Which is less bad?

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
Asking for an acquaintance. I haven't been over to play with seats yet. She drives an older SUV with no headrests at all in the back seat and very low seatbacks. Three-across. Oldest boy has outgrown a Turbo -- his shoulders are above the belt guide. She can't afford another booster and doesn't think one would fit anyhow. I will play around and try to create space, but I can't create $$, and our coalition (blech!) gives harnessless Cosco HBBs as high-backed boosters so that's not going to be any better.

So, in HBB Turbo with belt guide below shoulders, or in backless Turbo with most of his head above the seatback?

I'm thinking belt guide below shoulders, but I'm not very happy about it.
 
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Lenae

Active member
With an older SUV like that, I'm guessing it doesn't have passenger airbags, could oldest boy sit up front in a backless maybe?
 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
I'm pretty sure there are airbags in front. I'm not ruling out the front seat, but I'm not happy about it either.
 

lorismurph

Senior Community Member
If the belt is still positioned okay, I'd stick with the HBB. Otherwise, I'd go backless in the front, all the way back of course. Better to have head protection for sure.
Then tell her to start saving up for a new car, he's not going to fit any hbb forever (maybe some others for a while).
 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
I think she's going to be replacing the car when her tax refund comes in, so we're really only looking at a few months here.
 

Kecia

Admin - CPST Instructor
Personally, I would NOT advocate for moving to the front seat just to give a child better protection against whiplash. Riding in the front seat greatly increases a child's chance of suffering a serious or fatal injury - regardless of the presence of ABs. Whiplash sucks but it's rarely fatal.

See how the shoulder belt fits him if you don't route it through the upper guide on the Turbo.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
I don't know whether there are any of the lower-priced backlesses that would be a bit lower-profile than the Turbo? LiteRider or anything? (I really haven't compared that dimension.)
 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
Seat backs are VERY low (Grand Cherokee). I doubt an inch or so is going to make a difference.

I will try it with the belt outside the shoulder guides. I really don't like the idea of him in front.
 

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