Radian XTSL issues

[L'sMommy]

I was very happy when our Radian was RF. Now that it is FF, I hate it!! I need to frequently loosen and tighten the belts. Reason being for long trips, i heat up the car and take DS's coat off, and for a 2 minute drive I leave his coat on (not a puffy coat so I'm comfortable leaving it on for short trips). I cannot get the belts to tighten easily. It stinks! I have to put my knee on the seat and pull with all my might to tighten the belts. The rachet motion never bothered me RF but with FF I can't reach around the back and tighten the slack before pulling the belt tight. Any tips?

Also, have you noticed that the latch belt comes loose from time to time and you have to remember to tighten it? I am sure we have it installed correctly. It could be because we have a lot of crap in the back seat (diaper bag, coat, burp cloths for puke, etc.) and if something pushes on the belt buckle thing it loosens it.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

See my recent thread about the LATCH coming loose:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...d.php?t=381532

I eventually emailed them about it and they sent me a new strap to try. So far, it has not come loose. But I will never trust it again and check it every time I put her in the seat.

[L'sMommy]

oh wow, I did not knwo it was a widespread problem. Glad I posted about it. So then, should I just be using the seat belt instead of superlatch?? I've contacted SKJP and am waiting to hear back via email.

[Joolsplus2]

If you're worried the LATCH will come loose in use, yeah, go ahead and use the seatbelt instead. It's a VERY widespread problem, unfortunately
I keep reading that if you unzip the coat before buckling, and put the straps right on the shirt, that kids can extricate themselves from the coat somehow without loosening the harness...? Not sure how that works, but give it a try? Yeah, the harness adjuster is just a pain, I try to adjust mine as little as humanly possible when we use that seat. Might be so bad when it's in the top slots, due to where the splitter plate lies, but if you are already there, ugh, I dunno.

[L'sMommy]

Here's teh response I got from SKJP. They are basically telling me the proper way to install it, which I already know how to do. Haven't responded yet.

Dear XXX,

Thank you for contacting us about your difficulties with the LATCH. I am confident that we can resolve your issues. Please try the following actions. Please notify me confirming that this did/did not help. I am certain I can get you a LATCH that tightens with ease and stays tight.



Rear-facing:

Press downward on the front of the seat bottom (front part of the seat the child's legs are) while pulling upward on the LATCH/UAS strap (page 15 in Radian manual)



Forward facing:

Make sure top tether is loose during installation

Pull free end of LATCH strap through the back of the seat (Radian manual page 21, Fig 6)

Get in the seat: left knee where child's bottom would be, left shoulder leaning against Radian’s seat back, pull LATCH/UAS strap straight upward toward ceiling < using both hands to pull the strap.

Get out of the seat , wiggle it a little make sure it is sitting properly on vehicle seat, jump back in seat and give it another pull for good measure.

Last step is to snug the top tether > snug so it’s not loose – but not tight like a piano wire. Remember : LATCH/UAS strap 'tight', top tether 'snug'.



Best regards-

[stillplayswithbarbies]

yeah I went back and forth a few times with them before they sent me a new strap. He asked me to send him a picture of the seat. I think they know that some cars put it at the angle that loosens it.