Strap Covers

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

Ok, after reading the "Bad Tech" thread a few weeks ago, I know I can't be the only one...

My Complete Air is one of the types with the stiff plastic harness covers that can't be removed on it.

They cut into my daughter's neck something horrid. Sometimes the red marks last for over 24 hours after she comes out of the seat.

That seat didn't come with any soft strap covers.

I don't think baby socks are going to do the trick.

I'm (gasp) considering either buying or sewing a pair of harness strap covers. Obviously I wouldn't buy or make them big enough to push in the chest clip, or thick enough to keep me from tightening down the straps properly.

I thought maybe I'd buy a pair of Onboard Air strap covers to match, modify them if necessary, and use those, but as near as I can tell you can't buy the strap covers alone; you can only get a complete pad or cover set.

Are there any aftermarket strap covers which you think can (cautiously) be used? Preferably something black and/or silver to coordinate with the O2 color scheme?

Am I a bad person for even considering this?

lovemybabies924 · Oct 24, 2011

hmmmm...i would like to know

Judi · Oct 24, 2011

Car seat hell FTW!!

Sorry, had to.

creideamh · Oct 24, 2011

If they weren't gigantic puffy things (i.e. I don't even like the ones on the next gen Britax seats, even though obviously they're manufacturer approved...), then yeah I'd probably use them. I don't think you're a bad person

ketchupqueen · Oct 24, 2011

I don't know, they put those things on for a reason, and strap covers CAN change crash performance.

cryswilkins · Oct 24, 2011

Have you called Dorel to see what they recommend? What about slightly thicker socks?

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Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

I thought maybe I'd get these:

JUST KIDDING!

No, seriously, just something to come between DD and that stiff plastic thing is all I am thinking of.

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

I have had so little success talking to the numbskull thick-headed brainless customer service bots at Dorel that it didn't even occur to call or email them to have them tell me that there is no problem with the seat, the straps don't rub my daughter's neck, nobody else has ever had this problem, and they cannot recommend that I use their seat if I can't use it as it ships and no they won't look at pictures or consider the possibility that their product doesn't walk on water.

And yes, I realize that it's theoretically possible that strap covers might slightly alter crash performance. Then again, most car seats seem to come with them, so how much can they actually change the performance? That's why I'm stressing about this. *sigh*

ketchupqueen · Oct 24, 2011

But, those seats are tested with strap covers. And in this case, they have those plastic things. The plastic things are there, like I say, for a reason- I'm thinking probably to help with a problem they saw without them.

I don't think you'd get anywhere with CS. Maybe if someone has an in with one of their engineers?

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

To clarify, I'm NOT considering removing the plastic strap covers that are there.

Just possibly wrapping them with something not very thick but enough to put padding between the plastic and DD's neck.

If I could get them to swap it out for a newer CA that didn't require those thick plastic covers, that would be awesome. But I could also win the lottery and just buy a new seat.

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

By the way, as I recall, they have stated that they added the plastic covers to get the 65 lb weight rating. Later, they made other changes to the seat that made the plastic covers unnecessary.

If I were to remove the strap covers (which I don't intend to do) I'd basically be converting my CA65 to a CA50. Which actually wouldn't make a hoot of difference to me. But I'd be concerned about someone somewhere in the future using it for a 60 lb child and that would be bad.

Carrie_R · Oct 24, 2011

Are they grippy on the side that is towards the child?

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

Carrie_R said:
Are they grippy on the side that is towards the child?

I think so... I'd have to go out in the dark to check.

ketchupqueen · Oct 24, 2011

Brigala said:
To clarify, I'm NOT considering removing the plastic strap covers that are there.

Just possibly wrapping them with something not very thick but enough to put padding between the plastic and DD's neck.

If I could get them to swap it out for a newer CA that didn't require those thick plastic covers, that would be awesome. But I could also win the lottery and just buy a new seat.

I got that; I was thinking that since they are grippy, as I recall, then putting something over them would not be good.

Brigala · Oct 24, 2011

Definitely a consideration. Although the same seat without the grippy covers was apparently fine up to 50 lbs FF and the same 40 lbs RF that it is now... and DD isn't even half way to 50 lbs yet.

ketchupqueen · Oct 24, 2011

Then, uh, if I were you, I'd maybe put take the plastic things off, make it a 50, and put some baby socks on.

Brigala · Oct 25, 2011

If I'm going to render the grippy covers ineffective, I think I'd feel more comfortable doing it in a temporary fashion (covering them) rather than removing them all together. Given a choice between the two. Especially because the problem may be temporary, or come and go as she grows and the relationship between her shoulders/neck and the harness height change. Right now, it seems to be getting worse. But I've had a different child in the seat (FF) who had no problems with it at all.

ketchupqueen · Oct 25, 2011

Well, if you don't want to remove them, then you should probably use a different seat. I don't like the idea of covering them.

joolsplus3 · Oct 25, 2011

I'd call Dorel and complain. But I wouldn't cover them or remove them, they seemed pretty adamant that model needs the covers (generally it's for head excursion reduction, I assume that's what they are for on this particular model).

Brigala · Oct 25, 2011

joolsplus3 said:
(generally it's for head excursion reduction, I assume that's what they are for on this particular model).

I agree that's probably what they're for, but for RF for a 22# toddler head excursion isn't really a big concern.

Do you think they'll actually listen if I call and complain? Should I drive her around in the seat for a bit and take pictures of the red marks on her neck?

Strap Covers

Strap covers?

I would/might use them if necessary.

You're going to Car Seat Hell for even considering it.

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