are built-in headrests necessary when RF?

[CassnBeth]

DD is RF in a captain's chair in our 2006 Grand Caravan and I don't know if I can remove the headrest? Not from the car seat, I mean from the captain's chair itself? I am happy to leave it there if it is a safety item but if it is purely a comfort item for adults, then it is getting in her view and I'll remove it.

[Twinklefae]

It's a safety item for forward facing booster users and seatbelt users.  You can remove it, but A) make sure it is secured somewhere, like the trunk and B) don't lose it, you will need it later, or someone else will. 

[urchin_grey]

Yup, its not for comfort, its to keep your head from snapping back in a crash.   But obviously that's only if you're in a seatbelt or backless booster (or sometimes even some FF carseats/high back boosters).  RF'ers don't need it though.  I also have a Grand Caravan and I take mine off so that I can lean over the back of the seat to strap the kids in if I have two RF'ers in the 2nd row.

[Llyra]

Just remember to hold on to them, if you do remove them.  I remember reading on here about a mama who'd removed hers, and they got thrown away.