Not sure what seats to buy for 2nd vehicle & travel

[DianaC]

I currently have in my 2005 Odyssey (if you could review and comment)

DD, age 5, 40 pounds in Britax Frontier harness in captain's chair behind driver's seat (Latch & Tethered; Do I need to use seat belt install now that she is 40 pounds?)

DS, age 13 months, 21 pounds, in Marathon RF, in captain's chair in center position (Tethered below chair and around to anchor on back of seat. Is this correct, because I have seen pictures with the tether to the front console tray?)

DS, age 3.5 years, 38 pounds, Marathon FF, in 3rd row with seat belt install & tethered on passenger side. I preferred him to be Latched, but only offered in center position and if I do that, I lose visual through my back window because of the height of the seat.

***

Currently, I have their old convertible seats (Eddie Bauer's) in DH's SUV (BMW, 2008). DD's seat is in booster mode. However, I do not trust DH to be as finnicky as I am with the booster seat belt, and DD still moves around a lot - reaching over trying to touch her brother, etc.

I would like to buy new seats for the BMW (Boosters, as DS will be in one shortly). I would also ideally like to use these seats for travel purpose, so lighter than the Frontier (however, will go that route if that is safest option). I have given up the idea of trying to get all 3 kids in the back of DH's SUV; its not a priority. We use the van for family outings, and if he goes out with the kids, its usually the older two anyway.

So basically, I need two boosters for the dual purpose of install in DH's SUV and travel (which we do a ton). What is my best options, with the following priority list in order:

Safety;
Portability;
Ease of install;
Cost


Thanks so much for your advice!!

[wendytthomas]

Originally Posted by DianaC

I currently have in my 2005 Odyssey (if you could review and comment)

DD, age 5, 40 pounds in Britax Frontier harness in captain's chair behind driver's seat (Latch & Tethered; Do I need to use seat belt install now that she is 40 pounds?)

Yes you do. :-) You can still use the harness, but you must install the seat with the seatbelt (I think that's what you were saying, but I wanted to be clear because there's been confusion in the past).

DS, age 13 months, 21 pounds, in Marathon RF, in captain's chair in center position (Tethered below chair and around to anchor on back of seat. Is this correct, because I have seen pictures with the tether to the front console tray?)

No, you cannot tether like that. You need to tether down and in front of the seat. The console tray would be fine.

DS, age 3.5 years, 38 pounds, Marathon FF, in 3rd row with seat belt install & tethered on passenger side. I preferred him to be Latched, but only offered in center position and if I do that, I lose visual through my back window because of the height of the seat.

LATCH isn't safer, and he'd only be in it for two more pounds anyway. As long as there's a tether back there for his position he's good.

I would like to buy new seats for the BMW (Boosters, as DS will be in one shortly).

Your 3.5 year old probably has 18 months before a booster would be ok. Do you mean combination seat, a seat like the Frontier that has a removable harness that turns into a booster?

I would also ideally like to use these seats for travel purpose, so lighter than the Frontier (however, will go that route if that is safest option). I have given up the idea of trying to get all 3 kids in the back of DH's SUV; its not a priority. We use the van for family outings, and if he goes out with the kids, its usually the older two anyway.

Safety;
Portability;
Ease of install;
Cost

Seats don't release their numbers for testing, so we don't know if one seat is safer than another (with the exception of the Sunshine Kids Radians, but they are the only ones, so we have nothing to compare to).

I'd look at the Evenflo Maestros first. They're narrow, lightweight, have 18" top slots and a 50 pound harness limit, cost $75 or so, and are pretty easy to install.

If they don't ride in the BMW often, Ride Safer Travel Vests may be great, and then you'd be able to fit the third child in as well. But if you don't trust your husband with the booster, the RSTVs probably aren't the best for him to deal with. They're about $100 each and are wearable five point harnesses.

