Question Forward facing help please

[bikergurl125]

I have an Evenflo Triumph, and it only rear-faces up to 30 lbs. DD is almost 2 years old and weighs 29.5lbs and is about 1" from the top of the seat rear-facing. I can't buy a new seat as I lost my job a few months ago and haven't been able to find a new one. I have a 2007 Mazda 6, sport model (4 door). What's the safest option for forward facing? Middle seat installed with the seatbelt? I was told I can't use the latch anymore due to her weight.

What else do I need to know about forward facing seats? Thanks!

 

[bikergurl125]

Anyone?

 

[vangelder03]

I would put her in the middle. I hope you get a job soon sucks to have kids and no money.

 

[smackeen]

Regarding latch: Mazda defers to the child restraint.

*When the vehicle manufacturer defers to the child restraint manufacturer and the child restraint manufacturer does not give a limit, I was taught to assume 40 lbs. (weight of child only.) I'm checking to see if this advice still applies or not. So far my responses seem to be a rather nebulous "yes."

From here: http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=2438668&postcount=123

I do not have my manual on me at the moment, but will see what I can find. You may not be able to use latch in the middle anyways, so the seat belt is fine.

 

[bikergurl125]

Thanks! I do not have latch anchors in the middle seat, so I am debating between

A) middle seat with seatbelt, or
B) passenger seat with latch or seatbelt, whichever is appropriate

 

[featherhead]

Thanks! I do not have latch anchors in the middle seat, so I am debating between

A) middle seat with seatbelt, or
B) passenger seat with latch or seatbelt, whichever is appropriate

I would do middle as long as you can get a good installation there. Whichever position you choose, make sure to use the top tether.

 

[MommyShannon]

Be sure to top tether the seat. LATCH or seatbelt are equally safe as long as you get less than one inch of movement, but it needs to be top tethered either way.
That seat isn't tall for ff so you will need another harnessed seat before he can ride is a booster with a regular seatbelt. I'd look for organizations who do seat checks that might have discounted seats. The SureRide would be a great seat for him to rf and ff until booster age. It goes on sale for $80 sometimes.

 

[bikergurl125]

[QUOTE="MommyShannon;2577541"
That seat isn't tall for ff so you will need another harnessed seat before he can ride is a booster with a regular seatbelt. I'd look for organizations who do seat checks that might have discounted seats. The SureRide would be a great seat for him to rf and ff until booster age. It goes on sale for $80 sometimes.[/QUOTE]

Oh no, I was afraid of that! I'm going to have the seat checked once it's installed, I'll ask about other seats. This one will have to do for now though

 

[featherhead]

Be sure to top tether the seat. LATCH or seatbelt are equally safe as long as you get less than one inch of movement, but it needs to be top tethered either way.
That seat isn't tall for ff so you will need another harnessed seat before he can ride is a booster with a regular seatbelt. I'd look for organizations who do seat checks that might have discounted seats. The SureRide would be a great seat for him to rf and ff until booster age. It goes on sale for $80 sometimes.

We don't have the SureRide yet. I'm guessing the OP has a Triumph Advance, or Triumph 65 if she bought it new for this child. If so, the top harness position is plenty high.

 

[bikergurl125]

Agh, messed up the quote sorry!

It's the triumph that rear faces to 30 pounds bought brand new 2 years ago. Not sure if its the advance or not... I can't find the manual, about to look it up online.

 

[MommyShannon]

We don't have the SureRide yet. I'm guessing the OP has a Triumph Advance, or Triumph 65 if she bought it new for this child. If so, the top harness position is plenty high.

Sorry. We need flashing lights on the "Canada" heading in the app. I always miss that.

 

[bikergurl125]

I used the model number an date of manufacture and the manual for the triumph advance came up, so that must be what I have. It ff until 65 lbs. I n that case, I hope that it will last us a long time!

That raises a new question: her head is already about 1" from the top rear facing, how do you know when they are too tall to use the seat forward facing? Sorry for my ignorance, I planned on rf-ing longer so didn't think much about forward facing seats.

 

[featherhead]

I used the model number an date of manufacture and the manual for the triumph advance came up, so that must be what I have. It ff until 65 lbs. I n that case, I hope that it will last us a long time!

That raises a new question: her head is already about 1" from the top rear facing, how do you know when they are too tall to use the seat forward facing? Sorry for my ignorance, I planned on rf-ing longer so didn't think much about forward facing seats.

The Triumph Advance/65 is a great seat . For forward facing, she needs the harness to be at her shoulders, or above, and her ears need to be below the top of the seat. So once her shoulders go higher than the harness in the highest position, or her ears go above the seat, then she will need a new seat.