One more car seat question: Radian

[greenemami]

I've been on here several times asking random questions as I figure out what to do about our car situation...just a quick recap:

We were debating getting a minivan, but can't afford it and decided to try to make my smaller car work instead with 3 across.  I have dd: 4, ~42 inches 36 lb, currently FF in a Britax Marathon, ds: 1, 23 lb, ~31 inches, currently RF in a Cosco Scenara and dsd: almost 10, ~5 feet tall, ~80 lb, in a seatbelt. 

I want to replace the Scenara, both because I am not trhilled with the seat and because I'd like to create more room in the car so dsd isn't squished in the middle anymore.  I think I have found a solution, but am worried that I am missing something because I have confused myself with too much research and too many options!

Does it make sense to buy a Radian 65 to install FF in the center seat with the Marathon outboard (RF) on one side and dsd in a seatbelt on the other?  I am not particularly worried about dd outgrowing the Radian by weight, so am happy with the 65 versus the 80, but want to be sure she has enough room to grow heigh-wise, since she is tall.  The radian website says it can be used FF until 53 inches.  Can anyone verify this?  She has long legs, average torso if that helps and current torso height is approx 14-15 inches. 

I'd love to get her her a nautilus or frontier instead, but I think they are too wide.  I have heard that the marathon and radian puzzle well though, so I am hoping that will create more room. 

Also, if I put the radian FF in the center, the tether (if there is one?) would have to go to the left or right in my hatchback, since there is no center tether position.  Is this okay to do? 

Lots of questions, would appreciate any input as I'd like to get this ordered in the next day or too! 

Thanks so much, you ladies are always so helpful! 

*yikes, almost missed half my point!  The marathon expires in late 2013, when dd will be 6.5 and ds will be 3.5.  I would move ds to the radian at that point and probably get dd a HBB.  Is it reasonable to think that she would be okay in a HBB at around 6.5 years old? Trying to minimzie the amount of expensive car seats I will need to buy in the future!

Edited by greenemami - 4/29/11 at 11:15am

[an_aurora]

The Radian has top slots of about 17", so it would give her several inches.  Kids grow an average of an inch a year in torso height, so it would be 3-4+ years before she outgrows it.  

The Marathon and Radian fit well next to each other when facing the same direction, but not quite as nicely when facing opposite directions.  

What car do you drive?  

I would keep the Radian outboard if possible since that's where the tether anchor is located, but if that doesn't work, you could get another anchor installed.

[DahliaRW]

Also, with the rfing seat in the middle it would give your older child more shoulder room.

[greenemami]

Thanks!  I drive a Toyota Matrix.  I will try it with the RF seat in the middle since I doubt I will ever make it to get another anchor installed any time soon! Also, good point about it giving more shoulder room!  I was just thinking that the least protected child should go in the middle, so since dsd doesn't fit, it would be dd then.  They are both outboard now anyway, so I'm assume it is not that huge of an improvement in safety.  Thanks so much for the info.!  I'm going to try the Marathon and Radian next to each other and cross my fingers they fit!

[painefaria]

Originally Posted by greenemami 

Also, if I put the radian FF in the center, the tether (if there is one?) would have to go to the left or right in my hatchback, since there is no center tether position.  Is this okay to do? 

The radian is the only carseat that you DO NOT have to rear tether. http://www.skjp.com/simg/27800310.pdf

[an_aurora]

Actually only a few seats require a tether.  They are always recommended but only a couple require it (like the Frontier over 50 lbs, etc).

[chickabiddy]

In most cases, tethers are only *required* when using the lower anchors.  They are always recommended, however, and the good news is that a Toyota Matrix has tether anchors in all three rear seating positions.

[greenemami]

Hm, I will have to look again but I could swear there were only two tether positions-I drive a 2007, maybe it changes by year?  Will have to unload my giant stroller to see! :)

The bad news: I cannot for the life of me get the marathon and radian next to each other in any position :(  Frankly, I don't see how they even fit next to each other if they were both FF (or RF).  Am I missing something?! Is my only option to fitting three kids comfortably to buy another radian?  Anyone know if two radians will fit next to each other if one is RF and one is FF?  Help!  (and thanks!)

[chickabiddy]

Tether anchors in a 2007 Matrix are in the cargo area behind the rear seat.  (new paragraph, which the software won't allow for some reason)  The narrowest combination I know is a Graco MyRide and a Radian facing the same direction.  The MyRide is $100 at Target this week; far less than a Radian.

[greenemami]

Yup, I've used two of the anchors before, so I know where to look, but I could swear there were only two!  Maybe I missed one-I read on another board that the center anchor is off to one side, so maybe I just haven't looked in the right place, who knows :)
 

Do you mean that the MyRide puzzles well with the radian or it is as narrow?  My problem is that I need a RF and a FF seat to go next to each other.  I'm not willing to turn ds FF yet (or anytime soon) and dd is just under the weight limit to be turned back to RF and I'm not interested in fighting that particular battle for a short-term solution.

I searched the car seat.org site and it looks like I might get more room if I install both seats with the seat belt instead of one with LATCH.  I'll be out there playing tomorrow and let you know how it goes, thanks all!

[chickabiddy]

The Radian and MyRide puzzle beautifully in the same direction.  The MyRide is not otherwise a very narrow seat.

[greenemami]

whew!  Well, I got them in side-by-side using seatbelts for both, which def. gave me more room.  Can I just say that whoever designed those darn metal locking clips must be crazy! Yikes, made me appreciate the built-in locking clips on the Marathon, SO Much easier!!!  I put the Radian FF in the center and the Marathon RF driver's side outboard with nice tight installs.  I have enough room to sit on the passenger's side although I am squished, so hopefully it will be marginally more comfortable for dsd-at least my 1-year-old won't be grabbing at her the whole ride now!   I still think our best bet long-term is going to be another Radian, probably in the smaller passenger's side outboard, but we'll try this and see how it works.  At least I proved to myself it can be done :)

Oh, and you all were right, there IS a center tether location in the trunk!  I have no idea how I missed that before, so thanks for making me look again!

Thanks again!

[an_aurora]

You don't need to use locking clips :)  Your seat belts lock at the retractor, so to lock you just pull the belt all the way out and let it click back in.

[greenemami]

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

You don't need to use locking clips :)  Your seat belts lock at the retractor, so to lock you just pull the belt all the way out and let it click back in.

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry!  I seriously spent a good 30 minutes getting that **** clip in and my fingers still hurt!!! Guess that's why I should read the car manual a little more thoroughly :) At least now I know for next time-I had sworn that that car seat was never coming out after that experience! Thanks! :)