Going crazy w XC90 and HBB

[Jenny]

Please someone tell me they have a hbb in their volvo w non removable headrests that actually fits flush against the seat back.

RIght now I can fit a vivo, but only b/c I am on the next to bottom level. Once we go up a notch, we are done for proper installation. THe middle seat is no help because now I have 2 boostered young children (one dedicated 6.5 yo and one training 5.5 yo)

So how important is it that there is no gap at the seatback?

I may try to import the Volvo booster seat (which is pretty much the kid fix I think).

Success stories and pictures welcome (or offers on the vehicle). Jenny

 

[ketchupqueen]

You might want to try the Clek Oobr. It allows use with EITHER the base OR the head of the booster in contact with the vehicle seat, because it is reinforced with a titanium (I think) alloy all the way up. (Most boosters do not allow this and want contact all the way up the back.) It has a unique recline mechanism so you can put the booster in, recline it, and JUST have the headrest in contact, and that is absolutely fine and safe. This is fine per Clek, and they say several parents have told them it's the only HBB that works in their vehicles with their fixed, forward-protruding headrests. It also fits smaller booster riders well. It's expensive, but hey, if it works, right? Probably cheaper than importing...

 

[Jenny]

Ketchupqueen,

you rock! I will give it a try and let you know how it goes! Jenny

 

[Kat_Momof3]

also, I think the compass boosters (not sure about the newest one) are designed to work around angled headrests.

 

[bree]

A Frontier in booster mode might work, as well. I have a Volvo S80 with those annoying headrests, and I have DD harnessed in a Frontier. The design of the Frontier allows the back portion to be in contact with the seat, while the headrest portion fits nicely in front of the Volvo's headrest. I don't know if the newer Frontier 85 has the same design or if the headrest might interfere at a certain higher booster height, but I just thought I'd mention it in case.

 

[babyherder]

The vivo directions say no large gaps. So that's what I use in my volvo (after deciding that sawing the headrests off was not a good overall plan). Its not a large gap between the vehicle seat back and the vivo seat back, at least in the opinion of several techs here. I use it for my babysitting kids and really can't afford to import anything and the compass would be useless as it tends to fit smaller booster riders poorly and doesn't even fit some of the larger ones and what's the point if the belt isn't even positioned correctly????? Hope you can find something that works for you.

 

[Jenny]

Thanks Ladies for the other suggestions as well.

I will attempt to try them all out. The vivo is the easiest to try out since right now it is functional in the car already -- I will look at how big the gap is and maybe post it when I get a chance.

Yes, my kids are petite, and so boosters that dont typically fit smaller riders dont fit my kids.

what is totally crazy is that the third row seats in my car give a great lap belt fit to my daughter without anything (she is about 45 lbs and 46 inches at 6 yo)
Her feet dont quite hit the floor, but her toes do. ALthough I am not considering that now.

I did look into the frontier a year or so ago for harnessing w seatbelts and it didn't want to stay on the seat -- kept sliding forward.

I wonder if the recaro prosport has a headrest a little more forward it almost looks like it does in the pictures.?

I really just need one that fits well, b/c the other one can sit in the middle seat.

I am now trying to find a store that carries all these options so I can try out in person. ANd I had told dh we were all done with child restraint decisions....

THanks Ladies! Jenny

 

[QuassEE]

The Oobr and the Monterey both work great in the XC90. The Frontier likely works, too, but I've only used it harnessed in there

-Nicole.

 

[Adventuredad]

This is an issue with XC90 but there is not much to do unless you want to rip out the head rests... Using a HBB with a small gap doesn't affect safety negatively but seats are of course more upright.

 

[ketchupqueen]

It may affect the safety of some boosters. If the booster says you can't do it, you can't do it. They have the crash test results, we don't!

 

[joolsplus3]

Volvo has a US booster http://www.ecrater.com/p/3552031/volvo-booster-seat-tilting-backrest

I'm guessing they have so much confidence in their side structure and curtain airbags that they don't feel the need for their seats here to have huge headwings for side impact protection. Though that's kind of not helpful if you have a car-sleeper that needs decent support. :/