Cheaper but safe car seat for 4 year old.

[ZacsMom]

I'd really like to keep my son in a 5pt harness, he uses a britax regent in our car. However, my parents want to buy a backup car seat for their car and can't afford to spend more than $50-$70.
Any advice in this area?

 

[Raegansmom4]

How much does he weigh?

 

[ketchupqueen]

How much does he weigh?

:yeahthat:

If he's less than 40, you have a lot more options than if he's 40 lbs. or close to it. Also, how tall is his torso when seated (sit him against the wall cross-legged, mark the top of his shoulder, measure from there to the floor)? Or if he's not there for you to measure, what slots does he use on the Regent and where are his shoulders in relation to them?

 

[Maedze]

:yeahthat:

To correctly offer you an option, we need an age, approximate height and weight

 

[ketchupqueen]

That's true, age factors in as well. Is he about to be 4, just turned 4, or almost 5?

 

[carseatcoach]

Can you match your parents' $50? You'll have a lot more options.

 

[ZacsMom]

sorry, he will be 5 in march so he is exactly 4 and a half and about 43lbs, he's def. over 40lbs for sure.
His torso crotch to shoulders when seated is between 14 and 15 inches (he was VERY wiggly when I was trying to measure.)
We're about to go look at seats. Someoen told me the graco turbo booster was good... thoughts?

 

[ZacsMom]

http://www.target.com/Booster-Seats...10_2/192-8773850-3453037?ie=UTF8&node=3579951

Those are more or less the options we are looking at as she will likely get it from target and I think they'll spend closer to 90 if need be.

 

[An Aurora]

The only thing in that price range at Target is the Turbo. However, the Safety 1st Apex is $90 on albeebaby with free shipping (search for "Biltmore"), and it would allow him to be harnessed.

 

[skiersnowboarder3]

A turbobooster should be okay for his age and weight especially if these will be relatively short rides. He needs to understand that booster seats put more responsibility on the child than harness seats do. If riders are out of position at the time of a crash, the booster may not work properly. Teach your son how to keep his bottom the whole way back in the seat, sit still, keep the shoulder belt in place, the lap belt low across his hips, and to make sure the belt is over the red belt guides.

ETA: Although, if you could swing it, I'd rather see him in the Apex.

 

[ZacsMom]

I guess I should mention that he is autistic so it's harder to talk to him about importance of things like mentioend above. However, he DOES really love to buckle up and be secure in the car. He actually panics if he thinks we are going to leave before his harness is tight enough.

 

[ZacsMom]

i'm looking on albeebaby and see the apex car seats but it says free shipping on orders over 100... i see an apex for 89.99... is that after taxes it would be free sh ipping or free shipping before taxes? i'm just not sure..thank you

 

[skiersnowboarder3]

I guess I should mention that he is autistic so it's harder to talk to him about importance of things like mentioend above. However, he DOES really love to buckle up and be secure in the car. He actually panics if he thinks we are going to leave before his harness is tight enough.

In that case, I would REALLY rather see him harnessed. :twocents:

 

[ZacsMom]

I think you're right.

 

[An Aurora]

Ooops, it looks like it's out of stock

Maybe a vest?

 

[melniemi]

The Evenflo Generations 65 is supposed to be out soon and will harness to 65#s and is said to be $99. Just a thought.

 

[ZacsMom]

a vest?

 

[skiersnowboarder3]

The ride safer travel vest is the most common and easiest to use. You can use it with a lap/ shoulder belt with or without a tether or with a lap belt only but then you need a top tether. Basically they take the seat belt and put it in the correct position and it also spreads crash forces out among the whole chest- more like a harness than a booster.

 

[carseatcoach]

He really should be harnessed. If your parents can spend $90, can you chip in $40?

 

[skiersnowboarder3]

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/