Fairly urgent Britax WWYD

[Edensmum]

I have the Boulevard a 05 model and I am 8 hours from home. I noticed a couple of times recently that dd's harness was not closed as we drove. I thought we needed to be more careful to make sure it was latched. A couple of times on the way here it was unhooked despite checking and making sure it clicked and yanking on it, it was closed and great a yet a few minutes later each time it was undone.
I called Britax, and they said this is a common issue! You have to run it under hot water every couple of months to clean it or this can happen. I see it in the maintenance section under how to clean but it never seemed dirty or to need it. They are sending a new buckle but I have my doubts that it will reach us before we leave for home. They would not over night it. I have done as suggested but there is really no way to test our buckle, only to use it and if it becomes unhooked then we know it's broken. I am really uncomfortable with this and Britax says the seat is safe if we clean it. WWYD for you child? Would you drive like this? Would you go and buy a cheap seat in the mean time? I am kind of freaked out by this. Have you ever had to clean you buckle to make it work? They said this is basic maintenance that should always be done.

[Melaine]

Wow! I've never heard of this!!!!! I'm very interested to hear the other responses, especially from the car seat techs. I'm not sure what I would do....I'm sorry, 'cause I'm sure it's stressing you out!

[Edensmum]

Yes I'm stressed, I feel like I have broken seat and have to drive 400 miles in a few days one of which is a holiday and UPS won't be coming that day.

[Edensmum]

Should we decide to drop money on anothe seat, dd is 4 yrs and 29bs, and 37 inches tall, what would be the best bets for long time 5pt harness, top safety? She is long and really narrow.

I am just worried about how I know this is a dirt thing and not a malfunction thing. I don't know how to know I can trust this seat.

[DietCokeLover]

I have never heard of this either! I think I would get another seat for peace of mind. I know if it were me, I'd be a nervous wreck the whole trip. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Melaine]

I wonder if anyone of your friends might have a car seat you could borrow for the trip?

[brigeet]

I'm a cautious girl, I'd probably fork out the money and buy a cheaper new one since the there's an 8 hour trip ahead. I'm all about peace of mind! That is too bad. I was going to buy a Britax Boulevard for my son in the next few weeks, just waiting for a deal or good coupon to pop up.

[mom2binsd]

I have 4 Marathons and 2 Regents, never had this problem with any of those...is this just a Boulevard issue? I had never heard of "routine maintenance" discussed before. I'd be concerned, but the problem with getting a cheap seat is your DC will probably be uncomfortable sitting for such a long time, can you clean the buckle and then use the seat in the next day to see if the problem is resolved. Do you know anyone with a Britax who isn't using their seat or someone with a seat you could borrow that DC would be comfy in?

[WatchingThemGrow]

I would clean it per their instructions and check the functioning afterward. I'd check it out and if it didn't work, I'd pick up a spare seat on the way home - like a Nautilus or something at Target.

[o_mom]

Originally Posted by Edensmum

Should we decide to drop money on anothe seat, dd is 4 yrs and 29bs, and 37 inches tall, what would be the best bets for long time 5pt harness, top safety? She is long and really narrow.

The Graco Nautilus would be a great seat for her. Available at Target, Walmart and BRU, so you should be able to get one quickly if you need to.