extended harness for older kids. shoulder width question & pioneer 70 question

U

Unregistered

Guest
I'm shopping for a new seat for my oldest before our 3rd child is born. I was attracted to the britax pioneer 70 because of the low price & long expiration. I took my very petite newly 5 year old to sit in it last night & it looked Luke the shoulders were very narrow. Am I missing something? It seems Luke there's no way a kid could fit their shoulders into this seat at 70 lbs, let alone 110!
Which harnesses actually accommodate an older kid's shoulders?
 
ADS

bree

Car-Seat.Org Ambassador
Hello and welcome! :) Most kids outgrow forward-facing harnessed seats when their shoulders go over the top harness slot position and that is typically well before the weight limit for seats with higher weight limits. So most kids will outgrow the Pioneer in harnessed mode by shoulder height before they are 70 pounds.

I'm not sure how exactly the Pioneer compares to the Frontier 90 (which is the seat it is based on), but in my experience, the older model Frontiers fit a wide variety of sizes of kids. :) I hope someone with more info will have some answers for you, soon. :)
 

YinzerMama

New member
The weight limits are very misleading. It is GREAT to know a seat will stand up to X amount of force in a crash, but realistically most kids are never going to hit the weight limits of a forward facing seat. My oldest is hovering at maybe 78 pounds and I can't even fathom stuffing him in my girls' Frontier 85s. I tried him in it for fit maybe a year ago and he looked miserable. He's tall and thin so not overweight in any way.

I haven't really played much with the pioneer 70 but IME kids do start to get a little squished in their seats as they get taller. They have to make the narrow enough that the smallest kids aren't swimming and also so it's not taking up so much room in your car.

I'm not really up on which combination seats are the best for big kid shoulders but just wanted to say not to have too much faith in actually harnessing a kid to the limits of the seat. I suspect a kid short enough to fit but heavy enough to approach the weight limits would be super squished.

FWIW my girls still fit nicely in their 85s, I will probably move them to boosters in about 6 months when they are 6.
 

Ninetales

New member
My kids are built like linebackers. My 47 lb, 42 inch 3 year old is probably the size of an average five year old. She fits comfortably in her Frontier.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
So if he's 5 years 34 lb, 41 inches tall is it probably more economic/ realistic to just start looking at high back boosters or a less expensive one like the evenflo secure kid? I'm not sure when it's best to start using a high back booster... he'll be 5years 4 months when he gets his new seat. He does have a 2 year 8 month old sister who will be nearly 3 when her triumph expires so I can possibly pass the seat down her except she is nearly as big as him so it's possible she'd outgrow it before he would.
 

starshine514

New member
We have a Frontier. My 6 yr old (45" and 43 lbs) uses it. It is very large, sturdy and seems like it should fit her a while longer. Will you be needing to fit 3 kids across in the back seat? If so, I highly recommend getting your son a harnessed seat - it's so difficult to buckle in a booster that's right next to a car seat! Your son is so light, I wouldn't like the idea of him being in a booster full-time until he reaches 40 lbs. so, I'd be looking first for a harnessed seat for him. I'm not sure if a Frontier is the best choice for 3 across, though (I'm going to have to cross that bridge soon as well, as we're expecting a third in April) - it's really pretty wide. I do love it as a harnessed, seat though!

My 6 yr old does use a Graco Turbobooster w/ Safety surround in our second vehicle. It's narrow, so I would also be surprised if larger kids would feel comfortable in it. It does seem nice and cozy for a smaller kid, though. I think Target has them on sale for $59 this week.

I've gotten slightly lost here. What kind of seat is your son in now? Is his seat expiring, is he outgrowing it, or do you just want to pass it on to the new baby (or to your 2 year old)? And your 2 year old daughter's seat is expiring before the end of the year as well?
 

canadiangie

New member
So if he's 5 years 34 lb, 41 inches tall is it probably more economic/ realistic to just start looking at high back boosters or a less expensive one like the evenflo secure kid? I'm not sure when it's best to start using a high back booster... he'll be 5years 4 months when he gets his new seat. He does have a 2 year 8 month old sister who will be nearly 3 when her triumph expires so I can possibly pass the seat down her except she is nearly as big as him so it's possible she'd outgrow it before he would.


Actually I think your plan is great. Pioneer or frontier for your oldest for now, and re-evaluate things once your middle's Triumph expires.

Go see how much seated room your oldest has in a Pioneer (ie: how much space he has between his shoulders and the harness slots when the harness is raised as high as it will go) and make your decision based on that. Taller top slots = longer harnessing potential. :)
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
My son is in a britax advocate 70cs right now. I'm going to get the infant insert & pass the advocate to the baby. My daughter is rfing in an evenflo triumph which will expire Dec 2014.
I have an '03 sienna so space isn't much of an issue. It's best to put baby in the very back center seat right? & the older 2 in captains chairs?
So I'm thinking get a pioneer or frontier before baby is born. Pass frontier or pioneer to my daughter who will be nearly 4 when her triumph expires and get a securekid or similar seat for my son who will be 6.
 

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