Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading

bella_1818 · 08-10-2011, 08:42 AM

Share |

We have a Frontier 85 in Rushmore in DH's car. It was purchased/installed in Mid-November but only been used twice, so I've not really monitored the seat too much.

Last night I was walking past the back of DH's car and the seat caught my eye because it looked brown (not black) through the back window. I got into his car and the tether and the back of the seat cover and head wing cover are completely faded. The tether is kind of purple and back side of the cover is chocolate brown.

Is that normal and does the extreme fading make the seat any less safe? We had a black Britax Diplomat for an infant seat and never had any problems with fading so I was kind of surprised to see how much the Frontier had changed in less than a year.

Ladyl · 08-10-2011, 09:13 AM

I would possibly be concerned about the tether. That doesn't seem right. The cover fading shouldn't matter.

ETA I'd call Britax about the tether.

bella_1818 · 08-18-2011, 08:44 AM

I called Britax today and they said that their covers are tethers are supposed to fade and they are only unsafe if they are torn. She said fading it is not something covered under warranty and would never make a seat unsafe for use. I would expect some fading in a seat, but this seems really excessive, especially in the tether. I'm really disappointed that my 8 month old seat looks like a $5 yard sale find and I don't really expect to get 8 more years out of a seat that looks like it's already begun to dry rot.

Really disappointed.

bella_1818 · 08-18-2011, 10:05 AM

Does this seem excessive for an 8 month old seat or am I being silly?

Albagail · 08-18-2011, 10:18 AM

I don't think you're being silly at all; if that was my expensive, 8 month old car seat, I'd be upset! I have an original frontier, but it has only ever been installed in the middle row of my SUV with tinted windows, where it never gets much direct sun. But, in my mom's corolla, which doesn't have tinted windows, I have had a scenera, a turbo booster, and a Monterey, and they get plenty of direct sun, and none show any signs of fading. If I were you, I might move up the Britax chain of command...it just doesn't seem right that they told you it was "supposed to fade", especially the tether.

jenfrogmom · 08-18-2011, 11:52 AM

That seems really odd, I would be beyond livid!

bella_1818 · 08-19-2011, 12:23 PM

Called Britax 24 hours ago and they had me email photos. They called a few minutes later and also wanted photos of the front of the seat. Now I'm waiting to hear back from them

2BunniesMommy · 08-19-2011, 01:12 PM

Hopefully you will be getting a better response. I think that is way too much fading in the amount of time you have had it.

jenfrogmom · 08-19-2011, 01:17 PM

I have a Frontier in my car with no tinted windows and there is zero fading. I sure hope they replace it for you!

bella_1818 · 08-22-2011, 06:22 AM

I called Britax Thursday at 11am. Still haven't heard back from them. I got the same CS person (Helen) both timed I called and to me she sounded bored to tears with the call.

sharsachan · 08-22-2011, 07:59 AM

i would try again..a mom on cafemom just called britax because both of her red and black frontier85s were fading and britax told her they would replace them..

bella_1818 · 08-22-2011, 08:25 AM

AHH! I called back and got the same CS person, who said they would mail me a new cover and a new rear tether and I could replace the tether myself and send in the old one. Does this sound right?!? I really don't feel comfortable replacing the tether myself.

Ladyl · 08-22-2011, 08:36 AM

Ummm, I don't think tethers are replaceable on any seat.

That doesn't seem right at all.

arly1983 · 08-22-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella_1818

AHH! I called back and got the same CS person, who said they would mail me a new cover and a new rear tether and I could replace the tether myself and send in the old one. Does this sound right?!? I really don't feel comfortable replacing the tether myself.

Actually, that sounds plausable.

I have replaced the tether on a regent (it was my fault) and the frontier looks the same. It was easy and there was no hardware involved. My top tether arrived with instructions with pictures.

emtb79 · 08-22-2011, 10:39 AM

I have removed the tether from the classic seats to clean them I havent looked to see how much harder the tether would be, but I would think it would be like taking the crotch buckle out to adjust it.

LuvBug · 08-22-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arly1983

Actually, that sounds plausable.

I have replaced the tether on a regent (it was my fault) and the frontier looks the same. It was easy and there was no hardware involved. My top tether arrived with instructions with pictures.

Yup, it should be quite doable. Some of them slip in like the harness and crotch buckle and some are more looped and require the original to be cut off, but a new one can be put on. It would be no different than when they put it on in the factory.

DaniannieB · 08-22-2011, 09:59 PM

Doesn't the FR have the rip-stitch tether? If so, can you really replace those? I thought the rip-stitch tethers couldn't be replaced.

JujuMama · 08-23-2011, 12:53 AM

Why is there a problem replacing it yourself? Take pictures of the setup before removing it. That might make it easier.

Jessica61624 · 08-23-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniannieB

Doesn't the FR have the rip-stitch tether? If so, can you really replace those? I thought the rip-stitch tethers couldn't be replaced.

That would defeat the purpose if you could just replace it kwim? I don't know if I'd be able to get to it either with the head rest. Maybe if it was ALL the way up?

08-10-2011, 09:13 AM	#2
Ladyl CPS Technician Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Finger Lakes Region, NY Posts: 248	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading I would possibly be concerned about the tether. That doesn't seem right. The cover fading shouldn't matter. ETA I'd call Britax about the tether. __________________ Lillian, Mama to Explorers: Owen 9/06 Boostered in a Turbo Booster Teddy 12/08 Back Rfing in a Radian 80SL.

