Radian woes

Mingie · Nov 29, 2010

I finally decided and purchased a new 2010 version Radian XT for dd#2. We have a 2009 radian so I knew it would fit well in both of our vehicles(2005 Hyundai Tuscon and 2007 Hyundai Entourage).

Well I have had the seat for just over a week in the van and it seems to be loosening when dd is in the seat. And these are just short rides. The reason I checked it was because the seat was slightly crooked when I looked back at dd in the seat. So when she got out I tightened it again. And then again today after driving around with her it was crooked again! It isn't really loose but I am able to tighten it a bit each time. This never happens with the older UAS strap.

And also, I can't seem to get it as upright as I can with the older version. It is much tougher to tighten.

I haven't tried it in the Tuscon yet but I will once this torrential wind storm stops pounding us!

smackeen · Nov 30, 2010

Could it be the same issue as here:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=148783

amyd · Nov 30, 2010

Yeah, the new UAS straps don't work as well in every vehicle because of the angle of how the tilt lock clip lays. I'd be inclined to call SKJP and ask if they'd send you an old style belt for it.

Mingie · Nov 30, 2010

smackeen said:
Could it be the same issue as here:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=148783

I am going to read about this a bit more. Hoping not though.

Mingie · Nov 30, 2010

amyd said:
Yeah, the new UAS straps don't work as well in every vehicle because of the angle of how the tilt lock clip lays. I'd be inclined to call SKJP and ask if they'd send you an old style belt for it.

I think this is the case. I went out for an hour this morning and uninstalled and reinstalled. The older style UAS has the tightening mechanism flat on the seat edge. The newer style is not flat when I tighten it as much as I can. The seat tips to that side when dd gets out and then it will be laying flat but the seat is crooked. Not a lot but some. And it slightly loosens it. I am wondering if in the SUV it won't be as much of an issue since the UAS are buried more than the van.

And I just can't get it as upright which is no huge deal but dd leans forward and I think she likes to be more upright.

And if I get the older style strap then it defeats the purpose of the added limit. Why did they have to change a good thing!? :thumbsdown:Wishing I jumped on the MR deal now.

Minnesota · Nov 30, 2010

Please report it to SKJP, and don't believe them if they say it's the first problem like it they've heard. They can send you an older-style LATCH strap, but you're right, it has the regular weight limitations that the SuperLATCH belts are supposed to have. Until then, are you able to get a snug install with the vehicle belt? I wouldn't trust that SuperLATCH strap to hold in a crash.

ETA: Oh, and NHTSA... please report the problem to NHTSA as well.
ETA2: Oops, you're in Canada, so Transport Canada should be the one to hear about it, IIRC.

amyd · Nov 30, 2010

Yes, please do report this to TC. Defect reporting form is here.

Mingie · Nov 30, 2010

Ugh! I have such a sick feeling in my stomach right now. I will call tomorrow. I don't know if it is the same issue since I haven't had as extensive loosening issues. Or if it is just incompatible with my vehicle. We haven't used it for long drives yet.

Yes I can get a good seat belt install. Sigh...guess I will have to change it over.

Mae · Nov 30, 2010

I'm the one who posted the video in that other thread.

It doesn't matter if your seat is loosening a crazy amount like mine was, or if it loosens just a bit to be considered unacceptable (more than one inch, in any direction).

Absolutely report it to both Sunshine Kids and Transport Canada.

And unfortunately, yes. If they send you an older style LATCH strap, you will have to discontinue using LATCH at the weight limit of your car; you can not use LATCH to the full limits of the Radian. You can always just use the seat belt though! There's no limit on that!

Mingie · Dec 1, 2010

So this morning I took my new radian out to the Tuscon to try it out in that vehicle. It installs really nicely. The UAS tightens easily and the tightening mechanism is flat against the seat unlike the van. I also can get it very upright in this vehicle. So it will stay in this vehicle now and I will use the older radian in the van since this UAS strap seems to be more compatible with the seat.

So I think that the slight loosening in the van is the new UAS strap in incompatible with this vehicle. I was hoping to use it in the van as we drive it much more often but it isn't something that is a must for us. I will re-evaluate things when dd hits 35lbs but I doubt that will happen until closer to 4 yrs of age so it may be a moot point anyways.

butterfly_mommy · Dec 2, 2010

I have been having the same problem with my XT. The crazy thing is that it was rock solid for like 8 mons and then it started to get lose occasionally. I reported it to SK but not Transport Canada yet. SK got back to me to ask for the serial, model # and DOM but haven't heard back since and they did not say to stop using it.

Now I am also having a problem with the boot. One of the Toes is damaged it has white stress marks and it is warped. I am now afraid to use the latch and the foot. I will be installing my seat forward facing with the seatbelt until I hear back from SK. This really sucks :thumbsdown:

tam_shops · Dec 3, 2010

I didn't think they had the SL straps here in Canada.

Thought, the ones that are causing the problems are burgundy?

Just got my XT, have not had a problem. My strap is black. I didn't see anything on the SKJP Canadian site that says anything about the strap being SL. Or did I miss it?

tam

Mae · Dec 3, 2010

Canada has the SuperLATCH strap on the Radian Premier and Radian XT 2010, just NOT on the Radian65.

Not all SL straps are burgandy, either. It seems that the ones that were first made were burgandy, then they switched to black somewhere along the line.

SuperLATCH vs. Non-SuperLATCH belts:

http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=1402105&postcount=9

http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=1400660&postcount=1

butterfly_mommy · Dec 3, 2010

My strap is burgundy. Are people having loosening problems with the black straps? I am really disappointed as I have been singing the praises of my Radians for years.

tam_shops · Dec 3, 2010

Mae, THANKS! I have to go outside to look now, read the black vs burgundy & thought I just had the old style. Kind of liked that thought since then I didn't have to worry about it loosening on me! Our RN was made in the summer, it has the wings, so I'm guessing we have the SL version. I did notice that it was WAY easier to install than my MA or SS latch...

I think they should have left all the SL straps burgundy! So much easier!

tam

dragonfly8 · Dec 3, 2010

I have a RN65 2010 that came with SL.
Not sure what color they are, I want to say burgundy but without looking, can't be 100% sure.

So if the RN65 doesn't usually have the SL, how did I get it?

I don't use it anyway, my car is old school and only has seat belts:thumbsdown:

Mae · Dec 4, 2010

butterfly_mommy said:
Are people having loosening problems with the black straps?

It's both. As far as I know, both straps are the same thing, just different coloring. I'd have to go upstairs and then outside to confirm that, but I'll take a pass, as it's snowing.

tam_shops said:
I think they should have left all the SL straps burgundy! So much easier!

I know, right?

dragonfly8 said:
I have a RN65 2010 that came with SL.
Not sure what color they are, I want to say burgundy but without looking, can't be 100% sure.

So if the RN65 doesn't usually have the SL, how did I get it?

I don't use it anyway, my car is old school and only has seat belts:thumbsdown:

Oh, I may have been mistaken then. I admit that I'm not 100% up to date on the Canadian seats, and that is just what I pulled from a previous thread. My apologies!

snowbird25ca · Dec 4, 2010

dragonfly8 said:
I have a RN65 2010 that came with SL.
Not sure what color they are, I want to say burgundy but without looking, can't be 100% sure.

So if the RN65 doesn't usually have the SL, how did I get it?

I don't use it anyway, my car is old school and only has seat belts:thumbsdown:

All of the 2010 Radian's in Canada have SL straps. :thumbsup:

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