yellowdogmom
12-29-2006, 05:24 PM
Julie,
Thanks for all of your feedback and help regarding the center installs, RAV4 (no tether anchors) install, Radian feedback, etc.
We're about to travel so even though DS hasn't outgrown his Roundabout I ordered the Radian and the backpack/case to travel with then use in the future all the time in DH's 1998 RAV4.
I can get a great install in the center position of the RAV using the technique of reclining the seats then pulling them to full upright after getting it as tight as possible. I can also get a great install with LATCH in my Toyota Matrix...but I have the dreaded install issue with the belt. Since the Matrix rear seats don't recline (at least I couldn't find that they do nor is it mentioned in the manual) I just can't get a tight enough fit. We don't plan to use the Radian in the Matrix, but we'll certainly have rental cars to use it in after DS is over the LATCH weight limit, but I suppose by then we could think about traveling with a booster. :\
So my questions for you Julie are:
1. Do you have any tips for a better install with belts without needing to recline the seats?
2. Since we're looking to replace the RAV in the next year or so, I want to make sure that we can get a good center install. I think I remember that you have a Prius, am I right? We're definitely wanting a hybrid for our next car and the Prius is high on the list, along with the Civic. Any thoughts on a Radian center install in either of these cars?
To be honest, I'm just in love with the Roundabout and Marathon and I'm really tempted to return the Radian and go for a 2nd Marathon and a set of GoGo Kidz wheels, but DH and I both just love the folding concept of the Radian and so want it to work!
ETA: OK, I did some searches and found Julie's recommendation to someone else about twisting the buckle stalk (female end) so I decided to run out and try that since I feel like the buckle itself may be lending to the loose-ness. That did help somewhat, but I found that my real problem lies in the door side where the lap portion of the belt comes out. It is very far over and is sorrounded by plastic, so there is a lot of wiggle room and it gives it a big angle to where it hits the seat and enters the belt path. So I decided to try it with the belt install in the center position - much better! The position of the lap portion of the belt is so much narrower than the outboard positions. I guess I feel OK assuming that any belt install I'd do would be center position anyway since DS is our one and only. OK, now I can go play Hi-Ho Cherry-O without obsessing about the seat! ;)
Thanks!
:) Kristin
Mom to Theo, born 1/12/2004 in Korea ~ home forever 7/6/2004
and Morgan the yellow lab
Thanks for all of your feedback and help regarding the center installs, RAV4 (no tether anchors) install, Radian feedback, etc.
We're about to travel so even though DS hasn't outgrown his Roundabout I ordered the Radian and the backpack/case to travel with then use in the future all the time in DH's 1998 RAV4.
I can get a great install in the center position of the RAV using the technique of reclining the seats then pulling them to full upright after getting it as tight as possible. I can also get a great install with LATCH in my Toyota Matrix...but I have the dreaded install issue with the belt. Since the Matrix rear seats don't recline (at least I couldn't find that they do nor is it mentioned in the manual) I just can't get a tight enough fit. We don't plan to use the Radian in the Matrix, but we'll certainly have rental cars to use it in after DS is over the LATCH weight limit, but I suppose by then we could think about traveling with a booster. :\
So my questions for you Julie are:
1. Do you have any tips for a better install with belts without needing to recline the seats?
2. Since we're looking to replace the RAV in the next year or so, I want to make sure that we can get a good center install. I think I remember that you have a Prius, am I right? We're definitely wanting a hybrid for our next car and the Prius is high on the list, along with the Civic. Any thoughts on a Radian center install in either of these cars?
To be honest, I'm just in love with the Roundabout and Marathon and I'm really tempted to return the Radian and go for a 2nd Marathon and a set of GoGo Kidz wheels, but DH and I both just love the folding concept of the Radian and so want it to work!
ETA: OK, I did some searches and found Julie's recommendation to someone else about twisting the buckle stalk (female end) so I decided to run out and try that since I feel like the buckle itself may be lending to the loose-ness. That did help somewhat, but I found that my real problem lies in the door side where the lap portion of the belt comes out. It is very far over and is sorrounded by plastic, so there is a lot of wiggle room and it gives it a big angle to where it hits the seat and enters the belt path. So I decided to try it with the belt install in the center position - much better! The position of the lap portion of the belt is so much narrower than the outboard positions. I guess I feel OK assuming that any belt install I'd do would be center position anyway since DS is our one and only. OK, now I can go play Hi-Ho Cherry-O without obsessing about the seat! ;)
Thanks!
:) Kristin
Mom to Theo, born 1/12/2004 in Korea ~ home forever 7/6/2004
and Morgan the yellow lab