BPB don't expire?

thepeach80 · Oct 13, 2006

Anyone want to weigh in on this one? I always used the same rule for them as I did for any other seat, 6yrs (or whatever the manufacturer says). According to a tech I know online (vaguely) BPB don't expire. According to her I could use an Alpha Omega till my child was ready for a seatbelt as long I didn't use the straps after 6yrs and just used the base as a booster. Thoughts?

stayinhomewithmy6 · Oct 13, 2006

I've never heard that before, but it kind of makes sense I suppose. I'm curious to see what others have to say about this!

RubysGirl · Oct 13, 2006

I, myself, would not hesitate to use a low back booster, or a highback booster, as long as the vehicle seat is high and supports the child. If it was a foam type booster I probably wouldn't, and I wouldnt' use a highback if I couldn't use a lowback. I wouldn't want to depend on the head support in the event of a crash.

Other than that, theoretically I'd tend to think they're fine. I'm not a tech though. They're not really under stress, yk?

skaterbabs · Oct 13, 2006

No, that is wrong. Boosters *do* expire, the same as regular seats, with just a couple of exceptions. (I think Recaro has one that doesn't, and the cheap Evenflo backless doesn't.)

Tara · Oct 14, 2006

Doesn't make sense to me as it's still plastic that will deteriorate I understand not the same kind of force would be put on it in bpb mode as opposed to harness mode, but still
hmmm
I just know I won't be using my old Cargo as a bpb for my kids...at 7 yr post DOM I wouldn't trust it for a trip around the block.
But...I have no facts for ya either way...that's just my intial thoughts

abacus2 · Oct 14, 2006

Even though boosters do expire and will eventually wear out to the point that it's obvious they shouldn't be used anymore, the risk of using an expired booster can't possibly be in the same category of risk as using an expired harnessed seat. The booster's primary job is to make the seatbelt fit so that it can work properly which requires a lot less structural support than holding a child in a harness under accident forces. Has there ever been any testing showing a safety risk with an older booster?

jenny03 · Oct 14, 2006

I think I'd have more of a problem with a highback expiring, because the seatbelt does go through the seat/guide. I'd be afraid it would snap. But I could see how a backless booster would be less of an issue.

kelly · Oct 14, 2006

I'd also worry about highback boosters that are providing head support past where the vehicle's seatback is (like the Apex rule). If it is expired, it may snap causing neck trauma.

Clearly, its not the same risk as the harness breaking through a harnessed seat though.

The only BPB that I recall that doesn't expire is the Recaro Start because its structure is metal not plastic.

skaterbabs · Oct 14, 2006

The backless Evenflo doesn't expire either, from what I understand, but most boosters do have expiration dates on them.

BPB don't expire?

thepeach80

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