RSTV help please

[Defrost]

Yeah, I think that would help with the bunching. I'm not sure about the gap, I've only played with a RSTV once. I think it looks like a typical fit in your pics, though. Have you tried it with the top tether/head support piece? We found it kept the kids more "stable;" or rather, they had absolutely no wiggle room.

 

[Northriver]

Here is the photo showing the shoulder belt in relation to the seat as it was placed when I took the pictures yesterday. It was indeed forward of the seat, pulling the front of the vest forward, creating the gap.

Today, I moved the seat up and also moved the seat to a more upright position. These are the results:

What do you think? Is the fit ok? There is still a bit of a gap, but the gap is above her armpits, across the actual chest it is still tight.

Now that I have given this more thought, I won't be using the RSTV as much as I originally planned, there are more places I can the Radian along. However, there are a few times we'll definately need it, and I'm feeling better about the fit after moving the seat today.

 

[Defrost]

I think it looks better now. I'd be fine using it on my own child.

 

[Northriver]

I think it looks better now. I'd be fine using it on my own child.

Thank you so much for your help, Defrost.

 

[ketchupqueen]

The new photos look like a good fit to me, too. I would use that too. :thumbsup:

 

[cookie123]

Sorry to butt in! Do you guys think the lap belt portion is too high on her at all?

 

[Defrost]

Sorry to butt in! Do you guys think the lap belt portion is too high on her at all?

The RSTV doesn't work like a booster. It has special padding that spreads the forces over the entire vest, so the placement of the lap belt isn't as vital as it is with a booster or just a seat belt.

 

[cookie123]

Oh, I didn't realize that, but wondered if it had to be like a booster or not. Then I thought that a seat belt is a seat belt and should be properly placed.
Thanks for that tidbit of info.

 

[ketchupqueen]

It does require that the bottom portion be long enough to bend and touch the thighs when seated, so that forces are properly distributed over a large enough area. But that's not an issue for smaller kids as much.

 

[Northriver]

The new photos look like a good fit to me, too. I would use that too. :thumbsup:

Thanks again for your help!

RE: seatbelt placement: When I first buckled her in, it was lower and looked great. I ran to grab the camera, and when I got back 30 seconds later, it was higher, as shown. She probably tried to escape while I had my back turned. I suspect a certain level of maturity is required to properly use the RSTV. I'll be using this on vacation when I'm sitting next to her, not sure I'd let her use it if I was driving and couldn't keep any eye on her.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Did you pull it down before putting her in the car, and then pull the lap belt very snug before doing the shoulder portion? It may also just be that car. Especially when I use the tether, but even when I don't, I find that the RSTV keeps my daughter just exactly where I put her in the cars I've tried it with.