Radian or TrueFit for 6-month-old in '08 T&C?

kater-tot82 · Feb 21, 2011

We are wanting to move our 6-month-old to a convertible seat soon--she is not a fan of the infant seat, and I am hoping that getting her a convertible may help with the in-the-car crying

I am pretty sure that I want either a Radian (either the 65SL or 80SL, I think, I don't really like the headwings on the XTSL) or the True Fit or True Fit Premier for her. Obviously it will be RFing. DD is about 18lbs right now and not sure about length, maybe 27 inches? (well-baby visit is Friday)...but either one should last her for awhile, I'm pretty sure. I'd like to (hopefully) RF til 3yo. I also want a lower-profile seat, and something that can install pretty upright. It will pretty much stay in a captain's chair in my '08 T&C, not be moved around a lot, so as long as I can get a decent install, it won't be taken in and out much.

Any pros or cons to either seat? Does the Radian install fairly upright in a captain's chair in an '08 T&C? Are there any install issues with either seat? There is LATCH on the seat, I know for sure. I haven't tried either one out yet, as we are just starting to look for a convertible.

I am open to other options, but those two seemed like they'd give me the most bang for my buck. Opinions or advice?

jourdysmom · Feb 21, 2011

The Radian installs upright easily in the captains chairs (I used LATCH and tethered it under the driver seat).

RF installs in the 3rd row stink because the boot hits the plastic "hinges" on the seat. It is do-able, but the installs are a bit tilted. Forward facing is a bot more challenging in the 3rd row. It is incompatible in the center as the seat is narrow, and it has that connector box on it at the left hip. The buckle ends up behind the seat and is a nightmare. Outboard with seatbelt requires 2 turns of the female buckle, recline the seat, tighten, then put the seat back upright. I FINALLY got mine in with an acceptable install outboard, and now I have to take it out to add the safestop as we had an extra TT put in back there for her.

I am waiting on my True Fit to arrive, but I can take pics as soon as it does for you if you like

I can even do both and compare for you :thumbsup:

kater-tot82 · Feb 22, 2011

jourdysmom said:
The Radian installs upright easily in the captains chairs (I used LATCH and tethered it under the driver seat).

RF installs in the 3rd row stink because the boot hits the plastic "hinges" on the seat. It is do-able, but the installs are a bit tilted. Forward facing is a bot more challenging in the 3rd row. It is incompatible in the center as the seat is narrow, and it has that connector box on it at the left hip. The buckle ends up behind the seat and is a nightmare. Outboard with seatbelt requires 2 turns of the female buckle, recline the seat, tighten, then put the seat back upright. I FINALLY got mine in with an acceptable install outboard, and now I have to take it out to add the safestop as we had an extra TT put in back there for her.

I am waiting on my True Fit to arrive, but I can take pics as soon as it does for you if you like I can even do both and compare for you :thumbsup:

That would be awesome if you could take pix so I could see a comparison. That's good to know about the 3rd row. I like my van but am not the biggest fan of that 3rd row. Currently both kids are in the captain's chairs...we are hoping for one more baby (maybe next year) so if that happens someone needs to move to the 3rd row (prob will be booster-riding DD1)

What is your current set-up in your van? (Just curious, I know it has nothing to do with my OP). Do your 3rd row kids have enough leg room? (We have the stow-and-go seats so none of the seats can move forward or back when they're up, if that makes sense).