That's about it for seats with harnesses I'd like to travel with and use as spares for the over 40 pound group. There are others that are great seats, and you certainly *can* travel with them, but they're not exactly as lightweight and portable. Like the Graco Nautilus, and of course your Britax Frontier.

Wendy

[DianaC]

Yes you do. :-) You can still use the harness, but you must install the seat with the seatbelt (I think that's what you were saying, but I wanted to be clear because there's been confusion in the past).

Thank you! I will switch that tomorrow (and yes, I intend to keep her harness).

No, you cannot tether like that. You need to tether down and in front of the seat. The console tray would be fine.

Yikes!! When I saw those images, it looked like there was a tether strap that they wrapped around the console seat. I don't recall having one of those. If I cannot locate it, what would be my best option for him?

LATCH isn't safer, and he'd only be in it for two more pounds anyway. As long as there's a tether back there for his position he's good.

The tether is in the centre of the back seat. Is that fine, that I have it tethered to a center anchor (the only one offered) even if he is on passenger side?

Your 3.5 year old probably has 18 months before a booster would be ok. Do you mean combination seat, a seat like the Frontier that has a removable harness that turns into a booster?

Yes, I meant combination seat because I would like to keep them both harnessed for a long time yet.

Ride Safer Travel Vests may be great

I am not familiar with these!! Perhaps this may be an option which I can keep for travel purposes, while buying permanent combo seats for the 2nd car. Are they something I can use on airplane and in cars? Is there a link? Are they easy - i.e. do it getting in and out of taxi??
Tell me more, please!!

And thank you!!

[wendytthomas]

Originally Posted by DianaC

Yikes!! When I saw those images, it looked like there was a tether strap that they wrapped around the console seat. I don't recall having one of those. If I cannot locate it, what would be my best option for him?

Untether it for now and buy another D ring from Britax (you can get it at Britaxusa.com). The D ring comes connected to the end of the tether in the pouch.

The tether is in the centre of the back seat. Is that fine, that I have it tethered to a center anchor (the only one offered) even if he is on passenger side?

No, you cannot tether to a different seat's tether. Is the Frontier shorter, so maybe you can put that back there tethered with the seatbelt and the three year old in the captain's chair tethered?

I am not familiar with these!! Perhaps this may be an option which I can keep for travel purposes, while buying permanent combo seats for the 2nd car. Are they something I can use on airplane and in cars? Is there a link? Are they easy - i.e. do it getting in and out of taxi??
Tell me more, please!!

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/

You cannot use them on a plane since they require a top tether with a lap belt only. But at your kids' sizes they may not need harnesses on the plane anymore. About 40 pounds is when the seatbelt started to fit my petite daughter. And from what I've heard from other parents here, that seems to be pretty consistent.

They're not difficult to use, but they're a bit time consuming since it's like installing a seat every time. But not hard to do. Since kids can wear them, if you're going to be in and out of taxis all day, just have them leave them on. We have one we use for travel (the old style). I put it in my suitcase's outside pocket and that's it.

If you're going to leave seats in the BMW I'd look at the Nautilus and Maestro for them.

Wendy

[DianaC]

If I take travel out of the equation, are the recommended booster combos (Maestro and Nautilus) still the same, or is there a preferable seat?

SHould I consider the Radians (narrow, so that possibly I can get 3 across one day)?

**I am confused about Latch recommendations. I just read that the Radian can be latched to 65 pounds, but have read others saying this is not the case.

Does anyone know if the RSV are available in Canada?

[DianaC]

3 Questions:


If I take travel/convenience out of the equation, are your recommendations for the best combo/boosters the same?

I am thinking of buying the RSV for travel, so I can have permanent seats for the SUV. Is the RSV available in Canada?

I am considering the Radian (this is the narrowest seat, correct?), so that I do have the option of 3 across in the future. I read that the Radian latches to 65 pounds, but I am confused because other things I have read said I should not be latching over 40 pounds.

Thanks SO much! I have a migraine over this!!

