- When you say belt path movement do you mean the belt actually moving between the 2 lock off devices?
This means movement of the seat itself in the area where the belt passes through the seat. With these lockoffs you won't actually have belt moving relative to the seat since it is attached, but you might in theory have the bottom of the seat directly under the belts sliding on the vehicle seat/towel if it was in loosely enough. To test for tightness, hold the seat shell right above the lockoff and pull front/back and side to side and see if the bottom of the seat under the lockoffs slides around.

[mommycat]

That recline looks fine to me. I would guess it's right around 40 degrees from those pictures?

ETA
Are you still haveing a hard time accessing the harness adjuster? That is one of the quirks with this seat, when you install RF it tends to get buried somewhat. The usual work-around for this is to take advantage of the continuous loop harness. Adjust the harness and leave it snug rather than loosening every time, and when you take your baby in and out just pull on the hip strap on one side to slide some of the harness from the other side over and make it looser on the one side, transfer baby's arm, then pull on the opposite hip strap to loosen the second side. Make sure the sides are even when you are done putting baby in every time. If you do need to make harness adjustments, it can be much easier to tighten the harness by pulling the hip straps snug, then pulling the slack out of the shoulder straps from the back of the seat and pushing down on the splitter plate at the back (metal plate to which the harness straps attach) while pulling on the adjuster strap. This means you aren't fighting with the adjuster to do all the work, just pulling out the slack with it which is easy-peasy.

[Jeanum]

Just chiming in for a moment to note that the '07 and newer Honda CR-Vs like the OP's do have lower LATCH anchors that allow a center LATCH installation. The '06 and older CR-Vs do not, but the redesigned '07 models do. :)

[tjdaddy]

Thanks for the info my mind is now at ease on using the center.

[tjdaddy]

Thanks for the tip. With the towel under the seat it is a bit more accessible but once I take out the towel I will use your instructions.

P.S. When should I switch to regular position (take out towel and just use angle adjuster foot), does it just depend on the child. My main concerns are both safest and comfortable (since his head limps forward when he falls asleep) position but mostly safest! :)

[mommycat]

Thanks for the tip. With the towel under the seat it is a bit more accessible but once I take out the towel I will use your instructions.

P.S. When should I switch to regular position (take out towel and just use angle adjuster foot), does it just depend on the child. My main concerns are both safest and comfortable (since his head limps forward when he falls asleep) position but mostly safest! :)
There is no age. You can safely leave it this reclined until the seat is turned FF (the TF is outgrown RF when your child is 35lbs or his head is ETA: within one inch of the top of the seat to the red line on the headrest, whichever comes first). That is assuming that once you attach the headrest at 22 lbs you still have enough room to have the front seat back enough to drive safely. (And BTW, the infant insert must also come out at 22 lbs)

Older babies with better head control can sit more upright (as much as 35 degrees from the vertical for the TF) and often enjoy doing so as they want to be sitting up more as they get older and they will be able to see more. If you decide to try a more upright install when you think you are ready, and his head falls down on his chest when he falls asleep, then you will know that he isn't ready after all and still needs more recline.

ETA I just wanted to add that in some vehicles, not using the towel or pool noodle at all may actually be unsafe. It depends on the slant in the vehicle seats. If the seats slope a lot, then not using a noodle may give an install which is more upright than what is allowed for even older kids. Just FYI, to let you know that the towel does not decrease the effectiveness of the seat.

[TechnoGranola]

There is no age. You can safely leave it this reclined until the seat is turned FF (the TF is outgrown RF when your child is 35lbs or his head is to the red line on the headrest, whichever comes first). Wait a second, there's a red line on the head rest (as well as on the main seat)? Is it under the little pillow that is removable?

[mommycat]

Um, I thought so? I will go dig up a manual...

[TechnoGranola]

Um, I thought so? I will go dig up a manual...I was just going by my seat and I swear there isn't a red line. But I haven't looked under that pillow lately so I totally could have missed it. I would love it if there was a line on the head rest! I am quite certain that my manual states the head 1" below shell rule.

ETA: I took a look at the manual online (didn't have access to mine) and I see the "head 1" below shell" or weight (22 pounds without headrest, 35 pounds with headrest) and they have a red line drawn in the book to show you were the 1" mark is. But they don't appear to talk about a red line actually on the seat. Of course we know there is one on the lower half of the seat for sure, because it's readily visible on the label. If it's on the headrest, it's hiding under the pillow.

[mommycat]

I checked the US manual (http://content.learningcurve.com/content/en_US/articles/TFYgearInstructions/pdf/C630_Instructions_EN.pdf) first. That does not so much as MENTION a red line, it just says within 1" of the top of the seat. The Canadian manual (http://content.learningcurve.com/content/en_US/articles/TFYgearInstructions/pdf/C630_Instructions_CAEN.pdf) doesn't mantion it at all either, just has the 2.5 cm rule :whistle: .

Page 7 and 8 in both show that in a graphic by using a red line... Maybe that's where I got the mental image of a line? Does anyone have their TF handy to look under the pillow??

[jess71903]

Does his head slump forward or to the side if it's more upright? My 21 month old's goes to the side, and since the TF has wider wings, it looks worse than it is. To the side is fine, chin to chest isn't. I would say a 6 month old is close to being able to be more upright, but maybe not as upright as yours would be without the towel. In the coming months, I would be looking for a pool noodle that is smaller than your rolled towel. Cut it into a section as wide as the bottom of the TF and install just like you have with the towel. For now, though, it's fine the way it is. He may prefer to be more upright later, but if he's comfy now, you can leave it.

[jess71903]

Nope, no red line under the head pillow...the blue piping on mine would be a good indicator, though.

[mommycat]

Ah, thanks for checking! I did think think there may have been some sort of thin line under the pillow but of course I never take the pillow off. Heh.

[featherhead]

My SIL's TF has a line (I think it is yellow actually) and it says something like "use headrest when child's head reaches this line" I haven't looked at it for a LONG time, but I know it is there.

[TechnoGranola]

My SIL's TF has a line (I think it is yellow actually) and it says something like "use headrest when child's head reaches this line" I haven't looked at it for a LONG time, but I know it is there.Yup, we know that one is there. We were talking about if there was also one on the headrest.

[featherhead]

lol! I think I was reading too fast!

[LISmama810]

Just chiming in for a moment to note that the '07 and newer Honda CR-Vs like the OP's do have lower LATCH anchors that allow a center LATCH installation. The '06 and older CR-Vs do not, but the redesigned '07 models do. :)

I stand corrected. I looked at the chart in the LATCH Manual but didn't read the notes! :o

[snowbird25ca]

I actually just looked to see if there was a line marking the 1" under the pillow yesterday, so can attest to there not being one. :thumbsup:

As mommycat mentioned, the angle of the seat looks perfectly fine the way it is right now.

If you find you still need more recline than what you get without the towel when your ds is a little older, you can always choose a smaller towel. Playing with different size towels will give you some flexibility with the recline angle.

So far as the yellow strap, in the end it will end up coming towards the front of the seat between the hip straps and on the passenger side of the buckle. (Passenger side when installed.)