Graco Highback Turbobooster Install?

[evansmom]

I posted a few weeks ago about my Frotier 85 install not fitting right and being very difficult to buckle/unbuckle in my Traverse. I've had it! I went and bought a turbo booster high back seat today instead to try. I am attaching some photos as I am hoping to get some input on if this is a good fit for my child. He is 6.5 years old, 48 inches tall and weighs 53 pounds. The top of his shoulders are even with the bottom of the head support piece. Can someone look at the photos and let me know please?

In addition, I have 4 questions-

1) Since there is no LATCH to hold the seat and no top tether, is it equally as safe?

2) Do I need to buckle the seat in each time he is not in the car to hold it down?

3) Do I need the belt clip positioner if he has a good shoulder fit?

4) What are the 2 screws for that were included in the box??

Thank you in advance!!

 

[rachelandtyke]

The headrest is all the way up? To me, it looks nearly outgrown in high back mode. But don't take my word for it, let others chime in! He must have a long torso (or my DD has a short one! We have a Turbobooster and she has growing room still at the same height).

1. The Turbobooster is a much lighter seat. It is perfectly safe without LATCH and tether. Actually most boosters don't have LATCH or tether. Most dedicated boosters that do have LATCH have a loose latch strap so it is really only to keep the seat secure when unoccupied. A booster helps provide safe seatbelt fit and provides extra support at the hips for young skeletons. It does not need to be coupled to the car like a harnessed seat does. It actually moves with the child in a collision.

2. Yes, it should be buckled each time the car is in motion, whether occupied or not. Just teach him to do that as part of his exit routine when leaving the vehicle each time.

3. The belt positioning clip can be used in backless mode to help improve shoulder belt placement, but is not required.

4. The screws are for the arms:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=148603

 

[Brianna]

Is the headrest adjusted all the way up? It looks like he has outgrown it if it is all the way up. The Turbobooster is a great seat but unfortunately doesn't last long for long torso'd children with the back attached.

 

[evansmom]

No, the headrest is not all the way up. There was at least one other notch up if not two…The manual said that the top of the ears couldn't be higher than the top of the carseat, not the top of his head.

Is he ok??? Am I doing something wrong with the install of the head support setting?

What would be a different good option for him then?

 

[Brianna]

You want the bottom of the red guide slightly above his shoulders.

 

[evansmom]

The bottom of the red belt guide is right at the top of his shoulder. Should I raise the head piece up one more notch?

 

[happiness-and-balance]

The bottom of the red belt guide is right at the top of his shoulder. Should I raise the head piece up one more notch?

From the pictures, yes I would move it up a notch.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

If you plan on keeping him in a HBB for a little while then i'd probably get him a Safety 1st Boost Air, Britax Parkway or one of the new Diono boosters when they come out. The Turbo Booster is quite short.

 

[evansmom]

I just went out to the car and checked. There are still a few height positions left.. I must have just had it too low?

Is it normal for this seat to recline so easily by just lightly pulling it back? I assume that normal? Just seems so "flimsy"..? Does that make sense?

 

[Pixelated]

I just went out to the car and checked. There are still a few height positions left.. I must have just had it too low?

Is it normal for this seat to recline so easily by just lightly pulling it back? I assume that normal? Just seems so "flimsy"..? Does that make sense?

If you have a few clicks left and you otherwise like it then it's probably a decent option for you.

It is normal for the seat to recline easily. When you're used to the beefiness of the Frontier it's quite a leap to go to a Turbo (or any lightweight booster actually). Remember the purpose of the booster is to boost the child up so that the adult belt fits properly, and it looks like it's doing that nicely. If you want the option of latching the booster in there are seats with that capability but they're generally pricier.

 

[evansmom]

Thank you all!!