Adjusting Radian Recline (pic-heavy)

[Defrost]

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I played with carseats today.

Here's what I've learned about getting a Radian more upright. Pulling it away from the seat-bight does help, it's just not as obvious or easy as it is with other carseats.

In a '97 Chevy Astro with fairly cushy seats, I was able to get it pretty upright both center and outboard (not that it matters much in this vehicle as it's got a lot of room anyway!):

The standard recline:


More upright:


The standard recline (foot is on seatbelt cover, deep in bight):


More upright recline (foot is under seatbelt cover, further away from bight):


With the standard recline I can barely squeeze my hand between the front of the foot and the vehicle seat:


With the upright angle, I've got plenty of room for my hand:


My position when installing for more upright:



Oh look! My friend just pulled up in his gigantic Dodge dually pick-up with the super cab or whatever Dodge calls it! I bet those seats aren't cushy at all. As the confirmed bachelor yells "Hey, get that thing out of my WORK TRUCK!" ...

Standard recline (driver's seat had to moved forward):


More upright (driver's seat in it's usual position):


And just to get everything in the same place, here's previously posted pics of when I played with the recline in my Mazda 5:

Standard recline:


More upright:


It's definitely easier with cushy seats! And I suspect that reclining the vehicle seat (if possible) would help considerably as well, but by the time I got done playing in the truck today, I was too tired to try it in the Mazda 5's reclining seats.

Anyway, I hope someone finds this helpful.

[Gypsy]

Nope. Not helpful.


::::mumblingitwouldhavebeenmorehelpfulifmybffwould haveinvitedmeovertoplaywithcarseatsmumble::::

[Defrost]

You're just jealous that I played without you.

ROTFL - I posted right before you added the mumble!!!

Here you go. *passes brain back*

[Gypsy]

Yes. Yes I am.

::::grumbleIonlyliveafewminutesaway&couldhavebeent hereinnotimesittinghomeboredalldayonasundaywithwel lbehavingkidsjustwatchingmoviesandrelaxingwouldhav ebeenmorefuntoplaywithcarseatswithmybffgrumble::::

[Defrost]

Aww! Well now I have to buy a Nautilus to make it up to you!

(I've still got to try the Radian RF with the seat reclined... and we could always add pics of it in the Sedona...)

[Gypsy]

Yes, yes, that would make me feel better

[wendytthomas]

SMOOCH! It makes a lot of sense, just seems nearly impossible with that foot. But you're right, there it is. How very very awesome.

Hmmm, upright Radian and Radians in VW Golfs. Soon that seat will fit everywhere! Once Russ then gets the whole installation thing worked out it'll be perfect. hehe

Wendy

[lovinwaves]

So uh, Defrost...Wanna come over and do this in my Ody? Me can not get me a good upright install

[Defrost]

Originally Posted by lovinwaves

So uh, Defrost...Wanna come over and do this in my Ody? Me can not get me a good upright install

Are you offering to pay me for a vacation?

I don't know anyone with an Ody or I'd ask to give it a try and take pics for you!

[lovinwaves]

Originally Posted by Defrost

Are you offering to pay me for a vacation?

I don't know anyone with an Ody or I'd ask to give it a try and take pics for you!

hehe, wouldn't be a vaca where I live though..sorry. lol!


Well, my problem is that my seats are so compressed(at least this is what I am thinking my problem is), that even if I pull the base away from the seatbite I can't get an upright install.

Aidensmom has installed one in a NEW ody and got a great upright install. So I dunno I mean I *am* capable of doing this (I have done it in other cars), but the Ody is giving me a fit LOL!

[Defrost]

Originally Posted by lovinwaves

Aidensmom has installed one in a NEW ody and got a great upright install. So I dunno I mean I *am* capable of doing this (I have done it in other cars), but the Ody is giving me a fit LOL!

That stinks! The only thing I can think to add is that when I'm trying to get it in upright, I'm completely ignoring the back of the seat. It's like I'm trying to install the foot all by itself, and I want to get the foot on its tippie-toes! Getting in behind the seat really helps, because then I can use my hips to really tilt the foot into the vehicle seat.

[lovinwaves]

Originally Posted by Defrost

That stinks! The only thing I can think to add is that when I'm trying to get it in upright, I'm completely ignoring the back of the seat. It's like I'm trying to install the foot all by itself, and I want to get the foot on its tippie-toes! Getting in behind the seat really helps, because then I can use my hips to really tilt the foot into the vehicle seat.

Ok, I will try that!... Thanks for the tip. For the time being we put the Marathon back in there. My knees were eating the dash

[TechnoGranola]

That is great, now why don't they make that darn foot have more than one position for installation so this isn't such a pain??

Now, I wonder, if SKJP is expecting it to be installed a certain way (as per their foot design), would installing it contrary to that affect the seat in an accident?

[CDNTech]

Originally Posted by technogranola

That is great, now why don't they make that darn foot have more than one position for installation so this isn't such a pain??

Now, I wonder, if SKJP is expecting it to be installed a certain way (as per their foot design), would installing it contrary to that affect the seat in an accident?

The foot is only meant to help parents achieve a 45 degree angle. They want to make sure young babies/newborns have the 45 degree angle to keep their airways open. Any angle between 30 - 45 degrees is fine, the foot just makes it slightly more difficult to achieve.

[arly1983]

I will have to try this. I can already get it pretty upright but with this I might be about to get it RFing in the 3rd row....how cool would that be?

[LuvBug]

nice this is similar in method to installing the britax seats for upright as well. :hinthint if you wanted to take more pics :

[azgirl71]

Originally Posted by LuvBug03

nice this is similar in method to installing the britax seats for upright as well. :hinthint if you wanted to take more pics :

I was trying to work on this today, but the weather turned yucky and windy. I will post pics when I do . You want RN pics correct?

[Defrost]

Originally Posted by LuvBug03

nice this is similar in method to installing the britax seats for upright as well. :hinthint if you wanted to take more pics :

I thought we already had a thread with pics of how to install the Britax seats more upright? Or is it just a description? I do have the Marathon back now, so I could make a pictorial of that, too, I suppose, if it hasn't been done already.

[Kabes]

My DS is in a RF Radian. He is 16 months and about 25 lbs, is it O.K. to install at a more up right position? If it is; I'm headed outside. That would be SOOO sweet. Thanks for the pics.

[Defrost]

Originally Posted by Kabes

My DS is in a RF Radian. He is 16 months and about 25 lbs, is it O.K. to install at a more up right position? If it is; I'm headed outside. That would be SOOO sweet. Thanks for the pics.

Yes, it is okay to install it more upright for older children. Younger babies need a more reclined angle so that their heads don't fall forward and block their airway, but older kids have enough head control that they don't need to be that reclined.