Road trip, 7-year-old (which seat?)

bnsnyde

New member
I asked this question in a post but I probably should have just made it a new post.
Wondering what you would do; planning ahead to summer. A new 7-year-old (60 lbs. and 49/50 inches). Rides in a booster normally. Planning a 7-hour trip on highway and then curvy roads (all dangerous and scary) to grandma's house. Captain's chair in a new van.

1. Remain in booster (He has an Oobr or Prosport (booster mode only fits).
2. Put in our spare Radian XT. He fits fine BUT his shoulders would be over the top slots.
3. Get Frontier85 (though I have no use for one after trip).

My concern is he might sleep and I have no idea how he'll do with that, and I do have to remind him to stay in position sometimes on our short trips around town. Next to his sister for 7 hours really doesn't inspire me.

His 4 and 5-year-old siblings (both over 40 lbs.) will be in a FF Radian, so if I wanted to freak out about neck load (and I do somewhat) I'd have to worry about them too. Just too much worrying! :) It's just the 7-year-old I'm unsure what to do with.
 
ADS

Kac

Ambassador - CPS Technician
That's tough. I do not FF in the Radian over the top slot. It's just my personal issue. I wouldn't buy a new seat unless it could be used by someone after the trip.
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
We just made a 24-hour trip (over the course of a few days) with my kids, including my 8-year-old. He was in the Monterey and did fine. He's not a sleeper, though. If he were a sleeper--and if he were a "flopping-over sleeper"--I'd go with a harness for sure. Otherwise I see no problem with a booster.
 

MommyShannon

New member
I'd probably (and did when dd was 6) use it as justification for a FR. It's an awesome travel seat. I love having it for DD when I think she will be a little crazy in the van at 7.5 now. DD does sleep correctly in boosters but looks a lot more comfortable sleeping in the FR. Besides, it has 2 cup holders! I'm sure you'd end up liking it for the other kids too.
 

Baylor

New member
My kids both sleep awesome in Monterey. It's kind of impossible not to. I would never harness over the top slots. Ever.

auto correct hates me
 

babyherder

Well-known member
When it gets to within a few weeks of your trip I'd order a Frontier85 if you're still reminding him to sit correctly sometimes. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Can you bring the Radian as an as-needed harness option? Its presence will probably mean it's not needed, lol.
 

scoutingbear

New member
This fall I took my 6 year old who is part harnessed and part bolstered on a 5 day road trip in a booster. He did great and all three kids were across the backseat. I did have the RSTV with me just in case but he really surprised me. He is a flop over sleeper in dh's car when boostered but did fine because of the more sloped seats in my friends sedan.
 

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