08-18-2011, 08:44 AM	#3
bella_1818 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 324	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading I called Britax today and they said that their covers are tethers are supposed to fade and they are only unsafe if they are torn. She said fading it is not something covered under warranty and would never make a seat unsafe for use. I would expect some fading in a seat, but this seems really excessive, especially in the tether. I'm really disappointed that my 8 month old seat looks like a $5 yard sale find and I don't really expect to get 8 more years out of a seat that looks like it's already begun to dry rot. Really disappointed. __________________ DS 5.5 years/ 43 inches/ 42lbs riding FF in a Radian XT and Frontier 85 DD Expected Late Summer Last edited by bella_1818; 09-06-2011 at 10:23 AM.

08-18-2011, 10:05 AM	#4
bella_1818 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 324	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading Does this seem excessive for an 8 month old seat or am I being silly? __________________ DS 5.5 years/ 43 inches/ 42lbs riding FF in a Radian XT and Frontier 85 DD Expected Late Summer

08-18-2011, 10:18 AM	#5
Albagail CPS Technician Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Camp Pendleton, CA Posts: 41	I don't think you're being silly at all; if that was my expensive, 8 month old car seat, I'd be upset! I have an original frontier, but it has only ever been installed in the middle row of my SUV with tinted windows, where it never gets much direct sun. But, in my mom's corolla, which doesn't have tinted windows, I have had a scenera, a turbo booster, and a Monterey, and they get plenty of direct sun, and none show any signs of fading. If I were you, I might move up the Britax chain of command...it just doesn't seem right that they told you it was "supposed to fade", especially the tether. __________________ Natalie - 6/23/04, 50", 55lbs, loving her purple Monterey Ellie - 4/8/07, 43", 39lbs, RF in a MT and booster training in a Vivo! Calvin - 5/24/10, 37", 28lbs, now officially ERF! in a RN80SL ...and several spare seats.

08-18-2011, 11:52 AM	#6
jenfrogmom CPS Technician Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 653	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading That seems really odd, I would be beyond livid! __________________ Jeni- CPST and Mom to: Parker 6 Diono Mont. and Combi Hbb, Myles 3 Foonf and RXT. Day care provider to J, A, Z, Radians x 3!

08-19-2011, 12:23 PM	#7
bella_1818 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 324	Called Britax 24 hours ago and they had me email photos. They called a few minutes later and also wanted photos of the front of the seat. Now I'm waiting to hear back from them __________________ DS 5.5 years/ 43 inches/ 42lbs riding FF in a Radian XT and Frontier 85 DD Expected Late Summer

08-19-2011, 01:12 PM	#8
2BunniesMommy Senior Community Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 1,112	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading Hopefully you will be getting a better response. I think that is way too much fading in the amount of time you have had it.

08-19-2011, 01:17 PM	#9
jenfrogmom CPS Technician Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 653	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading I have a Frontier in my car with no tinted windows and there is zero fading. I sure hope they replace it for you! __________________ Jeni- CPST and Mom to: Parker 6 Diono Mont. and Combi Hbb, Myles 3 Foonf and RXT. Day care provider to J, A, Z, Radians x 3!

08-22-2011, 06:22 AM	#10
bella_1818 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 324	I called Britax Thursday at 11am. Still haven't heard back from them. I got the same CS person (Helen) both timed I called and to me she sounded bored to tears with the call. __________________ DS 5.5 years/ 43 inches/ 42lbs riding FF in a Radian XT and Frontier 85 DD Expected Late Summer

08-22-2011, 07:59 AM	#11
sharsachan Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: rural nevada Posts: 85	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading i would try again..a mom on cafemom just called britax because both of her red and black frontier85s were fading and britax told her they would replace them.. __________________ Shara Mommy to Bear, ERF at 4 ys in a Radian RXT Dot, ERF at 3 yrs in a Graco Myride65 And Silas, born March 16, 2012, Onboard35 Air

08-22-2011, 08:25 AM	#12
bella_1818 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 324	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading AHH! I called back and got the same CS person, who said they would mail me a new cover and a new rear tether and I could replace the tether myself and send in the old one. Does this sound right?!? I really don't feel comfortable replacing the tether myself. __________________ DS 5.5 years/ 43 inches/ 42lbs riding FF in a Radian XT and Frontier 85 DD Expected Late Summer

08-22-2011, 08:36 AM	#13
Ladyl CPS Technician Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Finger Lakes Region, NY Posts: 248	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading Ummm, I don't think tethers are replaceable on any seat. That doesn't seem right at all. __________________ Lillian, Mama to Explorers: Owen 9/06 Boostered in a Turbo Booster Teddy 12/08 Back Rfing in a Radian 80SL.

08-22-2011, 10:39 AM	#15
emtb79 CPS Technician Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 564	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading I have removed the tether from the classic seats to clean them I havent looked to see how much harder the tether would be, but I would think it would be like taking the crotch buckle out to adjust it. __________________ Susan, Momma to my squishy and Daycare Provider,CPST M 12/06,J 3/05,K 6/08,A 7/11,B 9/05

08-22-2011, 09:59 PM	#17
DaniannieB Ambassador - CPS Technician Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheridan, WY Posts: 560	Re: Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading Doesn't the FR have the rip-stitch tether? If so, can you really replace those? I thought the rip-stitch tethers couldn't be replaced. __________________ ~Danielle RNC-MNN, BSN CPST, SN Trained

08-23-2011, 12:53 AM	#18
JujuMama Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Left coast Posts: 35	Why is there a problem replacing it yourself? Take pictures of the setup before removing it. That might make it easier.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Frontier 85 Cover/Tether Fading

Please Support Car-Seat.Org with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Orbit, Recaro, Safety 1st, Diono & more!

Please Support Car-Seat.Org with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Orbit, Recaro, Safety 1st, Diono & more!