Tightening Sunshine Radian Straps

[APToddlerMama]

We just got a Sunshine Radian and I am having issues tightening the straps.  It clicks, clicks, clicks, clicks, and I'm assuming each click is supposed to be making it tighter, but sometimes I will pull and click it 20 times before I can even notice that it is a tiny bit tighter.  When I pull the straps it to see if we've made progress, it seems like it is loosening. 

Has anyone had this issue?  Is it defective??

[DahliaRW]

I always found the easiest way to tighten the radian was to do it while unbuckled.  Just estimate, tighten, buckle, check, unbuckle, tighten more as needed.  It is a racheting mechanism.

[Awaken]

I'm glad you posted this.  I have been meaning to ask about our radian straps and keep forgetting. ours just do not tighten, no matter how hard I pull.  I brace my foot on the floor, push the little button, and pull with all my might and it doesn't budge.  dh (who is very strong) does the same and it moves a tiny bit.  sometimes we have to adjust it based on how thick DDs clothes are.  It really shouldn't be this hard.  is there something wrong with ours, or are most radians this hard to adjust??

[surrogate]

awaken, that is not normal.  It is a ratchet which means you tug release, tug release, etc to get it tight, it isnt just one long pull.  Alot of people on car-seat.org have been posting problems with their harnesses on their radians lately so check over there.  The problems seem to be getting worse to the point i see people are reporting the problems to NHSTA.  I hope you both find solutions

[Awaken]

oh no, that does not sound good.  it's brand new.  i will have to check out that forum and/or call the manufacturer.  i thought maybe somehow the straps were caught up in the back or something not letting them move.  we do get a snug fit, but it takes a LOT of effort.

[an_aurora]

I'd make sure nothing is hung up under the seat first.  The harness can be stiff and hard to adjust at first.

[mama2soren]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

I always found the easiest way to tighten the radian was to do it while unbuckled.  

Yes to this.  This is what we do, and it's super easy to get it tightened!

[APToddlerMama]

Thanks everyone!  I like that the seat RF until 45 pounds, but the whole strap thing is a pain. 

If you can get the straps tight eventually, is it safe?  There aren't additional issues that we should be worried about?

[leighi123]

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

Thanks everyone!  I like that the seat RF until 45 pounds, but the whole strap thing is a pain. 

If you can get the straps tight eventually, is it safe?  There aren't additional issues that we should be worried about?

If you install with LATCH make sure you check to make sure it doesnt loosen up, there have been some issues with the superlatch.  You should be checking if your seat is tight each time you put the kid in anyway.  

The straps take a little getting used to, but they are fine once you get them set!  I dont ever adjust mine unless ds grows.   When I do adjust, I pull on the straps at the shoulders from the back of the seat (will only work rearfacing!), and then pull the adjuster strap.  
 

[Llyra]

I have to say that I've got two Radians, and I've never had any trouble adjusting the straps at all. I would be contacting the company.

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

Thanks everyone!  I like that the seat RF until 45 pounds, but the whole strap thing is a pain. 

If you can get the straps tight eventually, is it safe?  There aren't additional issues that we should be worried about?

If you install with LATCH make sure you check to make sure it doesnt loosen up, there have been some issues with the superlatch.  You should be checking if your seat is tight each time you put the kid in anyway.  

The straps take a little getting used to, but they are fine once you get them set!  I dont ever adjust mine unless ds grows.   When I do adjust, I pull on the straps at the shoulders from the back of the seat (will only work rearfacing!), and then pull the adjuster strap.  
 

We're not using latch right now because our middle seat doesn't have it, but I will keep that in mind for the future.  thank you!