[Twinklefae]

Originally Posted by DianaC

3 Questions:


If I take travel/convenience out of the equation, are your recommendations for the best combo/boosters the same?

The longest lasting and easiest to use harness/booster seats are the Graco Nautilus, the Britax Frontier and the Evenflo Maestro, though the Maestro doesn't make a good booster, as it is outgrown by height at the same time as the harness.

Originally Posted by DianaC

I am thinking of buying the RSV for travel, so I can have permanent seats for the SUV. Is the RSV available in Canada?

No, unfortunately it's not.

Originally Posted by DianaC

I am considering the Radian (this is the narrowest seat, correct?), so that I do have the option of 3 across in the future. I read that the Radian latches to 65 pounds, but I am confused because other things I have read said I should not be latching over 40 pounds.

The SL versions of the Radian have "super LATCH" which means that the UAS clips are reinforced and they say can be used past the vehicle's UAS weight limit. If you do not have an "SL" than you need to switch to a seat belt installation at 40lbs.

The Radian is the narrowest seat on the market, and excellent for 3 across situations.

[mommycat]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

The SL versions of the Radian have "super LATCH" which means that the UAS clips are reinforced and they say can be used past the vehicle's UAS weight limit. If you do not have an "SL" than you need to switch to a seat belt installation at 40lbs.

It is important to note that only vehicles manufactured after a certain date can use the SL feature past the stated limits; older vehicles still need to adhere to their old limits (some are 40, 48 or 65, I believe). Off to dig up the vehicle dates....

[wendytthomas]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

The SL versions of the Radian have "super LATCH" which means that the UAS clips are reinforced and they say can be used past the vehicle's UAS weight limit. If you do not have an "SL" than you need to switch to a seat belt installation at 40lbs.

Only in cars made after September 1, 2005. So their BMW would be ok, but she'd have to check the date on the Ody.

Wendy

[mommycat]

Thank you! I was having a hard time digging this up.

[Twinklefae]

Originally Posted by wendytthomas

Only in cars made after September 1, 2005. So their BMW would be ok, but she'd have to check the date on the Ody.

Wendy

Thank you... I meant to add that and got distracted mid-post.

[DianaC]

I have purchased 2 Rider Safe Vests to start! I am excited about this option for travel!!

However, I thought that this vest came equipped with a tether, but after completing my order, I saw a tether as an additional option!! Is it necessary that I have the tether, if I am going to be using lap/shoulder belt?

[wendytthomas]

No it's not, and I'd be surprised if it came without. That may be a heavier duty tether. Not sure on the new ones. See what's in the box when it comes, though.

Wendy

[Patriot201]

I'm a little bit confused.

Diana, are you in Canada? And you ordered the RSTV? Is it available in Canada? I thought Twinklefae said it is not. Color me confused.

[DianaC]

Yes, in Canada and paid to ship from US!!

[CandCfam]

I'm necroposting here

RE the SuperLatch on the new Radians: I thought vehicle manufactures also had to okay the use of the lower anchors past the stated weight limit, and that none had done so yet? Has this changed?
If it hasn't changed, what is the general consensus of the techs here about using the SL without vehicle 'consent'?

[ketchupqueen]

Well, Sunshine Kids says that with the newer, stronger standard, all cars made after that date have LATCH strong enough that it will not fail. What would fail first is the LATCH attachments (and this is consistent with what we've been hearing for years actually.) They made their LATCH attachments stronger so they won't fail. All vehicles' lower anchors are at least strong enough that they won't fail is what they're saying, and the limits are because of the limitations of seats, for liability reasons, and that's the only reason why they vary.

If I had a parent come in wanting to use a seat past the vehicle's stated limit I'd tell them some reasons why there are limits, and why SK says they do not need to be followed here, and then let the parent make the choice based on hearing both sides' reasoning. I think some parents might choose to not use LATCH past the stated limit, and some might choose to. Either way I'd want them to make an informed choice.