Costco topside or Harmony literider

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 26, 2014

We've got a tight spot to install and I was looking into the harmony literider.
I think that one might work, and I like the price....but I also saw the costco topside.
The child in question is around 53lbs, 8 yrs old. I'm not sure on height. It will be in the third row of my T&C, middle seat. That spot is really narrow. It will need to fit between a Frontier 85, seat belt installed on pass outboard, and a marathon 70-g3, seat belt install on driver outboard. These two convertibles are as close to the outside as I can get them, and are installed properly. I'm actually surprised they each went in as well as they did. There is enough room that my daughter can sit there without a seat quite comfortably, except she doesn't 5-step yet! She's anticipating the day like crazy! lol
I looked into the incognito, but she doesn't meet the minimum weight limit. I also looked into the BB, but I worry it won't support her legs enough to be comfy long term.
So my search brought me to the Harmony literider. Or the costco topside.
My captains chairs are full. We are foster parents and this may not be a long term seating arrangement, but I want everyone to be safe while it is necessary.
Advice?
Thanks

MommyShannon · Apr 26, 2014

The literider (youth booster) fits beside the Britax convertibles really well. I'm not sure if it will fit with a Frontier too though. It might be your best bet besides the bubble bum.

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 26, 2014

I kinda thought it might be my best bet too. It stinks the third row on my van is so narrow and I happen to only own wide seats! Lol
I might run to Wal-Mart this evening and pick one up to try it. I can always take it back.
Thanks for your input.

veggiegirl228 · Apr 26, 2014

Kmart has the Topside on sale thru today for $10 instead of $14.99. One thing to keep in mind (in case you didn't know) is that the shoulder portion of the belt goes over the armrest not under. The Youth Rider is $12.98 at Walmart.

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 26, 2014

Thanks! That's a great price!
I did see on another thread as I searched for more info on both of these that the belt path is different.
I should see if I have a Kmart near me. They seem to be closing those down around here.

henrietta · Apr 27, 2014

The Top Side doesn't really "fit" any better for us where we need it, but it's design does make it easier to buckle. I could see where in some cases, it would actually fit better than the Lite Rider / Youth.

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 27, 2014

I don't have a Kmart near me, so I ran to Wal-Mart after church today and picked up a literider.
It won't fit though! The arm rests aren't compatible with the frontier.
I'm at a loss. Darn tiny third row!
I realize we aren't at the minimum weight for the incognito, but with no arm rests I think this might be our only option for letting everyone ride safely. At least with that booster the belt would fit her properly.
Would this be a safer option then no booster at all? I'm thinking yes!
Thought?

Dillipop · Apr 28, 2014

A bubblebum should work. It inflates and doesn't have armrests- just loops like he incognito.

veggiegirl228 · Apr 28, 2014

I agree on the BubbleBum. You can find them at Walmart (not sure if all carry it though) and [ame="http://www.amazon.com/BubbleBum-Inflatable-Car-Booster-Seat/dp/B00AQYZCXK/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t"]Amazon.com[/ame].

aept · Apr 28, 2014

Tashinamommyto3 said:
I don't have a Kmart near me, so I ran to Wal-Mart after church today and picked up a literider. It won't fit though! The arm rests aren't compatible with the frontier. I'm at a loss. Darn tiny third row! I realize we aren't at the minimum weight for the incognito, but with no arm rests I think this might be our only option for letting everyone ride safely. At least with that booster the belt would fit her properly. Would this be a safer option then no booster at all? I'm thinking yes! Thought?

I have the same third row and I wasn't surprised to see the lite rider didn't fit

it's such a narrow spot I'm not sure a lite rider would even fit between two more narrow seats.

The good news is, since she fits in there, the bubblebum should work for her. I know it looks "short" but there are quite a few reports that it is actually quite comfortable. I've played around with one and am excited to have one soon for our Prius 3-across or to use if we need to do a three across on the third row of the grand caravan.
I've got one being delivered to me this week - tracking says Thursday. My son can give his review soon

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 28, 2014

I did see the bubblebum yesterday at Wal-Mart. I'll try that then. I'm hesitant, but it could be a perfect option.
It was only $30 too!

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 29, 2014

I'm not completely happy with the BB, but as it seems to be our only option I'll take it.
Does this fit look ok?
She had her arms forward being silly.

veggiegirl228 · Apr 29, 2014

It's a bit hard to tell on the lapbelt part. Could you take a different picture (one head on and one from the side). Does the BB come with the adjuster to help on the shoulder belt?

Dillipop · Apr 29, 2014

veggiegirl228 said:
It's a bit hard to tell on the lapbelt part. Could you take a different picture (one head on and one from the side). Does the BB come with the adjuster to help on the shoulder belt?

The shoulder belt being closer to the neck is more of a comfort thing than a safety thing. However, the bubble bum does come with an adjuster, I believe, that would help pull it down, closer to the middle of her shoulder.

veggiegirl228 · Apr 29, 2014

Dillipop said:
The shoulder belt being closer to the neck is more of a comfort thing than a safety thing. However, the bubble bum does come with an adjuster, I believe, that would help pull it down, closer to the middle of her shoulder.

I know

just thought it would be more comfy for the kiddo.

Tashinamommyto3 · Apr 30, 2014

It would be more comfy, and she was complaining about that, so I'll put the strap on this afternoon. Maybe that will help.
I'll get more pics this afternoon too.
Thanks!

hrice · Apr 30, 2014

I have found that the Topside fits in spaces where the Literider won't. If you do not like the Bubblebum the topside may be worth a try. I believe Target carries it.

veggiegirl228 · Apr 30, 2014

hrice said:
I have found that the Topside fits in spaces where the Literider won't. If you do not like the Bubblebum the topside may be worth a try. I believe Target carries it.

Yes Target carries it. It's $12.99 I believe

aept · May 5, 2014

aept said:
I have the same third row and I wasn't surprised to see the lite rider didn't fit it's such a narrow spot I'm not sure a lite rider would even fit between two more narrow seats. The good news is, since she fits in there, the bubblebum should work for her. I know it looks "short" but there are quite a few reports that it is actually quite comfortable. I've played around with one and am excited to have one soon for our Prius 3-across or to use if we need to do a three across on the third row of the grand caravan. I've got one being delivered to me this week - tracking says Thursday. My son can give his review soon

My 7.5 year old has had several rides with the bubblebum now. He says it is comfy and he is getting used to the slight "Wobbliness". He is having a much easier time buckling it than the harmony youth booster that he had been using. The harmony just barely fit into the space and as a result it was really hard for him to for his hand through to buckle. He has much more room to buckle the bubblebum and doesn't find the clips hard to use. He gets buckled in by himself faster then I can get my two year old into the radian.

Did you end up trying a topside in there? Is your daughter liking or getting used to the BB?

Costco topside or Harmony literider

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