ERF and tall driver

[kimberley-k]

Hi,

I am looking for a solution in my 2004 Honda Pilot. DH is tall and needs the driver's seat slid all the way back. He has been jamming his seat into our son's RF car seat (center position) and making it crooked. I can't put it behind the passenger because there's not enough space in the garage for me to load him from that side, and I can't climb over my other son's seat to put him in either. Here's what we have already:

RA (fits well in DH's car behind passenger, so I don't want to move it)
FPSVD in Grandma's car
Radian65

I was planning to use the Radian65 in the center in my car, thinking it is narrow enough for the top to fit between the front seats, but when the base is attached (manual says it is required for RF), it is WAY reclined and hits both front seats. Any suggestions on making this work? Does anyone actually use this seat RF? I guess it might fit OK in a minivan, but I don't see how it would fit in anything else.

DS2 is turning one next month, and I noticed from other posts that some seats only have to be 30 degrees for ERF, so maybe that is our solution, just not sure what seat to do this with. I am going to a baby swap meet tomorrow and could sell one of my 5-yr-old's other seats and have him use the Radian65, and I could buy something new for DS2.

Thanks in advance!

-Kim

DS1 Tyler 01/04
DS2 Brett 05/08

[Melaine]

I hope that you can figure this out. We've definitely had that experience. We actually realized that DH couldn't safely drive our Saturn with the girls in the Marathons RF in the backseat. It wasn't really an issue because we usually use the van, but it did mean that we decided not to buy second seats while they were RFing (still haven't actually).

[daniele_ut]

Installing the seat upright will make a big difference, but you definitely can't do it with a Radian. I can install my a Marathon in my tiny Subaru and have enough room sit in front of it on the passenger side, but dh can't comfortably drive in front of it if we have it on the drivers side. In a Honda Pilot, though, it should be no issue.

Of the seats you listed, the Roundabout would give you the most room, but you could do it with the FP Safe Voyage. Basically, when you install it RF, you need to lean on the front of the carseat (by the harness adjuster strap) while you are tightening the seat belt or LATCH straps. That will make it more upright than 45 degrees.