What about a Britax with an Australian tether and an ARB? (not sure if that's even allowed, but now that the ARB is out I'm wondering if this would be a good option)
That study I linked earlier in the thread was using Australian tethers and they really helped. But also says load legs and rigid attachment would be effective and that's why I am so interested in the Swedish rigid latch/support leg seats. Seems a lot easier loading to just have a support leg!
I read that study again and it really focuses on the center seat usage and center console interference. If I put the baby in the center in a convertible, which they recommend for the higher shell, and removed the center console, would that a much safer way for her to ride?
Is it the rigidity of the console causing the injuries or would even the padded front seat back produce the same injuries at crash speed for an outboard child? What about injuries just from the motion of the seat going almost horizontal?
The poor baby in the article that did impact the console was in a Ford Escape in the center. However, it sounds like latch was being used. Is that allowed in that car and if not, could that have contributed?
I know when you reduce the flexibility and movement of the carseat with load legs, rebound bars, rigid latch, etc that the crash force could be distributed to the child.....but in the European seats this must be accounted for already and use foam and other energy management?
Having a hard time shaking the feeling that a support leg is safer for heavy toddlers rear facing. I have a Foonf and a 30 lb 3 yr old - that's 68 lbs right now and if I use it to 50 lbs, its 88 lbs - would that not be a tremendous amount of downward and forward rotation in a frontal crash? Does the fact that it does't hang off the back seat for leg room mean a support leg isn't necessary?
If the car doesn't allow bracing, it is better to have the carseat within 1 inch of the seat back or really far away so no chance of hitting at all?