can someone explaint the science between using specific top slots rf only,ff only, or both?

D&L's-mommy

New member
all the talk about the sureride has got me thinking, how is it determined which top slots are safe to use in which directions? With the sr for example, in the US you can use the bottom 3 for RF, the 4th from bottom either direction, and the rest of the higher slots (sorry don't remember how many) for ff only, but IIRC in Canada only the bottom 3 slots can be used RF. Does anyone know how they determine that? I know US and CA standards are different, but what is is about the design of the seat that makes it safe to only use certain slots certain directions? Is it the way the slots are reinforced? Is it how it performs in crash tests, do they say " the bottom 4 slots held up to our expectations rfing but the rest didn't so only those are ok for rf?"
 
ADS

tiggercat

New member
It may have to do with the torso height of the dummy and the anti rebound requirements of Canadian standards. Many Canadian seats have different height limits rearfacing than their US counterparts, and I can see this being a similar thing. I'll be interested to see what the RF height limit ends up being.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
Slots that are intended for RF only may not be reinforced enough to handle FF. The harness in a FF seat takes a LOT more force/energy compared to a RF seat, where the shell takes more of the energy.

But as Tiggercat said, having slots that are for FF only and not for RF probably has more to do with overall height limitations and technicalities in the crash test standards and dummy sizes and that sort of thing. There shouldn't be anything different about the slots themselves which would make them inherently unsafe for RF but the location of the slots may make it so a child that tall shouldn't be riding RF in that seat.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top