Harnessed booster for 3YO in Ford Flex

[ohiolust]

I have a 2012 Ford Flex. Looking for a harnessed FF seat that will convert to a booster for my small 3yo (almost 4). The seat will be in a captains chair with no center console so size isn't too big of an issue. He currently uses a Britax Advocate which is ginormous but doesn't give us trouble, even when we occasionally move it to the 3rd row.

I would love your suggestions on a seat you've personally used and like. For me, one of the most important aspects is that the harness straps are easy for me to get him in and out of. I am pretty small myself and have a hard time with some of the tougher seats. (I love his Britax Advocate, but we have a cheaper Evenflo seat for Grandma's car and I HATE it, it's like impossible to get him in and out of.)

So ease of use is a priority. He is only 30lbs and short, so I don't think that a seat that has a high limit for height or weight is really important for us. I love the Britax Frontier - mostly because it comes in Zebra, which matches his current seat, and little brother will be moving into that one - but I think with him being so tiny that perhaps the Frontier is overkill considering his small size and the price. Honestly that thing says it goes to 120 pounds... I don't even weigh that much so I highly doubt he will even get close to that by the time the seat expires LOL! But I don't know anything about this new "click tight" technology so maybe that's worth the bucks?

I've looked at the Harmony Defender but I can't imagine that a $99 seat from Wal-mart would work easily and feel "nice". Also checked out Graco Nautilus but I'm not terribly in love with our snugride so I'm not sure about that either! I would love to hear lots of opinions! TIA!

 

[jgomez411]

I have a Pioneer 70 (Britax). It's currently in my DHs Civic but I have had it in my Expedition as well with no issues. My DD is 3, 28#, 36" and still has room to grow. I know some people complain that it's not as nice as a Frontier but honestly, I love it. We briefly had a Nautilus and my DD hated it (the padding was a joke and she had terrible head slump). She loves the Pioneer though and it's so much more padded an the recline is better than on the Nautilus too.

 

[hkllgg]

I have a Defender that we have used in our Flex for my 3 1/2yr old niece. I don't like the way it installs in the Flex. I had to use the latch to get even a close to good install in the driver side 2nd row, and the passenger side 3rd row. I do not use it in there anymore. I reverted back to our Classic MA for her for now, but I was hoping the Frontier would work too.

ETA: She had a horrible head slump when she fell asleep. And I had it all the way reclined

 

[wnkw]

We've only used a fr85 in a flex, but it worked nicely.

Sent from my DROID4 using Car-Seat.Org

 

[ohiolust]

Thanks for the great advice! I found the Frontier for $247 at Kohls and got $40 Kohls cash too!! Once I watched the videos for the click tight install I was sold - and it will look great next to the Advocate, both in Zebra. The height and weight limits on that are amazing... I would fit in it with room to grow LOL!

 

[hkllgg]

Can you let me know if it installs nice in the Flex? I do need something else for my niece eventually.....and I was thinking about getting one.

 

[ohiolust]

Absolutely!

 

[MyTwoSons]

OP, glad you found something!

For anyone else who may be looking, the Performance Sport installs nicely in the 2nd row captain chairs of a 2012 Flex. We love ours! And, while not the type of seat OP was asking about, the Performance Booster works great with the seat belts in the same positions. :dance:

 

[ohiolust]

We don't have it in the car yet but I had to share this picture of me in the seat... This thing is awesome! I do forsee a problem though... The button you press to loosen the harness straps is SO deep into the seat I can't reach it with my thumb or index finger. I have to use my middle finger which is really awkward.

 

[DogznKatz]

I just skimmed the thread. Do you have inflatable belts in your Ford? If so, Britax does not allow the use of Frontier 90 or Pinnacle 90.

 

[ohiolust]

Oh no I don't know! What is inflatable belts?

 

[ohiolust]

Also I just realized I posted earlier that I went with the pioneer, I meant frontier 90. Edited the post above.

 

[ohiolust]

Just googled it... I'm pretty sure we don't have those but I'll double check the owners manual just to be sure. Thanks for that important info!

 

[wavegal]

I don't believe the '12 models have inflatable seatbelts. The frontier90 has a great install in a flex

 

[DogznKatz]

:yeahthatlove: Sorry if I got anyone worked up. They began offering the IBs in the Flex in 2013. Thanks Wavegal!

 

[ohiolust]

Ok so the verdict is in - the frontier 90 is awesome in the flex. It installed in seconds with the click safe technique. My son loves it. The problem with the harness release button being so deep is slightly annoying because I can't reach it with my thumb or index finger, but it requires relatively little pressure so it won't really be a problem. Thanks for the help and advice! I just wish I could get a pic that shows my two guys together in their matching seats but having one ff and one rf made it nearly impossible.




So comfy he is already falling asleep in it lol!

 

[Sunny_84]

Thanks for this thread! We have a 2011 flex, been debating on this for my 4 yr old.

 

[MotoMommaNH]

I love that its matchy matchy!! Lol, he looks comfy.
Makes me want a Congo FR90 to match newbies Snapdragon Keyfit...hmmm