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DaveS
Guest
Britax Marathon
I looked at the web sites recommended here and traveled the Twin Cities test fitting our son in car seats. We finally settled on the Britax Marathon, and bought one for each car. (I thought I heard my credit card cry out in pain) For those who might be interested, it is a big seat. We set it on the floor next to the Roundabout and reclined both. It appears to be about 2" longer from front of base to tip of the seat back, than the Roundabout. When compairing it to the On My Way it is replacing, it was only about 1" longer.
The installation in our '01 Caravan (second row, passenger side) was not easy, but it can be done. A Funoodle was necessary to level it, and the van seat had to be reclined all the way during instalation to get the LATCH fittings to hook up properly. (I did put the seat back up after install) It sits against the front seat unless the seat is all the way forward, which wasn't practical. The seat fits quite tight. I hooked the tether to the floor bracing under the front seat. Is it safer to go over the seat to the latch anchor behind the second row with the tether?
The installation in the '97 Malibu was not any easier. The car is not LATCH compatible, and getting the seat belt tight was well... The built in locking clips seem to hold the belt tight, but you have to get the things closed first. When the seat belt angle is a little off center to the angle of these clips the belt tends to roll over on itself while you're trying to secure it. I'd recommend a 2 person install for this one. The tether is under the front seat on this car as well. It could go to the tether anchor I have installed in the rear deck.
Finally, the main reason we chose the Marathon was because it provided a superior fit for our son. The other recommended seats had a crotch strap that was too long, so the belt sat against his belly instead of down on the hips where it belongs. I assume this isn't critical when rear facing, but will be an issue when front facing.
Sorry for the long post. Hope this is helpful. Thanks for the input and the web site recommendations.
I looked at the web sites recommended here and traveled the Twin Cities test fitting our son in car seats. We finally settled on the Britax Marathon, and bought one for each car. (I thought I heard my credit card cry out in pain) For those who might be interested, it is a big seat. We set it on the floor next to the Roundabout and reclined both. It appears to be about 2" longer from front of base to tip of the seat back, than the Roundabout. When compairing it to the On My Way it is replacing, it was only about 1" longer.
The installation in our '01 Caravan (second row, passenger side) was not easy, but it can be done. A Funoodle was necessary to level it, and the van seat had to be reclined all the way during instalation to get the LATCH fittings to hook up properly. (I did put the seat back up after install) It sits against the front seat unless the seat is all the way forward, which wasn't practical. The seat fits quite tight. I hooked the tether to the floor bracing under the front seat. Is it safer to go over the seat to the latch anchor behind the second row with the tether?
The installation in the '97 Malibu was not any easier. The car is not LATCH compatible, and getting the seat belt tight was well... The built in locking clips seem to hold the belt tight, but you have to get the things closed first. When the seat belt angle is a little off center to the angle of these clips the belt tends to roll over on itself while you're trying to secure it. I'd recommend a 2 person install for this one. The tether is under the front seat on this car as well. It could go to the tether anchor I have installed in the rear deck.
Finally, the main reason we chose the Marathon was because it provided a superior fit for our son. The other recommended seats had a crotch strap that was too long, so the belt sat against his belly instead of down on the hips where it belongs. I assume this isn't critical when rear facing, but will be an issue when front facing.
Sorry for the long post. Hope this is helpful. Thanks for the input and the web site recommendations.