singingpond
New member
Maybe this should be over on the Carseat Forum, but the original thread was here, so I thought I would post here.
There was recent discussion of an email from Russ at SK, in which he stated (among other things) that their crash test results for RF were just as good without the annoying foot/boot thingie, but that they still officially require the use of the boot for RF install. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.
I currently have a Radian RF (with boot) in the center of my '96 Corolla (no LATCH), for my 2 1/2 y.o. The Radian, with the boot, simply does not fit in either outboard position, because the front seats just can't go up far enough to accomodate the tall reclined backrest of the Radian. However, my infant DD is on the verge of growing out of her Snugride, so I had been thinking of getting a second Radian, which would mean putting it outboard FF for 2 1/2 y.o. DS, and putting her RF in the center Radian. The problem is, I do not really want to turn him FF, since he is only 29#, and easily within the RF weight range.
So, based on Russ's email info., I was just outside trying a RF installation outboard, without the boot. Rather to my surprise, it was solid, and didn't even take very long (did require two full twists of the buckle stalk). The front seat does have to move forward a notch or two from its current position, and it's not ideal for the driver, but probably workable, especially with the Radian very solidly 'braced' against the driver's seat, LOL. I used a triangle of pool noodles taped together, and the resulting recline was probably around 30 degrees, so I wouldn't want to make it much more upright, but may experiment a bit more.
I also tried FF outboard, and could get a probably 'acceptable' install, but not one I was really pleased with -- I hate the way the belt crumples up in the FF belt path, and the latch plate was jammed up against the plastic near the belt path slot, AND I still had a good inch of play. Not sure if I'll be able to improve on it, and it may end up being an 'unacceptable' install.
So, now what??
Should my 2 1/2 y.o. ride RF in a solidly installed seat, but not in accordance with official install instructions? Or FF in an only barely acceptably installed seat, but in compliance with official instructions?
I'm also considering putting my oldest DS (6 y.o., currently outboard in a Parkway) in the Radian FF center, and putting both his younger sibs outboard RF in other seats, to be determined. Unfortunately, the Scenera I picked up for the purpose doesn't look like it'll work for what we need either, although I'll have to play more with it before returning it to WalMart. So, this why I'm back to considering a second Radian.
Anyway, thought I would report back, for those who were reading the other Radian thread recently.
Katrin
There was recent discussion of an email from Russ at SK, in which he stated (among other things) that their crash test results for RF were just as good without the annoying foot/boot thingie, but that they still officially require the use of the boot for RF install. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.
I currently have a Radian RF (with boot) in the center of my '96 Corolla (no LATCH), for my 2 1/2 y.o. The Radian, with the boot, simply does not fit in either outboard position, because the front seats just can't go up far enough to accomodate the tall reclined backrest of the Radian. However, my infant DD is on the verge of growing out of her Snugride, so I had been thinking of getting a second Radian, which would mean putting it outboard FF for 2 1/2 y.o. DS, and putting her RF in the center Radian. The problem is, I do not really want to turn him FF, since he is only 29#, and easily within the RF weight range.
So, based on Russ's email info., I was just outside trying a RF installation outboard, without the boot. Rather to my surprise, it was solid, and didn't even take very long (did require two full twists of the buckle stalk). The front seat does have to move forward a notch or two from its current position, and it's not ideal for the driver, but probably workable, especially with the Radian very solidly 'braced' against the driver's seat, LOL. I used a triangle of pool noodles taped together, and the resulting recline was probably around 30 degrees, so I wouldn't want to make it much more upright, but may experiment a bit more.
I also tried FF outboard, and could get a probably 'acceptable' install, but not one I was really pleased with -- I hate the way the belt crumples up in the FF belt path, and the latch plate was jammed up against the plastic near the belt path slot, AND I still had a good inch of play. Not sure if I'll be able to improve on it, and it may end up being an 'unacceptable' install.
So, now what??
Should my 2 1/2 y.o. ride RF in a solidly installed seat, but not in accordance with official install instructions? Or FF in an only barely acceptably installed seat, but in compliance with official instructions?
I'm also considering putting my oldest DS (6 y.o., currently outboard in a Parkway) in the Radian FF center, and putting both his younger sibs outboard RF in other seats, to be determined. Unfortunately, the Scenera I picked up for the purpose doesn't look like it'll work for what we need either, although I'll have to play more with it before returning it to WalMart. So, this why I'm back to considering a second Radian.
Anyway, thought I would report back, for those who were reading the other Radian thread recently.
Katrin